Want to either get back to or try to learn downhill skiing Learning or coming back to downhill skiing over 40 or 50 can be totally intimidating or downright scary, especially if it’s been a long time and you haven’t been on the slopes in years. It’s very different than it was when we were 21. We KNOW and are scared of season-ending injuries with sticks flying everywhere – something we call “a garage sale." But for me, I am not yet ok with saying I’m done....that I can’t ever do this again or feel what it’s like to go whooshing down the snowy hillside. For me at age 55, I had to start with lessons and to come up with options to make it safer, easier, and way more fun, so I’m sharing here the Top 10 Tips I have to to Learn or Get Back to Sweet and Safe Skiing After 50.

EVERYTHING!!!! I'll never forget Ina - she was so inspiring. Especially as I was new to snowboarding in my 40s. Ina Gillis is a certified legend at Keystone Resort in Colorado. She was skiing in her 80s, worked until she was 92 years old and even planted flowers around Keystone well into her 80s. Keystone named a ski run, Ina's Way, and an iconic bridge in River Run Village after Ina, and it is here that I first met Ina, as she was busy welcoming up to 40,000 skiers and boarders to the mountain each week in ski season. Ina passed away in 2019 and I hope YOU get inspired by Ina and her story. If it's been awhile since you've been on the ski slopes or if you just want to get a sense of what it feels like, I hope you'll check out my video with the reasons I think it's fantastic over 40 & 50 and the key recommendations on how to ski/board more safely and with wayyyyy more fun. Thanks Ina!! I was a late bloomer to mountains and snow sports and I did not start snowboarding until my 40s. I grew up in the Midwest and then in Florida and in a water sports family, but definitely NOT in a ski family, so when I found my love for the mountains and snowy sports like snowboarding, I realized I had so much fun to catch up on. Even now as I’m aging – and I am getting older every day – I decided I was not ready to give up my time on my board, and so I plan differently now. I have to be smart and safe and do whatever I can to allow me to spend as many days ahead playing on the mountain, in the snow and on my board. I include my thoughts about what’s so great about snowboarding at this age plus recommendations to make it less intimidating if you haven’t been on your skis or board in a long time or safer, like going to less crowded locations and on non-holidays to avoid out-of-control 17 year olds flying down the mountain. I know I will have to stop snowboarding at some point, eventually, so I’m currently learning other snow sports that allow me the option to get as much of the feeling of being out there (the crisp air, the playtime in the snow, etc). So, now I’m taking lessons for additional winter and snow activities I know I can do long into hopefully my 70s and 80s! What about YOU?!?! When was the last time you got on your skis or snowboard and giggled like a little kid? Quick note that all the video footage is my own and all over the age of 50:) Big time thanks for my favorite gear – all links available on my website under FAVES – I do not have commercial relationships with these companies, so it’s not an official promo, but I LOVE my Salomon board, my Dragon goggles, my Mountain Hardware jacket and much, much more!

How Rachella Kept Climbing to New Heights After 50 Rachella Seeley didn't break a sweat until her late twenties and didn't start running marathons until her thirties, but she found herself increasingly surrounded by incredible women who inspired her to keep moving and to keep setting new goals. She and her husband and friends traveled to marathons in many wonderful places and she even qualified for Boston and ran it multiple times. She continued traveling and adventuring into her fifties and she learned of a group trying to raise money for a hospital at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and that was IT. Although it took her a few more years, she made her first trek up the world's 4th tallest mountain at the young age of 55, and absolutely loved it. She didn't plan to see Mount Kilimanjaro again, but she was inspired by another wonderful but different cause this time. She repeatedly stated that she would support others but that she was NOT going to trek up the mountain a second time. The cause and the girls won her over and she ultimately decided she had to hike and summit this incredible mountain again....only this time she would be 69, turning 70! Hear how Rachella believes putting yourself out there and staying active with a bunch of wonderful and like-minded, goal-setting women are some of the keys to creating incredible and once in a lifetime memories. She shares her stories and will encourage you to go after your dreams, as she believes these are life changing experiences not to be missed... Check out additional photos of Rachella's Girl Gang on my website at www.destinationu.net/podcast-video and comment below if you've been to Mount Kilimanjaro!!!!