 Poster: A snowHead
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No not for me although it could be in four years time. 
A friend of mine has asked me about the possibilities for his 72 year old father. I know of the SCGB Peak Experience trips one or two of which might be appropriate, however most of the SCGB programme is for relatively adventurous skiers or instruction based, so I was wondering if there are other alternatives.
I have not met the gentleman concerned but I am told that he is reasonably fit for his age and was an intermediate skier in his younger days. My understanding is that he is comfortable on blues and easier reds so is looking for fairly gentile skiing with a relaxed coffee break and a fairly leisurely lunch. He would like to ski with a group of similar age and skiing aspirations.
Cost should not be a major problem and I think he would prefer more traditional resorts.
Any suggestions welcome.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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richjp, I suggest he try these people:
http://www.classicski.co.uk/subpages/calgary.htm
Les Saisies is absolutely perfect for the type of skier you suggest and I have met quite a few people staying at the Calgary - one 82 year old has been going for 15 years. He's a pretty good skier, but doesn't want long taxing days.
The stats are a bit misleading - there are actually 185 km of lift linked skiing from Les Saisies, throughout the Espace Diamant and although Les Saisies is gentle, Notre Dame de Bellecombe has some more technically demanding (but very, very, quiet) red runs and there are some blacks sprinkled around, too.
Absolutely yob-free if you avoid the Paris holidays. Very good snow record, slopes quiet outside French school hols. A pretty "traditional style" village (but it's at 1650m so isn't genuinely traditional) and the alpine views are fantastic - Mont Blanc, the Aravis, the Col de Joly, the Beaufortain - all around. The Calgary Hotel is out of my price range but v nice. Very near the slopes.
Could recommend a smashing instructor if he would like a couple of private lessons - which are cheap. A good idea if he hasn't skied for some years, and a good way to see a bit of the terrain.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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richjp, resorts start doing free lift passes at that sort of age (eg 72 in 2Alpes, 75 in Espace Killy) - worth checking the websites for freebies.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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richjp - I'm a member of a ski club designed for the over 50s although most skiers are closer to 70 with some into their 80s
If you look at http://www.arp050skiclub.co.uk/ , you’ll get an idea, we are a section of the National association of retired persons whos raison d’etre is just to organise several holidays during the season.
The general makeup of the club is that we are virtually ALL skiers, with a high percentage of folks who have found that their partners no longer want or are able to ski and so a fair percentage are 'singles' which means that - with 5 ski weeks each season with unto 20 skiers on each - theres usually a fair cross section of like minded guys to team up room-wise not to mention the actual skiing for your mates dad.
Thirsty
richjp,
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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scgb freshtracks ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Another vote for Les Saises, my mum goes most years with Classic Ski, she's usually a solo traveller and nearly 70, loves the area
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The resort where I found a lot of old folks skiing was Aspen Mountain, USA.
Over the Hill Gang skiing club caught my eye when I learned skiing at 50 but I never join. They must have a bunch of oldies active in skiing.
Personally if one stays away from the crowded resorts or one with minimal lifts and can't afford to groom the place then most European resort would be suitable for over seventies skiers.
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Thirsty, your link doesn't work.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Nice to see these things will be out there in a few years when it starts to apply to me.
What is it like getting insurance to ski off piste at that age?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My parents are really struggling to get Insurance to cover skiing at a sensible price - they are 75 and 77. Given the fact that mum has had replacement knees and both are recovering from various cancers, not altogether surprising!
Any recommendations for reasonable insurance would be welcomed! At the moment they are working on basis of their normal Saga annual trip policy and Carte Niege to cover of the slope recover - Saga have apparently said this would be fine.
They do only have to pay €2 for lift pass though
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FAQ
