Ideal ski towns for the future factoring in all issues?

[ThatGuy]

My my, hey hey
Rock and roll is here to stay
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away
My my, hey hey.

More of a Hey Hey, My My guy myself

 

[jimk]

The biggest wildcard for me is anticipating how much I will be able to tolerate / enjoy the cold at 60+. We shall see.

I skied the mid-Atlantic for 50 years, and now have skied Utah for the last 5 or 6. I still have to force myself to dress lighter. I know it's a cliche, but 25 degs in Utah feels like 40 degs in VA/WV/PA. No lie. Also, I've really learned to love April at Snowbird, few people, lots of sun, nice spring snow.

 

[jimk]

A few 60+ geezer-rippers I've skied with in just the last two seasons, 2021 and 2022:
Steamboat, Jan 2022


Solitude, UT, Feb 2022


Snowbird, Feb 2022


Snowbird, Apr 2021


Snowbird, Apr 2021


Brighton, UT, March 2021



Snowbird, Apr 2021, this guy's 70+


Deer Valley, Mar 2021


Snowbird, Apr 2021, this geezer is me

I got plenty more geezer ski pictures where these came from

 

[Tonyr]

MRG has an inordinate number of these types. It's humbling.

I believe that, I find it inspiring!

 

[JimG.]

So what's my point here? I'm not even sure but for one, don't put everything off for retirement.

One of the main reasons I retired at 57.

 

[Edd]

I visited Maine 20 years ago while I was still living in Jackson for the Christmas holiday and although I thought it was incredibly beautiful I couldn't believe how cold that air was. We were visiting some nice little beach towns and that wet cold was unlike anything I ever felt or care to ever again. Again, this was while I was living in Jackson which is well known for it's bitter cold and yeah, it is really cold there it's nothing like Maine. And those dark, gloomy grey skies, F that. Lord that's depressing after a while.

As some of you probably know I beat the snot out of myself skiing. I lived for big airs and didn't care much about transitions. I hucked a bunch of 60 to 100 foot airs that ended abruptly with hot tub installations, hey, it was the late 90's/early 2000's! I'm 46 now and I can't do anymore hard impacts and I'm scared to have another TBI. I've had 15+ concussions and around 18 broken bones, countless partial tears on both knees and shoulders and at 5 dislocations. My body aches and hurts real good now but I've done it. I got to ski the way I dreamed of as a little kid and I've skied more powder than most people could ever imagine. It was a killer run but I know that I'll never be at that level or this current level ten years from now. It's not physically possible. A skiing retirement for the average Joe retiring around 65 or 68 isn't going to get a whole lot more quality mileage out of their carcass. Sorry folks, themself the breaks. I'm sort of looking at things different than a bunch of people on here, I lived it and now I'm done and ready to go kick it in the desert or a Mexican beach town.

So what's my point here? I'm not even sure but for one, don't put everything off for retirement. You might not even make it there! Second, well I don't want everyone moving here, we are running out of water but man, this southwest weather thing is freaking sweet. The sun, no humidity, the endless outdoor rec. opportunities, the stacked climate zones etc. and some decent skiing is pretty nice. BTW, it was 60 here today and yesterday, the skiing was still really good but did I go up? Was I even thinking about skiing? NOPE! I stayed low in elevation and enjoyed the sun!

Maine? Being old and living with the Maine winters? Holy crap that sounds nuts to me!

Different strokes. I’m going to be 52 next month and love NH winters. I’d like some Quebec winters even more.

 

[deadheadskier]

More of a Hey Hey, My My guy myself

Haha. True

 

[raisingarizona]

One of the main reasons I retired at 57.

Good for you Jim! I’m not smart enough to have pulled that off!

 

[raisingarizona]

Different strokes. I’m going to be 52 next month and love NH winters. I’d like some Quebec winters even more.

Haha! You’re nuts Edd! I’m kidding. Different strokes for sure and I’m not poo pooing on the east. I miss a lot of things about there but it ain’t the weather, the humidity or the bugs. New England is awesome, no doubt and I can see how a lot of you on here don’t want to leave.

I’ve definitely played with the idea of moving back somewhere out there. A place near Plattekill or in New Hampshire does have its appeal. I probably would if there was an opportunity to design and build a mountain bike trail network somewhere.

 

[raisingarizona]

A few 60+ geezer-rippers I've skied with in just the last two seasons, 2021 and 2022:
Steamboat, Jan 2022
View attachment 53190

Solitude, UT, Feb 2022
View attachment 53191

Snowbird, Feb 2022
View attachment 53192

Snowbird, Apr 2021
View attachment 53194

Snowbird, Apr 2021
View attachment 53195

Brighton, UT, March 2021

View attachment 53196

Snowbird, Apr 2021, this guy's 70+
View attachment 53197

Deer Valley, Mar 2021
View attachment 53198

Snowbird, Apr 2021, this geezer is meView attachment 53199

I got plenty more geezer ski pictures where these came from

Beautiful pics Jimk. I’m impressed with older telemark skiers. I feel pain in my knees just watching them! It’s like doing a squat thrust for every turn, that’s tough.

 

[ss20]

I don't understand the fuss around getting older and skiing.... not at 60 at least. I watch other instructors in their 60s and some in their 70s still skiing 7+ hours a day, full-time, on level 7/8 terrain. Best regular skiers at Thunder Ridge/Big Birch were one of the co-owners and a person who's been involved in the ski operation since the beginning... both still rip incredible turns at 85 years+.

If you ski well and have luck on your side (accidents and some genetics), no reason you can't ski at an expert level at 75yo and be out there most of the day. 60yo is wayyyyy too young to consider yourself "out".

 

[Edd]

Haha! You’re nuts Edd! I’m kidding. Different strokes for sure and I’m not poo pooing on the east. I miss a lot of things about there but it ain’t the weather, the humidity or the bugs. New England is awesome, no doubt and I can see how a lot of you on here don’t want to leave.

I’ve definitely played with the idea of moving back somewhere out there. A place near Plattekill or in New Hampshire does have its appeal. I probably would if there was an opportunity to design and build a mountain bike trail network somewhere.

I’m with you on bugs. I think that partly drives me to the beach and boating in the summer. I’m keen to take up mountain biking but the goddamn bugs here suck.

 

[deadheadskier]

The humidity sucks, but it makes for far superior lake boating than almost anywhere out west. That is ultimately what will keep me here in New England. That plus far superior access to culture. Boston is an hour. NYC or Montreal within 5 hours. Also vast amounts of coastline to explore some of which is only 20 minutes away from me. I think the NH Seacoast is one of the very best 4 season locations to live in the country.

I'm certainly jealous of the superior skiing out west, but that's not enough for me to give up all of the other benefits I enjoy here

 

[2Planker]

The humidity sucks, but it makes for far superior lake boating than almost anywhere out west. That is ultimately what will keep me here in New England. That plus far superior access to culture. Boston is an hour. NYC or Montreal within 5 hours. Also vast amounts of coastline to explore some of which is only 20 minutes away from me. I think the NH Seacoast is one of the very best 4 season locations to live in the country.

I'm certainly jealous of the superior skiing out west, but that's not enough for me to give up all of the other benefits I enjoy here

A friend got transferred from MA/RI for work out to Lake Tahoe.
That area has just about everything that NE does, BUT after 3 years he was dying to head back east..

A small town home on a descent sized lake/pond, near a bunch of ski resorts is all we need.

 

[deadheadskier]

A friend got transferred from MA/RI for work out to Lake Tahoe.
That area has just about everything that NE does, BUT after 3 years he was dying to head back east..

A small town home on a descent sized lake/pond, near a bunch of ski resorts is all we need.

I've certainly considered Tahoe, but the water temperature is a solid ten degrees colder than Winnipesaukee. Nevermind you have to be a gazillionaire to afford a slip on that lake.

Nothing better than parking our boat on a sandbar on Winnipesaukee on a hot and humid July evening, hanging out in a tube in 80 degree water, beer in hand and watching the sun go down. Totally melts life stresses away.

 

[wa-loaf]

I've certainly considered Tahoe, but the water temperature is a solid ten degrees colder than Winnipesaukee. Nevermind you have to be a gazillionaire to afford a slip on that lake.

Nothing better than parking our boat on a sandbar on Winnipesaukee on a hot and humid July evening, hanging out in a tube in 80 degree water, beer in hand and watching the sun go down. Totally melts life stresses away.

There's a lot of appeal to moving out west, but it seems their droughts just keep getting worse every year. Water is really going to be an issue and no thanks on the forrest fires.

 

[Hawk]

I too have friends like Jim and others that are 60 plus and still ripping it. Jim has always made me think I could be that guy. I have loved his reports over the years.

But.....I have 10x friends that are in their 50's with hip or knee or anckle relplacements. Others with back issues so bad they quit the sport altogether. I am 55 and still ski 60 days a year and mostly healthy. I atribute it to still exercising. I mountain bike in the Boston area year round and the MRV all summer. I road bike quite a bit and do the PMC every year so my fitness is pretty good. I came from sking with the freestyle crew at SR for years so my style was always bumps and trees. Beat the living shit out of myself for years. But the end is comming and I can feel it. I ski with pain every day. Not bad pain but it is there. The 60 + crew is a gifted and very luck group. I ski with them all the time and envy them. But they are most certainly the minority. I will bet that most of you guys will not be part of the 60's group still sking bumps and trees.

I guess the point is that most people retire in thier 60's and at that point there is a small minority of the overall ski population that can ski hard still so good weather, good conditions and other off mountain entertainment is more of a priority for us.

 

[Hawk]

There's a lot of appeal to moving out west, but it seems their droughts just keep getting worse every year. Water is really going to be an issue and no thanks on the forrest fires.

So you would rather ski cold ass climate with regular Ice on the trails in a remote area for the rest of your life? The way weather is going, less snow and more shit will be the norm in New England.

 

[jaytrem]

Beautiful pics Jimk. I’m impressed with older telemark skiers. I feel pain in my knees just watching them! It’s like doing a squat thrust for every turn, that’s tough.

A couple tele skiers have told me their knees feel better on tele skis than regular. So far there's not much difference to me. Tele is much better exercise though. Having bad luck this year though, snapped a cable on one pair and tore the binding off another. Third pair still works, but don't love the skis. Need to get busy fixin' stuff.

 

[wa-loaf]

So you would rather ski cold ass climate with regular Ice on the trails in a remote area for the rest of your life? The way weather is going, less snow and more shit will be the norm in New England.

I grew up in Maine so the weather doesn't bother me. I'm not committed to anything right now, but I'm 53 and thinking about where I want to end up. Like I said the West has a lot of appeal, but it also has its issues. I'm not telling you where to go. I know I don't like the heat, I've spent a summer in AZ and 120 is no fun. Nothing beats summer on a lake in NE. I'm happy skiing in NE and taking a trip out west when it suits me. Though if it was affordable Wyoming would be a great place to end up. Maybe Montana or Idaho ... anyway I just pointed out a place that has a lot of potential in the near future that is currently fairly inexpensive.