jimk
Active member
Anyone else out there enjoying age 70 free skiing? Tell us who, what and where 
I started doing it last year. Skied at Massanutten, VA and Monarch, CO. Monarch actually lets you start doing it at age 69. Massanutten charged a $25 processing fee, which included an RFID card. Monarch charged only $5 for an RFID card. Massanutten bumped their senior fee up to $75 this year (2025), so I found another nearby freebie. Canaan Valley, WV charges only the $5 fee for an RFID card and I skied there a couple days ago using the 70 ski free option for the first time.
I do most of my skiing in Utah and have a Snowbird senior season pass (not free) and a base Ikon pass. These age 70 ski free options come in handy for warm up days before I arrive in Utah, where I spend several months each season.
Massanutten, Dec 2023 (the blue ridge in the background is Shenandoah National Park and scenic Skyline Drive runs along the top of the ridge for 105 miles):
Monarch, Jan 2024 (about 12-15" new snow this day):
Canaan Valley, Jan 5, 2025, the elevation of the valley in the background is ~3200', elevation at summit of ski area is about 4200'. The area gets more natural snow and wintry conditions than just about anywhere in the mid-Atlantic. Whitegrass Nordic Center and Timberline Mtn alpine ski area are located one and five miles away, respectively. The fact that there is a nordic/cross country ski area nearby tells you something:
As you might surmise from the photos, I got my best value playing the senior card at Monarch, where I enjoyed two very nice powder days.
I started doing it last year. Skied at Massanutten, VA and Monarch, CO. Monarch actually lets you start doing it at age 69. Massanutten charged a $25 processing fee, which included an RFID card. Monarch charged only $5 for an RFID card. Massanutten bumped their senior fee up to $75 this year (2025), so I found another nearby freebie. Canaan Valley, WV charges only the $5 fee for an RFID card and I skied there a couple days ago using the 70 ski free option for the first time.
I do most of my skiing in Utah and have a Snowbird senior season pass (not free) and a base Ikon pass. These age 70 ski free options come in handy for warm up days before I arrive in Utah, where I spend several months each season.
Massanutten, Dec 2023 (the blue ridge in the background is Shenandoah National Park and scenic Skyline Drive runs along the top of the ridge for 105 miles):
Monarch, Jan 2024 (about 12-15" new snow this day):
Canaan Valley, Jan 5, 2025, the elevation of the valley in the background is ~3200', elevation at summit of ski area is about 4200'. The area gets more natural snow and wintry conditions than just about anywhere in the mid-Atlantic. Whitegrass Nordic Center and Timberline Mtn alpine ski area are located one and five miles away, respectively. The fact that there is a nordic/cross country ski area nearby tells you something:
As you might surmise from the photos, I got my best value playing the senior card at Monarch, where I enjoyed two very nice powder days.
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