What's in Lito's latest book.

[h.harb]

It's skiing soft for older skiers? Has anyone seen or read it? I read the reviews on Amazon.

I'm thinking of writing a book: "Skiing, for those 50 and older".

[HeluvaSkier]

Interesting. I didn't know that Lito had a new book out. I haven't read it. With the minimal amount of free time I have I'm lucky to get through all the PMTS material I have...

On writing a book geared toward older skiers - I think it is certainly worth investigating. My time on snow with Patprof and several of his friends this year is proof that just because someone is older, does not mean that they don't want to improve their skiing, and improve it in a way that will allow them to ski strong for another year. I hope Pat chimes in on this topic because he and his friends are a perfect example of using PMTS for this exact purpose. From a coach's perspective it is also really inspiring to watch the skiing of someone who is much more than twice your age improve greatly over the course of a season.

With the aging baby-boomer population, literature like this will only become more and more important as skiers look for ways to continue in the sport.

[patprof]

Harald-I read the book. Very disappointing! Essentially just a re-hash of his earlier books. I liked Lito's earlier stuff ( it's how I eventually found PMTS). I would very much be in favor of you writing a new book for skiers over 50 (these youngsters need all the help they can get ). Each year there are more and more skiers who pass the 50, 60, 70, and like your dad-even the 80-year-old mark. I just turned 70 and ski every day with "old Geezers" in their late 70's, and 80's (one is turning 90 in two weeks). We can't crank the turns that you and Heluva make look so easy. But we still use the "essentials " as best we can.

[jbotti]

This is a very interesting topic for me, because I just turned 50!! I think it is fair to say that I am not dialing down my dins by two just becuase I am now 50. I agree that there are now more than ever a whole bunch of 50 year old skiers in good physical shape that can ski and have the physical ability to ski better. Hey, I still get better every year!! Harald, you are the poster child because if my memory is correct the big 60 is right around the corner for you, and it's not like you are slowing down!!

I also think that a lot of older skiers that don't sis with PMTS technique often find that they can't ski as long and hard as they used to. Many think it's their body, when in reality it's their form. A book that focuses on this as a means to ski better and longer as we age could be a best seller!!

[NoCleverName]

"Golden Skis: Your Skiing Can Improve with Age (Unlike Everything Else!)"

[Marek]

Harald-I read the book. Very disappointing! Essentially just a re-hash of his earlier books. I liked Lito's earlier stuff ( it's how I eventually found PMTS). I would very much be in favor of you writing a new book for skiers over 50 (these youngsters need all the help they can get ). Each year there are more and more skiers who pass the 50, 60, 70, and like your dad-even the 80-year-old mark. I just turned 70 and ski every day with "old Geezers" in their late 70's, and 80's (one is turning 90 in two weeks). We can't crank the turns that you and Heluva make look so easy. But we still use the "essentials " as best we can.

Yes. I read the book as well, that is...skiing essay, much more a skiing story than instruction for older skiers how to ski , but Lito's writing is so nice.

[BigE]

DIN is supposed to get dialed down because as you get older, your bones get more brittle. 50 is about the right time for that.

[jbotti]

I don't know of a good skier who is also in good shape who has moved down their din at 50.

[serious]

Why would PMTS principles be any different for older skiers?

[h.harb]

Right, the skiing technique and movements would not be different except the focus would be toward reducing impact, or hard hits, dryland preparation, alignment care and how lack of flexibility reduces some areas of movement.

Yes John, I'm going to be 61 in a few months. It's hard to believe, for me, but that's life. We are probably never our chronological age, in our minds.

[BigE]

jbotti,

do you think they are immune to the laws of aging?

[idahorob]

"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened." Some comedian said that, but I don't remember who.

PMTS for older skiers is the ticket. I'm 62 this year and skiing better than ever. Faster, stronger, deeper turns. I avoid large, hard moguls on steep runs (not worth the wear and tear), but have come to love skiing moderate bumbs. My turns aren't picture perfect yet, but I feel balanced, in control at speed and seldom fall. Sign me up for the testimonial page!

[BootsCanyon]

As regards flexibility, one topic that would be of interest is if there are specific types of movement, such as counterbalancing, where the flexibility combined with core strength needed to do the movement tend to be proportionately much worse for over-50s than for the average mid-20s plus desk jockey. And, in those cases where age on average means this will be worse, specific exercises that can target these areas.

[Mac]

I don't know of a good skier who is also in good shape who has moved down their din at 50.

Yeh, they've been telling me this for a while now, (eight years, actually). Don't know if there's anything to this getting older stuff, but it's something I'd like to discuss more. Can't right now, though, my mountain bike is calling me. They say I can't bounce like I used to either, but it doesn't seem to stop me from falling off just as much

[jbotti]

jbotti,

do you think they are immune to the laws of aging?

No, of course not. But this concept or rule of thumb was put in place 20-30 or more years ago. The reality with regard to strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity for a skier like myself is lightyears beyond what it was for the average skier 30 years ago, when working out was only something that Jack Lalane did!! I am with Mac, I know my body has slipped some, but it is not signifiacnt. I still cycle 7000+ miles per year, ski 40-50 days and my strength training and flexibility work is higher and better than when I was in my 30's. The forces that I create while skiing are not any less this month than they were last month (when I was 49). There may be a time to dial down my din some, but I have not reached that point yet. Come on everyone knows that 50 is the new 40!! That rule of thumb is antiquated for any skier that maintains good shape and felxibility.