By Rick Dumlao
The California Senior Winter Games is held every year at Bear
Valley Ski Resort and I’ve been participating for about four years now. I enjoy it with lots of other “mature” skiers and snowboarders and you don’t have to be good skier or a competitive skier. If you are an intermediate or better skier over 50 years old, then you can do this! The age divisions are in 5-year increments starting at 50 years old, and the oldest competitor this year was 74. The divisions are split up for men and women, and the events are giant slalom, slalom, and dual side by side slalom. All of these races occur over the two days of the weekend.
This year I managed to win a gold medal in the giant slalom, but then got eliminated 
in the dual side by side slalom. I like the format of the races because you’re up against people your own age and you don’t have to compete against some hot-shot kid in his/her 30’s or 40’s. There is usually a lot of joking around at the top of the course while waiting your turn to run the course. At the award ceremonies, you get to stand on the podium for a picture suitable for hanging on the refrigerator, and bragging rights amongst your fellow skiers/boarders. The races are fun, you meet lots of like-aged and like-minded people, and you get to challenge yourself and ability, which is always good for improving your skiing/boarding. If you decide to go next year, bring your families and friends for support to cheer you on and make it an enjoyable weekend.
