I'm nearly 63 and had one of my best days at Palisades three days ago. Took a chair lift with a dude who was concerned with knee pain. Said he was 71. Looked fit as a fiddle. Four hours later I saw him skiing bumps on icy moguls on an expert only run. Conditioning, diet---and a positive mental attitude go a long way.
Did a five day instruction/guided tour with Stuart at Taos in 2020. Aside from the amazing instruction...was the zen of skiing that he imparted to us. There was something fascinating and enthralling about the way he described his love and respect of the sport. And of course, the word inspiration comes to mind. He told me he wasn’t sure he sure he’d be returning to teach after that winter, I’m glad to see he did.
I am 66 and ski with a group where we are all in our sixties with a couple people approaching 70. We will all ski our local hill more than 50 days this season and we will all travel to ski too. There is another group of skiers at the hill that are about 10 years older than us. They are up there just about everyday. Skiing is a lifetime of fun.
Any advice for a guy who is 72 and will ski for the first time in a few weeks? I used to ice skate, did a little water skiing, and played soccer until my 60s. I'm still in good shape. Would any of that help?
@@finestpix All those sports will help, but skiing is a technical sport so my advice is the same advice I would give anyone taking up skiing. Sign-up for lessons. If you cannot afford individual lessons that can cost you hundreds of dollars a day at big resorts then try group lesson. The key is to find a good instructor. Ask around. I think most friends make terrible teachers. If you find you like it buy a pair of good ski boots that are fitted properly. Go to a good ski shop in snow country where you will find a good fitter. I think you have to ski for a while before you figure out what type of ski is best for you so just rent, try out demo skis and wait until you become a competent skier before buying. Buy skis in the summer they are cheaper. when you get better. It is expensive but get good gear. It will make you more comfortable. Helmet, gloves, socks, goggles, jacket, pants and baselayers. These things are so good anymore that cold weather will rarely bother you. Last Thing and I think this is important someone who is 72. I always ride my peloton for 10 minutes before I drive up to the hill. I ride it, take a shower, get dressed and then go. I am already warmed up.
Talking about getting a new footbed made him light up like a child. After having had sooo much life, how awesome to maintain excitement for living. Stuart is my spirit animal.
I'm inspired. 63 here. Was up in the powder today. Seems like it takes a lot more leg strength than it used to. But as I'm 20 years younger than Stuart, I have zero excuse. He's teaching full days. I can't remember skiing a full day. But the thought I have at least 20 years left suggests I can still learn a lot, and enjoy a lot. Thanks for this!
Thank you Deb for the shout out to us advanced skiers out in snow country ! This is year 67 on skis for me in the East. I have maintained a very rigorous training program in the gym for over forty years. Most all year long, and for decades, it's 4 hours on Monday, 4 hours on Wednesday, and 3 hours on Friday . . . no exaggeration ! With a backgound in Physical Education, I know better than to arrive slopeside without maintaing a high level of fitness. I would encourage all skiers, not just seniors, to be fit for the slopes !! Thanks ever so much for sharing ! XD
My wife’s uncle gave up skiing at 90 years old. I am only 68 so I look forward to another 22 years. I also ski patrolled 15 years so helping people is still in my blood.
86! looking and no doubt feeling 40….good for him! As a 55 yr old it is not only great seeing this to dream of the yrs ahead on the slopes but to also see the energy, excitement and learning skiing gives us all regardless of age. Deb excellent content again thank you!
Thank you Deb for taking the effort to explain so clearly the “modern” explanation of skiing! I learned how to ski in the 70’s and raced in the 80’s. Back then they always explained the transition using terms that emphasized loading the downhill ski and pushing off of it. Well intentioned - but mostly wrong. What they were seeing the best skiers do was relaxing or retracting the down hill ski to release it ( a downward movement that looked like loading) and then standing on the uphill ski (looked like an upward or pushing movement from the down hill ski). This is a crucial distinction. Thanks again for you efforts to communicate this!
I'm a few decades younger than this amazing gentleman and I'm constantly being told to act my age. I had considered hanging up my boots, but after a recent ski trip and also seeing this guy I'm going to continue to "act my shoesize and not my age!".
Hell yeah, 10 years in (started at 25) and hope to make it that far in life haha. 80+ is a long stretch! But being out in the mountains is definitely one of the best ways to stay young. The skin glow everybody gets from being out there says it all.
This man is such an inspiration and at 2:31 he says it all when asked what has he changed in the last 10 years.... “I don’t have much strength left, really. I have more mechanics.” Mechanics are so much a part of this sport and it is wonderful for him to point out that if you have that, strength is less important. With that knowledge the rest of us can be inspired to continue to ski as we age... Thanks for sharing, both of you.
*[2022] I am 78¾ (UK) and have been robbed of at least 2/4 ski trips due to ludicrous lockdowns and travel restrictions, taught my 2 sons to ski at aged 5 & 3 - both gone on to be better than me. Keep to the blue / red runs now and was my great pleasure to take my 13 year old grandson skiing 3 years ago - [La Plagne France] who by the end of the week made great progress, although after several days doing blue runs wanted to do a red run, and I considered not good enough. However took him down one steadily without telling, and he did ok. Beautiful Scenery, Crisp outdoor exercise, and of course a hot Glühwein on the way home ! - Best Runs 1) Klein Matterhorn to Cervinia 2) Klein Matterhorn to Zermatt including the flying kilometer at 67 mph and 3) Schilthorn, black run, to Mürren Switzerland.*
This is the video l needed to see. I have tears in my eyes watching this. I am 70 and need this kind of encouragement to keep skiing. Thank you Meg for making this video geared to us aging skiers. It's definitely the mechanics we need to fine tune so we can keep skiing even when our strength and energy starts to leave us. 😊
At 73 this video relates to me. This is ski season 52 and I always find something in Deb’s videos that I can try on the hill. Since I have retired from work I ski full time. If I am not on skis I am on a mountain bike trail riding in the forest. This helps keep the legs strong and balance sharp. Like skiing you got to look ahead at where you want to go. Lots of cross over skills. Also you got to keep working on your skills.Never waste a good cat walk to try some of Deb’s drills.
He is the last ski instructor that taught me at Taos. He's still got it. Taos is not the largest ski area, nor does it get the most snow, but it has clearly endowed so many of us with the soul of skiing. It is a beautiful and challenging mountain that fills with bone dry powder, and fills your body with life. I love skiing, and I love Taos... Ski on Stuart Murphy!
I first skied at TSV about 4 decades ago. The relevance and respect given to the many senior ski instructors at TSV encouraged me to become a ski instructor myself later in life, though at Mammoth Mtn. The philosophy of the school that Ernie, Jean and others too created significantly influences how I teach. Stuart has been teaching there this whole time and I’m glad to see he has retained his youthful enthusiasm for skiing and teaching as he gets up there in years. Deb, thank you for posting this interview with him. //Marshall
I’m a lifer too. Only 64 now, taught skiing 35 seasons. The biggest change in my personal skiing is my speed. After many knee injuries and after being hit hard by a few high speed snowboarders, ( no hate there, my 3 sons are snowboarders), I cant ski the speed I was not long ago comfortable at. I am happy to be on the snow both on resort and in the back country.
Very Inspiring !!! I Started Snowboarding At 50 , switch to Skiing at 54, And If I Could Ski For The Rest Of My Life and Do Nothing Else, I would feel Complete.
Deb; In 2000 I attended the PSI National Academy the same year you were a guest instructor. I was in the same group as your wonderful mother. You would come and make some runs with us. I am 83 ears old and have two total knee replacments and a total ankle replacement and am still teaching and skiing. I teach at a small ski area about 40 miles north east of St. Paul, Minnesota called Trollhaugen. Enjoy your videos, keep up the good work. Mick Corbett
I’m 70, started skiing at 2 years old, my dad was a racer even then and was great friends with Dave McCoy so we skied Mammoth after helping he and Roma set up a portable rope tow. I have over 4000 days of skiing under my belt including, as my dad owned a helicopter company he started in 1956, Heli-skiing the cornice at Mammoth in 1959 at 6 years old (likely making me the earliest youngest Heli-skier ever!), we flew from the bottom of chair 3 for $5 per person (used a Bell 47G3B1 for you aviation nerds). We also help build many chairlifts in the US, setting the chairlift towers with the helicopters. My dad skied until he was 82 (at Mammoth, over 80 skiers paid $0), passed away at 86, I hope to beat that. Enjoy your videos, especially the technical ones, of course much of what is taught now takes advantage of the huge technical improvements in ski gear, which will make it easier for me to continue skiing for many more years. I’ve also been fortunate to ski all over the world but always enjoy returning to Mammoth. Off to Brian Head this weekend.
skiing is a great exercise for seniors, and in general, that is confirmed by the latest science on aging. independent leg action, balancing, and terrain analysis are very good for strengthening both the senior body and the mind. of course, skiing requires a fairly high level of senior fitness before it possible to participate in teh sport. and its important to ski on appropriate terrain and not to fall. senior vision is an obstacle, because vision continues to deteriorate. imo, using goggles with as much light transmission as possible, helps improve the vision, like a vlt of 50%, and skiing in good light. off season bike riding is great conditioning, get an appropriate bike, it doesnt need to be a fast bike, maybe with 26 in wheels,
What an inspiration. I am 67 and been a club race coach since the 1970’s. I have tried very hard to keep my knowledge and skiing up to date (and things have changed dramatically). My biggest problem now is that I still have to work hard to ski what I consider well, and my age and conditioning are working against me for that (along with 5 knee surgeries). I have to get in better shape but mostly I have to relax more and learn to ski less aggressively so I don’t wear out in a couple of hours. It is a part of aging I guess to ski within you means and learn to enjoy that, even if the turns are not as good as they could be.
I'm 71 and ski regularly at Monarch as they give a season pass to us oldsters for $25. Not only that, it's a great hill. I agree with Stuart on one thing, it is a gift to be skiing at this age. I know that I've already skied my best run, that was years ago as this is my 57th year on the slopes. Now it's just for fun. A sunny day, soft snow, what more can you ask for. He's not unusual. There are many old guys and ladies here at Monarch. Some of them are really hard to keep up with. I know one guy who can barely walk but he can sure ski. I do nothing out of hte ordinary to get ready for the season, once back on the snow, my body knows what to do and I just go along for the ride. Thanks for the video.
infinite and olympic mental and spiritual strength he has.. the true spirit of sport..this man is wisdom, beauty, harmony and music of the spheres, has it all, the art lo living, art of loving, thank you deb, thank you both for existing
My respect to you Sir. When I was a kid, my instructor told me: I will teach you FIRST how to fall and after that how to ski... I learned! Been skiing over 25 years since
As I entered my 70s I discovered Lito Tejada-Flores’ wonderful little book titled Soft Skiing -The Secret of Effortless Low-Impact Skiing for Older Skiers. Relates to this lovely video!
In the 70s I had a great ski teacher who always used to say , it’s not speed , it’s finesse . He skied very very smoothly, always in control . I just turned 75 and want to be still skiing in my 80s , so I always remember his words ! Cheers, DaveH
Thanks so much , he is superb , liked and subbed . I’m 60 next year , looking to buy a small one bed apartment in Bourg st Maurice and ski every season and cycle in the summer .
I've skied since second grade. With ole bear trap bindings. I don't too much in the last 4 years. Targhee and beaver mtn my go to but anymore it's Pomerelle.
Deb, that was special and from a perspective I respect, as we'll all be there God willing! I love the fact he is so aware and observant of himself and his students on the mountain, constantly critiquing and correcting. I hope and PRAY I am half of that at his age, because I feel his passion and love of that freedom we all experience when it is just you and the mountain. Stay safe and see you on the mountain...Carve it up!!! Best, Jeff Greenwell
Respect! I'm 67 and starting to feel it after two days of hard skiing/teaching. I'm not sure I could do what he does without some sort of year-round program w/ biking and weights, though.
Great spirit young fellow as an aging instructor my self I get it. Our job is to pay it forward with every season we are lucky enough to be outside in these beautiful winters. Keep on keeping on from North Idaho!
Stuart! This guy taught me the passion and the fall line, and now I’ve become an instructor and share that same passion with others. So great to see him out there still getting after it. Also love how he gives the terrain credit. Taos is a special place, and the terrain there is such a good teacher.
God bless You for video like this. It gives me so much hope for future. To now , that there is still possible to do what I love the most at this age make me happy and keep me continue to try to stay in good shape. I Am only 47 and I met some skiers at their 70s and it was always pleasure. These guys are humble and friendly and so positive that I feel energy that pouring from them and it makes me humble and happy. Mountains and skiing force us to be better and nicer human beings. I wish for all older skiers the best health and will and joy to ski for many more years
Awesomeness, period ! My first Ski lesson was in 1967 at Haystack in Bennington, Vermont. I was hooked. I reside in Southern NJ so I've skied the Pa area a lot as well as traveling to Killington, Pico etc quite a bit. I'm pushing 64 now and still love the sport but I'm starting to feel it. After having neck surgery and 10 rods and many screws later, I returned to Killington in 2014. Sometimes I think maybe I shouldn't be doing this because one fall the wrong way and I may be really in a different situation. I find myself over cautious which is not a good thing skiing. But, this gentleman drives it home at his age. Age is just a number, we have to "keep on keeping on" because one day I always say, we'll no longer be able to do what we once loved. So, Deb, your videos inspire me and everyone who watches them no doubt. Thank you for your calm voice and temperament while teaching. That speaks volumes about your style, personality, love for the sport and the folks your helping along the way. Outstanding, Semper Fi !
Full respect! Just a week ago, I was told I was too old for any more skiing (I'm 63), and even though I gave a strong rebuttal it made me think, well maybe I am. Watching this video has reaffirmed my belief that as long as your body is capable, you're never too old!
I first visited TSV in 1981 as a fourth grader and have been returning when possible ever since. One of the things that I love most is the familiar faces that I see year after year. It's an amazing Cadre of people who continue to make it a great place,, even under new ownership. I am convinced that Taos is the secret to eternal youth.
Bravo Stuart! I hope I make my 80’s skiing. Started skiing in my teens into my 20’s. Then stopped for 20 years, until I restarted with my kids wanting to snowboard. On our first trip, I got a lesson to make sure that I knew what I was doing. Halfway down on the first run I told the instructor, “I’m good!” Been good ever since and now enjoying my favorite pastime in my 60’s.
Sir you are an inspiration. I started at the age of 10 at Squaw Valley the year of the Olympics. I love your balance and stamina. As you are a teacher, you have taught me I still have some good years ahead of me. Thanks Deb
I got my Level 1 CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructor's Alliance) 50 years ago this coming Dec.. This is great stuff Deb. I love your videos and I just know you are a top drawer instructor. Stuart Hyderman.. "Top of the turn" you bet.. You gotta be biomechanically efficient as you age.
@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong I am trying to plan a March trip, either to Colo., Utah, Jackson Hole, if I go to Colo. I can ski a few resorts, but in Utah I am near like 5/6 of them. It looks like either Colo. or Utah, I would love to bring my daughter and contact you to arrange a lesson for her then too. thanks.
'HONESTY" ... to yourself, with everyone - he's got it. As a senior, retired and enjoying the culture of sport myself, every day is really a holiday. It's all about the future that defines you.
“It WAS all about the END of the turn. Now it’s all about the START of the turn.”. I’ve learned this is so true! And it took me ski Bladez to figure this out (while skiing on bunny slopes w my daughter a few runs a few weeks after I tore my ACL & miniscus) and then doing 1 last “hurrah” skiing w my family the day before my surgery on a very hard pack icy terrain day! My family told me NOT to go down Renold’s Run at Ski Bowl, but I felt confident enough to do it! I realized those ski blades taught me a great lesson about gently ROLLING at the start and being LIGHT on the end of the turn! If I wasn’t, the BLADEZ told me so! And since I was trying to be EXTRA gentle on my knee, I skiied them like roller blades and they worked awesome! The thinking about the Renold’s run which is somewhat steep but not bad, I realize (out of concern for too much strain on the knee), I have not been rolling the very start of the turns to keep it on snow and make it all more smooth - I have been using too much pop and downward force old school style to get the most out of the new cut of skis! I can’t wait until next year to try everything I’ve learned “during my time off” in reflection of my skiing and ski technique!
Inspiring. I turn 68 in 3 weeks. Started skiing at 21 here in Australia. For 10 years i was lucky to ski 3 or more days a year. My wife and I had a week in Whistler, Canada, just before Xmas 2023. Sadly, not great conditions but a great trip. Our first ski in 4 years due to Covid. Just got back from Japan. With some conditioning and a whole lot of RU-vid clips on techniques, I had the best time in years. Snow quality helps of course, but I felt like a 20 year old. Hopefully there will be many more like Stuart in years to come.
Otto Ross was still teaching last season at my local hill, Mission Ridge. He did give himself one concession to his age and only taught half days. Otto is only 95 years young. He was a FIS course monitor at the Olympics in Squaw Valley back in 1960. Folklore has it that when he asked PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) about a 60 year pin he was told they did not have one. (The Hill is blowing snow as I write this so it won't be long before I start making the 13 mile trek up the road to go skiing).
