Double Black: A Ski Diva Mystery

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Lift Ticket Deals For Ladies.

Being a woman has its privileges. Here are some lift ticket deals, just for being femaie:

Mondays
½ Off Ski Sawmill, PA
$25 Ragged Mountain, NH
$25 Saddleback, ME

Tuesdays
$39 Okemo, VT
$35 Ski Roundtop, PA
$32 Shawnee Mountain, PA
$46 Mt. Sunapee, NH
$18 Mt. Lacrosse, WI
$14 Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR (nights)
$39 Peek’n Peak, NY

Wednesdays
$10 Off Blue Mountain, PA
$53 Hunter Mountain, NY
½ Off Ski Denton, PA

Thursdays
$25 Pebble Creek, ID
$29 Mt. Rose, NV
FREE Beech Mountain, NC

Fridays
$28 Shawnee Peak, ME

Special Days
2/6: $15 Bromley, VT (mothers only)
2/2: FREE Ski Sawmill, PA
2/7: $10 Mt. Rose, NV (men dressed as women)
2/9: FREE Ski Sawmill, PA (men dressed as women)

The last two seem a little odd. What is it about having men dressed as women on the slopes????

Be sure to visit TheSkiDiva.com, the online home especially for women skiers, where women skiers can connect with one another to talk about everything and anything ski-related.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

How cold is too cold?

For everyone, it's different.

Take my folks who live in Florida. If the temperatures dip into the fifties, they're ready to call it a national emergency.

Here in Vermont, however, we're in for a real cold snap. The high temp over the next few days is expected to top out at 5°, with the wind chill making it feel like well below zero. Overnight, it should dip to about 20 below.

That's cold.

Will I go out to ski? Probably, at least for a while. There are ways to gear up to make it a bit more tolerable. I have boot heaters in my ski boots, Boot Gloves to wear over them, a face mask (as ugly as that is), and lots of warm base layers to pile on under my ski pants and jacket. I'll probably take more breaks than I would under ordinary circumstances (2 runs, break, 2 runs, break).

When it comes to cold temps, looking good takes a back seat. I'm all about keeping warm. I won't be pretty, but I'll be out there.

Be sure to visit TheSkiDiva.com, the online home especially for women skiers, where women skiers can connect with one another to talk about everything and anything ski-related.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

About Avalanches.


We've all seen the news reports about the deaths in Canada, Colorado, Utah. This is shaping up to be a terrible year for avalanches.

It's important to remember that avalanches aren't just limited to the backcountry. This season, there've been in bound avalanches at Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley, Snowbasin, and Snowbird.

What causes an avalanche? Wind, temperatures, slope angle, all play a part. Generally, avalanches occur when a weaker layer of snow is unable to support a heavier layer on top. The ensuing instability can cause snow to break away as a slab or crash down the slope in a raging torrent.

No matter what your experience, anyone can get caught in an avalanche. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk:

  • Heed avalanche warnings. No, you are not immune. Nor are you invincible. Check with area experts. When those in the know say that avalanche danger is high, do yourself a favor and listen.

  • Tell people where you're going. If you plan to head out to ski even for an hour -- especially in the backcountry -- make sure someone knows where you're heading, and when you expect to be back.

  • Don't travel alone. And make sure you and your companions have received avalanche training and know how to conduct a search and rescue operation.

  • Have proper equipment. This includes a transmitter. Make sure it's set on "transmit" rather than "receive." And make sure more than one person has a shovel.

  • If you get caught in an avalanche, try to stay on top of the snow. It's best if you can remain on your belly with your head pointed toward the bottom of the slope, if at all possible.

  • Use common sense. Don't go where you shouldn't go. If you have no avalanche training and conditions are dicey, stay away.

  • Stay safe out there, everyone.

    Be sure to visit TheSkiDiva.com, the online home especially for women skiers, where women skiers can connect with one another to talk about everything and anything ski-related.