I am heading north in early February to ski with a long, long, long time ski pal. The first time we skied together – a frigid January day circa 1989 when the snow was deep and we were still practically kids (at least in our minds) – we took some runs and popped in for a bite and a beer, looked across the table and said, almost in unison, “Oh my gosh! We are twins!”

We both had (and have!) the same snort-laugh persona that hid our super hardcore career focus and aspirations. We both were at the start of raising our own ski family. But more so, we both absolutely loved the ski life, from first lift to last call. Any time we met up, we did it all.

We’ve not skied together for two decades, so we’re both excited. But having not been around me in a while, she had one concern: “We need to do a pinky swear not to stay out too late partying that night! I’m serious! I know how we can be, but I can’t burn the candle at all ends any longer!”

Good news, long time ski pal: We’re still twins.

I mention this not because it’s funny (though it is) and certainly not because it’s sad. Because here’s what i’d been pondering in the morning hours before she said that: Skiing might just be the best sport to age with on earth. Because – and I’ve skied nearly my entire life – I am here to say that these ski days may just very well be the best ski days yet, and I know there are more to come.

Because here’s the thing: While I may not always want to hit the apres until last call, and while I may not be drawn as often to the triple diamond chutes as I once was, I’m finding this time in my ski life to be one of total, pure, unabashed joy.

Here’s why (as I shudder at the many “This is your year for Medicare!” mailings I get) I think these are the glory ski years – and ones we’ve earned.

It’s all about me: My adult years have been highlighted with more ski days than most; I’m a lucky gal. But most of them were focused on family. No regrets here: Raising a ski family was on my to-do list way back when – to date myself – I’d ask for Love’s Baby Soft and a POW/MIA bracelet for Christmas. But it’s a different ski day. Getting kids fed, dressed, geared up and dropped at ski school (as well as taking them out skiing on your own) is no small feat. My husband and I have been empty nesters for 15 years now (we had our kids young; I’m not that old!) and still, every time we load our first chair of the day, we say “Wow! We only had to get ourselves ready!”

It’s a beautiful thing to not be “on the clock” on a ski day; to simply start and stop at your own will and to lose track of it all while out there with no guilt or ignored responsibility. No kids to drop off and pick up and for me, no child with Type 1 diabetes at ski school to constantly check on.

I now take my grandkids to ski school every Saturday, and I love every minute of the madness. But on my ski days? It’s all chilled out and simple. I earned that.

It’s natural to stop and smell the corduroy: (Because if you were skiing through roses I’d be worried). Look, I’ve slowed down, and it’s by choice and I’m here to tell you it’s magnificent. Skiing in a non-agro, totally casual way opens your senses more to the winter world around you. Sure, it’s a blast to fly, and I still do from time to time. But carving down a beautiful trail a bit slower? I notice the vista, the trees, the clouds and more.

I’m not alone: Some of my best ski pals were world champions and they, too, savor these days of carving, laughing, stopping to take fun selfies and soak in the world we love so much. Age may have suggested I go a bit slower and I’m thankful for that cue.

Sure, in part this is to stay healthy, but that’s the great thing about skiing: What other sport can you still have peak enjoyment even if you slow down a bit?

You can avoid the crowds: Weekdays are king and as we age, with more vacation days accrued or – lucky you! – retirement and all that comes with it, we can choose to ski the weekdays. Monday through Thursday, and even many Fridays, you’ll not only avoid the lift lines, you’ll often have entire trails to yourself.

That means more vertical and less stress. Talk about a mountain upgrade.

Spontaneity is king: With our kids grown and our careers winding down a bit, it’s easy to see an optimal weather report and just say “yes” to ski days. There are no kids activities to work around or schools to (clears throat) pretend to need a sick day from as we age. There’s just us. See a good condition report and poof, our car is packed and we’re on our way. That’s a fantastic situation.

There are friends to be made out there: Ski or ride midweek and you’re going to share a chair with like-minded senior skiers by chance. Chat them up and make friends. I met two super cool women at Gunstock on a chair, same age as me. They showed me great trails and we shared contact info. I’ll ski with them again soon. What a benefit.