Ralph Preziosi doesn’t just love to ski.
He started a non-profit organization to lead international trips so others could enjoy the sport, as well.
For Ralph, 69, skiing is a lifelong passion. And regular workouts at the gym make it possible for him to continue.
“There’s nothing like it, going down a mountain and feeling a breeze on your face,” says Ralph, a retired food distributor. “It’s just an amazing feeling of freedom.”
He’s far from unique among people over 50 who want to continue enjoying sports and recreational activities of all kinds. They know fitness gained in the gym means fitness in the rest of the lives.
And as millions around the world are watching the Winter Olympics, it’s a good time to look at skiing over 50.
Key Statistics Tell a Powerful Story
- Skiers 55 and older make up 25% of all skiers, a significant presence considering the overall median age of skiers has climbed to 35 (up from 24 in the 1960s).
- While Baby Boomers represent roughly 11% of total winter athletes, they account for a much higher percentage of skier visits because they ski more days per season than younger groups.
- Households earning over $100,000 a year constitute 75% of skier visits. Older skiers typically have higher disposable income to manage the rising costs of lift tickets and equipment.
‘Physical Self-Concept’
Staying fit is key for health, of course. But it’s also about maintaining what researchers call “Physical Self-Concept.” Recent studies show that adults over 50 who engage in regular resistance training feel decades younger. This “felt age” is the engine of adventure. When you are strong, you don’t just participate; you do what you want to do.
The Canadian ski market is a prime example of this “graying” of high-intensity sports. The average age of Canadian skiers has climbed to 43, with more “revival” skiers—those returning to the sport after a break—than ever before.
George Tjelios-Nicholas, a 90-year-old ski instructor at Whistler, British Columbia, was recently featured in the documentary The Fit Generation. He says he’s still able to teach because he trains his physical weaknesses.
For George, fitness is the price of admission for a “zest for life” that lets him continue pursuing his passions. “You heed to have some energy and passion in your life,” he says.
How the Gym Helps
Staying fit in the gym helps in several ways: leg power, core stability, and performing in the cold. A ski trip is better when you regularly train for cardio, resistance, balance, and flexibility. You’re more likely to enjoy skiing for longer periods of time, recover more quickly, and avoid injury.
All this has become even more important for Ralph as he has aged, even though he’s been skiing his whole life.
“I am an expert skier, but I’m getting older,” he says. “If it wasn’t for working out, I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.