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.

Don't try this at home.

A Norwegian was arrested recently after doing this in the London Underground.

I'd never get that desperate, even in the off season!

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.

'06-'07 Ski Goals: A Look Back.

Way back in September I had a post about my goals for the '06-'07 ski season.

How'd I do? Let's take a look:

Get through the season uninjured: Check! No injuries. Phew!

Ski more days than last season.Check! Got in 51 wonderful days, a personal record.

Try at least one new mountain. Check! Skied Jay Peak and Burke (both in VT), as well as Sunapee (NH). Loved them all.

Improve my skiing technique, particularly on moguls.This is still a work in progress. I'm okay if they're not too steep or too icy.

Make lots of new ski friends. I was fortunate enough to ski this year with some of the women who participate in TheSkiDiva.com. And what a blast it was! A fabulous time and some great skiing.

Have fun! This was the easiest one of all. Double check!

How'd you 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.

Ski Diva goes legit!

Yep, it had to happen. They went and made an honest woman out of me.

I'm now an official member of the Eastern Ski Writers Association (ESWA), part of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA).

Sounds very hifalutin', doesn't it?

Well, it is. The North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) is a professional group of more than 300 writers, authors, photographers, filmmakers and broadcasters who report ski- and snowboard-related news, information and features throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, via the various media. The NASJA is an "umbrella" association of three regional affiliates that represent Eastern North America, Midwestern North America and Western North America.

So what exactly does this mean? Two things:

1) It means that people in the snow industry have recognized both this and TheSkiDiva.com as legitimate web sites, as opposed to someone who's just blogging to their grandma.

2) It means I'll have better access to information about skiing and snowsports -- information I can pass on to you.

Can a spot in the White House press corp be next????

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.

Better than a bra tree!

In my post of February 16, I railed (yes, railed is the word) against people who insist on descecrating the landscape along ski lifts by hurling their bras/undergarments on innocent, unsuspecting trees.

Just didn't make sense to me. Like littering, it's just plain messy.

But now there's a case where giving up your bra makes sense.

If you donate your bra to Fat Mardi's Restaurant in Tremblant's Mountain Village Square, they'll give you a credit toward dinner there, plus make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.

I understand they have a line of bras going around the bar.

A great idea. So I sent one in. You can, too. Their address is:

Fat Mardi's
3035 Ch. de le Chapelle
Mont Tremblant, Quebec J8E 1T1
Canada

You don't have to be a customer to participate.

A good idea for a great cause.

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.

Have you ever shared a pass?

Come on. 'Fess up. It's good for the soul.

Do you or have you ever "shared" a daily lift ticket?

I know people who have done this -- parents, actually, who want to ski but also need to share child care duty. They'll take turns using a jacket with a lift pass, passing it between them throughout the day. One of them skis, while the other stays in the lodge and watches the kid.

It's a dirty little secret. Because it's actually theft of service, if you think about it. Which is something I don't approve of, particularly when so many ski areas are struggling to stay afloat.

However, it also isn't right for ski areas not to have some kind of interchangeable pass for Moms and Dads to share. It fails to recognize the difficulties many families face in getting out to ski, and the harsh realities of child care.

I know this pass is possible, because Bretton Woods, Tahoe Donner, Alpine Meadows, and Northstar have it, to name a few. Mom and Dad buy identical passes, only one of which can be used at any given time.

Seems like a good business decision to me. A win/win situation all around.

What do you think?

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.

Thinking ahead.

As your season's winding down, it's never to early to start thinking about next year.

A lot of ski areas are offering season pass discounts. Buy your pass now, and you'll pay less than you would if you waited til after a certain date.

Makes sense to me. I love to ski, but I hate to spend money.

Don't think you ski enough at a single ski area to warrant a season pass? Think again. It'd take just five trips to the ticket window to pay for my mid-week season pass at Okemo. Kind of puts it in perspective, doesn't it?

Just something to keep in mind.....

The last day.

I think today might be my last ski day of the year. (sniff!)

Where did the season go?

All the same, it's going out with a bang, for two reasons:

First, it's my 50th ski day. Some people think it's obsessive to count. Me, I see it as goal oriented. My goal this year was to reach 50 days, and now I have. I can think of worse things to keep track of.

And second, I get to ski with some of the great women from TheSkiDiva.com. A few of us are meeting today at my local hill, and I can't think of better company to have on my last few runs. This has been the forum's first ski season, and I must say, it's had a tremendous impact on my life. I've connected -- and become friends with -- some fantastic women skiers. And I've learned so much from the tremendous knowledge we've all been able to share. If you've never visited the site, be sure to stop by and register. It's a blast. And we'll still be going strong in the off season.

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 end is near.

I'm afraid it's coming.

The weather is getting warmer. There's the steady drip, drip, drip of melting snow. Bare spots are beginning to appear on the slopes. As I rode the lift yesterday, I heard the sound of birds chirping. And I noticed the trees are taking on the ruddy hue that signals the emergence of budding leaves.

I don't know about you, but I find this extremely depressing.

Spring is supposed to be a season of hope. Of flowers blooming. Of the earth coming to life. It's inevitable. The natural order of life.

For me, however, it signals the end of an all-too-short winter.

Some dedicated skiers follow the snow. I know one instructor in Vermont, an Australian, who spends our summer Down Under where she works as a ski instructor. For her, it's skiing all year round. An endless winter.

I don't think I'm ready for that. I actually enjoy the warm weather.

Just wish I could ski in 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.

And now, new skis.

Once again, the end of season close outs got the better of me.

It's not that I didn't need new skis -- I did. My old skis were four years old and the mileage was beginning to show. Also, I was bored and wanted something new. And when confronted with 50% off, what woman could resist?

So what'd I end up with?

Before I tell you, let me first explain my selection process. I take picking out skis seriously. Before I plunk down my hard earned cash, I want to make sure I get the ski that matches my ability and the conditions I ski in the most. So I do research. I talk to people at forums like TheSkiDiva.com to get opinions and first hand experiences. And I check out gear reviews at places like Realskiers.com. Then I demo, because there's nothing like time on the snow to see if a ski works for you. No matter what anyone tells you about a ski, there's no better way to see if you like it.

So, after doing all those things, what'd I end up with? Fischer Vision 73's. A really fun ski. Snappy, happy, energetic, and not too heavy. I like a stiff ski, but I don't like one that'll weigh me down (I'm not very big or powerful, myself); this one fills the bill. It also holds a nice edge, a must in eastern hard pack.

With the season almost over here in the northeast, I probably won't have the chance to ski on them too many more times. But when next season comes, I am so ready!

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 Safari.

I've just returned from a bit of a skiing safari, and like the Beach Boys say in the old song (the one about the T-bird), I had "fun, fun, fun!"

I started out on Friday at Burke Mountain, a small(ish) resort in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Burke is known as a place to experience traditional New England skiing, and it doesn't disappoint. Lots of trails that follow old logging roads as well as the contour of the mountain. And on the day I was there, my friend and I owned the place. It was completely empty. Unfortunately, the conditions could've been better.

On to Jay Peak, waaaay northern Vermont by the Canadian border. That's when the snow got serious. It started coming down Friday night, and didn't stop til the end of day Sunday. The result: 40 inches of freshies. On both Saturday & Sunday I demoed fat skis in some of the best conditions I've encountered anywhere! Jay is an awesome mountain with terrific glade skiing. And to make it even better, I had the chance to share it with some of the fabulous women from TheSkiDiva.com. A terrific experience.

Then yesterday, it was Sugarbush in the lovely Mad River Valley, Vermont, truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. They'd received a ton of fresh snow as well (about 36 inches). The sky was blue, the sun was out, and the conditions were great. We hit the trees, did the bumps, and had a terrific time.

Four days, three ski areas, stellar conditions, and great company. Life is good!

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.

These boots are made for skiing!

And that's just what they'll do!

Excuse the reference to an awful pop song, but I'm pretty excited here.

I just got a new pair of ski boots. My old pair -- Lange Banshees -- was five years old and pretty packed down. My heel was lifting up and my foot was slopping all around the inside. Plus I was getting awful shin pain, also known as "shin bang." Which was highly unpleasant.

So yesterday, after a morning skiing on slushy snow, I decided to go look for boots. Not buy, just look. But with the year end sales, the temptation was too great.

I hit two ski shops -- both with excellent reps for bootfitting: Basin Ski Shop in Killington, VT, and Northern Ski Works, also in Killington and Ludlow. I went to the first to try Heads and Salomons, and to the second to try Technicas and Dalbellos.

So what did I end up with? Nordica Speed Machines. Just goes to show: you have to have an open mind.

Why the Nordicas? They seemed to do it for me in all the right places. Of course, it's hard to tell for sure til I ski on them, but I'm hoping they'll ski good, too.

Can't wait to give them a try. I'm hoping to get out on them today. Here's hoping for a snowy, snowy weekend!

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.

It's about time.

I suppose by now everyone has moved their clocks ahead ("Spring forward, fall back.") If you haven't, you've been running late all week, so get with the program!

I haven't been skiing yet this week, so I'm wondering about the effect this will have on skiing. Obviously, one more hour of daylight means better light and greater visibility in the late afternoon. And I know of at least one ski area, Crested Butte, that's running its lifts an addtional hour to take advantage of the extra hour of daylight.

All this is good. But it also means spring is coming, which marks the approach of the dreaded off season.

Better get out there now, while you can.

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.

It's the little things that count.

Yep, I'm still here at Steamboat. And the other day I had the pleasure of skiing with two men who are instructors at Copper Mountain. Great guys, fantastic skiers.

And though it wasn't a formal lesson, they did give me some valuable pointers. Just some small things I could do to make my skiing a lot better.

Which made me think: a lot of what we do in skiing is a series of small refinements -- to our balance, to our edges, to where we place our poles, and so on. Taken individually, these don't seem like much. But put them all together, and you can make some dramatic changes in the way you ski.

Tiny steps lead can lead to big improvements. True in skiing, true in life.

I'm working 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.

Steamboatin'!

So here I am in Steamboat, Colorado.

Quite a change for a New England skier. Bluebird skies, sun, soft snow, temperatures in the forties yesterday. Today it's only supposed to be 4 degrees in Vermont.

I could get used to this.

It's always good to try new places. I've been to Steamboat before, but skiing someplace you don't ordinarily get to is a lot of fun.

I'm having a blast!

I should definitely do this more often.

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.

You know your skiing has improved when.....

(this is a compilation of comments from a thread on TheSkiDiva.com)

Your friends don't wait for you because they know, without a doubt, that you can ski the terrain you're on.

You come in from skiing after your teenage son.

You start thinking that bumps are kind of fun.

Your husband is complaining about the snow spray from your twin tips because he's BEHIND YOU!

You look back up the slope and realize - hey! I just skied that!

The mountan seems smaller.

You find your skis are doing exactly what they were designed to do.

You actually seek out the gnarliest terrain and get excited about skiing it.

You're smiling!

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.

Feel the burn!

I think everyone who skis has felt the agony of quad burn, at one time or another.

Mostly, it seems to be caused to skiing too much in the backseat instead of leaning forward, the way you're supposed to.

So what can you do about it?

First, work on your form. Keep your arms out in front, make sure you can feel your shins pressing lightly against the tongues of your boots, and look DOWN the mountain, instead of across.

And second, strengthen those quads. Squats, lunges, step exercises, weights -- all these are good. Plus build up your core strength. That'll help keep you centered over your skis and give you a quieter upper body, so you won't sit back as much.

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.

Got cold feet?

I don't mean the kind you get when you're nervous and change your mind. I mean actual cold feet -- the kind you get when the temperature's below zero.

Here are some tips that might help keep your toes toasty:

Make sure your boots fit. If they're too tight, they could be cutting off circulation. And that can make your feet cold.

Use thinner sox. That's right. Seems counter-intuitive, but thick sox can 1) cramp your feet and cut off your circulation, or 2) make your feet sweat, which will cool them right down.

Spray your feet with anti-perspirant. No kidding. Because dry feet are warmer feet. (Plus they won't stink!)

Keep your core warm. The warmer your core, the better your blood can circulate to your extremities, where it can do the most good.

Use toe warmers. The little self-adhesive kind that stick to the top of your foot, inside your boot.

Look into neoprene boot covers. These can go a long way in keeping out cold air, so your feet stay toasty.

Remember, warm feet are happy feet! And happy feet love to ski!

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.

It's Finn-bruary 20th....

and that means it's the date that that much anticipated novel, Finn, hits the shelves in bookstores everywhere.

Finn was written by my husband, Jon Clinch, and it's been receiving glowing reviews from major media outlets: Newsweek, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, Playboy, GQ, Men's Health, & The San Francisco Chronicle. And the list is growing longer every day.

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.

So get off the slopes and hit the bookstore. 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.

Keep your (under)shirt on.

Ever see one of these on a lift ride to the top -- a tree with bras and panties dangling from its branches?

I guess skiers throw them on during the lift ride up. What do people do -- bring underwear along especially to toss? Or do they disrobe on the lift? (That'd be pretty chilly, I bet. And provide quite a show!)

I'm no prude, but to me, it's just visual pollution. I don't like it for the same reason I don't like seeing billboards when I ski. Or garbage on the trail. It's messy. Looks like someone dumped out their dresser drawer. Quite simply, it takes away from the beauty of the natural environment.

I heard about a ski area whose solution was to cut its "bra tree" down. Which I think is pretty extreme. I mean, what's to prevent people from throwing underwear onto another tree? Do you cut down a tree every time this happens? Think of where that might lead! And does it make sense to punish a tree for the careless action of someone on the lift?

So readers, please try to restrain yourself. Keep your underwear on, where it belongs. The trees will thank you. And so will I.

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.