Time For A Party Sugar Mountain Hosts 15th Annual Septuagenarian Party By Mark Mitchell It’s a party. Ice cream, cake, laughter, ceremonial traditions and a chance to catch up with friends are all part of the festivities. A group of more than 30 are gathered on this day, all sharing the two requirements needed to belong … they have all maintained their skiing ability and they are all at least 70-years-old. Dan Stillwell, a 74-year-old ski instructor at Sugar Mountain, tackles the slopes following the Septuagenarian Party on Tuesday. Photo by Mark Mitchell Meet the participants of the Septuagenarian Club. They may be 70-years-old or older, but they are still a kid at heart when it comes to skiing on the white stuff. To celebrate these facts, the members get together once a year for the Septuagenarian Party at Sugar Mountain Ski Area. This year marked the 15th Annual gathering of the skiers and the occasion is always special to its members. “The best part is just getting together to congratulate each other on not slipping into a sedentary lifestyle,” said 74-year-old Dan Stillwell as he laughed. “It’s great that we are all remaining active and still getting out on the slopes.” Stillwell, a retired Appalachian State University professor, is also a part-time ski instructor at Sugar Mountain, a place where he has worked since 1971. “We have some challenges as older skiers that younger people usually don’t have to deal with,” said Stillwell. “Your sight isn’t what it used to be, you can start losing your sense of balance, you may be dealing with arthritis and you may have a few injuries over the course of your life. “On the good side, the shorter skis they have now help older skiers because they are easier to maneuver and react better to ankle movements. On the bad side, you are not usually as aggressive as you once were. The steeper slopes might be something you want to stay away from once you reach our age.” Back to the party, the festivities begin with the youngest member of the Septuagenarian Club cutting a piece of cake for the oldest member. This year, 70-year-old Gerry Gorst got the honor as the newest member, handing a nice-sized piece of cake to 83-year-old Bob Nicks. After that, ice cream and beverages are sampled as the club’s members share stories from out on the slopes, accompanied by abundant laughter. A tradition started 15 years ago, the Septuagenarian Party has continued as a yearly occurrence for a couple of important reasons, according to Sugar Mountain office administrator Marsha Ruppard. It’s just a way for us to honor these avid skiers who keep their passion alive,” said Ruppard. “It also gives people a chance to meet someone they didn’t know, strike up a relationship, and then come back and ski together. Just today, two men who live in the same town, who had never met each other, met and started planning ski trips together. That’s what it is all about.” Stillwell, who learned to ski in Oregon in 1954, said that while he has no plans to cut back on his skiing, the sport has already given him so much. “The atmosphere you encounter when skiing is what has meant the most to me,” Stillwell said. “You see magical weather changes, enjoy wonderful camaraderie and take part in a fun activity that also keeps you fit. It’s been great.” Plenty of familiar faces showed up to share stories and enjoy camaraderie at the Sugar Mountain Septuagenarian Party recently. Photo by Mark Mitchell