So what did you accomplish this ski season?

Sadly enough, the ski season is coming to a close here in the northeast. The snow is softening and melting, the days are becoming warmer, and yesterday I saw my first robin. I truly hate to see it end.

Nonetheless, it's been a terrific season. The snow conditions have been epic here in Vermont all winter long -- quite a change from last year. I started skiing in mid-November and even skied today, April 9, getting in more than 60 ski days, a new record for me.

In addition to racking up more ski days, some of my highlghts this year have been:

Skiing Alta and Solitude: Never been there before, and it was absolutely fabulous. Loved the terrain, the weather, the skiing; I'll definitely be back!

Meeting more of the great women from TheSkiDiva.com: Many joined me at the aforementioned Alta and Solitude, where I spent a week meeting and skiing with some terrific women from across the country. Others came to ski with me here in the norheast. You can't imagine a more fun group of ripping women skiers! Truly a delight to meet each and every one of them.

Pushing my comfort zone: Even in skiing, it's easy to get stuck in a rut, particularly when you ski the same area most of the time. On my trip to Utah, I definitely pushed my boundaries, skiing terrain I probably wouldn't have attempted on my own -- and it was a blast!.

Definitely a season I'll long remember.

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

Sex, violence, and snow sports.

Doesn't seem like they go together, but to some ski manufacturers, they seem to make perfect sense.

Take Nordica Olympia skis, for example. Great skis. But why the silhouette of a naked lady on the top sheet? It's not that I find the female form offensive (I know, I know, it's the Goddess Victory). but couldn't they come up with something better? Do we HAVE to have a naked woman on our skis to understand thet these are for women? Besides, she looks like the woman on the truck mud flaps!

What I find particularly offensive are the violent images used in some snow sport products. There's a jacket by Grenade, for example, that has the text, "Die, Die my Darling," on the back, with the image of a woman being murdered. I know, I know, it's from a Misfits song. But it's offensive on so many levels I hardly know where to begin. I actually find the entire Grenade imagry offensive. Obviously, I'm not the target audience for Grendade's products, but the message of violence this sends is appalling.

Or how about K2's Hellbent ski? Ridiculously violent. And why?? To appeal to 12 year old boys?? And if so, what's the message they're sending? Sheesh.

I think ski manufacturers can do a lot better. Don't you?

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

Why Women's Gear DOESN'T Suck.

There's a thread going on over at a major ski forum, EpicSki, entitled "Why Women's Skis Suck." In it, the writer poses that there is no need for women's equipment. That manufacturers should just make skis in varying lengths and flexes, with different mounting points, and boots should be produced in varying widths and shell sizes.

My feeling is that'd be great in a perfect world. But it's not a perfect world. Manufacturers don't make a lot of unisex (read "men's") skis in the shorter lengths, etc. that women need. And if it takes marketing to women to make them do it, then I'm all for it. Hey, I want performance, so I'll get it wherever I can find it. At 5'-1" and 110 lbs, I used to have to resort to junior equipment to find something that fit my height and weight. Now, thanks to women's specific equipment, I don't have to. Manufacturers have started making a lot of kick-ass women's skis and boots. Now if they'd finally figure out that they don't have to make them pink or use flowery graphics.......

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

Spring skiing is officially here.

There's little doubt. The first day of spring has come and gone, Easter is upon us, and daylight savings time is in effect (don't you love the longer days?).

Spring can be a great time of the year to ski. But the warmer temperatures, softer snow, and brighter sun do merit special consideration. Here are some things you should take into account to have a great ski day:

Wear sun screen. The sun is stronger now, so make sure you protect your skin with an SPF of at least 15. Apply it liberally and often.

Dress is layers that can be easily shed. The day may start out cool, but it can warm up pretty quickly. Be sure to dress in layers that can be removed to prevent you from overheating.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. You're probably perspiring more, so make sure to replace the fluid you lose. Your body will thank you for it.

Take changing snow conditions into account. The snow's a lot softer now, so you'll have to ski differently to accommodate these new conditions. Keep your weight more evenly distributed across both skis.

Wear sunglasses or goggles. The sun is stronger now, so be sure to wear appropriate eye protection.

Happy spring skiing!

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

Now Available in Paperback!

Okay, this has nothing to do with skiing. But it has everything to do with Finn, the terrific book written by my husband, Jon Clinch.

The news: It's now available in paperback.

Finn is the dark story of Huckleberry Finn's father. It's about racism, madness, alcoholism, slavery, dysfunctional relationships. love, murder, greed, & disillusionment. And I must say, it's beautifully written (really). Picture Cormac McCarthy meets William Faulkner. What's more, you don't need to have read Huckleberry Finn to enjoy it. It stands all by itself.

Finn was named one of the best novels of 2007 by the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, the Chicago Tribune, heck, even Amazon.com. Not only that, it was a finalist for the John Sargent, Sr., First Novel Prize, which honors the best first novel of 2007. And it was named a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association.

So if you're looking for a good apres ski read -- in addition to TheSkiDiva.com, of course -- head to the bookstore and pick up a copy. You're going to love it.

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

I have a letter in SKI Magazine!

Yep, that's me in the March/April issue.

I was responding to a column that appeared in January, where Warren Miller blames the downturn in the ski industry to the fact that women no longer wear STRETCH PANTS on the slope.

I mean really. I don't think I'm the only one who finds this demeaning, ridiculous, and just plain creepy.

So here's what I wrote:

Editor:

Warren Miller's contributions to the ski industry are legendary. But like all legends, he's showing his age.

His editorial in your January issue, where he blames the lack of growth in the ski industry on the absence of women in stretch pants, is ridiculous, offensive, and demeaning. Granted, ski fashion could use some improvement. And sex does sell. But the idea that women have to look sexy in order to attract skiers (read "men") to the sport is simply beyond comprehension.

In Warren's World, it's male athleticism that counts; women are there only to decorate the slopes. I'd submit that although Miller may be comfortable in that long-gone neverland, Ski Magazine owes its readers some more contemporary thinking.



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

Frozen In Place.

I've never made any claim about being a super skier. Au contraire. I'm simply someone who loves to ski. A lot.

So here I am at Solitude Mountain Resort. And some of the people I'm with encouraged me to do something I've never done before: ski a double black. In Utah.

Usually I don't let myself get pressured into doing things I'm not confident about. But like an idiot, I went along.

I should've had a clue when the sign at the trail head said, "Danger. Cliffs Ahead." That messed with my mind a little, but I forged ahead, anyway.

How was the trail? Steep. As in s-t-e-e-e-e-e-p. And narrow. With rocks. And trees. And a view across the canyon that literally gave me vertigo. My world started to spin. And I absolutely froze. Couldn't move at all.

I've heard about this happening to other people. The thing is, it'd never happened to me. The longer I stood there, the worse it got. A truly humbling experience.

Then I remembered an interview I'd done -- for this blog, in fact -- with Mermer Blakeslee, the ski industry expert on fear. She said if you can just get moving, you'll be okay. If you change your focus, you'll be okay. If you break it down into smaller increments, you'll be okay.

I knew I either had to do something or change my mailing address. So I started to move. I focused on keeping my hands in front of my body. And I concentrated on the next few turns.

In the end, I made it down. It wasn't pretty, but I was intact..

My point here is twofold:

1) Don't let anyone pressure you into doing anything you don't feel confident about. You don't have to prove anything to anyone.

2) Fear just happens. This is the first time it ever hit me like this. Now I know what the fuss is about. And if you do freeze, do what Mermer suggests. Move. Focus. Break it into smaller bits.

I am truly humbled by this. I mean, I'm a pretty good skier. But as I said, this can happen to anyone.

Afterwards, I went and skied things I felt more confident on. Hey, you gotta get back on that horse! And I think it made me feel better.

All in all, the whole thing was a learning experience. So I guess it was actually a good thing. It gave me a better understanding of what new skiers must feel.

I think it was Churchill who said, "The only thing to fear is fear itself." Know what? I think he may be right.

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

Making ski friends.

It's almost time for my annual trip out West. I usually try to make it out there once or twice a year. This year, sadly, it's once, but I'm particularly excited because I'm going to be skiing with a number of women who belong to my forum, TheSkiDiva.com. Thanks to this forum, I've been able to form friendships with women skiers all around the country -- heck, even all around the world.

It's a fact that there more men than women skiers. But that doesn't mean that if you're a woman, you're doomed to ski alone or with your husband/brother/signicant other/male friend. Join the forum and you'll be amazed at all the women who care as passionately about skiing as you do. The friendships I've formed there have been incredible. Many of the women I'll never meet, except in cyber-space. But the support, discussions, and information I've been able to gain from the site have been far beyond anything I imagined in the outset.

Give us a try.

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

Now someone's interviewing me!

Very often I'm the one who does the interviewing. But recently I was interviewed by a web site called PoshCravings.com. It's a web site directed at keeping new moms up to speed on things other than being a new mom. Which is a good thing. Being a new mom can be pretty all-consuming. Too often the "Mom" part of our identity overshadows everything else. so it's nice to remind ourselves that there are things out there that're just for us.

In any event, I thought I'd share the interview with you. You can find it here.

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

Things I don't get about skiing.

I never claimed to be, as they say, the sharpest knife in the drawer. But there are some things that go on during skiing that I frankly don't get. Get ready -- this may sound cranky, but I have a cold today. So take that into consideration:

Skiing and Smoking: Okay, so you're out in the fresh air doing an aerobic activity, and you still light up? I mean, I know it's a habit. But skiing and smoking just don't go together, in my book.

White ski outfits: A good way NOT to be seen. Which makes you a target for anyone else on the hill.

Not wearing a helmet: All the evidence is in. Helmets protect your head. Everyone should wear one -- especially patrollers, ski instructors, and parents who force them on their kids.

People who go up to the top of the mountain, when they've never skied before. Would you fly a jet airplane without a lesson? Skiing takes some skill. It's not just point down the mountain and go.

Parents who take their kids on trails they're not ready for. Usually it's because it's a trail they want to ski. Then they go down ahead of them. What will they do if the kid falls? Hike back up?

I'll stop now. Maybe I'll be over my cold and less cranky next time.

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

A sneak peek at next season's skis -- Part 2.

My second day at the Shop Demo Days at Stratton was completely different from my first. Snow throughout the night and during the day left us with several inches of fresh powder on top of some icy stuff that every now and then broke through. On the whole, though, a good day to ski the wider stuff, but not a great day for narrow-waisted skis.

For me, the big problem was overchoice. There were far too many skis I wanted to try, so the ones I skied I only skied for a really short time. Because of this, I'm hesitant to even call this a "review," since I don't feel like I gave each ski a fair evaluation. It really is just a sneak peek. Please keep that in mind as you read below.

So here's what I tried, and here's what I learned, for what it's worth.

Volkls
Aurora: Oh. My. God. This is a new ski for next season, and let me put it this way: I know what alllllllll the Divas are going to want! A fantastic ski. Features their new "Wide Ride System;" the internal Power Transmission (iPT) binding interface is built into the ski body and slides into position on the ski's inside rails. The rep says this gives it a rounder flex pattern. Whatever. 112-85-129, 14.7 m. I loved it. Great in the big turns, smooth, stable, and can really hold an edge.
Fuego: 121-73-105 (12.9m) No, this isn't a new ski, but I wanted to try it all the same. If the Aurora is a Mercedes, this is a sports car. Spirited, fun, light, quick, easy to edge.

Roxy
Joyrider. 74 underfoot. This is based on the Rossi Z line. Has carbon rods to disperse the energy so you can really hold an edge. I really didn't expect much from this ski, given the "Barbie" like presentation of the Roxy line. They seem to be all about the graphics. Still, a very fun, responsive, smooth ski.

Head
As I said in my last post, they've changed the Head names, getting away from the "Thang" and instead using "One." Let me also say that I've always had a soft spot for Heads, ever since I coveted my sister's black metal Head 360's back in the 70's.
Every One: 75 underfoot. This ski reminded me a lot of my Monster IM 70's. Responsive, fun, easy to turn.
Wild One: Fat(ter). Fun. Stable. Nice. Didn't get the dimensions, but think the waist is in the 80's.

K2
They've changed the graphics on these skis, and for the better, I think. Very, very nice. They also have a lateral sidewall now instead of a cap construction.
Burnin' Luv: I last tried the Burnin' Luv about five or six years ago, and wasn't wowed. Let me say this: I don't know if it was my skiing, the conditions, or what, but I really liked this ski. Maybe it was the lack of ice: I'd heard that these aren't great of hard pack. Anyway, they've increased the waist from 68 to 70.
Lotta Luv: Well NOW I know what the fuss was about. The Lotta Luv is a Lotta Fun. Cuts through all kinds of stuff, no problem. Good carver.

Nordica
They got rid of the female silhouette graphic!!!! Yay!!!! A big improvement; it reminded me of the woman you see on truck mud-flaps. Nice graphics on the new skis.
Olympia Victory: A VERY nice ski. 78 underfoot. Fully integrated binding. A playful ski that performs in a wide range of conditions. Very stable and smooth.

Dynastar
Exclusive Legend: New graphics. 75 underfoot. VERY versatile. Smooth in crud, good rebound, and good on edge.

Blizzard
I hate to break it to you Eos lovers, but the Eos has been discontinued for next year. In fact, there's no fat ski at all. They say they will in '09-'10.
Viva Magnum: 76 underfoot, vertical sidewall, wood core. Handles a wide range of conditions very nicely. I liked this ski, too.

I've skied a LOT of skis in the past few days, and they actually began to run together. So for me, here are the stand-outs (in no particular order). I think any one of these would warrant further investigation.

Salomon Opal
Volkl Aurora
Atomic Cloud 9
K2 Lotta Luvs
Nordica Olympia Victory
Nordica Fuego
Blizzard Viva Magnum
Dynastar Exclusive Legend
Roxy Joyrider

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

A sneak peek at next season's skis.

Today I was lucky enough to participate in a Demo Day of next season's skis, held at Stratton, VT for northeast ski shop employees. It was phenomenal. Lots of different manufacturers set up in booths in front of the lifts. You could click in and out all day, which we did. It was ski gear heaven.

Unfortunately, the conditions were less than ideal. Rain and fog made visibility practically nonexistent for much of the day. And the snow was a thick, messy glop. Also, a big part of the mountain was closed. So all the things I'd love to find out about skis -- how they perform on ice, in powder, in bumps -- were impossible to determine. What's more, at this point I could only demo what the shop wanted me to demo. And I couldn't spend much time with any one ski. I was on/off/on/off. So I was too busy and rushed to get any specs.

What follows, then, are are basically my impressions formed by one or two runs in crappy conditions. So take it for what it's worth.

First, I did pop into a couple booths before I started skiing. Saw next year's K2s. They've changed the graphics (finally), and I must say, they really look great. Everything is pretty much the same, except the Burnin' Luv is now 70 underfoot, instead of 68.

I also managed a quick look at the Heads. The names have changed. They've gotten rid of the whole "Thang" nomenclature and replaced it with "One." So there's the Every One, the Power One, and so on. The graphics are different, but other than that, the skis remain the same.

And I (quickly) checked out the Volkls. There's a new ski called the Aurora that looks very, very cool. 84 underfoot. A gorgeous looking ski. The bindings are designed to go right out to the edge for improved edge-to-edge responsiveness. I have to give these a try! The Fuego and the Tiara are the same. And the Aura has different graphics.

Then I got to demoing. Mind you, these are very quick impressions with very little specs. But here goes:

Atomic: On the whole, the graphics for the women's skis are incredibly ugly. Seriously. They look very dark, very Goth -- like something Der Fuhrer would come up with. But maybe that's just me. The Minx series is gone and been replaced by a new line. Here are a few I tried:
Heavens Gate: 74 underfoot, 10.5 turning radius. The women's Metron. A nice ski. Very turn-y. It's this year's Foxy Mama. A black and purple color scheme.
Cloud 9: A VERY nice ski that replaces the Royal Minx. I liked this one a lot. The ski has four flex zones in the front and two in the back. 11 turning radius, I think 74 underfoot.
Cloud 7: The same line as the Cloud 9, but one step down. Three flex zones in the front, one in the back. A softer ski. Didn't like it nearly as much as the 9. Got pushed all around in the gloppy stuff.

Rossis:
Attraxion 3: New graphics, but didn't really like the ski. Got thrown around a lot in the gloppy stuff.
Scratch: A twin tip! Very cool graphics. And really a lot of fun, though it'd have been better if someone else who skied in the park could try them out.
Voodoo: The best of the lot of the Rossis I tried. Still, I was't wowed. This is one I would've liked to try under different conditions. And the graphics were a little too pastel for my taste.

Fischer: I must admit, I have a soft spot for these.
Vision Exhale: The core consists of a channel filled with a composite surrounded by wood on either side, so it's very light with the characteristics of a wood core. A very zippy, fun ski.

Salomon:
Temptress: This is more of a park ski than the Minx, which can actually be used all around the mountain, Fun. Again, it'd have been better for someone who knew park sks to try them out,
Topaz: An okay ski. 71 underfoot, 11.5 furning radius. Not a wood core ski. More forgiving.
Opal: This ski rocks. Gets on edge easily, very smooth yet fun. 73 underfoot, 11.4 turning radius

Elan:
Wave Spice: Very, very nice. These skis busted through the crud like nobody's business, and were still able to get up on edge. 80 underfoot.
Free Spice: Definitely the coolest graphics of the day. A wide ski that's also great in the crud, but not as good as the Wave.

So there you have it.

Favs of the day: Salomon Opal, Atomic Cloud 9, and the Wave Spice.

I plan to go back on Thursday to demo the skis that I want to demo. I'll post Part 2 later.

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

The core of your being.

I've been hearing a lot of talk about core strength recently.

Core strength refers to the muscles in your core, or trunk. Your lower back, glutes, and abdominal muscles all come into play, working together to create movement, disseminate force, and keep you stable as you ski. A strong core can influence your balance to keep you from falling, and help provide you with greater control on the slopes.

So how strong is your core? Take a look at the video below for a simple(?) test that can help you find out.



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

Falling Man.

To anyone who's still not in the helmet-wearing camp, here's something to chew on:

Last week my dear husband had a fall on an easy connector run we've skied a million times. There was no crazy skiing involved, he just caught an edge and went down hard. What makes it of particular interest is that it was bad enough to crack his helmet. You read that right.

Imagine if he hadn't had one on.

If he hadn't, we'd probably be facing a bad concussion or a skull fracture right now. I'd have spent the past weekend in the hospital, making not too pleasant phone calls to family members, talking to doctors, arranging things with the insurance company, and so on. Hey, he's a writer -- maybe that new book would never have been finished!

Instead, my husband was merely a bit annoyed that 1) now his brand new helmet was ruined, and 2) he had to buy a new one.

Hey, that's what the helmets are for! I'm just glad he's okay.

Moral of the story: Don't worry about hat hair. If you don't have a helmet, get one.

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

Review: Stockli Spirit ED

Me: Advanced skier, 110 lbs, 5' 1-1/2"
Skis: 149 (13.5m—115/68/98). These skis jump in length from 149 to 157, so on the advice of a friend who's about my size and ability -- and who's tried them herself -- I went with the 149.

I've always heard about how wonderful Stockli skis are -- easy to flex and fantastic on the ice. Hand made in Switzerland, each ski gets 22 passes on the stone (the bases are a thing of beauty). And they're not easy to find. The company only ships 4,000 to the US each year. So my expectations for this ski have always been somewhat high.

Maybe too high.

I've been waiting for the perfect day to try them. So today, when the snow was particularly, shall we say, hard packed, I figured the time was right.

I wish I could say I was wowed. Though they do edge quite nicely, I just felt like there was nothing there. No pop. No fun. No spirit. Just damp to the point of being dead.

It's always disconcerting to think that you're the only one in the world who doesn't like a ski. Makes me think, what am I doing wrong?? So maybe it is me. Maybe someone else would really love these. Maybe I would've liked them better in the 157. Who knows. All I can say is, the Stockli Spirit was a disappointment. I expected better.

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

A conversation about fear with Mermer Blakeslee.

For many of us, skiing is a head game. Get past the fear, and suddenly things become a lot easier. So who better to talk to about this than Mermer Blakeslee, the ski industry's recognized fear expert and author of In the Yikes! Zone: A Conversation With Fear (Dutton, 2002).

Mermer started skiing at the age of 3. After training at Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont, she competed internationally. For the past 20 years, she’s trained instructors as an examiner for Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA). In 1996, she became a member of PSIA’s elite National Demonstration Team and now serves as a selector for that team. Mermer travels all over the country educating industry professionals. She also leads women’s seminars at Wyndham, NY, and Snowbird, Utah.

Q: Mermer, I know you're also the author of two novels [In Dark Water and Same Blood], yet you do all this work with skiing and fear. How do you reconcile the two?
A. I know they seem diametrically opposed, but both of these disciplines come together in the core of my being. A lot of what I've done with fear and skiing is also what I'll do with fear and writing. When you have a writing block, it's because your expectations are high. You need an entrance ramp to get into either writing or skiing. You can't just click in and be in the zone. It's like when you come into music. You can't just start dancing unselfconsciously. You may start out on the sidelines watching, then you may start moving a bit, then you slowly get drawn in. You have to find your process to actualize what you're capable of doing.

One big difference between me and sports psychologists is that I treat the athlete as an artist. The psychologists deal with conditioned responses and overlook the creativity of the sport. I talk about skiing as a metaphor for any creative act. There's always that moment where you have to give yourself up and let go. You know, I really love skiing just for itself. It doesn't have to be a metaphor. But I find that because it's such an emotional sport, the metaphor can easily transfer into people's lives.

Q. So what do you do in your fear clinic?
A. I gear the clinic toward getting women to respond to skiing in a new way, based on their own ability. We get them into a place where they're free of what I call the "nag." That's the negative self-talk that tells you you can't do something.

Q. How did you get started with your fear clinic?
A. I started to teach skiing at Wyndham (NY), and no one liked teaching the fearful women who came in for lessons. I told the ski school to give them to me, and I started developing a reputation for dealing with them. It's ironic because when I was ski racing at Burke Academy, I understood there was a mind-body connection; that it was my mind that was keeping me from getting better. So I felt that these fearful women were just like me. I also thought they had amazing emotional courage, to attempt to do something even though they were frightened. Eventually I was asked to do a special clinic about fear; I think that was back in '85. Now I offer one clinic a year, and I train a lot of fear clinicians. I also train ski teachers and I help examiners become better examiners. I do staff training and women's clinics at Snowbird. I'm trying to mainstream fear into the way people think about ski teaching.

Q. Do you think it's healthy to feel fear?
A. I distinguish between fear and respect. A lot of what we teach in the clinic is a healthy respect, because some people misjudge their own fear. They think it's fear when it's actually respect. What they need to do is develop more skills to expand their comfort zone. It has nothing to do with not fulfilling their potential. They have to put in the ground work and develop their skills.

Q. Do you find that men and women have different approaches to fear?
A. A lot of women don't understand the amount of repetition that's needed to become good at something. There's a dichotomy in the psyche of many women. On one hand, they feel unathletic. On the other, they're not aware of how much work it takes to improve, so they think they should be better than they are.

There are two approaches to fear. One is avoidance. You avoid going down a particular trail. A lot of women are like that. I call them Janes. You have to give them a push. Then there's the person who rushes through fear. I call them Roberts. These are mostly men, though they could be women, too. For those people, you have to modify the rush.

Q. So how do you handle this in your clinic?
A. We start inside with a conversation about fear and how it affects us. Then we take it out on the hill and work on it concretely and literally, to determine what is happening to our bodies. We do a lot of strategies, though I wouldn't say we "overcome" fear. You're always going to be frightened of the next step. What we do is expand the ability to move in and out of fear so that someone's comfort zone doesn't have to shrink around them.

Q. For all our gearheads, what are you skiing on now?
A. I'm skiing on Fischer SC Race skis. It's a great eastern ski. I can take it into the bumps and it's great on ice, too. I have a 3 degree side bevel on them. I have Fischer boots, too.

Mermer offers her women's fear clinic at Wyndham Mountain in New York. For more information, visit Wyndham Mountain or call 800/754-9463 ext. 1120

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

Dress for success.

I hate the cold.

There. I said it.

Seems almost sacrilegious, when you consider this is a ski blog. But as much as I love to ski, I absolutely hate to be cold. And the only way to get around that is to dress for the conditions. Today the temperature was brutal. It was about minus 3F, and with the wind chill, about minus 25F. Tough to dress for, I know. I think I wore everything I owned.

Which leads me to the best way to dress for thte cold: Layer. Layers trap warm air, so you stay warmer. Another benefit -- you can tailor your clothing to the conditions. So if you get warm during the day, you can just pare down.

What sort of layers? Start with a base layer that's not too heavy. Most important, be sure that it's not made of cotton. Because cotton holds moisture, it can keep perspiration next to your body. And a wet body is a cold body. Instead, use a base layer made of a fabric designed to transfer moisture away from your skin. This will keep you dryer, and a lot warmer.

After that, consider a fleece, maybe a vest, and then your jacket or shell, depending on the temperature, and you're good to go!

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

Happy 2008!

So where'd 2007 go??????

It's been an interesting year for me. Some of the highlights include:

Membership in TheSkiDiva.com surpassed 500: A terrific on-line community of women skiers. If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure you do. It's fun, informative, and free!

52 ski days, which is pretty good for me, given the less than stellar season here in the east. Hope it's better this year. We're off to a good start in Vermont; let's just hope it continues.

New gear: Always fun. I acquired two new pair of skis -- Fischer Vision 73's and Volkl Queen Attiva's -- plus a pair of boots -- Nordica Speed Machine 10's. At year end sales, too!

The publication of Finn, by Mr. Ski Diva (AKA Jon Clinch): To tremendous critical acclaim, I might add. Named one of the year's best books by the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, Amazon.com, BookSense, the Hartford Courant, and more. Plus a finalist for the John Sargeant Sr. First Novel Prize. Had to throw that in. Can you tell I'm proud?

And here's what I'm already looking forward to in 2008:

Meeting more members of TheSkiDiva.com: I met a few in 2007. It's fun to meet people you've already established a relationship with on line. If you participate in the forum, you can understand the way I feel!

A trip to Solitude: I'm heading out there the first week of March. Never been, so I'm very excited!

Finn's publication in paperback in March. Need I say more?

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

Skiing with the kids over the holiday.

The Christmas holiday is a great time for family skiing. But high expectations can also lead to disappointments. So before you get on the slopes this week, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Know what you're in for: Things can go a lot slower when kids are involved. You may need to take a lot of bathroom and food breaks, and quit a lot earlier than you'd like. So be patient.

Don't force it: Don't take family members on slopes they're not ready to handle, just because you want to ski there. Not only is it not safe, but it's a good way to freak someone out -- and turn them off to skiing entirely.

Don't use ski instructors as baby sitters: It's not fair to the instructor not to show up on time at the end of your kids' lesson. And be sure to leave a tip!

Listen to what your kids want to do: And then do it (okay, within reason). They're not small for long. It'll make for a better relationship, and great memories in the years ahead.

Make it fun! That's what the holiday season is all about.

Have a happy, happy holiday!

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

The year's best read!

Okay, this has nothing to do with skiing. But it has everything to do with a terrific book that's once again racking up the accolades:

Finn, by Jon Clinch (AKA Mr. Ski Diva), published by Random House.

Yep, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, the Chicago Tribune, heck, even Amazon.com have all named Finn as one of the best novels of 2007. Not only that, it was a finalist for the John Sargent, Sr., First Novel Prize, which honors the best first novel of the year.

So if you're looking for a great Christmas gift, here's one that can't go wrong. Order it today at amazon.com.

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

Get with it, Lange!

Am I the only one who finds this distressing????

For the past 40 years, Lange has had a long standing ad campaign that features sexy, half-clad women wearing little else but its ski boots. Now Lange, along with Freeskier magazine, is sponsoring a contest to find four hot babes to represent the company at regional events.

Everyone knows that sex sells. But this campaign sets the women's movement back 40 years. Instead of relying on talent and athleticism, Lange once again takes the low road by resorting to another kind of T&A, objectifying women to sell its products. Are Lange boots so poor in quality and design that they have to resort to this? They could have done themselves credit by showing a terrific woman skier using their boots and saying why they're so wonderful. Instead, they continue to rely on an outdated mode of marketing that's crude, insulting, and demeaning to the achievements of women skiers everywhere. It's time they delivered something better.

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

The perfect helmet for a Diva!

If this doesn't say Ski Diva, I don't know what does.

I think it's my new favorite piece of equipment.

What do you think????


BTW, for anyone who does not wear a helmet: GET ONE NOW! Your life may depend on it.


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

The Skinny On Reviews.

Do you read gear reviews? All the ski mags have 'em; heck, I've even posted a few here myself. And there are loads of them on TheSkiDiva.com.

But before you rush off and buy the ski that a review says is best, here's something important to keep in mind:

Gear reviews are subjective. So much depends on the reviewers' ski level, the way they ski, their own personal likes and dislikes, snow conditions, bio-mechanics, ski length, even mood.

So please -- keep in mind that reviews are strictly the opinions of a specific skier. The best way to tell if a ski is right for you is to:

1) Learn as much as you can about the ski you're interested in -- which includes getting opinions from a variety of sources;

2) Assess you abilities honestly and fairly. You don't do yourself any favors getting a ski that's above or below your level;

3) Keep in mind the conditions under which you ordinarily ski. If you ordinarily ski under boilerplate conditions in the east, it may not do you any good to only look at powder skis;

4) Get out there and demo! You may find that a ski that gets awful reviews is one that suits you perfectly. Hey, they make tons of different skis for a reason. What's great for one person may be awful for you, and vice versa.

Reviews are a good place to start. Just keep in mind that they are only a small part of ski selection. The rest is up to you!

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

Review: Nordica Olympia Conquer

I feel like I've been on a bit of a roll lately with the Nordicas. What can I say -- Nordica had a demo tent at my local hill both last week and today. Last time I tried the Firefox; this time: the Conquer!!!!

Again, I'm an advanced skier, 5'1", 110 lbs.

Specs: Tried the 154 (126-84-110)

Conditions today were, in a word, awful. Death cookies, ice, and crud.

Did it bother the ski??? Not at all. This is one powerhouse. Even with an 84 mm waist, it handled the ice and death cookies like a, well, like a conqueror. Busted through everything, yet was able to get on edge like a champ. Grippy, smooth, and stable, better in longer and medium turns than short. A very fun ski. If you want a ski that can dominate the hill, this would be an excellent choice.

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

Ski Review: The Nordica Firefox

This is one ski I've been dying to try, and today I got lucky! My local hill (Okemo) had a Nordica demo tent set up yesterday, so how could I resist?

So here we go:

Ski: Nordica Olympia Firefox, 154 cm, 120-70-103 (13m)

Me: Advanced, 5 ft 1 in., 110 lbs.

Conditions: 3-4 inches of fresh powder on top of bullet-proof ice. Ungroomed.

I've been very intrigued by this ski since my interview with Deb Armstrong, and learning that this is what she skis. Now I know why. What a terrific ski! Conditions were mostly powder with some ice where it'd been pushed around; ungroomed. No problem. I found the Firefox stable and quick, with good edge hold and terrific rebound. Really nice in the long turns, but nice in the shorter turns, too. Didn't try it in the bumps, since there were no bumps around. But for a fun ski that really moves, this is it.

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

A chat with Kristen Ulmer

Some of you may already be familiar with Kristen Ulmer. A pioneer of the extreme sports movement, Kristen was a mogul specialist for the US Ski Team in the '90's and appeared in a number of ski movies, jumping off cliffs and making heart-thumping, jaw-dropping, knee-knocking descents on some of the world's gnarliest terrain. She's also been named by both the media and her peers as the world's best big mountain (extreme) skier and overall woman skier, beating out Olympic Gold medalists. And in a cover feature about her life, Powder Magazine called her "the biggest icon the ski industry never expected" and the "protoplasmic mass of the ski industry."

For many of us, it looked like Kristen was living the dream: fame, fortune, prestige, and unbelievable skiing in some of the world's most exotic locales. But then a few years ago she gave it all up. Just like that. No more of the glitter and glamour of the free-skier circuit. Instead, she devoted herself to developing a clinic that combined ski coaching with a western form of Zen teaching called Big Mind. Since then, Kristen's Ski to Live clinics have received national attention. I spoke to her recently from her home in Utah.

Q: You've stated that your work with these clinics is the most rewarding you've ever done, and that being an extreme ski champion was the prequel that allowed you to do it. Can you explain why you made the transition, and why you feel this way?
A: During my ski career, at least once a week I'd look at my skis and think that this wasn't what I was supposed to do with my life. And I couldn't figure out why. Eventually, I got to the point where I just couldn't take it any more. But I didn't have the guts to quit and I didn't know what I'd learned from everything I'd done. I don't believe you learn by experience. I believe you learn by reflecting on the experience. So initially I wanted to reflect on my experience as a professional athlete and figure out what I'd learned. This led me to Big Mind, an intense, powerful study of the self developed by Genpo Roshi. It's made a huge impact on my life. And now, sharing this with other people is what my life is all about.

Q. How does the focus on spirtuality fit in with the ski experience?
A. Big Mind comes from the Zen tradition. But it's several generations removed from Buddhism. It's not a religious program. Buddhism is the study of what the Buddha taught, but Zen is trying to feel what the Buddha felt. Basically, it's trying to embody our true nature; trying to help people access something they already know. Our clinic helps you use this awareness to become a better athlete.

Q.In one interview, you said that some people won't meditate, but they'll ski. Do you equate skiing with mediation?
A. For me, yes, but it's not that way for everyone. When I was a professional skier, there were times when it felt that way, but I wasn't in the sport for the peace of it. I was in it for its power, aggression, and self expression. Now that I'm in my forties, I don't care about improving my skiing anymore, so my feeling on this has changed. Meditation is something you have to learn how to do. Many people have different approaches to skiing, and using it as a way to mediate is one of them.

Q. In your clinics, what are you hoping people will come away with?
A. Two things. First, a greater understanding of themselves as an individual, and whether that relates to their performance skiing or just their lives, that's up to them. And second, I'm hoping they come away knowing very, very clearly their true natures.

Q. I've had the pleasure of speaking to Deb Armstrong and Didi Lawrence, and both of them mentioned that for them, skiing is a metaphor for life. I know that isn't exactly what you're saying, but it's interesting that for you, too, skiing is more than just a sport.
A. I say it's one of many choices on how to live your life. And it is one of the best things I can think of. It's beautiful, it's magical, it's social, and it brings up all sorts of stuff. But then it can also, if you allow it to, give you a glimpse of your true nature. I can see how the metaphor for life would resonate with some people. It's more than just a physical activity.

Q. What kind of people attend your clinics?
A. We get some of the most intelligent, interesting, grounded people in the country. I think many people are seeking knowledge and understanding in their lives. The choices are religion or the new age movement -- which I think has become more questioned and obsolete. Our clinic offers another way. We do, however, get a lot of religious people who just want to add to that.

Kristen Ulmer will be offering her Ski To Live clinic at Snowbird from January 3-8, at Alta from April 3-6, and at Park City from February 28-March 2.

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

Now you're talking!

Every sport has its lingo. It's no different in skiing. Hang around enough, and you're bound to hear some ski slang.

Here are a few of the more colorful terms:

White Ribbon of Death: Seen mostly during the early season, this is the thin stripe of snow present on the trails of many resorts. Riddled with rocks, sticks, and the bodies of skiers who've hit same.

Gaper: Not one of my favorite words. A "Gaper" is someone who's clueless about skiing, ski fashion, and proper skiing etiquette. I believe the word comes from the gap that can occur between one's goggles and hat and/or helmet (though if that's the case, shouldn't it be "gapper"?), and is often used to describe someone who's new to the sport.

Death Cookies: Hard, evil chunks of icy snow that can occur when grooming machines try to break up a sheet of ice. Commonly found here in the East.

Yard Sale: A spectacular wipe-out that results in gloves, poles, and skis strewn across the mountain.

Sierra Cement: The opposite to powder. Thick, heavy stuff that'll slow you down and grab your skis.

Skiing Switch: Skiing backwards. That's why there are twin tips.

Snow snake: A mythical, invisible creature who'll grab you when you ski, pulling you down and causing you to fall.

Face plant: This is what you do when you fall on your face.

Bluebird Day: The best. Used to describe a sunny day with blue, blue skies, and white, white snow. I love these!

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

Anyone seen the Beaver Creek Ad?

Actually, it came out a couple months ago, but I'm just getting around to talking about it now. It was in the front of a recent issue of Ski magazine.

Picture this:

A two page spread. On the left hand page, large, large type on a completely white background that says the following:

Girls will be girls.

And across from that, on the right hand page, a full page photo of an unbelievable mogul field with two skiers (sex indistinguishable, but I assume they're women) making their way down the bumps.

Kudos to Beaver Creek for recognizing that there are a lot of women skiers who can really kick butt!

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

A pain in the A__.

Yep, early last season I suffered pain in my, shall we say, derriere region. Otherwise known as my glutes.

Which I thought seemed rather odd, especially with all the working out I do. Just goes to show there's always something.

A fitness trainer I know suggested the following exercise to strengthen the area, before I started skiing this year:

Bent-leg raise
On hands and knees, lift one leg up, knee at a 90-degree angle throughout the movement. Keep lifting until the bottom of the foot faces the ceiling and the hip, thigh and knee are all in alignment and parallel to the floor. Don't arch the back and keep the neck straight. Lower back down and repeat for all reps before switching sides. Add ankle weights for more intensity or hold a light dumbbell behind the knee. Perform 1-3 sets of 10-16 reps according to your fitness level.

And here's a great stretch for apres ski (just don't do this on the floor of the lodge! Yuk!!):

Lie on floor or mat. Bend knees with feet on floor. Cross lower leg over thigh of other leg. Grasp back of thigh of lower leg with both hands. Pull leg toward torso. Hold stretch. Repeat with opposite leg.

After all, why should skiing be a pain in the A__?

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

A learning experience.

There's always something new to learn in skiing. And this coming season, there're some great women's clinics that can help you learn it.

Here are a few you might want to check out:

Jackson Hole Women's Clinic
Just for Women at Squaw Valley
SkiWithKim
Vail Her Turns
Okemo Women's Alpine Adventures
SheSkis Women's Testing Clinic
LunaChix of NASTC

Also:
Didi Lawrence's Women's Master Extreme Camp: For information, email Didi at didilawrence@comcast.net.

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

Get ready!

Ski season has already begun at A-Basin and Loveland. And before you know it, it'll be starting where you ski, too.

So are you ready for the season?

Here are a few things you might want to take care of, so you'll be ready on Opening Day:

Make sure to have your skis tuned: And your bindings checked. After all, safety first!

Wax 'em if you got 'em: Your skis are thirsty after a long season's rest. So give 'em the wax they need. They'll thank you and you'll have a lot more fun.

Precondition now! If you haven't been working out, it's not too late to start. Otherwise you run the risk of being in a lot of pain your first day out (and maybe a day or two after, too)

Check out your wardrobe: Go through last year's stuff. Does it still fit? Do you need anything new? Better take care of that now, before you find out you're missing something when you want to go ski.

Get your season pass: There are still some good deals to be had. Check out your local hill.

Get a helmet: If you don't have one, make it a priority. Helmet hair is a small price to pay for a potentially serious injury.

Register at TheSkiDiva.com, the internet discussion forum for women who ski, for some great talk about all things ski-related.

The Foundation of a Great Skier.

What makes a good skier great?

When they go above and beyond. When they see skiing as more than a sport, but as a way to help people, too.

Which is why today's post is about Kelly Brush of Charlotte, VT - a truly amazing young woman.

A skier since the age of seven, Kelly worked her way up the national rankings - particularly in the fast speed events of Downhill and Suger G - and qualified to race in the US National Championships during her junior and senior year of high school. She then went on to Middlebury College (VT), where she became a valuable member of the ski team.

But on February 18, 2006, Kelly's world changed forever. While competing in the Giant Slalom, Kelly had an accident that seriously injured her spinal cord, paralyzing her from the chest down.

Did this stop her? Not by a long shot. Since her accident, Kelly has not only started skiing again, but has established the Kelly Brush Foundation. Its mission:

To promote safety in ski racing;

To further spinal cord injury (SCI) research;

To purchase adaptive sports equipment for individuals with SCI;

To support the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.

Kelly spoke with me from the campus of Middlebury College, where she's currently in her senior year.

Q. How did you decide to start your foundation?
A. After my accident I was in rehab in Colorado for two months. And during this time I decided I wanted to do something to make ski racing safer, so that what happened to me wouldn't happen to anyone else. The other goals came along with it.

Q. What's the scope of the Foundation's activites?
A. We're mostly working on fundraising. Last season we bought back protectors for the Middlebury Ski Team, and we also donated to the Green Mountain Valley School (this was high school I attended), the Mt. Mansfield Ski Club, and the Vermont Alpine Racing Assocation -- all to improve skier safety. Our last donation was to the Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, for research in the area of spinal cord injuries. This was the rehab hospital I was in after I got hurt.

Q. What type of fundraising activities does the Foundation do?
A. This past September we held our second Century Bike Ride. About 200 riders took part. This is something we want to do every year. We plan to use the money we raised to help buy fencing for mountains who request it to make their trails safer.

Q. Are you involved in skiing again?
A. I am. Last November I went out to Vail over Thanksgiving break and took four days of lessons on adaptive equipment. Surprisingly enough, the techniques I used in conventional skiing did not help at all. Some of the things are the same -- feeling the snow, for example -- but it's really completely different. I had to learn all over again. But aside from those lessons, I'm pretty much self taught.

Q. How was it to be back on the snow?
A. Fine. After I got hurt, I was never in the mind set that I didn't want to ski again. Obviously, I'm more aware of safety. But I was never nervous or scared.

Q. What other activities are you involved in?
A. I have a hand cycle so I can bike. I rode 25 miles in the Century Bike Ride in September. And I have an adaptive golf cart that stands me up so I can play golf.

Q. What's your major in school? Any plans for after graduation?
A. I'm majoring in Film and Media. And no, I don't know what I'm going to do yet (she laughs.)

For more information about The Kelly Brush Foundation or to make a contribution, go here.

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

I'm very proud.

WARNING*****This has nothing to do with skiiing*****WARNING

Can't help myself, though. You see, my husband's book, Finn, has been shortlisted for the John Sargent, Sr., First Novel Prize, which honors the best first novel of 2007.

The Sargent Prize was created by the Mercantile Library Center for Fiction as part of its mission to promote the art of fiction in the United States. Marisha Pessl won last year for Special Topics in Calamity Physics.

This is not a first book award; it's a first novel award. So some of the other nominees are some pretty heavy literary hitters.

Here's the complete list of nominees:

Finn by Jon Clinch (Random House)
Lost City Radio by Daniel Alarcon (HarperCollins)
The Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander (Alfred A. Knopf)
Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman (Pantheon Books)
Bearing the Body by Ehud Havazelet (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (Riverhead)

The award will be presented in New York on October 29. And I know it sounds cliche, but just being nominated is an honor.

Wish us luck!

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

Mark your calendar....

...if you're interested in attending Jeannie Thoren events. She has "Ski Soirees" at select ski shops around the country where she talks about how women can improve their ski experience by understanding their equipment. (In the interest of full disclosure, Jeannie works with Dynastar/Lange.)

Who's Jeannie Thoren, you ask? Take a look at my recent post about her and her Thoren Theory.

Here's Jeannie's schedule for the next few months:

5 Oct: Geiger's Lakewood, OH 216-521-1771
7 Oct: Buckeye Sport Center Peninsulia, OH330- 929-3366
9 Oct: Ski Company Mountain Sports Rochester, NY 585-292-0580
11 Oct: Ski Company Mountain Sports Syracuse, NY 315-445-1890
13 Oct: Ski Chalet Arlington, VA 703-521-1700
16 Oct: Ski Haus Wilmington, MA 603-898-1722
19 Oct: Peter Glenn Ski & Sport Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954-484-3606
22 Oct: Peter Glenn Ski & Sport Tampa, FL 813-960-24536
24 Oct: Peter Glenn Ski & Sport Richmond, VA 804-527-2020
26 Oct: Princeton Sports Columbia, MD 410-995-1895
27 Oct: Princeton Sports Baltimore, MD 410-828-1127
29 Oct: Outdoor Divas Boulder, CO 303-449-3482

NOVEMBER
1 Nov: REI Denver, CO 303-756-3100
6 Nov: REI Portland, OR 503-221-1938
8 Nov: REI Seattle, WA 206-223-1944
13 Nov: REI San Francisco, CA415 934 1938
15 Nov: Bobo's Mogul Mouse Reno, NV 775-826-909
17 Nov: Sierra Snowboard & Ski Sacramento, CA 916-344-1800
27 Nov: Outdoor Divas Denver, CO 303-449-3482
29 Nov: McU's Sports Boise, ID 208-336-2300

DECEMBER
1 Dec: Sturtevants Ketchum, ID 208-726-4501
3 Dec: Berg's Eugene, OR 541-485-4065
6 Dec: REI SaltLake City, UT 801-486-2100
8 Dec: Gorsuch Vail, CO 970-476-229
10 Dec: Gorsuch Aspen, CO 970-925-3203
12 Dec: Christy Sports Location TBD
14 Dec: Christy Sports Location TBD

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

Why don't more women ski?

Let's face it -- there are far more men than women on the slopes. It's one of the reasons I launched TheSkiDiva.com -- to give women skiers a place to connect with one another.

So what's keeping women off the slopes? I already posted about this a while ago (go here). But here are a few more thoughts about this from some of the members at TheSkiDiva.com:

When I was in college a lot of my friends skied. But as I got older, they got fewer and fewer. For some it was kids, and the whole process was too difficult. For others, it was money. And for others, it was just lack of either time or interest. I'm the only one of us who's managed to keep at it.

I think as woman age their priorities change. High School age and younger, they have no responsibility, and are able to enjoy skiing without guilt. College age there's more responsibility with school, but no families or children yet. After graduation there's jobs, thus less time for skiing, more dedication to climbing the corporate ladder etc. Finally marriage, kids, lots and lots of responsibility less and less time for skiing. Skiing isn't a priority any longer and goes by the way side.

Part of the reason women fall into supporter roll is because of the way we're brought up, but I think another part of it is that "we" reorganize our lives and reprioritize our lives all the time. We tend to reinvent ourselves when things happen in our life, and adjust our priorities. If a guy is a skier when he's single, he'll likely be a skier when he's married, and when he becomes a dad..............(you get the idea), When an average woman makes those transitions her her life, I think she tends to adjust priorities more readily, and thus the lack of enthusiasm for a given activity.

It seems women get distracted from skiing by the parenting and total family expense; unfortunate more fathers don't step up and insist on hanging in the lodge and encouraging mom to get back out there. I don't live in the land of make believe -- couple of my friends husbands did encourage them to get back out there and take turns in the lodge. It makes the difference, for these friends they are still skiers -- with and without family.

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

A conversation with Didi Lawrence.

Didi Lawrence is an incredible woman. In March, ’07, as part of a personal spiritual quest, Didi traveled to Nepal where she skied Annapurna (26,538 ft), one of the world’s least climbed mountains.

This is an incredible feat for any skier, let alone a 52-year old recovering alcoholic who suffered a broken pelvis just a few years ago. Didi also conducts a women’s ski clinic at Aspen Highlands, as well as a Masters Extreme Clinic for women. Plus she’s a gear tester for Ski Magazine (that’s her on the cover of the 2006 Gear Guide).

From her home in Aspen, Colorado, Didi talked about her trip to Nepal, as well as about her skiing legacy and her clinics.

Q. Your mom, Andrea Mead Lawrence, is the only American to have won two gold medals at a single winter Olympics. Your dad, David Lawrence, was on the Olympic Team as a coach. And your grandparents founded Pico Mountain in Rutland County, Vermont. Has this legacy been a blessing or a curse?
A. It’s been a combination of both. I grew up under my mother’s umbrella, so there was always a certain expectation from the outside that I’d follow in her footsteps. After all, everyone has so much admiration for an extreme athlete. But it’s also been a blessing, because the gift my parents gave me was skiing. But they never pressured me about it. The only pressure they put on me was to have a great life.

Q. Why did you go to Nepal and what was the scope of the trip?
A. For me, it was more a spiritual journey than about skiing – though that was a thrill, too. I was part of a group of four Americans, and even though we only skied three days and took a total of seven runs, it was absolutely incredible. We skied the north side where probably no one had ever skied before. The rest of the time – we were in Nepal a total of three weeks -- we went hiking, sightseeing, visited temples, even went to a Maoist rally. And we went parahawking, too. That’s when you paraglide with birds of prey who are trained to show you where the thermal currents are.

Q. What did you get out of going to Nepal?
A. As I said, this was a personal journey. Everyone struggles with who they are. Even though I’ve been through a lot, the universe has given me a second chance at life, and I’m so grateful just to be alive. The trip helped me realize the enormity of life and how great the universe really is. It was also about my love for my mom and what she’s done with her life. I’ve always been her personal champion. For me, it was a spiritual awakening.

Q. What was the highlight of the trip for you?
A. There were a lot of different ones besides skiing. But here’s one of the skiing ones: On the first day, two of us plus our guide went to the top of a run that was about 100 yards wide and 3,000 vertical feet. It’d never been skied before, and there was powder up to our knees. When we got to the bottom, both of us burst into tears. It was so wonderful -- like a magic carpet. We named it Mom’s Run, in dedication to our moms.

Q. Tell us a bit about your clinic in Aspen. What are you teaching, what do you want attendees to come away with?
A. I run a local women’s clinic every weekend. As you know, there are 10 levels in PSIA. I’ve added a level 12, and it's for women who want to experience steeper, deeper terrain. I tell them how to do it in an offensive rather than a defensive way. It’s extremely empowering, and it runs every weekend, January through March.

I also run a Masters Extreme Clinic for women for four days in January. This is a huge draw for women who want to experience life and grow. I see skiing as a metaphor for life and how I approach my fears. Life is about confronting your fears and getting through them. In this clinic, we move through the fear that may be blocking their growth. I take women to experience the mountain in the same way that I do. It’s both empowering and emotional, and It really opens up the whole universe for women to ski in a way they they’ve never done before, without men or boyfriends.

Q. What are you skiing these days?
A. My boots are Nordica Doberman 130s. And my skis are Nordicas, too: the Olympia Firefox. Nordica has done a great job with its women’s program, and I feel honored to work with them.

Anyone who wants to contact Didi about her clinics may do so by emailing her at didilawrence@comcast.net.

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

The Zen of Skiing.

I've been hearing from a lot of people lately how skiing is a metaphor for life. And the more I think about it, the more I think it's true.

Here are some thoughts on the subject expressed by some of the women over at TheSkiDiva.com:

You can't have fun getting down the mountain if you're down on yourself.

Skiing requires that you give up control of the things that seem obvious (leaning into the hill=safe) and surrender yourself to falling. The joy that comes with that experience is astonishing.

Forget about being in control: Be in balance and you will be able to control your response to the conditions around you.

Stop once in awhile, breathe, and enjoy the view around you.

All physical discomfort is relative: There was always a colder day, a sorer muscle, a meaner boss, a more difficult co-worker, etc.

It's important to be flexible, the best laid plans can be disrupted by unexpected events (what do you mean that chairlift is not running today?).

Falling down once in a while is part of life. So what. Get up, dust yourself off, and move on.

For every down there is an up. And vice versa.

Control takes a certain measure of self-awareness, practice, and discipline. Don't just launch yourself into something without knowing what you're doing. Have the tools at hand to handle the situation, and you'll be fine.

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

Boot up.

It wasn't too long ago that all ski boots were built the same. You had the same boots as your brother or your husband or your son. There weren't any just for women.

Now that's changed. And it's not that they're making them in pink (thank God it hasn't come to that!). Manufacturers have finally realized that women have special needs in boots, just as they do in skis. Many now offer female-specific models. And they're worth checking out.

Women tend to have lower, thicker calf muscles than men, so the cuffs may be larger, lower, or scalloped. Our anatomy may make it harder for us to get forward, so boots may include heel lifts, spoilers, or other devices. And because we're (generally) lighter in weight than men, the shell may be softer. (Look for a boot that can provide this without any sacrifice in lateral or rear support.) Some boots may even have cushier, warmer insides to reflect our cushy, warmer insides (not really; it's just because that's something we like).

Boot shopping takes time, and it takes some real expert assistance. So be sure to visit a shop where there's an expert bootfitter on staff. Your feet will thank you.

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

A few words with Gold Medalist Deb Armstrong.

Deb Armstrong is a skier's skier. Winner of the Gold Medal in the Women’s Giant Slalom at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, she's been inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame and is on the PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) National Alpine Demo team.

I caught up with Deb while she was packing for her move to Steamboat Springs, CO, from her home in Taos, NM. After eight seasons overseeing the ski school at Taos, Deb is assuming the position of Alpine Technical Director at the ski school at Steamboat.

Q: Why the move to Steamboat?
A: Ski technique is my passion, and I'll have a wonderful outlet there. I've loved working at Taos, but Steamboat is offering me what I'm looking for. There's more potential for involvement in more programs.

Q: Why did you decide to instruct?
A: I'm passionate about delivering the gift of skiing. I think I can relate well to people of all levels and deal with them as individuals. That's important.

Q. Do you have a philosphy for skiing and instructing?
A: Skiing is a life long learning process. It's a metaphor for so many things, and there's always more to learn. When I instruct, I try to be accessible and very clear. I try to get everyone excited about skiing.

Q. Is there one problem you see more than others in women skiers?
A. That's hard to say. Everyone is different, men and women. For some, it might be equipment problems. For others, it might be confidence. I much prefer to treat women as individuals rather than lump them all together in one group. I think that can be demeaning and frustrating. As a woman myself, I can be sensitive to a whole scope of things that might be going on.

Q. Do you ever get scared when you ski?
A. When I was racing there was so much adrenalin that this wasn't really an issue. Skiing can be a mental game. You have to learn quickly that if you're fearful, you'll lose the tools that can help you succeed. When you're scared you freeze up or lean back. So you have to be smart. You can't get in over your head. And you have to ski with conviction. It'll keep you over your feet.

Q. How has your skiing changed over the years?
A. The equipment has changed a lot, and that brings in technical changes. I've had to evolve my technique. I've worked hard at that.

Q. What are you skiing on these days? Skis and boots?
A. Nordica is making amazing skis these days for women of all levels. The Olympia Firefox is fantastic. It's their highest end women's ski and it's a ripper for the female ripper skier. I love it. As for boots, I'm using Nordica's Doberman 150, which are way too stiff for the average recreational skier.

Q. A few years ago you suffered from a serious illness. How's the recovery been? Was it hard to get back into skiing?
A. I'm 100% recovered. No problems at all. I took a year off and got right back into it.

Q. When you're not skiing, what do you like to do?
A. In the off season I like to read, particularly non-fiction. And I like golf, tennis, and bike riding. I'm an active person.

Deb will be offering a series of women's clinics at Steamboat Ski Resort: January 15-17, February 5-7, and March 4-6.

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

So you're looking for new skis....

If you haven't looked at women's skis lately, maybe it's time you took another look. Because to paraphrase an old ad campaign, they've come a long way, baby.

It wasn't too long ago that manufacturers would simply take their men's skis, power them down, slap on some flowers, and call them women's skis. The technical term for this: shrink it and pink it. The result was less than satisfactory.

Today, ski manufacturers have changed their tune, offering women's skis that'd give anyone a run for their money. They're making skis that are lighter and softer to accomodate women's lower muscle mass, but giving them the strength and stability we crave. (And they don't rely on cutesy graphics so much, either. Which, by the way, I always found somewhat offensive.)

Other differences you may see in women's skis include:

Shorter tips: This keeps your boots closer to the front of your ski, for better turn initiation.

Lighter, forward mounted bindings: The heels may be raised, too. All this is done to accomodate our lower center of gravity, and make it easier for us to get our skis on edge.

Waists that are farther forward: This, too, is to accomodate our lower center of gravity, as well as our forward mounted bindings.

This year there are plenty of great choices to choose from. So take another look. I think you'll like what you see.

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

The Thoren Theory.

If you don't know Jeannie Thoren, maybe you should.

Named one of the 100 Most Influential Skiers of the Century by Ski Magazine and one of the Top 25 Most Influential Skiers of the Past 50 years by Skiing Magazine, Jeannie has had an incredible influence on women's skiing.

Jeannie developed the Thoren Theory more than 30 years ago -- perhaps the main impetus behind many of the developments in women's equipment today.

What's her theory? By today's standards, it seems fairly obvious:

Women are not small men!

We're built differently, with wider hips, narrower shoulders, smaller feet, and a different stance. All this means its harder for a woman to get forward over her skis, keep her skis flat against the snow, or get enough power out of her equipment. Which means that women's skis and boots need to be engineered to accomodate the biomechanical differences that can make a world of difference in our skiing.

For years Jeannie offered ski clinics at ski areas across the country, helping women adapt equipment to their special requirements and coaching them to become better skiers. Lately she's moved on, working to develop women's boots and skis for Dynastar/Lange.

Jeannie is a great resource for women's skiing, and someone to be admired. Truly a women ahead of her time and someone who should be saluted for making a difference.

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

I'm off to ESWA!

That's the Eastern Ski Writers Association, to you.

Today begins their pre-season meeting at Mount Snow, Vermont. It's going to be my very first event with the group, and I'm kind of excited.

Tomorrow I'm on a panel about bloggers and blogging, exploring whether bloggers should be recognized as legitimate members of the ski press or not.

This is a tough one. With the right equipment, moderate computer skills, and something to say, just about anyone can blog these days. The problem is separating the wheat from the chaff -- and there's bound to be more chaff than wheat.

I've had this blog for over a year now, and maybe it's time for a review. What do you folks think? Is it something you enjoy reading? Do you check it often? Has it proven helpful in any way?

Post your comments. I'd love to read 'em.

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

The reviews are in.

Haven't seen them yet myself, but the Gear Review issues are starting to appear. Powder and Skiing are out, and Ski is sure to come, in a matter of weeks.

Gear reviews are useful. The provide a good place to start your search for new equipment. They can provide important information, like ski dimensions, point out new features, and just let you know what's new for this year and what the trends are.

All the same, it's important to remember they're exactly what their name implies: a GUIDE! View it as a source for information -- not the final word. Talk to knowledgable people in ski shops. Register at TheSkiDiva.com and take advantage of the great discussions about equipment. And more importantly, try before you buy. Hit a Demo Day at a mountain near you. Or see if you can rent it from your local shop. What's right for someone else may not be right for you.

Ski gear ain't cheap, so use all the tools you can to make the best decision possible. After all, the only review that counts is the one you make.

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

Skiing and pregnancy.

There are lots of opinions about this. Some people say if you're a good skier, then there's no reason pregnancy should interfere with your skiing -- as long as you stop before the third trimester, since your center of gravity may be off.

Me, I don't think it's worth the risk. There's never a guarantee you won't fall or someone won't collide with you. And there are a lot of worse things than missing a ski season.

Apparently I'm not alone. Three-time Olympian and four-time US slalom champion Sarah Schleper just announced that she's going to miss the 2008 World Cup season because she's expecting a baby early next year.

Granted, she skis a lot differently than just about any other woman on the planet. And even though she's giving up racing, maybe she'll still take a run or two. The reports I read didn't say.

Everyone is different. And of course, the final decision is up to you. But if you do plan to ski, discuss it with your doctor. Stay away from double black runs. And be extra careful, okay?

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

The high price of skiing.

No one ever said that skiing is cheap. When you figure in the cost of equipment, clothing, day passes, food, and transportation, it's amazing that anyone other than Bill Gates is able to afford it. (Does Bill Gates ski?)

Now I see that Aspen is raising its day pass to $87. for the '07-'08 season. Granted, Aspen is not my local hill. And granted that I am not paying anywhere near that to go skiing. And granted, also, that Aspen seems to thrive, no matter how much they seem to charge. (You know how it goes -- for some people, the more you pay, the more it's worth.)

Still, last season Vail charged $85. for a day pass. And many ski areas have no problem cranking their prices up and up every year.

I know costs are going up. Improvements made by a ski area can cost millions of dollars. And this is a business, not a charity. All the same, in an industry that's been lamenting a downward trend in the number of skiers, this doesn't seem the way to correct the trend.

At least that's how it seems to me.

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

A Half Marathon, A Complete Committment

One of my favorite people will be running a half-marathon in Philadelphia on September 16th.

My daughter, Emily, along her very good friend, Wendy Levine, will run to raise funds for The Children's Tumor Foundation—an organization whose mission is to end Neurofibromatosis (NF) through research. I don't know about Wendy, but Emily's never covered that kind of distance before. So it's a huge commitment on her part—but a commitment to acting on behalf of something she truly believes in.

NF is a progressive and debilitating genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow randomly throughout the body, along the nerves and nerve endings. It can cause brain tumors, blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, learning disabilities, and more. NF occurs in more than one in 3,000 births and is more common than Cystic Fibrosis, hereditary Muscular Dystrophy, and Huntington’s Disease combined. Currently, there are no effective treatments and NO CURE for NF.

If you'd like to support Emily and Wendy and their commitment to NF, click on over to Active Giving.com and make a donation.

Tell 'em Ski Diva sent you.

Summer savings.

Here we are, deep in the heart of summer, and I'm thinking ski gear.

The reason is obvious: the prices right now are fantastic. Search around on the web, and you can get some of the best deals of the year -- up to 50% off on gear you would've paid full price for just six months ago.

Think about it -- does it make any difference if you're skiing on '07 skis during '08? They're still brand new. And they're still great.

If you're in the market for skis, take my advice. Shop now! You'll save plenty of green before the trails turn white.

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

Kayaking the Connecticut.

As much as I love skiing, summer does have its pleasures. And one of them, to be sure, is kayaking.

My husband and I recently spent an absolutely stellar Saturday kayaking on the beautiful Connecticut River (for those who don't know, that's the river that divides Vermont from New Hampshire). The weather couldn't have been better -- 70 degrees with a light breeze, clear, sunny skies, a few puffy clouds. Thanks to recent rains the river was running at a nice clip -- 11,000 cubic feet per second. We put in at Sumners Falls, just above the town of Hartland, VT, figuring we'd paddle a couple hours, ending up at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor. Sitting in our kayaks, we could feel the power of the river surging behind us, carrying us along without even the need to paddle.

Though paddle we did.

The Connecticut River Valley is a beautiful place. Lovely green, tree covered banks, the mountains of Vermont rising both beisde and in front of us, as the river bends. We saw a variety of bird life (alas, no eagles, though they do frequent th area. Guess we were there at a bad time,) Suprisingly enough, no one else was on the river with us -- we had it all to ourselves. A perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Thanks to the swift current, our trip was over in much less time than anticipated. All the same, a lovely day.

I guess summer isn't so bad after all.

For some great talk about ski gear, be sure to visit TheSkiDiva.com, the only internet forum especially for women skiers. Be sure to register to participate in some great discussions about skiing!

Want a peek at the new women's skis?

What better way to pass the hot, steamy days of summer than with a little ski porn?

Here's a look at some of the new skis for the '07-'08 season:

K2 Skis
Volkl Skis
Head Skis
Fischer Skis
Nordica Skis

For some great talk about ski gear, be sure to visit TheSkiDiva.com, the only internet forum especially for women skiers. Be sure to register to participate in some great discussions about skiing!

From the Fire Tower.

Yesterday I hiked up the back of Okemo Mountain. It was a beautiful day -- clear sunny skies, not hot, humid, or windy. At the top of the mountain there's an old fire tower that was used years ago by the fire service. During the winter, you can see this tower when you off load at the top of Okemo's South Peak chair. Then it looks frozen and forbidding. But yesterday, on a picture perfect Saturday in July, it was exactly the opposite -- inviting and ready to be climbed.

From the top, you get an unmatched 360 degree view of the beautiful Green Mountains. To the north, Killington. To the south, Magic and Stratton. To the east Ascutney, Sunapee, even Mount Washington. And at your feet, the South Peak chair at Okemo. I felt like Maria von Trappe in the "Sound of Music," when the camera pans down on her singing at the top of a mountain and she's surrounded by a breath-taking, panoramic view of the Alps.

As usual, I left my camera behind (seems I never have it when I need it!), but it reminded me that in skiing, it's not just the ride down that I love so dearly, but the view from the top, as well. And with six areas spread out around me, I couldn't help but ask myself, "HOW AM I EVER GOING TO MAKE IT TIL SKI SEASON STARTS?"

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

Summer Desperation.

I don't know about you, but I've had enough of these 90F+ degree temperatures.

This clip pretty much sums it up for me (at least the first part). Take a look. It's pretty funny.

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

Getting back into skiing after you've had kids.

Having kids changes things a LOT, doesn't it?

I mean, used to be you could ski pretty much when the mood struck you -- and time allowed. Well, anyone who has kids knows those days are over.

So what do you do if you have kids and you want to ski?

The answer is simple: Get Them Involved!

Start talking to them about skiing well before you head to the slopes. This can give them an idea about what to expect and make the transition to the slopes a lot easier.

If they're old enough, enroll them in a ski program.. A few hours a day is sure to be enough. Planning it for when they're most receptive (i.e. not tired) would be best.

Focus on the positive. A lot of praise can make a big difference. So make a big deal when they learn a big skill. And when they want you to watch, WATCH!

Don't take them on trails they can't handle, just because you want to go there. It isn't enough to say, "Oh, I won't let them get into trouble." Things can, well, just happen. Besides, if it's beyond their ability, they won't enjoy it. Better to stick to the easier runs where they can have fun than to get them so scared they won't want to come back!

Be sure to take some time for yourself. I mean, you want to have fun, too, right? So get a sitter sometime and go by yourself (or with your friends). Or have Dad watch them, for a change. After all, you deserve it!

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