STILL HEADING DOWNHILL

Older Skiers Reunite on the Slopes

PNW Ancient Skiers Association formed in the 1980s, when people in the ski industry were nearing retirement and wanted to keep track of friends. The club scheduled its 38th annual reunion trip for this January at Sun Valley, Idaho, where for the first time since COVID hit, there will be a full slate of outdoor and indoor activities.

“We’ll probably bring more than 300 people this time,” said Secretary Nita Burks, a board member along with her husband, President Ty Anderson, who both live on Bainbridge. Perks in Sun Valley include discounted lift tickets, banquets, get-togethers, a NASTAR ski race and more.

“A lot of skiers come for the ambience,” Anderson said. “And Sun Valley is just a great place to ski.”

BY CONNIE BYE PHOTOS COURTESY ANCIENT SKIERS

Prospective members must be sponsored by a current member; most have some connection to the ski industry. There’s a one-time, $125 membership fee.

Current members range from 55, the minimum age to join, into their 90s, Burks said.

Ancient Skiers has about 790 memberships—that’s more than 1,300 individuals. Of those, 19 people live on Bainbridge, three in Poulsbo and two in Suquamish, Burks said.

Some members have retired from the Northwest to Sun Valley, in part to enjoy some of the well-maintained, easier runs, Burks said.

“They might be skiing slower, they might be on the easier slopes,” she said, “but they’re still out there.”