The family that stays together, skis together.
"What is interesting, for the first time ever we have a three-generation sport," said National Ski Areas Association president Michael Berry. "We're hanging on to the Baby Boomers, we've got their kids, and now their grandkids."
Back in the 1980s, Berry says every skier was 35 years old. But that's changed, and Berry can sum it up in one word: equipment.
"Equipment is a huge part of it," he said. "So is grooming, the quality of the experience. We've taken off some of the rough edges."
According to the 2007 NSAA's national demographic study, there is a growth of skiers aged 45 and older. The average age of a skier is 36.6, up from 33.2 during the 1997-98 season. Since that season, the proportion of skiers aged 45 to 54 has increased from 14 percent to 19.4 percent, while the percentage of skiers aged 55 to 64 has nearly doubled from 4.6. to 9.4 percent. Skiers aged 65 have grown from 2.4 percent to 4.2 percent.
"The older member of the family, now the Baby Boomer, is creating the multigenerational gathering place," said Berry. "Often they get together during holidays, Christmas."
The youngest skiers are found in the Midwest, with the median age of 22, while the Northeast is the oldest at 40.
"I think what is so spectacular about the East is the incredible enthusiasm that I sense when I come back here," said Berry. "I grew up back here, lived in New Hampshire [Franconia], and grew up in upstate New York. Whenever I come back here, I sense the passion and dedication of the Northeast skier. They just get out, they enjoy themselves, and still, to this day, the East generates the strongest, most competent skiers in the country."
At a loss, finally
The team banner had been raised in the NCAA Hall of Champions following last year's undefeated season and national collegiate championship, and they had been to the White House to meet President Bush.But last weekend, the Dartmouth ski team finally lost an event.
Middlebury, with 718 points, recorded a narrow win over Vermont (715), with the Big Green finishing third (694) at the University of Vermont Winter Carnival.
Tim Reynolds set the pace for Middlebury Saturday, qualifying fourth in the 1.2-kilometer sprint, then surviving a series of elimination heats to prevail. Dartmouth teammates Patrick O'Brien and Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess finished second and third.
But the big point totals in the sprint went to Colby, as the White Mules rode strong performances by Wyatt Fereday (fourth), Nick Kline (fifth), and Silas Gill (sixth).
Dartmouth freshman Ida Sargent captured the women's 10K Classical and the freestyle sprint, winning through the series of elimination heats, with her sister, senior captain Elsa, coming in second and teammate Susan Dunklee third.
Vermont's Jilyne McDonald won the slalom and giant slalom at Mount Mansfield, while Charles Christianson of Williams won the slalom and giant slalom.
Guiding lights
New England Regional Ski for Light, a nonprofit organization that helps visually impaired adults participate in winter sports, has its final overnight cross-country excursion of the season planned for Feb. 22-24. The volunteer group, which matches participants with sighted guides, will ski and snowshoe Great Glen Trails or Bear Notch in New Hampshire (depending on conditions). Training is available for guides who would like to volunteer. Details are at nersfl.org . . . Wachusett Mountain is calling on fire departments to participate in the 11th annual Fire Fighters Ski Muster to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association Wednesday. Teams of five firefighters clad in full safety gear will blaze down the slopes in a series of events. Entry is $500 per team and details can be found at wachusett.com . . . With Valentine's Day approaching, resorts are trying to woo visitors. Those still looking for a match can try chairlift speed dating Saturday at Black Mountain in Jackson, N.H., and Wildcat Mountain will have two-for-one tickets on Valentine's Day. At Vermont's Mad River Glen, if you kiss your honey at the ticket booth, you each ski for $14 on Feb. 14.Globe correspondents Tony Chamberlain and T.D. Thornton contributed to this report.
