Double Black: A Ski Diva Mystery

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Girl Friends.

So how many of your female friends ski? Me, I can think of two. No, make that three. (And no, once-a-year skiers don't count. These have to be people who get out fairly regularly.)

I guess it all depends on the circles you travel in.

I honestly can't figure out why more women don't ski. Is it the cold? Child care? The incredibly busy lives that most women lead? Is there something about ski culture that puts them off? Or is it because men ski -- could staying off the slopes be a way to get away from men, when they're out skiing?

Part of the mission of this blog is a selfish one: To connect with other women who like to ski. I think women skiers have different perspectives than male skiers. Different concerns. And maybe even different ways of interacting with the ski universe.

And I'd love to expand my circle of female ski friends. Because even though I love skiing with my husband, it'd be awfully nice to have more women out on the hill.

Don't you agree?

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

So is it over?

Alas, my ski season is. And I think I'm in withdrawal.

I know, I know, spring and summer have their benefits. But since they don't include skiing, what good are they, really?

I also know that somewhere -- out west, maybe even at a couple places here in the east -- the ski season goes on, albeit in a limited fashion. Are you one of the ones who's still pressing on? And if not, how many ski days did you get this season?

As I said in an earlier post, I wracked up 37, which isn't too bad, considering the winter. What about you?

Sunday, April 23, 2006

On Posting and Saving Money.

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for the great response this blog has been getting! It really seems to have struck a chord with a lot of people. I know there are women skiers out there -- yes, I mean you and you and you -- and it's great to know I'm not alone in my love for this fantastic sport.

Between now and the beginning of ski season, I'll probably post just once or twice a week (that'll change when the season kicks in). So if you don't check back every day, don't sweat it. In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas for things they'd like covered, feel free to post 'em. Let's get this thing rolling!

Now on to something that's near and dear to all our hearts: saving money. After all, the first step to getting more women on the slopes is to make it as affordable as possible. And a good way to do that is to buy your season's pass for next winter NOW, while many ski areas are selling them at a discount. You might want to check with your favorite ski area to see when these discounts end. For example, here in Vermont, discounts end April 28 at Okemo and Stratton; May 2 at Killington and Mount Snow; May 3 at Sugarbush, and May 31 at Burke.

It's really incredible how much you can save with a season pass. I have a mid-week pass at Okemo, which is also good at Stratton and Sunapee. Last year this cost me around $260. (this may not be the exact amount -- can't remember -- but it's close enough). I skied 32 days at Okemo (5 days elsewhere), which brought my cost down to just over $8. a day! Compare that to $63. for a daily lift ticket at Okemo, and it's easy to see how fast the savings add up.

There are lots of other early season pass discounts out there. If you know of any good ones, post 'em here! And tell your friends! Better yet, buy a pass yourself.

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Welcome to Ski Diva!

How many times have you entered a ski lodge or stood on a lift line and noticed that there were hardly any other women present?

I know I have. More often than not, the majority of the skiers you'll see on any given day are male. And far too often, this is the audience that's addressed in the editorial of ski magazines, in ads for ski products, and on major ski websites.

To all of the aforementioned I say, "Hey, what're we -- chopped liver?"

Women ski, too. And even though we may be in the minority, we have just as much -- hey, maybe even more -- passion for skiing as alot of men out there.

Just like men, we put on our ski boots one boot at a time. And just like men, we love to rip it down a fall line on a clear bluebird day with a foot of fresh powder.

So women skiers, unite! It's time to take back the lift line! Here's a blog just for you.

Bookmark it. And come back often. We Ski Divas have to stick together.