Nordic Skiing

Snowshoeing

Senior Winter Games

Alpine Skiing

2009 REGISTRATION FORM WAIVER

Each Wednesday Nordic skiers are invited to enjoy a variety of scenic backcountry trails. The trails, which average 6 miles, and trail leaders are listed monthly in the Newsletter. Waxable or waxless backcountry skis are recommended. An après-ski often follows at the Senior Center.

To help make each ski a safe, enjoyable experience for all participants the planning committee developed a rating and skill matrix for each ski. This trail matrix is published monthly in the Newsletter and should be referenced when deciding whether or not your abilities match the planned ski.

Rating levels:
1. Relatively flat with small hills, usually out and back same trail
2. More difficult with small hills, no skins required
3. Longer trip may be a trek with separate start 7 end points, skins recommended

Skill levels
1. Basic skills, snowplow, some herringbone etc.
2. More developed skills, strong herringbone and snowplow
3. Same as 2 but a high level of endurance, like hut trips

Unless noted otherwise in the trail matrix, skiers can meet at the trail head at 10am or at the Community Center at 9:30am.

Attention Skinny Skiers!
Each winter Jen Schrage and Sue Enderlin provide training sessions for Senior Nordic Skiers. The sessions are held at the Keystone Nordic Center on Fridays at 8am and continue until Senior Winter Games. Both skate and classic techniques are taught and skiers of all abilities are welcome. For more information you can email Jen at schrage@snowskiers.com or Sue at senderlin@peoplepc.com.

Mondays are Snowshoe days for Summit Seniors. Each Monday, trails at two different levels of difficulty are offered: for the Snowshoe Hares and the Huff & Puffs. The trails, meeting places, times and leaders are listed monthly in the Newsletter. Trip leaders may cancel or change destination at the last moment due to inclement weather conditions; however the meeting place and time will not change. Because parking is limited at most trailheads, the groups try to carpool from the meeting place.

If you don’t have snowshoes, it is recommended that you rent and use them several times before buying a pair. The size of snowshoes and the types of binding vary quite a lot.

Ideas for new trails are always welcome. If you are interested in attending a planning meeting for either group, call the Senior Center at 970-668-2940.

Snowshoe Hares
This group does the more demanding trails that require strength and endurance. Bring a daypack with snack food, water, layers of warm/windproof clothing. For trips that are “out and back” on the same trail, you may quit any time and return to the cars as long as you stay on the trail taken by the group. On “loop” trips, you may return on the group’s trail without completing the loop but be sure to let your leader know.

The group usually stops at the turn-around point and has a quick snack and drink. Consider bringing a pair of cross-country ski poles unless you know that you do not want them. Many trips are followed by a stop for refreshments, but there is no organized after-snowshoe party, unless announced by the leader.

Huff & Puff Snowshoeing
This group snowshoe on easy to moderate trails that are good for beginners, enthusiasts needing to adjust to the altitude, and conversationalists! The trails are about two to four miles round-trip and take 1-1/2 to 3 hours to cover (distances & elevation gain are good guesses). Most trails are in and out trails and you can turn back with a partner at any time.

Always bring water, snack, snowshoes, poles, sunglasses, sunscreen, a walkie-talkie (if you have one), identification & money (we may go out for lunch).

Alpine Skiing

With seven major ski resorts in or near Summit County, it is not surprising that hundreds of seniors participate in alpine skiing. Although Summit County Senior Citizens does not organize regular alpine skiing activities, two local organizations provide weekly opportunities for seniors to meet and together enjoy downhill, telemark and snowboard sports. Volunteer guides ensure everyone has a safe and good time exploring the mountains at their particular ability level, from Easy Blues to Double Blacks.

Each organization charges an annual fee but potential new members are welcome to participate with them for a day or two to see if that organization is something they may be interested in joining.

Ski days at Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are coordinated by the Loosey Gooseys, a local affiliate of Over the Hill Gang International.
For information, please contact:
Nancy Macey 970-453-9477 nck_macey@mymailstation.com
Linda Ginsberg 970-668-9913 linda gins@hotmail.com

Copper’s Over the Hill Gang coordinates ski days at Copper Mountain.
For information, please contact:
Jennifer Walker 970.968.3059 or email at admin@copperohg.com