Dan

Mar, 20 - 2025 - 8 mins

Can You Learn to Ski at Any Age? Tips for Older beginners.

While it’s unclear when we become reluctant to try new things, we’ve all heard the classic line of “I’m too old for that” – whether when telling ourselves or hearing others say it too. Many hobbies, sports and interests come with the implication that ‘only young people can do them,’ and skiing is certainly no exception. However, where does this perception come from? Does the theory of being too old for a sport really carry any weight?

We believe that skiing can be learned - and enjoyed - at any age, and we’re taking a look at some of the biggest concerns. Below, we consider what age is best for skiing, the implications of learning to ski after 40 and how you can overcome the common fears and challenges of learning to ski.

What Age is Best for Skiing?

For a full immersion into the world of snowsports, many people will often quip that the best age to learn to ski is 4 or 5 years old. In any ski resort, you can spot the ski schools a way off, snaking down the mountain in an adorable miniature conga-line of brightly coloured ski suits. However, you’ll also spot people shredding, way into their 60s and 70s. If you’ve never had the opportunity (or the money) to learn at a younger age, skiing is definitely something you can still learn later on in life.

There are even specialist ‘Slope Starter’ ski trips for first-timers run by UK holiday provider Crystal Ski. One 62-year-old participant shared her story from the experience, stating that she ‘wasn’t even the oldest there’ and that at the end of the week, she felt like she could ‘do anything. And you can't top that feeling.’ It really is a sport you can learn at any age.

Can I Learn Skiing at 40?

Yes! There’s a reason they say ‘life begins at forty’ - people tend to be much more self-aware and confident around the age of 40, and the rate of decline in things like strength, stamina and muscle mass is still very minimal. Your forties can be an optimum time to learn in terms of spending time with your friends, and family and embracing a new challenge.

In 2022, the World’s Oldest Skier at the time, George Jedenoff, celebrated his 105th birthday. He learned to ski at 43 years old and continued to ski in his area of Utah for more than 60 years before heading to the warmer climes of California. Another inspiring story about skiing in your forties is the story of how Heather Mills was recruited to the British disabled team, learned to race competitively aged 42 and went on to become the fastest disabled woman on skis - all with a prosthetic leg.

Is 50 Too Old to Start Skiing?

No - in fact many people credit learning to ski in their fifties as a total game changer. With the right gear, mindset and instructor, you can learn to ski at any age. The advantages of doing so in your 50s will mean that you can probably afford better clothing and have the free time to dedicate to learning - especially if any little ones have flown the nest! It might also be a great way of bonding with your grown-up children by providing a hobby you can all enjoy together.

Is 70 Too Old to Learn to Ski?

Learning to ski after 70 will undoubtedly have its challenges - but that’s not to say it isn’t achievable. Look to inspirational people like George Jedenoff above, who still had 33 years of skiing ahead of him at age 70! Another inspiration for trying new things after 70 is the legendary Japanese skier Keizo Miura, who climbed Kilimanjaro for the first time aged 77, and continued to ski into his 101st year. Recent research by UK-based indoor ski slope Chill Factore revealed an increase in what they called ‘Snow-A-Ps’ hitting the slopes, with 83% of people believing that skiing keeps them young at heart.

With a measured approach, learning to ski after 70 is just as enjoyable and achievable as it is at any age. Be picky with your instructor and opt for a beginner-friendly resort or a resort that has consistently quiet slopes for your first trip.

Overcoming Common Fears and Challenges

With skiing classed as an ‘extreme sport,’ you might find yourself worried about the different risks posed by learning. However, as a team of real riders ourselves, we’re here to help dispel those concerns by sharing what works for us.

Fear of falling and injury - falling and sustaining an injury is possible at any age, and sometimes it’s completely out of your control! However, the best way to avoid this happening is to go at your own pace, don’t be pressured by others and keep taking lessons until you have complete control on a variety of gradients.

Feeling out of place among younger skiers - wherever you go, whatever age you are, there is always going to be someone younger than you, cooler than you and faster than you. Learning to accept this and adjusting your mindset can help. Regardless of age and skill, everyone is on the mountain for the same reason; to enjoy themselves.

Fear of heights and exposure - this can be a tricky one to overcome as you’ll likely encounter some steep drops, even if just during chairlift and gondola rides. Everyone is different, but you can conquer these fears by taking things easy and heading out at first with a trusted, knowledgeable and understanding instructor who will put you at ease.

Not being able to keep up with the rest of the group - again, this fear can easily be eradicated by simply sticking to your own pace until you’re comfortable keeping up. Heading out with your more experienced friends on day one and expecting to be able to keep up is both unrealistic and unsafe - for you and other skiers on the mountain. Get a lesson lined up for the first couple of mornings and make a plan to meet up with your friends for some leisurely afternoon riding, once they’ve got the speed out of their systems!

The Benefits of Learning to Ski Later in Life

Believe it or not, skiing later in life has its own set of unique benefits. These include:

• Physical benefits such as improved fitness and increased balance lead to better mobility and limberness.
• You’ll likely forge new social connections with other skiers you meet on the mountain
• Many older skiers report newfound confidence and ‘lust for life’
• The natural surroundings will fuel a love for nature and improve mental wellbeing
• The older you are, the more free time you’ll have to pursue this new hobby of yours
• You may also enjoy a stronger relationship with children and grandchildren by spending time on the slopes together!

How to Prepare for Your First Ski Trip

Once you’ve made the decision to take up the sport, there are a couple of other things you can do to prepare for your first ski trip. First, it’s well worth investing in or borrowing decent gear so that the elements aren’t a distraction, or likely to take away any enjoyment from your experience. Look for waterproof outer layers to keep you dry and shop for merino wool base layers to get the best blend of warmth and breathability.

Secondly, spend some time focusing on your fitness before you go. Paying particular attention to stretching and yoga can help with your muscle strength and recovery because, trust me, you’ll be aching in places you didn’t know you could after day one! Concerned about your current fitness level? Take a look at our guide: how fit do you need to be to ski?

Third, make sure you do your research into what resort is best for you. Using the easy Snomad Ski Resort Quiz tool is a great way to filter through hundreds of resorts, and you can also read thousands of unbiased reviews and ratings on each one. There’s even a ranking table for the best ski resorts for ski schools, so that you can book lessons in complete confidence. When considering each resort, you can also find out information about non-ski activities such as sledding, snowshoeing and spa days, which can be great alternatives.

Finally, knowing what to pack can make all the difference to your week. Check out our Ski Trip Checklist for the ultimate guide on what to pack for your first ski holiday.

A Lust For (Later) Life: It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Skiing is a lifelong sport that can be discovered at any age. Not only will it give you confidence and improve your fitness, it can also strengthen your social bonds and spark a new lust for life. Any skier will tell you that there is nothing quite like the feeling of cruising atop corduroy slopes while the sun shines down on you, with picture-perfect mountain panoramas at all angles.

Whether you do or don’t learn to ski, time will still pass and you’ll likely wish in five years that you had just given it a go now. As a wise person once said, ‘If not now, then when? If not me, then who?’