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.

Staying in shape for ski season.

The summer solstice has come and gone, the days are getting shorter.

Yes, I know it's not even the Fourth of July, but ski season will be here before you know it. So if you want to be ready to tackle the slopes without doing yourself damage, it makes good sense to stay in shape during the off season.

Some suggestions:

Do something you enjoy: Whether it's cycling or swimming, running or roller blading, staying in shape is easier if it's something you like to do.

Set realistic goals: Don't try a 10k run first crack out of the box. Start small and move up in small increments, whether it's the weight you're using or the time you spend on a bike.

Make fitness a priority: One of the toughest things about staying in shape is finding time to exercise. So make an appointment with yourself to work out. If you set aside the time, it's harder to duck.

Get advice from the experts: A personal trainer, a fitness guru, someone who knows how you can make the most out of your workouts and teach you how to do them properly, without injury.

Workout with friend: More fun for you, better for you both.

Register at TheSkiDiva.com, an internet forum especially for women skiers: This is a great place to talk about skiing and fitness all year round. A great way to stay motivated!

Coming to a TV near you.

The Ski Channel, a video-on-demand channel brought you to by Time Warner and Steve Bellamy, founder and former president of The Tennis Channel.

Launching the first quarter of 2008, the Ski Channel will focus on year-round mountain activities: skiing (of course), boarding, climbing, orienteering, hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, caving, and the always indeterminate "and more."

According to Bellamy, "We’re going to create an incredible network that everyone sitting in every living room in America can watch. Serving skiers and mountain enthusiasts is going to be 100 percent of our focus – we’re going to understand their every want and need, whether it’s in our coverage of competition, destination travel, equipment insight and instruction, or those off-season, ancillary sports like hiking and mountain biking, to which we’ll also devote a significant amount of instruction. By understanding them and integrating with them at every turn, we will build a great media vehicle that will help to grow the snowsports industry."

Sounds good. Wonder if they'll have anything related to women's 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.

Something you can do in the off season.

You can do what a friend of mine, Steve Kendra, is doing:

Cycle across America.

Steve is part of a team called "Ari's Angels" that's participating in the Race Across America. The charge of his team: to raise money for The Children's Tumor Foundation, an organization whose mission is to end Neurofibromatosis (NF) through research.

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.

Steve and his team began their journey in Oceanside, CA, on June 12, and expect to complete it in Atlantic City, NJ, on Friday, June 22. They've seen it all: From the mountains to the prairies indeed. And they've persevered with humor, strength, and dedication that are lessons to us all.

Those of us who are not along for the ride can follow Steve's journey at Ari's Angels' Blog. And you can make a donation to his team by visiting Active Giving.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.

Match Game.

Do you care if your skis/boots/jacket/pants are color coordinated?

To be honest, I really don't. Not much, anyway. I'd like my pants and jacket to match. And this is pretty easy to do; my pants are black, so they go with everything.

But as far as equipment goes, I couldn't give a rat. I go for function and fit rather than color. Years ago, however, I had a pair of purple boots, which I absolutely HATED -- then again, they were just crappy boots. Though the color didn't help any.

Despite all of this, my new boots and skis actually match -- but that's merely a happy coincidence. My skis (Fischer Vision 73's) are orange. And my boots (Nordica Speed Machines) are blue, white and orange.

Is it too girlie of me to be glad they do??????

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 non-skiing partner.

What do you do if you have a passion for skiing -- and it isn't shared by the one you have a passion for?

That's a tough one.

For me, it meant years of not skiing, until my sweetie decided to give it a try. Now he's as hooked (well, almost as hooked) as I am.

But I think it'd be difficult to balance a relationship between someone who skis and someone who doesn't. I know some women who do. Their husbands don't ski, so they just go out and do it themselves. Hey, a lot of men do that without their wives, so why not?

Trouble is, most women feel guilty about doing things that are only for them. In the interest of being the perfect wife or mother, they seem to discard the things that bring them joy -- like skiing. Call it socal conditioning, call it responsible thinking, it's hard to shake.

Finding a supportive group of like-minded women certainly helps (shameless plug for TheSkiDiva.com, the internet discussion forum for women skiers). So give us a try.

Map Quest.

Wouldn't life be easier if you could look at a trail map and actually see if a run is right for you? I mean, it isn't always apparent; something you think is a downhill trail may actually go across the mountain. Or it could be much too steep for your ability. Wouldn't it'd be nice to know before you commit?

Face it; the usual blue and black symbols just don't always tell the story.

Here are two sites that can help:

Ski.com's interactive 3D trail maps. and 3D Ski Maps.

Both can give you a better sense for the terrain than a flat, one-dimensional map, so you'll have a better idea about what you're getting in to, before you even get there.

Check 'em 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.

Separating Sunscreen Facts From Fiction.

When I was a kid, I used to slather on the baby oil and sit on the beach and roast. The idea, of course, was to achieve the "perfect tan." What I usually ended up with was the perfect burn, instead.

What fools we were back then.

Now, of course, we know a lot better. Sun exposure can cause all sorts of damage to your skin, not to mention contribute to skin cancer.

So when I saw this on CNN about common sunscreen "myths", I knew I had to post it here.

Myth No. 1: Sunscreen is all you need to stay safe.

Reality: "Sunscreen is only one part of the sun-protection picture," explains Francesca Fusco, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. "Just slathering it on and doing nothing else isn't going to cut it because, even with sunscreen, there's still up to a 50 percent risk that you'll burn."

You also need to seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when sunlight is strongest; cover up with clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses; do regular skin self-exams; and get a professional skin evaluation annually.

Myth No. 2: SPF measures levels of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

Reality: The SPF (sun protection factor) measures only the level of protection against UVB rays. But several of the 16 active ingredients approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in sunscreens also block or absorb UVA rays, says Warwick L. Morison, M.D., professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins Medical School and chairman of the Skin Cancer Foundation's Photobiology Committee.

Ingredients include: avobenzone (Parsol 1789), octocrylene, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, as well as the recently approved Mexoryl SX. Make sure one of these is in your sunscreen, or look for products labeled "broad spectrum," which means they protect against UVB and UVA rays.

Myth No. 3: Some sunscreens can protect all day.

Reality: "Regardless of the SPF or what the label says, sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours," Fusco says. "The active ingredients in most products begin to break down when exposed to the sun." Only physical blockers such as zinc oxide stay potent after two hours, but not all sunscreens are made with these ingredients.

Myth No. 4: Some sunscreens are waterproof.

Reality: The FDA does not recognize the term "waterproof," so don't count on sunscreen to last through hours of swimming. The agency does recognize "water/sweat/perspiration resistant" (which means a product offers SPF protection after 40 minutes of exposure to water) and "very water/sweat/perspiration resistant" (which means it still protects after 80 minutes). To be safe, reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating.

Myth No. 5: A sunscreen can provide "total sunblock."

Reality: "No sunscreen blocks 100 percent of UV rays," Fusco says. An SPF 15 protects against 93 percent of UV rays, SPF 30 protects against 97 percent, and SPF 50 wards off 98 percent. You should slather two tablespoons on your body a half-hour before going outside, so the sunscreen has time to absorb into your skin.

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.

Teenage girls and skiing.

Just learned of an interesting article in January's Ski Area Management magazine about teenage girls and skiing -- specifically, why they drop out and how that's being addressed -- or should be addressed -- by ski areas.

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.

Where have all the skiers gone?

According to a recent report by the National Ski Areas Association, skier visits were down 6.9 percent from last season's record-setting 58.9 million visits.

That's not much a surprise here in the northeast, where a miserable early season got things off to an especially late start. Add in a miserable storm over MLK Weekend that essentially destroyed what little snow there was, and the decline is hard to offset, even with some terrific late season storms.

Poor conditions are a mixed blessing. They can help keep the crowds down, which is great for those of us who choose to ski. But they can also translate into bad financial statements for the resorts. And when the resorts suffer, so do we all.

Here's hoping that things are better next year.

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.

Best Trail Names.

Do you choose a trail based on its name? Avoid something named "Suicide" or "Certain Death" out of fear?

Trail names can be either revelatory or completely deceiving; it can go either way. That's why it makes sense to find out about 'em, before you give 'em a try.

Here are what I think are some of the best trail names out there:

Widowmaker (Sugarloaf)
The Spin Dryer (Sun Peaks)
Jaws of Death (Mount Snow)
Goatsucker Glade (Sunshine)
Elevator Shaft (Lake Louise)
CPR Ridge (Kicking Horse)
Dead Bob's Chute (Crested Butte)
Idiot's Option and Chicken's Option (Attitash)
Agony (Sunday River)
Oh God! (Jungfrau)

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.

Here's to you, Ski Moms....

...for all you do. Making sure everyone has the hats, goggles, ski pants, boots, etc. etc. they need on the slopes. Dressing and undressing the kids. Assembling the lunches. Hauling the equipment. Harboring a secret stash of tissues/sun block/chap stick/energy bars for that unavoidable emergency. Accomodating multiple bathroom breaks and all the dressing and undressing that go with 'em. Providing encouraging words after a fall. Driving to and from the ski slopes. Attending ski races. Wiping noses. Wiping tears. Administering first aid. Putting on and removing boots/jackets/gloves/helmets. Making sure nothing gets left behind. Arranging ski lessons. Making sure the kids wear helmets.

For all you do, ski moms, for all your unwavering love, devotion, and support -- we salute you!

And to my own mom, who doesn't ski and never did, here's to you, too. Thanks for supporting my skiing when I was growing up, and for continuing to support it -- without ever asking 'why' -- now that I'm an adult.

Happy Mother's Day!

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.

Are you afraid of getting hurt?

Can't blame you. No one wants to get hurt. The problem is when the fear of injury takes over until you work yourself into such a nervous tizzy that your skiing suffers and you actually end up doing yourself some damage.

Funny thing is that you can get hurt doing just about anything. One of the women on TheSkiDiva.com posted about someone she knew who got hurt washing her car; she tripped over the hose and woke up in the hospital with a shattered femur and a number of torn ligaments. It was one of the worst injuries the therapist there had ever seen.

This doesn't mean you should take needless risks. But fear of getting hurt doesn't help your skiing. It can dampen your enjoyment of the sport and keep you from realizing your full potential.

The best advice: know your limitations, maintain your equipment, and keep yourself in shape; good balance and good core strength can go a long way in keeping you out of the emergency room.

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 boyz.

Some of the women on TheSkiDiva.com have been talking about skiing with the boys. And it's made for some interesting discussion.

Seems in some cases, a platonic skiing relationship just isn't enough; the guys want to be more than just "skiing buddies."

Which is too bad. With women who ski in the minority, sometimes the only people we have to ski with are guys. And a guy who tries to step over the line can turn a perfectly nice ski day into something considerably less than perfect.

Let's be honest -- this isn't just limited to men. I'm sure some women are looking for something else on the mountain, too. But for those of us who aren't, it'd sure be nice if we could just, well, ski without all this other stuff getting in the way.

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.

Love is a slippery slope.

I can't be the only who noticed that Prince William busted up with his long-time girlfirend while on a trip to Zermatt.

Who's to say why they broke up. It's probably something that's been coming for a while. I've known people who've found love on the slopes. But I'm sure it's also possible to lose it on a ski trip.

It's true that skiing can bring out the worst in people. Poor conditions, fear, equipment problems, crowded lift lines, etc. can cause tempers to flare and a weak relationship to fracture. Maybe it's a good way to determine how good you are for each other. Fun on the slopes equals fun everywhere else. Cranky on the slopes, with your significant other turning into the Abominable Snowman, could mean it's time to look elsewhere.

After all, I hear there's a Prince available......

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.