 Poster: A snowHead
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To begin with, apologies as this has probably been asked many times before, but decided to make a new thread instead of digging up an old thread as every case is different.
The question is actually regarding my father, he's 63 soon and we're thinking of going on a family ski trip (My dad, brother and I) at Easter, however he's very apprehensive and doubts his fitness and whether his body will be up to it.
Both my brother and I are intermediate skiers with 3-5 weeks skiing each but my dad hasn't skied in about 20 years, but before that could do all but the most difficult blacks (5-10 weeks skiing). He's still very active, into mountain walking and sailing, and is fairly fit (weighs less than me and I'm 19!) but he's getting to the age where he doesn't want to risk breaking anything as it'll take a long time to heal and he's starting to get age-related aches and pains.
I think he'll be fine as (I think?) modern skis are easier on your body.
I suppose the real question is, do you think he'll be okay skiing, or is it best to give it a miss? Personally I think he should make the most of his remaining youth! I've suggested a dry-slope session to try out, but I'm not sure if that's a sensible idea as it may put him off (would put me off, hate the stuff!) and the nearest fridge is about 3 hours away (might be worth it?). Also are there any tips for an older skier?
Thanks, Iain
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If he used to ski quite a bit and is still physically very active then he will be absolutely fine. My parents both still ski and are older than that.
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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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I am older than your father however I have been skiing for years.
You mentioned that he is starting to get age related aches and pains which sounds like it could be a problem. Good general strength and stamina are necessary, but for skiing you also need good flexibility. It is often flexibility that goes as people get older. Hill walking and is all very well for general conditioning but not for flexibility in my view.
A trip to the nearest fridge might not be a bad idea even if it is a long way away.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Fri 18-01-13 10:58; edited 1 time in total
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Iaink, skip the dry slope and get him out there in the real thing
He loves the mountains so he'll love a ski trip and as oldsters are usually quite canny he'll take things at his own pace and enjoy himself in that grumpy way us old geezers do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If fit, no issue at all. 63!! This is not that old.
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Thanks for your comments, I'm quite confident that he'll be fine, but I'll have to find a way of reassuring him!
This band of snow coming across the UK might be a perfectly timed blessing, does anybody know of any dry slopes in Wales that are currently/are forecast to be covered in snow in the next few days?
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If he is fit - it shouldn't be a problem especially as he has previously skied at a reasonable level
I had my first ski trip in 2007 at 59 and have skied once or twice a year since
The one area that I have found more difficult in the 6 years since I started, is getting up if I fall over - I don't appear to have the same flexibility and strength in my legs to get up without removing a ski - so it just takes a bit longer - but I was a beginner then and now don't fall over as much (PSB 2012 excepted) so its not an issue.
PM me if you would like words of assurance for him
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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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He will be fine especially if he has skied before. Tell him not to worry. I'm 64 and Mr Mogulski is 66 and we ski 6 or 7 weeks each winter. Didn't start till in our mid 30s but got hooked like so many.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Iaink,
He sounds as though he hold be physically fit enough.
His biggest problem sounds like is is apprehension.
Injury risk is increased by fear. I have run a Return from Injury Ski Camp for many years taking people back skiing after surgery.
It is primarily about conquering fear.
I have started getting my anxious patients to do a half day at one of the indoor places just to alleviate anxiety and it works a treat.
I would definitely get him to do it.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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He sounds just about the correct age, Either to Resume or Begin
My wife decided on my 60th birthday that we needed to try cross-country skiing (I was a dedicated couch potato) and at 64 when the Nordic Center closed at the end of the season I decided we needed to try downhill. Up 'til then neither of us was a skier, never went beyond a single lesson years (decades actually) ago.
We signed up for a Downhill (Alpine) Lesson and absolutely had a great time! Beginning of next season we bought skis and a season pass.
After a full Season and a few months into the second season of Downhill we're Both solid on the intermediate (Blue here in the Pacific NW) and venturing onto the Black Diamond runs.
If your Dad was a skier in the past he'll find the new shorter shaped skis more stable and easier to ski. Don't try to teach him but rather get him to sign up for a refresher lesson.
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Although not 63, (I'm 4 ) I'm physically as good as I've been for many years and this is all due to yoga.
For me Yoga isn't something I do a few times q week as a lifestyle thing, but I almost treat it like medicine, as I know my hips, knees and various other joints suffered from the punishment I gave them on a motorcycle in 52 week riding and not being dressed warmly enough for the business.
If you can find a fairly decent yoga teacher preferabley a Yogi, not a whet yoga teacher, he can suggest a series of asanas that will focus on opening up the hips, which for me is where us olds suffer most.
I just came back from my first week skiing in Levi and thought I'd escaped lightly, but about 3 days aftre I returned, I felt like Daniel Craig in that scene in Casino Royale.....men....you know the one?....knotted rope 
My yoga teacher gave me some grief when he came the week after returning and told me I should have told him I was going and he could have given me some specific asanas as a "rescue" method for my hips n groin.
I'm guessing what ski he goes onto will be a big factor too, what are the big Merc SELs of skis these days. I have a set of ex rental Head Big Easys and they're like my exec car skis
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You know it makes sense.
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Iaink, My Mum and Dad are 79 and they still ski - gently with lots of coffee stops. Let him take it at his own pace and as long as he's warm and dry (good gloves!) I bet he'll be fine. Take some ibuprofen gel in case of aches and pains. A hot bath or a swim after skiing (and a beer obviously) will relax the muscles. Have fun!
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