How old is too old to go downhill skiing.?

Question

Please give me some realistic feedback and/or stories to support.

Answer 1

It does depend. If you are talking just to say you were able to go skiing, any age is fine. It is the health of the person. You can ski until you can not stay up on your legs. And the Bunny slope is still considered a ski slope... technically skiing downhill.

People would ask an older person at, perhaps 85, why they went skiing, the perfect answer would be, "Because I could."

You are as old as you feel.

Answer 2

As long as someone is in good shape I don't see there being an age restriction.  I'm was on a chairlift once at Wachussett in Massachusetts with an 84 year old man next to me on skis.  He was still going strong and loving every minute of it.  I think the fact he was still skiing was keeping him young and in good shape.

Answer 3

My buddy Walt started skiing at age 45. He's now 66. We're going to Vermont for three days next week. He still keeps up with us 35 year olds pretty well. He skis the expert slopes very well but just avoids the moguls. Walt also goes backpacking quite often.

Another one of our usual ski buddies is also about 60...he started when he was about 40. He skis the black diamonds as well.

My other buddy Morty is in his 70's. He has several other friends who all are about his age and they ski quite regularly at Stratton, Bromley, and Okemo. Morty hikes and kayaks a lot as well.

Both of them usually ski 3-4 days a week. Personally, I can't wait until I can retire...but I have another 35 years or so.

I'll add this: The older coots we ski with have been great to have around. Many of them have been doing it for years and have given me and my generation many great tips and spun wonderful stories about the hijinx they pulled "back in the day". My merry band also loves to drag around the 15-17 year olds as well. The old guys say it keeps them young!

Answer 4

It's not about age, it's about how fit you are.

Answer 5

I know an 83 yr old who still skis... but he's in shape

Answer 6

400 years old. do it as long as you possibly can

Answer 7

it depends on how athletic you are.. there are some 50 year olds who are more athletic than most 20 year olds..  you have to take care of yourself..  if you sit around on the couch all the time eating nachos, your bones are probably not going to be very strong..  if you're in really bad shape, then I wouldn't recommend going skiing at any age..  but if regular cardio and strength training is part of your lifestyle, you could probably go downhill skiing into your 70s..

Answer 8

You're never too old to ski. Granted, with age comes some frailty so it's up to the individual to decide what he / she is capable of.

Answer 9

I used to see a guy at June Mountain in California who must have been well up in his 70's but he skied so beautifully and looked so fit if you couldn't see his face you'd have thought he was 25.

Answer 10

it depends.

are you talking about just alpine skiing? or downhill ski racing?

if its downhill ski racing then just keep in mind that you'll most likely be skiing at over 100 mph

Answer 11

There is no exact age to stop these things. There was an 80 year old skateboarder and he was really good. But i guess the answer i should give to you is when it becomes a bore and you physicaly cant do it. THere are people i climb with that are 50+ and they are still seen climbing at my gym and the red and everything! but keep doing it till its no more fun or you physicaly cant do it!