Steve Kell, left, and Kelly Shaw learn how to walk in skiis during a recent lesson at Paoli Peaks. INstride/ GARET COBB

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» More: Writer takes a shot on skiis

When Martha and Skip Lambdin’s daughter asked to take ski lessons as a seventh-grader, the Paoli couple decided it would be fun if they all learned together.

That was 26 years—and five lessons—ago. The Lambdins have been avid skiers at Paoli Peaks ever since.

“Just getting out in the winter is a great thing, to breathe the fresh air,” Skip said after finishing up an afternoon of skiing at the Orange County slopes. “It really helps with cabin fever and it’s a great family activity.”

Martha, now 63, skis three or four days a week for a couple of hours.

As a “senior skier,” she often hears from her peers who think skiing is dangerous and difficult to learn.

“A lot of people think they will fall and break something, but you have an automatic brake—just fall down. Age has nothing to do with it,” she said of learning to ski. “It’s just the desire to get out and have a good time. I like to go when hardly anyone is there. The snow is groomed and it’s like skiing down nice, smooth sand.”

Flo Molnar, of Louisville, took her first ski lesson at age 50. She loved it so much she became an instructor and is still teaching people to ski. At 80, Molnar is quite older than most of her students.

“A lot of adults come out with a fear factor. I can identify with that,” she said, matter-of-factly. “Just don’t ski over your head. Stay on non-challenging terrain and take a break when you’re tired, cold or hungry.”

Known as the matriarch of ski instructors, Molnar doesn’t like to see beginners quit or say the c-word: can’t.

“I had a woman say, ‘I’m 45. I’m too old to ski’ and I say ‘I started at 50,’” she said. “We have a lot more opportunities today. Having Paoli Peaks here is a big plus. It’s a great place to learn to ski. It’s in your backyard so it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”

Molnar gives lessons two or three days a week. She often makes the one hour and 10 minute drive to Paoli from Louisville with her grandsons, 14 and 15, who are junior ski patrollers. Molnar, a retired nurse, said she never expected to be teaching skiing at age 80.

“Nobody knows how long they’ll live or ski,” she said. “When my age catches up with me, maybe I’ll retire.”

Learning to ski—at any age—is easier than people think.

“You don’t have to be a tremendous athlete to do it. People with average abilities can have a good time on the first day,” said Vickie Lincks, director of sales and marketing at Paoli Peaks. “Skiing is a pastime and you don’t have to be great at pastimes. You can do it because you love being outdoors and it’s a perfect sport to pick up in middle life. It’s statistically safer than bicycling and nobody thinks a thing about jumping on a bike.”

Lincks, herself a former ski instructor at the Peaks, emphasized that all beginning skiers should take a lesson before hitting the slopes.

After one lesson and practice, beginners will learn to turn, slow down, stop and ride the lifts.

Beginners can generally move past the starter stage after four or five lessons, which means you could ski half the trails out there across the country.

“Taking lessons makes it so much easier to learn,” Lincks said. “You’re more comfortable with the equipment and it’s a lot less stressful when you begin.”

Lessons are offered at the Peaks every hour starting at 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the weekends and at various times through the week.

A special clinic taught by women for women is also always popular.

“Most of them are in their middle years. It’s not an intimidating atmosphere,” Lincks said. “If I could get every woman from 40-50 to try it, that would be fantastic.”

And there’s never been a better time to pick up the poles.

Experts say learning to ski is a lot easier than it used to be. Gone are the long, stiff skis that tripped and tangled up beginners. Shaped skis, which are much shorter, have shaved down the learning curve for first-time skiers.

The Lambdins own their ski gear, but Martha said the rental equipment at the Peaks is top-notch and the staff is very helpful to beginners.

“They have great instructors. And a lot of people think it’s expensive, but it’s really not: Once you buy your equipment, you use it for years,” she said.

The right—or wrong clothing—can also influence a first-timer’s day at the Peaks. Avoid cotton clothing such as jeans or sweatshirts. Instead dress in layers, starting with a wicking layer to stay dry. Depending on the temperature, hat and gloves are a good bet and sunglasses—the glare off the snow on sunny days make these a must-have accessory.

Outside during the winter isn’t a bad way to stay active. Downhill skiers burn from 300 to 500 calories an hour, depending on effort and intensity. Skiing is anaerobic; it improves balance, core strength and uses the large muscles in the legs.

“It’s also an exercise that you don’t realize you’re exercising because you’re having such a good time,” said Lincks. “Skiing keeps you active in winter when we tend to let things go. It pulls us outside, into fresh air. With Seasonal Affective Disorder affecting so many people, it can really help with that. Indiana has an amazing opportunity to enjoy a sport for their lifetime. Skiing really is ageless.”

HEALTH BENEFITS

Both are excellent forms of aerobic activity

Cross-country Skiing

• Muscles strengthened vary with the skiing style but typically include the thigh muscles, gluteus maximus (bottom), gastrocnemius (calves), and biceps and triceps (front and back of the upper arm).

• Calories burned depend on effort effort, but for a 150-pound person it could shed about 500-640 calories per hour.

Downhill Skiing

• Muscles strenthened include the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, hip and feet muscles. Abdominal muscles are used to control body posture during each run.

• Calories burned depend on effort, but for a 150-pound person it could shed about 360-570 calories per hour.

Source: WEBmd.com

Paoli Peaks Ski Instuctor Steve Emery watches Michael Shaw perform the "plow" during a ski lesson at Paoli Peaks. INstride/ GARET COBB