2019 - 2020 Far West Skier's Guide - 64-25

"I believe we can keep ourselves
young by surrounding ourselves
with things that make us feel
young." - David DeNotaris
Great activities keep us healthy like the Annual FWSA Ski Weeks.
Steamboat Ski Week 2019 /
photo provided by Nancy Ellis

ing some conditions may give your overall health
a boost. For example, improving circulation or
blood sugar may dramatically improve important
other considerations, like increased energy and
wound healing. If you have a bad knee or hip,
getting the joint replaced can improve your desire
or enthusiasm to go ski, dance or whatever you
want to do. Important changes can help you be
more fit and improve your overall outlook.
It's up to you, not your doctor, to take
charge of your health. Research your health issues on the internet and ask questions - plenty
of them. Then, use your doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionist or other health professionals to
formulate and assist you on your path.

Health is not a destination;
it is a journey!
High profile individuals, like Tom Brady and
Bernard Hopkins (boxer), are champions in very
physical endeavors. There are many other reallife examples of individuals redefining age limitations in their sports. I have a philosophy. For
every fat powder day, you get a month younger.
Will you feel an enthusiastic month younger?
The changes we are witnessing prove the
effectiveness of our progressive knowledge in
healthcare, nutrition, and mind-body. The wonderful thing is that we are constantly improving.
Things like a fitbit, home genetic testing, and
stem cell therapy are remarkable. Did you ever
imagine carrying in your pocket a sophisticated
computer hooked up to the knowledge of the universe? Oh, and it also makes phone calls. You
have plenty of skiing and other fantastic things
to look forward to.
Will people still get ill and pass? Of course!
Consider this: the age decade of people that is in-

Here's a thought! During the ski season, try
creasing at the fastest rate is - folks in their 90's to
get
a bigger number of days skiing than your
nonagenarians.
number of doctors' visits.
You may have already noticed some ski seRecommendations
nescence
if you have migrated over to the more
n The beauty of skiing is that you can still
gradual
slopes
and away from the more challengenjoy this sport without putting out an X-Games
ing
run.
effort.
Do you think you are too old? You're aln If you have been skiing well for years, you
most
never too old, as long as you can do it safely.
can continue doing so gradually ramping down
if you need to. You can even ski gently and with
Sometimes you may be faced with an ina minimal effort on an appropriate and safe slope.
jury
that
may forever alter how or if you ski or
"Ballroom Skiing" is accomplished with just a gensnowboard.
Or, you may have changes that pretle graceful effort. Another great option is cross
clude
you
doing
either altogether. Realistically, it
country skiing on a flat or easy slope. It is great
happens!
The
point
is, if you have enthusiasm for
exercise. Pick the very best weather with low
things,
you
can
still
enjoy life, whether you are
wind, good visibility and snow conditions.
skiing
or
enjoying
many
other types of other acn When and where you go can help optimize
tivities.
If
desired,
switch
your
passions. Be clever.
your ski experience. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Life
is
for
living.
Continue
to
enjoy doing the
Thursdays are the least crowded days with the
things
you
love!
least "interference". The first two hours and the
last one-to-two hours are the least crowded times
of the day. At Heavenly, I was always amazed
Conclusions
that even on a busy weekend, how few people
"The years may wrinkle our skin, but lack of
ski from 2:30 - 4:30 - even on a Sunday! It is often enthusiasm wrinkles our soul". - Socrates
the warmest, nicest part of the day.
The point of skiing is to go gracefully downn Pick a resort that matches your propen- hill. The point of a healthy life is to not go downsities. Groomers? Steeps? Choose a ski area that hill, but live gracefully.
you and your party can easily negotiate at your
As we age our athletic capacity may diminability levels. Take advantage of advanced cloth- ish. That does not mean you have to enjoy it any
ing and great modern equipment. New lighter, less.
shorter skis can make your experience easier and
Do everything you can to stay healthy and
better.
enjoy skiing as long as possible. It's your decision
n Most importantly, the fun factor has to be between your ears that dictates what happens to
more than the distress index. Who makes that your body - for the rest of your life!
decision? You do!
When it becomes unsafe, move onto other
things to be passionate about. Get the most enYou have to make a resolution to prioritize joyment from life whether you are able to ski or
your health, whatever your age.
not. That is ultimately the challenge. ss

Build up your strength. Skiing involves all of a body's muscles
- some more than others. The quadriceps are typically the most used
muscles for skiing or boarding. They hold you in position and protect
the knees. Increase their strength by doing squats and lunges.
In downhill skiing, a participant usually leans forward from the
hips. Thus, the hamstring and glute muscles help stabilize the body.
Good exercises to increase their strength include deadlifts, one-legged
deadlifts, pull throughs, set-ups and hamstring rolls.
The job of the inner thigh muscles is to keep one's skis together,
while the outer thigh muscles help keep the body stable and to assist
Far West Skier's Guide

in steering. Build up these muscles with side lunges, sliding side
lunges, inter-thigh leg lifts, inner-thigh squeezes, side-step squats and
leg lifts. The calve muscles of the lower leg help a skier stay upright.
Do standing calf raises and/or machine calf raises to strength them.
As one skis, their back is bent over. The surrounding muscles
work overtime to hold this position. The ab muscles assist in this
task, in addition to protect the spine. Use stationary bicycles, back extensions and dumbbells to build strength in these muscles. Additionally, you'll want to work the biceps and triceps of the arm to
assist in poling. (For more information, visit: verywellfit.com.) ss
2O19 - 2O2O / Digital Edition Insert

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http://www.verywellfit.com

2019 - 2020 Far West Skier's Guide

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2019 - 2020 Far West Skier's Guide