photos and text by Bill Peal, originally published in the Winter 2009 Issue of the NW Snowsports Instructor
It is April and the Senior Program at Anthony Lakes is on the grow. The foundation for this program began with three instructors, Bill Peal, George Roach, and John Spencer, taking the Senior Specialist training at Spring Symposium 2008 at Mt. Bachelor. Since then the program has been slowly taking roots with recruitment activities promoting the concept of a special offering for our adult skiers fifty and over. Networking with ski clubs, friends, and the skiing public has provided a strong client base for the program. We have built an email and address database for announcements of special event offerings designed for seniors. We have stressed the desired outcome of getting more seniors skiing for improved health via winter activities, building fitness and strength via a fun sport and the camaraderie and circle of friends to connect with at Anthony Lakes.
It is not all work and no play. Ski trips provide opportunities for social contact and building a circle of friends inside and outside of skiing. The Star Bottle Ski Club traveled to Big Sky, Montana, for fun on the slopes of Lone Peak to learn to apply some of the techniques of modern skiing led by Bill and John. In 2010 we have a trip planned to Sun Peaks, Canada which is sure to be a big hit with our group.
Our first official activity at Anthony Lakes was to conduct a free clinic to introduce and initiate the senior program. At this time our three Senior Specialist instructors were introduced, and the program objectives and operating structure was explained. The participants were divided into ability groups and we took to the mountain for fresh powder skiing with ten inches of new snow on a 20 degree day.
When asked what he saw as the strength of the senior program at Anthony Lakes, Ed Shaul replied, “I am excited about our new senior skiing program as it allows for certified instructors, specifically trained in issues challenging today’s skiing seniors, help me enjoy the sport with greater safety. Skiing with fellow seniors provides me with social contact and keeps me more physically active. The senior-specific instruction has been great in improving my understanding of new ski technology and age-specific techniques.”
Bill Peal led the more aggressive skiers most of whom wanted to learn something new or tune up their powder skiing. Many runs had great powder adjacent to the groomers so it was an ideal situation for introducing technique for skiing the fluffy stuff.
“Wow, this is fun!” was the unanimous comment from the group. Marie Whitaker added, “This program has tremendous value to get seniors together and teach them ways to prevent injuries while learning techniques enabling us to ski longer with more runs and less fatigue.”
A very important consideration to the development of your senior program is highlighted in the Senior Specialist Manual which is part of the Senior Specialist Program available from PSIA-NW. It is the Tailoring the Learning Process (Section 3) one must pay particular attention to in order to be successful when working with senior skiers. The 3 basic principles are:
- Use low impact drills and exercises that encourage stacking of the body over the feet to reduce the amount of muscular stress required to maintain balance and accomplish the goals.
- Encourage continuous fluid movements throughout the performance of all drills, exercises or runs.
- Pace the class so the lesson will be an enjoyable social experience while providing real value added changes by the end of the lesson without taxing the stamina and endurance of the clients.
“Hey, this really is easier!” is a typical comment we hear when we follow this learning process. It is my experience that seniors really light-up when you show them how to be more efficient in their movement patterns and consume less energy, which equates to more runs and more fun.
The senior skiing program is being designed with several factors in mind. People are staying active longer than ever before. Information in our new Senior Specialist Manual points out that “skiers between age 45 and 74 increased from about 1.1 million in 2002 to 1.3 million in 2003 alone.” Seniors are coming to the mountain and getting little or no direct, specific attention. A larger group of seniors is looking for programs that cater to their needs like an indoor place to socialize and boot-up before heading outside. If we provide this needed attention, more senior clients will choose skiing as their preferred activity and recreational outlet. Senior groups forming at resorts all over the world are finding new friends and new challenges. Anthony Lakes is eager to help pioneer this new movement.
In the coming years, as instructors, we are likely to have more senior students whether we operate a program for seniors or not. The new PSIA-NW Senior Specialist training will give you information and tactics that will help you be able to better meet the needs of this growing population of guests at our resorts. As many of the ski schools within our region consider the implementation of a program for Seniors it is good to know that the Senior Specialist Program is available. The training it provides is a tremendous resource answering the questions that are sure to arise.
Take the opportunity to connect with other instructors at the Senior Specialist training program to exchange ideas, share personal experiences and develop the “this works for me” exchange that is sure to enhance your lessons and programs at your home mountain. If you have ideas or questions or want to get more details about the successes at Anthony Lakes, please contact me.
Bill Peal is a Level II alpine instructor and trainer at Anthony Lakes Resort, in North Eastern Oregon. He also teaches cross-country skiing and leads snow shoeing trips combining his love of snowsports and photography. He has been teaching for 10 years at Anthony Lakes following 30 years at Pendleton High School as an Agri-Science instructor. When not skiing he is taking photos or teaching digital photography at the Pendleton Center for the Arts. [email href=”bpeal@mac.com”] Email Bill Peal[/email].