Kristen Ulmer, Off Season

Ever wonder how a genuine Ski Diva keeps in shape during the off season?

We did, too, so we asked one:

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 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." During ski season, she heads the Ski To Live clinic, which combines ski coaching with a western form of Zen teaching called Big Mind.

Q: What athletic activities do you participate in during the off season? Why did you choose these and what is it that you like about them?

A: I ride my road bike a lot -- a Cannondale Synapse 3 which I just bought and fell immediately in love with. I ride it super slow for transportation, usually listening to my ipod, and consider it meditation. Even chubby girls wearing flip flops and riding Huffy's pass me by. It's definitely not a "sport" for me; it's more of a slow down in life, then I just ride far enough it's a workout too.

I also love kiteboarding and take at least 3-4 trips per summer to go kiting. Been doing this for 8 years now which is a long time in such a new sport. Love it because it's adrenaline based and learning new tricks can be super challenging. It's also cool just to know how to do it.

Q: Is there any particular activity you do that keeps you in shape for skiing? How? How often do you do it and what does it involve?

A: Biking for sure. I probably ride 25 miles 3 times a week. When the ski season is coming back 'round I start riding up the Canyons in Utah -- Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood, maybe 2 times a week. Other than that a little bit of weight lifting and I'm good to go. I don't ski hard anymore and have a pretty efficient technique so I don't really need to get in shape for ski season anymore. I coach Zen while skiing now, and I don't ski with pros often.

Q: Do you ski during the summer months, say in South America or some other location? Is this for fun or for training purposes? Can you tell me about it?

A: I don't ski in the summer unless someone hires me to ski with them and facilitate a wisdom experience alongside the sport. I'll always love skiing -- kind of like I'll always love my ex-boyfriends -- but it's no longer my passion. My work with Big Mind and Consciousness through the sport of skiing is my current passion.

You can find out more about Kristen Ulmer's Ski To Live clinics at her website, www.kristenulmer.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.

What shape is your summer?

It's Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer.

So what are you doing to stay in shape for skiing next season?

Today I'm going for a nice, long bike ride through the beautiful Vermont countryside. That's me in the picture, biking with a friend last summer. We plan to lunch at King Arthur Flour in Norwich today, when we're done.

Hey, you gotta live, too, right?

Biking one of the ways I stay in shape over the summer. I try to do some sort of exercise every day, whether it's swimming laps, working out in the gym with the elliptical and weights, or just walking around the lake where I live. It's fun, makes you feel good, and keeps you in shape so you're ready to get out there and ski.

Here's wishing you all a safe and fun holiday 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.

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.

Vail must be reading TheSkiDiva.com.

We've had a lot of threads on TheSkiDiva.com about helmets. Most people are for them, but some aren't for a variety of reasons -- everything from "Helmets makes me look dorky" to" "They won't help in a high speed crash."

Hey, my feeling is that it certainly can't hurt. Helmets offer more protection than just a thin wool hat. But the final decision should be up to you. I mean, if you want to spend the rest of your life drooling all over yourself, hey, go for it!

That being said, I've mentioned before -- here, here, and on the forum -- that helmets should be mandatory for three groups: kids, patrollers and instructors. Kids, because 1) they don't know any better; 2) we should do whatever we can to protect them, and 3) we put them in car seats, we should at least do this. And patrollers and instructors (at least while they're on the job) just because I think it presents a good example..

Now Vail has gone and made helmets mandatory for employees and kids in the '09/'10 season.

Here's the text of the press release I received from them today:

Vail Resorts Makes Helmets Mandatory for Employees in 2009-2010 Winter Season

Company also announced that helmets will be required for all children’s group ski and ride lessons and as part of their rental packages

BROOMFIELD, Colo.—April 13, 2009—Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:MTN) today announced that, beginning with the 2009-2010 winter season, the Company will require all employees to wear helmets when skiing or riding on the job at each of its five mountain resorts: Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly. Helmets will be provided to every employee next fall as part of their standard uniform for working on the mountain. This new initiative is part of Vail Resorts’ overall commitment to skier and snowboarder safety programs.

“At Vail Resorts, the safety of our employees and guests is a top priority and we believe the time has come for us to take our commitment to safety to the next level. Our employees will set the example next year for all who enjoy skiing and riding our slopes,” said John Garnsey, co-president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division and chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort.

The Company also announced that it will require all children, ages 12 and under, who participate in a group lesson through one of its five resorts’ ski and ride schools to wear a helmet. Furthermore, a helmet will become a required part of any child’s (ages 12 and under) ski and snowboard rental package offered at all of Vail Resorts’ retail and rental outlets, unless a parent or legal guardian signs a waiver to decline use of the equipment.

“We firmly believe when children are participating in our ski and ride school programs that we must provide them with the proper equipment that promotes enjoyment of the sport while also reducing the possibility of injury. Even though we will now require children in our ski and ride schools to wear helmets and make them a mandatory part of every child’s rental package, we strongly recommend the use of helmets for all of our guests, regardless of their age or ability level,” said Blaise Carrig, co-president of Vail Resorts’ Mountain Division and chief operating officer of Heavenly Mountain Resort.

I applaud Vail's decision to do this. Hopefully, other resorts will take notice and follow suit. If it helps save lives and get across the message that helmets are worthwhile, then I'm all for it.

Just my two cents.


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

The passing of a legend.

One of the greatest women skiers of all time has passed away. Andrea Mead Lawrence, the only US woman to win two gold medals in one Olympics, died from cancer at her home in Mammoth Lakes, CA, on March 31.

Born in Rutland, Vermont, in 1932, Lawrence grew up skiing at Pico, the resort founded by her parents. She competed in three Winter games, her first when she was just 15-years old, and was captain of the women's team during the 1952 games in Oslo, Norway, where she won gold in the slalom and giant slalom.

"When I got into the starting gate, it was like a deep, dark, still pool of black water, which is a metaphor and it's a very powerful metaphor," she said during an interview last month with Vermont Public Radio of winning the slalom run. "And when the count came down, I just went like a bullet down the course."

Bud Greenspan, a filmmaker known for his Olympic documentaries, chose Lawrence as “the greatest Winter Olympian of all time.” He based his choice on her later civic efforts in California as well as on the sheer excitement of her second victory in 1952.

Lawrence moved to Mammoth Lakes with her children in the mid-1960s and spent her later years as an environmental activist working to protect the Eastern Sierra Nevada. She served 16 years as a Mono County Supervisor, co-founded the Southern Mono Historical Society in 1983 and the Sierra Nevada Alliance.

In 2003, she founded the Andrea Lawrence Institute for Mountains and Rivers, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental planning and education.

I interviewed her daughter, Didi, a fantastic skier in her own right, for my blog in September, 2007. You can find that interview here.

My deepest condolences to Didi and her family.

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

Where did the season go?

I can hardly believe that for many of us here in the east, the season is either over or just about over.

Warm temps and rain have really put a dent in the snow pack. I know the season's still going strong in the west -- and for that, I'm truly envious -- but today may have been my last day. The snow has the consistency of wet sand and is a gloopy mess after an hour or so, much of it is melting, and more rain's in the forecast.

All in all, it's been a great year. I skied 66 days -- a record for me, especially since the season seems to be ending a bit early. Still, there are things I didn't get around to doing; areas I meant to visit and never made it to. I guess I'll have to leave it for next year.

An Untimely Death.

I'm sure all of you have heard of the tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson. Talented & beautiful, out for a day of fun with her children, fatally injured by a fall on the bunny slope. Sad. So sad.

There's considerable debate on whether or not her death would have occurred if she'd worn a helmet. I'm not going to go there. I'm not a doctor or an expert in these things, so I'm certainly not qualified to judge.

All the same, people continue to argue about whether or not helmets are necessary. Some people say they're useless in a high speed crash, so why bother. Some people say they never fall, so they're not needed. And some people just don't like being told what to do.

My opinion? It's your head. So if you don't want to wear a helmet, be my guest. I'm a helmet wearer. I just don't see how it can hurt. I wear one for biking, and I wear one for skiing. I don't fall much, but it doesn't take a big fall to cause a bad injury, as the Richardson death makes plain.

My hustand, Jon, and I started wearing helmets a number of years ago after my daughter got a concussion while snowboarding. And I'm glad we did. Last winter Jon was skiing on a very easy connector trail when he caught an edge, went down, and hit his head so hard his helmet acually cracked. I shudder to think what might have happened if he didn't have one on.

I do think kids should wear helmets. They shouldn't have a choice. When you're adult, you can engage in all the risky behavior you want. That's why only adults are legally allowed to smoke and drink. It should be the same with helmets.

I also think helmets should be required for ski patrollers and instructors, while they're on duty. To set an example for everyone else.

None of this brings Natasha Richardson back tolife. But if it gets you seriously thinking about helmets, that's a good thing.

Think about it.

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

The Diva Summit

Sorry I've been out of touch lately. You see, I've been at the Diva Summit. What's that, you ask? It's a gathering of women from TheSkiDiva.com, the leading internet commuity for women's skiing. The site has more than 1,400 members, and some of us came together in Summit County, Colorado, for fun, fellowship, and great skiing.

We had attendees from as far away as The Netherlands and Norway, and as close as Denver and Frisco, Colorado. The site has members from all over the country -- actually, all over the world -- and it was great to make new friends and see others we'd met before. Part of the reason I started TheSkiDiva.com was to connect with other women who enjoy skiing as much as I do. It was great to have others make those connections, too.

We hit five resorts in seven days: Breckenridge, Copper, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Keystone. Conditions were -- well, to be honest, they could have been better. But that didn't matter. We still had a blast.

I'm hoping to make this an annual event, and I'm already thinking ahead to the gathering for next year. Snowmass, anyone?

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

A Peek at the 2010's: Part 4

Nordica
Nordica has made some modifications on the Drive, increasing its waist size from 74 to 76 and giving it an integrated binding. The Mint is also 74 vs. 72. I didn't get around to skiing any of these.

They still have the Conquer, a ski I’ve demoed before and really like, but I’m not nuts about the new color scheme: black and white with chartreuse accents. Bleh.


K2
The Lotta Luv has gone up to 82 in the waist, and they’ve replaced the One Luv with the Free Luv. I took the Lottas out because I know a lot of women like them, but I couldn’t get these off my feet fast enough. I just felt like I was all over the place, forcing them into the turns and not having any fun at all.


Rossignol
Rossi has an extensive line of women’s skis. At the low end is the Harmony, with a side-cut tail that’s supposed to make it easier to come out of a turn. A new ski that I found especially interesting is the Eco(sp.?), which they say is an environmentally friendly ski. The base is made of recycled plastic, and they say they used less petroleum products in its production. 75 underfoot. They’ve also replaced the top end of the Attraxion Series, the 11, with the Attraxion 12, and done away with the arms they used last year (these were supposed to allow you adjust the ski's flex, depending on conditions and terrain. I thought they were pretty gimmicky) This is based on the men’s Classic 70.

I had to try the Eco, which turned out to be a really nice ski. Responsive, a good carver, light, quick. And I tried the Voodoo 80, which has a slightly turned up tail. I tried the Voodoo last year, but maybe in a different waist size (it comes in several). Whether it was the conditions or the waist size, I liked it this year a lot better. Very responsive, came out of the turn nicely. I’d like to get this in some off piste stuff. I liked this even better than the Eco. A very fun ski.


SO – in a nutshell, my favs of the skis I tried:

Favs of the two days I was there:

Volkl Aurora (yes, I still love these skis)
Volkl Aura
Fischer Koa 84
Rossi Voodoo 80
Elan Free Spice
Head Wild One
Rossi Ecco
Head Perfect One

Thumbs down:

Atomic Double Deck
K2 Lotta Luv (sorry)

The bottom line: there's something for everyone, and everyone's different. What appeals to me may not appeal to you. So be sure to try before you buy.

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

A Peek at the 2010's: Part 3

Fischer

Fisher has replaced its popular Vision series with the Koa. Available in a variety of widths (75, 78, and 84) the Koa has a sandwich vertical wood core instead of the glass fiber wood core found in the Visions. The rep says this makes it a lighter, stronger ski with better edge hold. The graphics of the Koa are a big departure from the Visions, too. Dark with a bold, abstract design that’s not at all girlie. I really liked it.

Fischer still has the Vapor, which I really wanted to demo, but since they only had it in a 165, I decided to pass. Instead, I took out the Koa in the 75 and 84. The 75 was nice – lively, good rebound, good edging, easy to ski. But I liked the 84 even better. For a wide waisted ski, this thing skis like a carver. I’d give this a big thumbs up.

Blizzard Skis

Blizzard has an addition to their Magnum Series: the Magnum Viva 7.4. They also plan to introduce the Viva Max in a Magnum 8.1 soon (81 underfoot), but they don’t have it yet. Some of you will also be pleased to hear that they’ve brought back the Eos this year (88 underfoot; the same ski as the men’s Chronus.)

Anyway, I took out the Magnum Viva 7.4’s, and what a nice ski! Good edging, easy to turn, nice rebound. I also took out the Viva 7.6’s just for comparison -- a more advanced, all mountain ski with a wood core and an integrated binding system. This ski wants to go, yet it’s stable and smooth with good edging.


Dynastar

Dynastar is adding two new women’s skis to its line-up: the Exclusive Eden, with an 85 waist, a wood core, and a vertical side-wall, and the Exclusive Elite, which will be a high-end groomer with a 72 waist, wood core, and a straight side wall (this’ll be above the Exclusive Fluid). Unfortunately, they didn’t have either ski at the Demo Day, so I couldn’t give them a try.

They’re also discontinuing the Exclusive Legend Powder.

All the skis have new graphics. I took out the Exclusive Legend, a carry-over ski and their top seller, It’s a very nice, maneuverable ski that’s a jack of all trades. The 2010’s have a new graphic that’s white with a weird pastel image of a woman’s face, which I really didn’t like.

(To Be Continued.....)

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

A Peek at the 2010's: Part 2

Head:

Yes, I have a weakness for Head skis, directly attributable to jealousy over my sister’s Head 360’s in 1969 or 1970. Actually, I had Head Monster IM-70’s a few years ago, and I really liked them.

In 2010, Head is offering the same line up with one new addition: the Perfect One, a carver with a 67 waist. It’s pretty bland looking, but a nice ski, nonetheless. The narrow waist makes it go from edge to edge very nicely, and it has good rebound. The other skis are carry-overs from this season, with new graphics. I also skied the Wild One and the Every One. The Wild One is the equivalent of the company’s Monster IM82. It’s a very stable, solid ski with an 81 waist and a vertical sidewall. Good energy to it, too. And I love the graphics. The Every One is white with the name available in either orange or blue. It’s a versatile, nimble ski that’s light and quick. I neglected to get the waist size on this; I think it’s in the lower to mid 70’s.


Elan

These take the prize for the most beautiful graphics. The Black Magic is gorgeous: black with little flecks of colors embedded throughout, and a little crystal embellishment. The '10 Black Magic is a little stiffer than this year’s model (they added wave technology). I skied them, and found them to be a good intermediate ski.

I also skied the Free Spice. This is a wider ski (88 waist); I wish I could’ve tried this in powder , but alas – no new snow. It has really cool new graphics -- kind of a splattered paint look. Other than that, the ski is the same as this year's. The Free Spice is based on the men’s 888 Alu, without the metal.

Lastly, I tried the Speed Magic. This is Elan’s top of the line. It's 67 or 70 underfoot (can't remember), and very fast and responsive. A fine carver and very lively and easy to turn.


Goode

When you walk by a booth where there’s a sign saying they have the lightest ski out there, you just have to give it a try. I couldn't resist. Goode Skis are made entirely of carbon fiber. And they ARE very light. You especially notice it when you go up the lift. But this lightness comes at a price: I found myself getting knocked around in the snow a bit. So no.

(To be continued.....)

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

A Peek at the 2010's: Part I

It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. This week I spent a couple days at the Ski Industry Demo Days at Stratton, VT, to preview the 2010 skis.

I absolutely love the Demo Days. Manufacturers set up tents filled with their new equipment, and the lucky participants have three days to try them out, talk to the reps, and learn more about next season's skis. Truly, I felt like a the proverbial kid in a candy store! So many skis to try, so little time.

Two overall impressions, however: First, there didn't seem to be a lot of new models this year. I don't know if it's the economy or what, but manufacturers seem to be more focused on refining their current skis, such as upping the waist size, or giving them new graphics. I guess it's a less expensive way to freshen their product line. Second, I'd say that the manufacturers have really stepped up their graphics. There are some stunning skis out there for next season!

So here’s what I saw and tried. I didn’t take as copious notes as I did last year, with the stats for each ski. This year I was much more casual (read "lazy"). So for what it’s worth, here goes:

My vital stats:

Advanced skier, 110 pounds, 5’1”

Most of the skis I skied were either 157, 161, or 163, depending on what they had available.

Volkl:

Volkl doesn’t have any new models coming out next year. However, they’re introducing a new technology called “Bio-Logic,” which they claim puts a female skier in a more neutral stance. According to the rep I spoke with, traditional bindings have the heels jacked up. When you combine that with the higher ramp angle you typically find in a woman’s boots, you end up being tipped too far forward.This can actually cause you to crouch, pushing the calf forward and really working the quads. (It's like doing wall sits all day; your quads end up killing you.) To combat this, Volkl has raised the toe in the binding. The result is better balance of the hamstring and glutes and more efficient muscle use. They’ve also tapered the tail angle so it releases more readily at the end of a turn. The tip is a bit wider, and they gave the ski a more consistent flex pattern.

The only new model they have for the coming year is the Estrella (not sure of the spelling), which they say is suited for aspiring intermediates. I didn’t try it, but I re-tried the Aurora, Tierra, and yes, the much loved Aura. Yes, I am still in love with the Aurora. What a ski! If I were in the market, this is the one I would buy. It feels like a Cadillac under foot: smooth, stable, and strong with that great Volkl edge. A terrific all around ski (too stiff for the bumps, though). As for the Aura, they’ve changed the graphics once again. Actually, they’re very similar to this year’s, except in a different color scheme (a silvery gray background and not as much color). I think I like this year’s better.

Atomic

The new women’s ski from Atomic is the Double Deck. And it’s really lovely: a white topsheet surrounding a raised black area, all covered with thin silver hatch marks. It’s really elegant. If you went to a black-tie ski event, this is the ski you’d bring. The technology sounds way cool, too: Simply described, it has two decks which are essentially one ski on top of another. Although the two skis are produced separately and joined together, each can move freely. The lower deck (adapter deck) adjusts to the slope while the upper deck (control deck) distributes the power generated by the skier.

Sounds great, right? Well, no. I found them very, very heavy, extremely torsionally stiff, and unresponsive. Perhaps they just need a bigger, stronger skier. A man I know tried the men’s version and loved it, so maybe it’s me.

Atomic still has the Heaven’s Gate and the Cloud series. I didn’t demo any of these this year, though last year I really liked the Cloud 9’s when I skied them last year.

To be continued.....

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

Lift Ticket Deals For Ladies.

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

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

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

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

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

Fridays
$28 Shawnee Peak, ME

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

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

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

How cold is too cold?

For everyone, it's different.

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

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

That's cold.

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

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

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

About Avalanches.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay safe out there, everyone.

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

Hello, Goodbye.

So here it is, the last day of 2008. And while I'm sitting here looking out my window at the snow coming down, I thought I'd reflect a bit on the year that's coming to a close:

Here are some of my memorable ski-related moments, from 2008:

Meeting and skiing with members of TheSkiDiva.com at Solitude during Diva Week in Utah;

Meeting and skiing with tmembers of TheSkiDiva.com during Okemo Diva Day;

Breaking a personal record of ski days, with 63 days for the '07-'08 season. This meant LOTS of fun days on the snow;

Nearly destroying my nearly new Queen Attivas at Magic Mountain (hey, it was memorable, all right!). I took a huge chunk out of the base, but was able to get it repaired;

Getting to try next year's skis at the industry demo days at Stratton in February. I felt like a kid in a candy store! You can see my reviews here and here.

Getting TheSkiDiva sign on Good Morning America, when the show came to Vermont;

Expanding the site to include an E-store for great TheSkiDiva.com gear, a directory of women's ski resources, and a new home page with ski news and member pix;

Publishing TheSkiDiva.com Cooks!, a cookbook with recipes submitted by forum members. If you'd like a copy, go here;

Getting a publisher for my ski-related mystery, tentatively called DOUBLE BLACK: A SKI DIVA MYSTERY, and coming from St. Martin's Press in January, 2010; You can find out more about it here.

Passing 1,000 members in TheSkiDiva.com.

Here's hoping that 2009 brings us all more terrific ski memories. And here's wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy new year.

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

Booting up!

To celebrate my recent book deal, I did what any self respecting Ski Diva would do: I celebrated by getting myself some new gear.

What did I get, you ask? New ski boots, of course!

My old boots were getting packed out, so I headed for my favorite local bootfitter, Shon Racicot, at Bootpro in Ludlow, VT, for some help. After making a careful examination of my feet and stance, Shon suggested the boot he felt would do the best job: the Atomic Hawx. I tried them on, and even though I really liked what I was feeling, I thought to myself, "This is far too easy. NO ONE gets boots this fast." So I set out on a "bootquest" of sorts, visiting a number of ski shops in the area to try on boots from a variety of manufacturers. But no matter how many I tried, I kept coming back to the same thing: none of them worked for me like the Atomic Hawx. So back I went to Shon.

Here's some info I found that describes the Atomic Hawx:

New concept that allows forefoot flexibility through special gills at front of boot that gives better balance, better transmission, more performance for less effort. Less pressure and force on the metatarsal area for superb comfort. The New I-Flex technology puts your stance in a more upright position and with the new Elastic I-Flex Zone it goes to absorb vibrations and unintentional forces to the skis. A new I-Flex Chassis is a mixture of flexible plastics in varying thicknesses for improved comfort, precise fit and performance. Softer components around the cuff and instep area makes the Hawx putting on/taking off easier and gives a more precise fit. .

All I can say is that I've skied on these boots seven times with zero issues. That's right -- none. Which is amazing in a new ski boot. They're actually a full size smaller than my previous boots. And while the fit is snugger -- a good thing in a ski boot -- there are no hot spots or pressure points. The snugger fit gives me a better feel for my skis and permits better response to the movements of my feet and ankles. The result: better edging, better control, better skiing.

I can't say if these boots would work for you. The important thing in a ski boot is fit, fit, and again, fit. And to get the best possible fit, don't just buy boots off the shelf from some big box store. Make sure to visit someone who really knows ski boots, like Shon. Your feet will appreciate it. I know mine do.

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

I just got a book deal!

Many of you know that my husband, Jon Clinch, is the author of the critically acclaimed, award-winning novel, Finn.

Well, he's not the only writer in the family anymore. I just sold a ski-related mystery novel, DOUBLE BLACK, to Thomas Dunne, an imprint of St. Martins Press. It'll be published in January, 2010, and it's part of a two book deal that'll include a yet-unwritten sequel to the first.

Here's a synopsis:

In DOUBLE BLACK, Boston’s twenty-something Stacey Curtis ditches her cheating fiance and heads for a Vermont ski town. She’s looking for the life she’s always dreamed about, but she stumbles instead into financial intrigue, bitter family warfare, and murder. Populated with quirky characters, loaded with New England atmosphere, and starring a young woman with nerve, spunk, and a sense of humor about it all, DOUBLE BLACK is an exciting run down some treacherous mountain trails.

Here's the first line of the book:

“When Stacey Curtis found the dead man in the bed, she knew it was time to get her own apartment.”

I am sooooo excited about this. If you don't mind my saying so, it's a fun book that I really think all of you are going to enjoy. And while it contains plenty of skiing and ski-related stuff, I think it's something that just about anyone will like.

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

The "R" Word.

Not that "R" word -- the one that has to do with precipitation. The other "R" word -- the one they've been bandying about on the news lately. Recession.

It's official. We're in one. And I don't have to tell you: skiing isn't cheap. So how can you still participate in your favorite sport, while minimizing the financial pain?

Here are some tips, suggested by members of TheSkiDiva.com:

Get a season pass: The initial outlay is large, but if you ski a lot at the same mountain, it can considerably reduce your cost per day. A season's pass can have other benefits, too. Some provide discounts on lift tickets at other resorts, nearby lodging, and on-mountain retail locations.

Bring your lunch: Food at the mountain can cost nearly as much as a pass. So bring something that costs less, tastes better, and is much healthier for you: food from your own kitchen.

Get a job: The cheapest way to ski yet. Work at the mountain, and they'll give you a season's pass. You'll even earn a few bucks in the process.

Carpool to the hill: Yes, gas prices have come down. But the last time I checked, gas still wasn't free. Drive with a friend.

Join a club: If you don't live close to a mountain, join a club that has a house or lodge. Weekend rates are far cheaper than the cost of hotel and sometimes even include meals and a cook -- which can make life very nice after a day of skiing.

Buy ahead off site: Sometimes you can get a deal on a day ticket if you buy before you go, either from the resort's web site or at designated ski and outdoor shops. It's not a huge discount, but it'll save you a few bucks.

Pick a card: Some resorts offer their own discount cards. At Mt. Snow, for example, a "Fan Fare" card costs $99, and gives you 50% off during the week, 25% off weekends and 10% off on holidays.

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

TheSkiDiva Cooks!

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving. And at the time of year when food plays such a big part in our celebrations, consider this:

TheSkiDiva Cooks, the new cookbook featuring recipes from members of TheSkiDiva.com community.

There's everything from SnowHot's Famous White Hot Chocolate to Diva Dude Chili and Face Plant Cake — more than 150 recipes. Enjoy mouthwatering appetizers, beverages, soups & salads, desserts, main dishes, and more. And of course, it makes a great holiday or hostess gift.

To order your own copy, go here.

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