He will probably miss it a lot, but it is wise to stop before he has a problem. My DH was so sad when he had to give up riding his motorcycles--they were his babies. Getting old sucks....

Oh, that's so sad. Could it be that he is not living up to his own expectations? Sometimes different snow conditions make it more physically taxing. Powder is fun, but taxing. Bumps are brutal. Keeping up with the kids is impossible. But on bluebird days, staying on the groomed pack at your own pace, the cruising is almost effortless. It's hard to scale back your expectations of what you can do and realize that you can't be a hotdog and keep up with the kids anymore. If he is in good health and can accept that and scale it back, he may find that he can still enjoy skiing. I've regularly seen skiers in their late 70s and 80s on the hill and having a blast. The key is skiing within your own limitations and accepting that you can't be the king of the hill. It seems like that's something that men tend to have more problems with than women.

Cute story: I was skiing with my sweet SIL (an excellent snowboarder) over Christmas. As we were riding on the lift, I told him he didn't have to stick with me and to feel free to take off anytime. He very sweetly replied, "no, I like skiing with you." Then he grinned and added, "unless it's a powder day." Fair enough!

I should have added that my husband will be 84 in May. He was planning on skiing to age 85, then reassess the situation, but pulling the plug earlier. He started skiing in 1967, so it will be 45 years. He was born with a heart problem, certainly accelerated with age, so I think it's probably time. I do hate to think of the day when he'll have to give up driving---hopefully, far, far into the future.

Now your husband is a very smart man...he knows it's better to quit while he's ahead than sustain an injury that could be life threatning.. would he like cross country skiing perhaps? regardless..kudos to him.Sometimes us seniors get a rap for now knowing when to give it up..more so with driving than anything else..

june

Wow; he's still skiing at 84? He should consider himself blessed!

Look on the brightside, quiting smoking at any age is fantastic! Maybe he'll be back skiiing if he can breathe better!

Quitting smoking? Did I miss something? I don't think a smoker could ski at the age of 84, at least not the 84 year old smokers I've seen.

I agree that it is wise for him to quit now. A broken bone at that age could be devastating, not to mention a bump to the head. Cross country skiing would be a lot safer, and equally as good of exercise if not more so. He sounds like an amazing man!

Ooops, I misunderstood, misread the first post. I thought it said smoking, not skiing. Boy is my face red!

it is sad but as the others have posted the idea of breaking a bone of any kind at 84 is always on your mind...does that mean you'll give up going to the resort, or do you live in ski country?

4 of my grands started skiing last year and are having so much fun...although with the crazy mi weather it was a terrible season (80's today!) and skiing michigan is pretty tame...i kid you not, lol, the existing ski hills around detroit are old land dumps...

Wow, its great that he skiied to 84 -- good for him -- he is one of my heros! I bet he was a great skiier in his prime!

I had a female client who went skiing on her 90th birthday, she was very sprightly.

He's a hero already in my book! I think it's harder for men than women to admit they just aren't up to doing things they've done all their lives, so I feel for him in that respect. Harry had such a hard time with so many things. But you should be proud he knew it was time.

84!! What a man. Smart too, to know when to stop. I do believe in pushing yourself, but not foolishly.

My neighbor just broke his leg skiing in Vermont. It's a really bad break. He had to have surgery on it.

Congrats to your very smart husband on making a life changing decision. Getting old does suck because our brain tells us we can do all the things we did when we were 30 but we oldsters know in our hearts that we can't........I am in the process of more exercise/activity and losing a few pounds. I don't want to be skinny but I know that I need to lose a few in order to make my life easier.

Skiing at 84!! I'm impressed!

As some have suggested - maybe cut back to much less strenuous/risky action, but not need to stop entirely - quite - yet.

I'm thankful that my body seldom has said, "Listen, you darned old fool - you can't do that any more!".

But I have felt it wise to cut back, some, on various things.

I agree that, for many of us, in this auto-addicted society (which was encouraged heavily by the auto companies) ...

... one of the major difficulties is agreeing to give up driving (prior to getting killed - or killing/maiming someone else).

I figure that I can live here as long as I can drive ...

... but hitch-hiking 20 - 30 km. (12 - 18 mi.) to town in winter ... is a good way to get one's thumb frozen.

ole joyful