Feature Article

SENIOR SKIERS GET A BREAK!
by Frederick Charlton

     Colorado ski resorts offer special incentives to attract skiers over 60

     What happens to your ski life when you hit 50, 60 or 70?
     "It just gets better," according to Dennis Beasley, Executive Director of Over the Hill Gang International. Their club slogan, "Once you're over the hill, you pick up speed!" has sent thousands of senior skiers back to the slopes all over the United States and abroad.
     Senior skiing gets better in several ways. One of the most important perks is lower costs for skiing. Most ski resorts already have special discounts for senior skiers, especially for lift tickets. These usually begin at age 60 or 65, and continue through age 69. But when you hit 70, that's the big payoff: You get to ski free at 19 of Colorado 25 ski resorts!
     These "free over 70" lift tickets include such ski centers as Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park and Telluride. Others offer substantial discounts to this over-70 group. At Loveland, a season pass for skiers age 60 to 69 is $32, and for those who are 70 and over it's just $25. At Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin, these seniors enjoy a $99 "Bargain Five Resort Senior Pass" for the season-a 93 percent discount from regular lift ticket prices. With this plan, seven days of skiing would cost only $14 per day. Aspen's ski area offers the same discounted senior price of $99 per season, called the Silver Pass.
     Discounted or free lift tickets are not the only advantages awaiting senior skiers in Colorado. Special senior programs and events are staged at many resorts to attract and hold this group of typically more affluent skiers. Here are some examples:
     ASPEN maintains a Senior Center as a meeting place for seniors, where they can sign up for various events geared to their abilities. A popular "Seniors' Day" is held each season that features videotaped races that are played back at the end of the day. Aspen also sponsors a brunch or luncheon at the mountaintop Sun Deck; seniors who don't ski can take the gondola to this affair.
     BRECKENRIDGE has hosted an annual "Seniors Games," a competition that attracts skiers from other resorts. Additionally, monthly Silver Skiing Seminars are offered to those 50 and over. Guest speakers and video analysis are included during the two-day event, as well as a complimentary dinner with other skiers.
     COPPER MOUNTAIN has its own Over the Hill Gang club with a full schedule of season activities for its members, along with attractive discounts on lift tickets, rentals and merchandise. Membership is growing, and is expected to hit 1,000 by the end of this season.
     STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VAIL/BEAVER CREEK both have active Over the Hill Gang chapters as well. The Vail chapter sponsors an event in mid March, packed with skiing, competitions and socializing. There is a wind-up banquet at one of the local hotels. Special group ski school packages are arranged through the ski schools at these resorts through the clubs. Also, the Over the Hill Gang meets in Vail every Wednesday for ski outings.
   WINTER PARKis the venue for the Skimeisters senior ski club. The members meet each Tuesday during the season, and have guides take them in small groups around the mountain. NASTAR race clinics are also offered, along with a series of ski and social events.
     Many of the other Colorado ski resorts offer special senior programs and events, which may vary from season to season. It's a good idea to inquire about senior programs at the time you book into your favorite ski resort.
     Belonging to one of the senior ski organizations, such as Skimeisters or Over the Hill Gang, can bring added values and activities to the senior ski experience. In addition to lower-cost lift tickets for those 50 and over (and they're free after 70, don't forget), these clubs offer low-cost packages for lodging, ski lessons and transportation to and from the resort. Membership fees are modest; many skiers recoup the costs after one or two package trips. Membership can be through one of the organized chapters, or as an individual. The only restriction is age: members must be at least 50 years old. One active member of the Over the Hill Gang joined at 65, and is still skiing at 90!
     These organizations not only stage social affairs, they also sponsor competitions, and through group instruction, improve the skills of their members. One local chapter is offering a "telemark school" to teach the special form of Nordic skiing to those who want to expand their skiing technique and knowledge.
     A popular activity with the Over the Hill Gang members is the chance to participate in overseas ski vacations to resorts in France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy-and even Japan. The club also sponsors ski trips to major ski centers in the eastern and western United States. The organization has grown steadily since its beginnings in Colorado in 1977, and now has more than 6,000 members in all 50 states and 13 foreign countries.
     The anticipation of a growing number of senior skiers (baby boomers are reaching their 50s in increasing numbers this decade), resorts are laying ambitious plans to accommodate the needs and tastes of this special group of skiers. They are living longer-and retiring earlier. Figures show that this over-50 crowd ski more days per season, has skied consistently for 20 years or more, has a higher percentage of advanced skiers than other age groups, and (important to resort operators) spends more money. This can only lead to more and better packages being offered to capture this important market-which translates into even better values for those seniors who continue to pursue this most satisfying of sports.

     Frederick Charlton is a senior skier and freelance travel writer who lives in Scottsdale, AZ.

For More Information

For lodging reservations, call or visit your nearest AAA office.

Colorado Ski Country USA: 303-837-0793;
www.skicolorado.org

Over the Hill Gang International:
719-389-0022; www.skiersover50.com

Arapahoe Basin: 970-349-2333;
www.arapahoebasin.com

Aspen: 970-925-1220;
www.aspensnowmass.com

Beaver Creek: 970-845-9090;
www.beavercreek.com

Breckenridge: 970-453-5000;
www.breckenridge.com

Copper Mountain: 970-968-2318;
www.ski-copper.com

Crested Butte: 970-349-2333;
www.crestedbutteresort.com

Loveland: 303-569-3203;
www.skiloveland.com

Steamboat Springs: 800-845-9090;
www.steamboat.com

Telluride: 970-728-6900;
www.telluride-ski.com

Vail: 970-476-9090;
www.vail.com

Winter Park: 970-726-5514;
www.skiwinterpark.com

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