The recent death of my mother, just as ski season was
beginning in the northeast, made me an orphan.
I’ve heard that’s a common status for someone approaching
retirement age. But still, my parents put
me on skis when I was two years old and mom and I had managed to ski together, downhill or Nordic, every season since then until last year. I will forever miss her on the slopes and in the winter forests.
 |
| Jeanne Schofield, c 1970 |
Just for fun, or maybe because I wondered what my own
expiration date might be, I looked up “life expectancy of skiers.” Results were sorted by relevance with the first
one reporting on how long ski boots should be expected to last, then skis, next
bindings, and then ski equipment generally.
Finally, after the articles about clothing, skiing people were cited—or at least, people who live in Colorado and
might ski, are mentioned. The actual
context of the article was a study done that examined life expectancy against United
State residency and found that people who lived in the ski country of Colorado
outlived those in certain rural areas of South Dakota, Mississippi and the Appalachian
region by over 20 years, with average life spans of 86 vs 66 years.When the data were parsed, findings confirmed
what we all know in our hearts—that “smoking and obesity are the major culprits
when Americans die too young.” (who
lives longer?...) Skiers are generally fit non-smokers.
When I dig a little more about a connection between skiing
and health there is a lot of evidence about the benefits of the sport—everything
from improved proprioception, increased cardiovascular endurance and improved
flexibility and balance to the strengthening of bones, joints, core and lower
body muscles. Preparing to ski generally
brings a renewed consciousness about the power of food and a day on the slopes
improves mood and promotes deep sleep. (Top
10 health benefits of skiing)
More than one article used the phrase “sunnier outlook” as a
benefit of the sport. It’s true that
physical activity amidst magnificent natural beauty makes it impossible to
sustain a bad mood. There is evidence
that skiers suffer less than non-skiers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Finally, to the extent that relationships
with family and friends promote long life, the bonds that form among people who
ski together are lifesaving. Meeting the
challenges of the slopes (and the lifts) then gathering to warm up, reminisce
and laugh together about the day’s experience builds a catalog of life long
memories.
 |
| Al Schofield, 1953 |
Those memories of skiing with my parents, and then with my
children—and often with all of them together—will sustain me long into old age.
Incredibly, the research indicates that
just having built those memories will actually boost my chances of living a long
life!
