Forever Young on Utah's Ski Slopes

In Utah, age is increasingly just a number for skiers and snowboarders.

Written By Paula Colman

A man and woman dressed in ski gear, carrying their skis on their shoulders as they walk through the snow at a ski resort.

Scott Markewitz

When Tom Cruise sped off the mountain top in his penultimate installment of the "Mission Impossible" franchise, audiences fell silent for what seemed like an eternity until he finally touched terra firma.

The reason they strained to hold their collective breath was that, for 40 years, fans grew up knowing that Cruise’s risky business included doing his own stunts. Today, skeptical teenagers accompanying their giddy parents afterward scoured the web trying to figure out how a 60-year-old man raced a motorcycle off a giant ramp perched on a cliff and safely parachuted to the valley floor nearly 2,000 feet below.

This may be one of greatest stunts in cinematic history, but adults over 50 know that, although they’re not performing such daredevil acts, they are more active and accomplishing more extraordinary feats than generations before. Especially in Utah, age just feels like a number as more activities become ageless, including downhill skiing and snowboarding. So, your mission, if you choose to accept it, is: If you’re “over the hill,” you should head to the mountains in Utah this winter!

Go ahead and queue the ‘Mission Impossible’ theme song.

Why Utah? Accessible, Awe-Inspiring and Authentic

Utah is a place where Olympic athletes, locals and visitors from around the world train, teach and play. Its resorts welcome skiers and snowboarders of every generation and ability to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, making it the perfect place to spend your next winter vacation. Whether you’re a first-time skier or old pro, over-50 vacationers can discover mountain magic at any one of Utah’s 15 resorts or its millions of acres of backcountry.

Of Utah's 15 resorts, 10 are within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport.

Photo: Scott Markewitz

Aside from having The Greatest Snow on Earth and vibrant ski towns, the easy access is what sets Utah apart from other skiing locations.

Photo: Scott Markewitz

Why Not? Ski Camps, Clubs and Other Good Things

Skiing and snowboarding, as active, adventurous, social activities, can be good for your health (not to mention the aprés ski pampering at the hot tub or spa). Reports on aging attribute these types of activities to living longer and better.

Even domestic doyenne and avid cross-country skier Martha Stewart agrees. At 81, she did the impossible: she agreed to pose – on the cover, no less – of the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, in part, “to demonstrate that women can look good and feel great at any age.” It’s part of her philosophy, backed by the same body of research, that you should try new things, travel to new places and engage with new people and experiences, especially as you grow older, to enhance your physical and mental health.

Martha, like others with decades of life experience, understands that you must put aside fears of ‘not being perfect’ at something (or something new) and say, “Ok, Snoop, let’s do this!” Skiing and snowboarding, like golf, yoga, and pickleball, have a learning curve. Luckily, Utah resorts have some of the best mountain schools in the world to get skiers and snowboarders of every age on the slopes for their first season or fiftieth and, yes, down again.

As a group, over-50 skiers and snowboarders continue to grow in numbers and percentages annually (Hint: With the kids gone, they have more time and $, and they’re skiing into later years), and resorts in Utah continue to adjust and cater to the needs and demands of these new and returning guests.

Among the longest-running and best-known is The Wild Old Bunch at Alta. This free meetup group of skiers in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s (although a centenarian occasionally shows up) assembles on Wednesdays throughout the season to share sun-filled slopes, stories and secret powder stashes.

Next door, Snowbird has introduced Senior Tuesdays, a six-week clinic for older (60+) intermediate-to-advanced skiers and snowboarders, taught by those who enjoy the same playlists, who want to explore new runs, hone skills and meet friends.

Trying new things, traveling to new places and engaging with new people and experiences, especially as you grow older, can enhance your physical and mental health.

Photo: Adam Clark

Why Now? “Haven’t you heard…70 is the new 30!” But We’ll Still Give You a Discount

There are plenty of reasons — fitness and fun — to head to Utah’s slopes; there are fiscal ones, as well. Indeed, most Utah resorts offer discounts for older adults. However, who has reached “senior” status varies, reflecting just how popular skiing and snowboarding are here.

For many, such as Brighton, Sundance and Deer Valley, discounts are available for those 65+. Beaver Mountain offers reduced tickets for those 75+ or a season pass for $100 (as its website declares, “Haven't you heard...70 is the new 30!”). Powder Mountain offers lower-priced lift tickets for Seniors (65-74) and free tickets for Super Seniors (75+). Alta offers deals on season passes for seniors (65-79); those 80+ can get a season pass for $50 or a daily lift ticket at the window for free. Yes, many octogenarians purchase an Alta pass, partly as a badge of honor and because they don’t want to stop at the window and miss a moment of Utah’s famous powder.

For youngsters (50-64), who finally have the time to ski or want to join their families and empty nest friends, there are numerous discounts on tickets and passes on resort websites and local retailers (outside of Park City). Other ‘multi-passes’ offer great deals on lift tickets to multiple Utah resorts, including Ikon Pass (six Utah resorts), Epic Pass (Park City Mountain), SuperPass (four Salt Lake City resorts), Indy Pass (Beaver Mountain, Eagle Point, Powder Mountain) and PowerPass (Nordic Valley, Brian Head). With a bit of planning, vacationers can even save enough to eke out a second ski trip, especially when they're not limited to traveling during pricier school holidays or breaks.

Most Utah resorts offer discounts for older adults.

Photo: Scott Markewitz

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do!"

– Warren Miller

Utah's snow-packed mountains are situated right by its metropolitan areas, offering visitors unparalleled access.

Photo: Adam Clark

Many ski areas, like Sundance Mountain Resort, offer off-slope activities for visitors to explore.

Photo: Andrew Burr

It's tough to beat the fairy tale views of Utah's slope-side lodging options.

Photo: Adam Clark

Not Quite Ready to Summit? Try Nordic Skiing

For those who want a low-impact sport or a little less altitude than downhill alpine skiing, Nordic skiing is a terrific option and very popular in Utah. Nordic skiing, also called cross-country skiing, consists of two different styles: classic (wider skis sliding forward-and-back, typically through parallel tracks cut into snow) or skate skiing (skinnier skis pressed in a skate-like motion).

Trails for classic and skate skiing are groomed (smooth) on low-angle (not steep) terrain on public and private property throughout the state. You can also give it a try, take a lesson or find a guide at White Pine Nordic Center, near the Village Base at Park City Mountain. Several Utah ski resorts also provide rentals and lessons, including Solitude, Sundance, and Alta.

To feel like a real action hero, Soldier Hollow at Wasatch Mountain State Park takes Nordic skiing to the next level with its Biathlon Experience, allowing participants ages 10+ to learn to ski and shoot targets with actual .22 caliber rifles, similar to those used in modern Olympic games. Consider this followed by a bobsled ride with a trained driver at Park City’s Utah Olympic Park, and you’ll feel like James Bond in over a half-dozen ski chases (Roger Moore filmed his classic jumping-biathlon scene in "For Your Eyes Only" at age 53 and was 57 during another alpine blitz in "A View to a Kill").

Nordic skiing, also called cross-country skiing, is great for those who want a low-impact sport or a little less altitude than downhill alpine skiing.

Photo: Park City Chamber/Bureau

What’s Next? Aprés Skiing and Luxe Amenities, Of Course!

At the end of the day, you may want to wine and dine, shop or drop, and Utah ski resorts are close to it all. From award-winning bars and restaurants to shopping malls, outlets, designer consignment stores and boutiques, few ski resort destinations can boast the number of off-mountain entertainments. Its nightlife is exceptional, featuring professional sports teams, such as the Utah Jazz, or museums, galleries and venues hosting professional symphony, opera and ballet performances. (Read: Salt Lake City: A Place to Play)

After all of that, if you and your friends want to crash at a condo together, there are plenty of options throughout the state. But if your couch surfing days are over, take advantage of a full range of lodging accommodations from slopeside to downtown. If you’re ready for a fully luxurious and pampered experience, look no further than Montage or Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Washington School House Hotel or Pendry in Park City, Snowpine Lodge near Alta or the plush The Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.

Tip: Lodging or renting in Salt Lake City, instead of Park City or the Cottonwood Canyons, will save a lot of money and provide a variety of dining and entertainment options in Utah’s beautiful, capital city.

For exquisite and even unique dining, don’t forget to reserve a fondue pot at Goldener Hirsch or a melty smorgasbord at Fireside Dining in Deer Valley. In Utah, getting to the meal is often as enjoyable as eating it, especially when combined with moonlit sleigh rides at Snowed Inn Sleigh Company or Viking Yurt.

High West Distillery in Park City.

Photo: Marc Piscotty

High West Distillery

A day spent sliding and floating on The Greatest Snow on Earth warrants an afternoon of eating, drinking and reveling.

Photo: Michael Kunde

Utah is home for adventure at any age, and those over 50, 60, 70 and beyond are not only refusing to sit still but are taking on new roles — and trying a few epic stunts of their own — here every day. So, if you think you are “over the hill,” then you are ready to head up the mountains in Utah to ski, snowboard or anything else. As the famous ski filmmaker Warren Miller said, “If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do!”

About the Author – Paula Colman

Paula Colman is not a professional skier, mountain biker, sommelier or chef, but spends her time pursuing these and whatever else pops up along the way with an inordinate amount of enthusiasm and humor. As a recovering attorney and practicing parent, who has lived in seven states across all four time zones, she landed in Utah over a decade ago and decided that she could study for the bar or learn to ski…hmmm. She now shares her stories about outdoor adventures and entertainments throughout Utah as a regular contributor for Visit Utah, Ski Utah, ApresSkiUtah.com and others and on Instagram at @harpo_utah.

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