Autumn is among the best times to search for bargain ski and snowboard lift tickets, especially for boomers and seniors. The only catch is, the definition of “senior” in the case of many resorts has moved steadily upward as the boomer generation ages.
There are still scores of ski areas, mostly small ones, where those 70 and over can ski free. Below are many those located east of the Mississippi, grouped by region (information provided by National Ski Areas Association).
Northeast
- In Maine – Black Mountain in Rumford (75 and over), Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill, Camden Snow Bowl (70+), Los Valley Ski area in Auburn (75+), Saddleback in Rangeley (70+).
- In Vermont – Smugglers Notch Resort in Jeffersonville (70 and over), Mad River Glen in Fayston (70+).
- In New Hampshire – Cannon Mountain in Franconia (65 and over), McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester (65+), Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme Center (80 and over),Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride in Bennington (80+), Loon Mountain in Lincoln (80+), Waterville Valley Resort in Waterville Valley (80+),.
- In Massachusetts – Otis Ridge in Otis ((70 and over).
- In Rhode Island -- Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park in Slocum (70 and over).
Mid Atlantic and South
- In New York -- McCauley Mtn. Ski Center in Old Forge (63 and over), Holiday Mountain Ski Area in Monticello (70 and over), Bellayre Mountain in Highmount (70+), Mt Peter Ski Area in Warwick (70+), Oak Mountain Ski Center in Speculator (70+), Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson (70+), Titus Mountain in Malone (70+) Whiteface in Wilmington (70+), Swain Resort in Swain (75 and over ), Windham in Windham (75+), Catamount Ski Area in Hillsdale (80 and over).
- New Jersey – Mountain Creek in Vernon (80 and over).
- In North Carolina – Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley(65 and over), Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain (70 and over), Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk (70+).
- In Pennsylvania -- Alpine Mountain Ski & Ride Center in Covington Township (70 and over), Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie (70+), Blue Mountain in Palmerton (70+), Eagle Rock in Hazelton (70+), Big Boulder and Jack Frost in Blakeslee (70+), Shawnee Mountain Ski Area in Shawnee on Delaware (70+), Mount Pleasant of Edinboro in Venango (70+), Ski Sawmill Family Resort in Morris (70+), Seven Springs in Seven Springs (80+).
- Virginia – Massanutten Ski Resort in Harrison (70 and over), Bryce Resort in Basye (70+)
- West Virginia -- Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Four Seasons Resort in Davis (70 and over).
Because prices may change over time, be sure to confirm the cost -- or lack of it -- with the individual resort before heading off after the first storm.
Sources
NSAA,org
Grace Lichtenstein - I prefer "seasoned" to "senior" but whatever term you use, I have been an outdoor adventurer for most of my adult years. I am a cycling ...
