The older skier

[dartmoorskier]

I'm nearly 45 years old and have had about 12 weeks skiing, but I have only been skiing for the past few years. Do you think it is possible to start skiing at this age and still become an advanced/expert skier ? I also keep horses and I would say that over the years I've developed 'horse sense' which you can't really teach, and a balance on a horse. I wonder if this applies to skiing.

 

[Ski Spirit]

I don't know the answer to your question but I'm 51 and started skiing 3 seasons ago. Anything that you start at an early age is easier to move forward in, IMO. But, I suppose I choose to believe that persistence/really wanting to accomplish something will move you beyond the obstacles that you face....although it may take longer and be more difficult (less natural).

I'm somewhere in the intermediate range and my goal is to just continue moving forward....always remembering that it's all about enjoying the process.

 

[Quiver Queen]

That age thing?? Doesn't apply! Go for it and enjoy it!

 

[ISki]

Similar to horse sense, you need to develop ski sense. Give it time.

 

[badger]

"older skier"

I started to ski at 51. My husband decided to get back into skiing after a hiatus of many years. Two years ago he suggested I go with him and take a lesson. What did I have to lose? Too old to become self-conscious about looking stupid, and envious of those who could navigate down these beautiful snowy mountains, I told myself to "go for it." At the end of my first group lesson-- (which was a disappointing disaster. I should tell you about that! Might be interesting for all of you pro instructors to read about lessons from a student's point of view.)-- I crawled away under a cloud of doubt and regrets for every aching muscle in my body. On the following day I was up there once more fighting with myself...I KNOW I CAN DO THIS! I was also lonely in a crowd. No teacher, no friends, no husband. Waa, waa, waa. Negative thoughts were coaching me to give up while watching the three-year-olds whizz past me without poles. I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!

Later in the season I took another lesson--two women--at our local mountain. Determination, coupled with opportunity, can do wonders for those second chances. I am 53 now and totally hooked.
I suppose I am an "intermediate" skier. That term may mean several things to many, and I realize its importance to equipment, safety, etc.; however I ski for what it brings to me personally and not for the definition destination. There is no rule or reason prohibiting anyone from taking their skills to a higher level. Challenge is what keeps us going back to the mountain. But we REALLY ski because it's FUN! Improvement is a fundamental serendipity.

Horseback riding or any other activity that gives you confidence, pleasure, and contributes to overall physical conditioning --or even targeted conditioning--is just an added bonus.

I guess what I'm saying is that I learned to ski because I was not going to limit or compress my expectations. I RELAXED.

...and I still take lessons whenever I can.

 

[Lilgeorg]

Ok...Ok...Ok....

I was 45 when I started skiing and I am nearly 65 now. Terry Carey tells me I am a level 8 skier, not too bad. Of course, i wasn't always a level 8 and my confidence has been better some years than others. Because I skied 56 days last year, it is pretty high right now.

My best advice is to keep taking lessons or attend a women's clinic.
I took lessons the first 3 years then thought I didn't need them. I got worse.

I started the Women's Alpine Adventure at Okemo, VT eight years ago and my skills and confidence have grown every year.

So keep at it. Have fun. And don't let anyone tell you you are too old. I hope to be skiing at 85!

 

[Little Lightning]

In my Women's Wed. class at Copper there is a woman who is 68. Her goal is to be the best mogul skier on the mtn. She's an ambassador for Copper and knows all kinds of secret places on the mtn that the instructors don't know.

She has taken the Women's Wed. classes for 3-4 years and says her skiing has improved tremendously.

I don't see her age holding her back.

Kathi

 

[ski now work later]

I'm nearly 45 years old and have had about 12 weeks skiing, but I have only been skiing for the past few years. Do you think it is possible to start skiing at this age and still become an advanced/expert skier ? I also keep horses and I would say that over the years I've developed 'horse sense' which you can't really teach, and a balance on a horse. I wonder if this applies to skiing.

Well, I sure hope it's possible, because I started skiing in December '04 at age 45, and I plan to be an expert skiier by Winter 09/10 (I'm approximately a level 7 now depending on the terrain and grading system). This year I added off-season training to my routine, which I think will help tremendously from a strength and stamina perspective, and I plan to start the season with an ESA clinic. I can't recommend clinics and private or small group lessons enough.

Also, if you ride (I have ridden English saddle on and off myself), that will build great core and leg stamina for skiing. I think the two activities are very compatible. Just think of your skis as your mount!

I am so amazed and pleased at how many of us Divas are in our 40s, 50s, and 60s. Not that I don't enjoy the 20 and 30-something Divas, but it sure feels good to be among my age group with women who love to ski, love to talk technical, and are so active. I can't wait to meet as many of you as possible this Winter!

 

[ski diva]

We're not talking mental age here, are we? Because if we are, I'm 21.

 

[ski now work later]

Thank you for clarifying and yes, I'm with you Ski Diva! As a lawyer and mother, I relish my (almost) 48 years of experience on the planet. When I'm skiing, however, I'm 25 years old for sure, except that I don't take unnecessary risks that I might have at that age nor am I obsessed with attracting guys (athough I get flirted with often on the hill these days and I sure like it). Married, not dead, I always say!

:yo:

 

[IntheClouds]

If you want to, you can. I'm 46, skied when I was 2 until 7 yrs old. Hadn't skied but 5 times in the past 4 decades. Last year I spent the winter on the mountain. I learned the same thing about skiing that I learned jumping horses. Talent is good, but great quality coaching makes all the difference in the world. Not ordinary instruction. Instruction from an exceptional type of instructor. You know who they are once you have met them & had a chance to ski/ride with with them. I'm sure you have seen the talented solid equestrians that are good but never quite "get there". Then they come across the trainer/instructor/coach that leads them to all the break throughs & a whole new level of riding. I believe it is the same with skiing. It's not just about the technical, it is about developing the "feel" & sensations, developing the inner senses & reactions appropriate for the situation. Skill development & work get you most of the way there, but developing the rest comes w/experience & a coach that really works for you. And the best will teach you it's all about rhythm & can help you find that. It is about horsesense & feel. Sense the snow, feel the snow.

It makes a big difference in both skiing & horseback riding(all disciplines) if you can get an instructor that helps get you out of tense defensive habits and into a balanced,centered,relaxed but in the zone kind of place. A lot of skill building but what the heck, you're out there anyhow, 20 minutes of work out of the day improving a skill or learning a new one makes the rest of the day even better

 

[Lilgeorg]

You are so right about coaches. That's why Terry Carey and Crystel Newbound are the right ones for me!

 

[IntheClouds]

I'm nearly 45 years old

So , you are actually 44 yrs old. I had to duly note that. Twice now I've made my self a year older, each time I was in an "Old person" mindset for (obviously) a long time. The first time when I actually turned that age, I went wow, what was I thinking? This past year I kept thinking I'm 47. I won't be 47 for months. Now I think, gee , I' making 47 a REALLLLY long year for no good reason. I must be worrying too much when I have nothing to worry about.

 

[IntheClouds]

You are so right about coaches. That's why Terry Carey and Crystel Newbound are the right ones for me!

I am so glad you agree. I found in life you can work hard & diligently at something, spend money & lots of time, but if you are spending your time & money with the wrong person, you just aren't going to get where you want to go until you change who you are with.

 

[abc]

I am so glad you agree. I found in life you can work hard & diligently at something, spend money & lots of time, but if you are spending your time & money with the wrong person, you just aren't going to get where you want to go until you change who you are with.

Does that also apply to "significant other" as well?

 

[IntheClouds]

Does that also apply to "significant other" as well?

Yeah , it sounds like it could. A bit cut & dried but... It certainly has been the case for me with 1 horse trainer & 1 maybe 2 short term "friends". The SO, well, the thought has quickly passed thru my mind on a rare occasion or two over the past 27yrs. I'm sure it was only when I wasn't thinking clearly through a moment of frustration/anger. Fortunately, he quickly comes around & see's things my way.

 

[SnowHot]

I'm nearly 45 years old and have had about 12 weeks skiing, but I have only been skiing for the past few years. Do you think it is possible to start skiing at this age and still become an advanced/expert skier ?

You know what they say.
Wisdom and treachery overcomes youth and enthusiasm.
If you add the enthusiasm to the wisdom and treachery, and you've got the right mix to do anything you want to do!!!

I also keep horses and I would say that over the years I've developed 'horse sense' which you can't really teach, and a balance on a horse. I wonder if this applies to skiing.

I'm not much of a horse person, but a friend of mine on Epic said that "The Horse Stuff translates really well into skiing"
He is very knowledgeable and a well respected ski instructor!

 

[sibhusky]

A friend of mine from back East started around then and is also a horsewomen. Her son was on the race team and she started really getting into NASTAR in a big way, even going so far as to attend adult racing clinics. After about 3 years, her NASTAR handicaps were similar to mine and I've been skiing over thirty years (but not really racing).

 

[IntheClouds]

I'm not much of a horse person, but a friend of mine on Epic said that "The Horse Stuff translates really well into skiing"
He is very knowledgeable and a well respected ski instructor!

Could you pm me who that was ? Maybe I could have a brief conversation w/him & he can clue me in a bit this year. What I can or should transfer over.

 

[liquidfeet]

I'm nearly 45 years old and have had about 12 weeks skiing, but I have only been skiing for the past few years. Do you think it is possible to start skiing at this age and still become an advanced/expert skier ? I also keep horses and I would say that over the years I've developed 'horse sense' which you can't really teach, and a balance on a horse. I wonder if this applies to skiing.

I just found this thread. I began skiing at age 53, four years ago. I'm doing OK, racing in two leagues, and have advanced to #1 standing in Mass in my age range and category (gold) on the Nastar ratings (never mind that there are only 6 of us old ladies!!). To learn better and faster, I joined a ski club in New Hampshire and go up there every weekend during ski season and ski with people who are faster and better than me.

All this to say if you discover, as I did, that skiing is your passion, go for it, imagine yourself as a middle schooler, and forget that you missed all those years. Or better yet, try to make up for them by skiing even more often that is reasonable.

There aren't many of us, and we aren't all in one place regrettably, but here on SkiDiva you'll find that you're certainly not alone.

Where do you ski?