End of Season Transition

      Almost a week ago I decided to wrap up my season on the slopes on my 70th day. A bittersweet moment for the year.  Conditions were not too bad and I had some fabulous first track runs on a slope that was somewhat difficult to get to because of the thin cover on the access trail.  I decided that my last run was so good that I would carry that excitement and satisfaction into the off season.  

        And I was also celebrating two things.  One, I was skiing all day to honor a legendary ski friend who passed away several years ago on what would have been his 100th birthday.  The other thing was to celebrate that I had no injuries for the entire season and had only one minor fall at very low speed.  There is a saying in poker that there is a time to hold them and a time to fold them. I was happy to fold them even though my favorite ski area continued to be open several more days.

    Now on to transition to the summer activities.  As usual there are many things to catch up on in home maintenance.  Beyond home it is time to ramp up volunteer activities.   The Living History Museum in Homer, New York will welcome my docent services for several afternoons each week.  Lo and behold I also suddenly got a speaking gig with the Cortland County Historical Society luncheon program to talk about my project to memorialize all the dairy silos in Cortland County, New York as related to the transitions in the dairy business. 

    Meanwhile it seems that I will be dealing with some health issues.  A dermatological surgery is scheduled in a few days.  And I am now dealing with DMV issues to confirm I am okay to renew my drivers license. It seems that when geezers pass 90  they get more scrutiny.  Hopefully this issue will be resolved.  If not,  my dear wife will be delivering me to the ski slope and my volunteer activities in the interim.    

Some closing thoughts on transitions.  I do anticipate being on the slopes next season and have purchased my locker and season pass.  Perhaps not as frequently as this year but hopefully quite regularly during the week days.  Thus, I will be tuning the skis and spiffing up my ski clothes and dream about the next opportunity enjoy the sport. Also, I hope to hit a few tennis balls this summer.

    Meanwhile, fellow geezer skiers, I hope you have a fabulous off season enjoying spring and summer activities that bring you socialization and satisfaction.

15th Annual Geezer Skiers Luncheon- Greek Peak

    March 4, 2026 we had a Geezer Skiers Luncheon at Greek Peak for the 2025-2026 season. Many of the folks were members of our group from its origin in 2009. However, many were first time recruits to our group that we welcomed with open arms! As some of us age out and in some cases hang up the skis, we need new blood to keep the recognition of the senior skiers at Greek Peak. Although geezer is a conotation usually reserved for men, the new senior ladies refused to change the identification of our group when I suggested we call ourselves Tough Older Gals and Geezers Skiers. Okay ladies, we welcome your hutzpah! 

     I think it is important to recap some of the history of our lunch gatherings and the Tough Old Geezer Skier idea. In this blog you will find reports of several of the annual luncheons. I recommend you review them if you want more detail.  Way back in 2009 our founder Pat Ryan instigated the tradition of wearing a tag with our name with label of Tough Old Geezer Skier.   Many of us got our badges and wore them for many years attached to our coats or even our helmets.  This has fallen out of vogue in the past several years.  However, as the most active and most senior multi day geezer skier, I still wear my badge.  Maybe because they cut me some slack when I cut the line and enter the lift at the Ski School gate!  

    Returning to the elements of the annual luncheon, I note that initial enthusiasm for the lunch has dwindled for many reasons.  Our first luncheon turned out 50 some people and was held at Hope Lake Lodge Hotel.  Greek Peak dignitaries spoke and we had an MC and an agenda.  Later gatherings became more informal and as one might expect Covid was highly disruptive of our adventures. Fast forward to the most recent gathering. This year we gathered about 20 folks at the Trax restaurant on the slope.  I had the privilege of hosting and arranging the event. Our most senior member is 93 to the best of my knowledge, Gene Wexell. On a sunny day he will get in a few runs.  We had some youngsters too who are probably in their 60's! Although we think 70 should be the entry age, we take the younger ones as Geezers-In- Training. For the newcomers, I recap a bit of the history of the group and welcomed them as full members! For an icebreaker, as if it was needed, I administered a brief survey of their experiences with skiing.  

        This is the same survey I did at our 10th gathering.  If you ever have a ski gathering yourself, I think you would have fun sharing the answers.

    The wrap up of our so called meeting agenda was bestowing the First Flake Award to John Gaynor who is so avid about skiing that wet grass might do for a trail with a few flakes on it.  See photograph below of our white-bearded friend.