Women Skiing and Sports

Holidays at Colorado Resorts

2011-12-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

No matter which resort you visit during the holidays, each one will be aglow with lights and festive decor, guaranteeing a sparkly and white Christmas. Santa sightings, fireworks displays and torchlight parades have been annual holiday events for years. Besides these and other special activities going on in December, here are some you may not know about. Visit websites for lodging deals. Photo: Crested Butte Mountain Resort celebrates New Year's Eve with a torchlight parade and fireworks.

Dusty Demerson, courtesy of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Aspen/Snowmass—Among many holiday-themed events, the renowned Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs The Nutcracker on the 17^th and 18^th at the Aspen District Theatre in Aspen. Over at Snowmass, you can drop last minute letters to Santa in his personal mailbox on the Snowmass Village Mall Dec. 6-24. 800-679-3147; aspensnowmass.com

Beaver Creek—A new tradition starts this season with Beaver Creek Loves Kids Winterfest on the 18^th through Jan. 1. Interactive family activities and events will include a kids Winter Wonder Parade, disco skate nights, figure skating performances, and Animals of Winter Ice Menagerie. 800-953-0844; Beavercreek.com

Breckenridge—If you have a Santa suit and can run, join other jolly old fellows in a race down Main Street to benefit Adopt an Angel prior to the Lighting of Breckenridge that kicks off the town’s Victorian Christmas on Dec. 3.

If making snow forts is your forte, you should enter The Snowflake Challenge—a holiday snow sculpting competition for amateurs. Not to be confused with the Snow Sculpture Championships held at the end of January, this one runs from Dec. 9-16, with the snow art decorating downtown through Christmas. 800-251-2417; gobreck.com

Keystone—Every year Keystone’s Pastry Chef Ned Archibald adds a new feature to his Chocolate Village, the resort’s most popular holiday tradition at the Keystone Lodge & Spa. The amazing alpine village includes a moving gondola, a waterfall and a six-foot tall Christmas tree with presents—all made from 2,500 pounds of chocolate! It will be displayed from the 15^th through Jan. 3. 877-204-7889; keystoneresort.com

Steamboat—Downtown’s main street closes down between 5 and 8 p.m. on the 10^th to make strolling easy for The Joyous Jaunt, a tour of stores’ open houses and sampling of seasonal libations at pubs and restaurants. A light parade with entertainment, including a Fruit Cake toss, kicks off holiday cheer. 800-922-2722; steamboat.com

Vail—Family Holidaze returns after a successful debut last season. From the 18^th through Christmas Day, carolers and concerts will entertain, plus look for holiday giveaways, Santa’s workshop and lots more. On the 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd, champion skaters like two-time world silver medalist Patrick Chan will perform in Winter Solstice on Ice at Solaris Ice Rink outdoors in the heart of Vail Village. 800-805-2457; vail.com

Winter Park—Ski with Santa and make a memory your kids will never forget. The jolly old man will be around to take a run with kids every day during the week before Christmas. On Christmas Eve he’ll hand out presents to the little ones after skiing down in the torchlight parade. 303-316-1564; winterparkresort.com.
Photo: Courtesy of Winter Park Resort

First for Colorado's ski season: Wolf Creek Ski Area

2011-10-10T15:38:00.000-06:00

An early October snowfall allowed Wolf Creek Ski Area in southern Colorado to be the first in the state to open for the 2011-12 ski season. Typically the ski area that gets the most snow, Wolf Creek never has been among the first to open. It's earliest opening was Oct. 27, 2006. But now it has set a record, opening on Oct. 8 with a 35-inch snow depth at the summit. It will stay open through Columbus Day, then re-open for the weekend of the 15th and 16th. Conditions will likely dictate if it will stay open for the rest of the month.

Kim Kircher: The Next Fifteen Minutes—Strength from the Top of the Mountain

2011-10-03T13:47:00.000-06:00

Kim Kircher's risky duties as a member of the ski patrol at Crystal Mountain in Washington would challenge any woman . . . or man. They are nothing compared to the challenges she faced when her husband John, the owner of Crystal, was near death's door from a congenital liver condition called primary schlerosing cholangitis.

In The Next Fifteen Minutes—Strength from the Top of the Mountain, Kim details her and John's ordeal in an intensely personal story. She compares how she dealt with the surprises and sadness of his illness with how she faced the dangers of her job on the mountain, complicated by her own disease of diabetes.

"Each visit to the clinic, every time a nurse drew blood in search of infection, every time Dr. Gores entered the room with a dour look on his face. . .I would turn toward the terrible thing and face it," she writes.

Recovering dead bodies, throwing bombs into avalanches, cutting through deep new snow on avalanche-prone terrain, suffering insulin shock—none of this was as difficult as watching her husband's battle with life.

"At least I could hold John's had, knowing that soon it may lose its warmth. I could mourn each passing heartbeat right alongside him, worrying over the countdown. At least I could fight with him, helping him gather strength, and if the end came, I would face it with him. I would, at least, have a chance to say goodbye."

Any woman or man who has nurtured a loved one through illness, anyone with diabetes, or anyone who loves skiing will devour this book. The gripping narrative goes from hospital room to the mountain and back, each memory told "in the next fifteen minutes."

Kim's book was just released by Behler Publications. It's a paperback, selling for $15.95. I highly recommend it.

Battle of the Skiing Sexes

2011-08-22T16:30:00.003-06:00

Ski hills are the perfect place to test compatibility, maybe better than online dating. Take a run together (athleticism), ride the chair (personality), eat lunch (coolness and cash). But those same hills can also test patience, can even lead to outright gender warfare.

A few years ago, I wrote this "He Says/She Says" piece with my colleague and ski pal John Naye from Seattle, Washington. All written in fun for snow bunnies everywhere, but still holds true for some couples today. . .

SHE SAYS:
I love to ski with men. I’ll take a ski date over an après-ski date any time. But, guys, if you want to ski with this downhill diva, I’ve got issues.

For starters, why do you think the forest is your private urinal? More than once I’ve taken cuts through the trees where I’ve run into a guy shakin’ his snake. And I feel like the intruder! Dude, it’s my forest too. I have the decency to wait until I get to the lodge. Really, my dog has better manners.

And speaking of manners: there’s no excuse for hawking up a luggie and thwacking it off the chairlift. Puh-leeze!

Don’t look like a dork. Zip up your jacket, cut off that collection of old lift tickets, and don’t even think about wearing jeans as ski pants. That is sooooo 70s!

Guys talk the talk, especially in the bar the night before. Usually the ones who brag the most turn out to ski with the grace and coordination of Chewbacca. And, of course, everything has got to be an unannounced contest: who can ski the fastest, the longest, the most runs, the biggest moguls, the steepest terrain, the deepest powder. And no matter how old you are, if you’re exhausted or even afraid, you never ever, ever admit it.

Another thing. I’m so tired of hearing, “Come on, you can handle this.” I’ll make that decision, thank you very much. If you want to get laid, don’t lead me astray.

Oh, and a bite of chocolate plus a squirt of Gatorade isn’t lunch. I want the full-on sit-down—your treat, of course. Besides marking the end of morning and the beginning of afternoon, lunch is an opportunity for a makeup check. Men don’t understand that we have to look cute at all times.

And where does it say that guys have to be the leaders? You think you own the mountain. You get off the lift, and zoom, you disappear. OK, so I may not know exactly where I am. But getting lost together can be romantic, n’est-ce pas? Why do you always rag me about it? Mountain scenery takes my breath away. If you want to do the same, stop occasionally and savor the moment.

And, no, I do not want you to help me contribute to the panty tree.

Now, let’s go rip it up!

HE SAYS:
Ah, get over it, Claudia. If men didn't lead the snow parade, there wouldn't be enough ski patrollers to find all you tender-gender types lost out there on the mountain. When's the last time you actually saw a woman read and understand a trail map?

I love to ski with women too, but it's not unconditional love. Since when did whining become an Olympic sport? It's too cold, too hot, too steep, too foggy, too early, too late, too just about anything.

And how can there be "too much powder?" Why do women always want to have a leisurely breakfast on a powder day? Why am I the jerk if I want first tracks? You could happily meet me later. I know you’d find that trail map handy, then.

Having a little penis envy are we? I'll try to be discreet, but if my anatomy makes me a champion of yellow snow, then so be it. French men pee along the side of the road, so lighten up. Hell, you can even participate if you want.

One of the biggest things that bugs me about skiing with chicks is when I ask them 500 times if they want to try something a bit more aggressive, they keep saying yes. Then I take them to a blue run and all hell breaks loose, and I instantly go from Mr. Charm to Mr. Mean.

What happened to that women’s lib thing—you know, all that equal treatment under the law? Does the simple fact that I invited you to go skiing mean I get to pay for everything . . . your lift tickets, ski rental, meals, spa bills, everything? Then, once I have, the first thing I hear is, “That was an exhausting first run; I'm going to the lodge. See you at four."

That’s $60 for a one-run lift ticket.

I don’t think women realize their ability. They may be the most technically sound skiers in the world, but will they push speed a little? No way. I mean, where is the sense of adventure? They decide to stop and chat halfway down a run, then pout about being left behind. Save the chatter for the ride. That’s what chairlifts are for.

And one more thing. Don’t ask me—don’t ever ask me—if you look fat in stretch pants!

Is Dating a Sport?

2011-08-20T11:58:00.001-06:00

I love this take on dating. . .written by Susannah.

The Essence of Bad Boys

You’ve heard of “Bad Boys”, right? You’ve probably even met some. Ah, you’ve dated one? Then you’ve got some scars in your heart to remember him by, don’t you. You say you were his girlfriend? No, sweetie, bad boys don’t have girlfriends; they have women, lots of women. Because women, all women, can spot a bad boy a mile away, and whatever hormone fragrance she puts out when she sees one is picked up by him immediately, and bam – she’s a target.

There he is – the bad boy – standing on the other side of the room. He may be wearing a black leather jacket or not. Even if he’s not, and say you’re a beautiful, smart and enchanting female who can have her pick of any guy in the room, you want him. And only him. And suddenly you’re not thinking about relationships or marriage or kids or contentment or happiness. In fact, you’re not thinking at all; you’re operating from something other than your human mind or human heart. You are operating from what psychologists call the Reptilian Brain, that lower part of our brain where our basic instincts dwell.

It is your basic instinct that is telling you that you want him and that you have to have him, and damned be the consequences. So why does your Reptilian Brian tell you to go get him? Because he has what you, a woman, wants and needs – intense masculine energy and great masculine genes. In order to keep the species going, it takes good masculine and good feminine genes. You’re saying, “Oh, OMG, this whole attraction thing is evolutionary?” Yep. In the animal world, the males have to compete with each other for the females. And bad boys, while they’re completely inept at being emotionally mature and responsible, definitely step up to this plate. Bad boy’s good masculine genes trigger your good feminine genes, and we all know where this going…

But, you say, what about those psychologists who tell us that being abused when we were children is the reason that bad boys are bad and that some girls are attracted to them? In terms of bad boys who are actually abusive and women who are drawn to being abused, yes, there is more than something to that. However, I’m talking about the essence of “Bad Boy” here; not psychopathic nor criminal behavior. I am talking about the energy and the essence of bad boys, including the energy and essence of all the bad boys out there who are not criminals nor have ever physically or verbally abused a woman.

This energy and essence is in his genes and he’s hooked into it. He’s got it. You may not consciously know what it is, but you know that he has it. It comes across in the way he dresses, the way he moves, the way he talks, the way he looks at you. He’s confident, he’s independent, and he lives by his own rules. Most of all, he manifests that intense masculine energy, and it doesn’t show up simply in how he presents himself to the world; it is seeping out of his pores. And, in order to keep the species going, your Reptilian Brain tells you that you absolutely must mate with this alpha gorilla.

So, you do. And then what happens? Do your human mind and heart finally kick in, telling you that you’re so totally in love with him and that you can’t live without him that you need to embark on the project of changing him into a loving and caring husband and father? Some projects in life can be completed. This one can’t be. You can’t change him. You can’t turn him from an alpha stud preying on women into the Prince Charming you’ve always dreamed about. Prince Charming he most definitely is not.

Sounds trite, but it’s true – only he can change himself. But won’t your love change him into a caring, emotionally open guy who will pledge his undying love to you and take great care of your mutual children? Nope. Because your love ain’t getting through to him, sweetie. He’s walled in, and his emotions are not coming out to play.

Can he change? Sure. But he’s the one who has to feel the need to change, and do all the work to change, and it’s probably going to come, with time and age, from the pain he feels from being emotionally isolated.

So, what do you do? Well, you can stay and get your heart broken, or - here comes the hard part - you leave. He’s going to dump you anyway, and doesn’t it give you some power over him to end it by your own initiative? Go home and cry, rant and rave to your girlfriends, get some therapy, start a charity, write a book, write ten songs about Bad Boys, watch all the James Dean and Marlon Brando movies you want. Just get him out of your system, chalk it all up to evolutionary influences, be happy that you’ve got feminine genes that can get triggered, and then remember your dream that you’ve had since you were a little girl about finding your perfect guy.

He’s out there and he’s waiting for you.

Copyright 2011 by Susannah

Another Award for Lindsey Vonn

2011-06-22T08:54:00.000-06:00

Last weekend in Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, Lindsey Vonn was honored with the 2011 Preis Herbert award, a prize given annually to any public figure who promotes the Alps through the media. Lindsey is the first woman recipient in the award’s 10-year history. The 26-year-old ski racer is also the youngest person to ever receive the award as well as the first non-European.

Title IX opened up opportunity for girls in the 70s

2011-05-31T09:04:00.001-06:00

With the 39th anniversary of Title IX coming up in June, I am remembering a program that I and another mom began for our daughters in grade school back in the mid-70s.

Title IX, you may recall, was the amendment to the 1972 Civil Rights Law that prohibited sex discrimination in federally funded programs in education. Girls finally got the same assistance that boys did in school athletics.

With Title IX in mind, my friend Suzie Watts and I started GirlSports, an after-school sports program for little girls. My daughter, Kathleen, and her daughter, Dana, were in maybe 4th or 5th grade, I don't remember exactly. Suzie and I picked them up—and the other girls who signed up—after school at Cherry Hills Elementary and took them to various venues for sports activities a couple of times a week.

We'd go to a park and play soccer or softball; sometimes we went to a bowling alley; another time we did the workout circuit at a nearby park. The idea was to get them moving and interested in sports. Remember, this was way before organized sports became a big deal for elementary school kids. Soccer was just starting, and Kathleen did play on a team a few years later.

Did we get funding? No! We didn't apply for any, but it sure was fun! It would be interesting to hear from any of those girls if they continued on to pursue a sport we introduced them to.

So if any moms out there want to get something going - please revive GirlSports, and have a ball!

Women's Lacrosse Scores Big at Vail Shootout

2011-05-06T12:32:00.003-06:00

Women's lacrosse is growing by leaps and bounds, as is the sport in general as it moves west. The most prestigious lacrosse event in the country happens in Colorado every summer. For the last 39 years, the Vail Lacrosse Shootout Presented by Harrow brings the best players around the nation for nine days of play in the Vail Valley. The dates are June 25-July 3 with play on four different fields.

The fastest growing division is the Under 19 High School Division. This year, the girls H.S. division will have 24 teams, more than the high school boys. The Women's Elite division (collegiate, post collegiate and club teams) will field 16 teams.

If you go: Girls High School games will be at Freedom Park in Edwards June 27-30; Women's Elite will be June 30-July 3, also at Freedom Park. Edwards is about 11 miles west of Vail Village on I-70. There is no admission charge to watch the games, and you can pick up a shootout program at each of the venues. Visit vaillacrosse.com for a complete schedule of games and venues. Also, visit coloradolacrosse.org.

If you love this sport, or just love humanity, make a donation to Lacrosse the Nations, an international humanitarian organization to foster education and critical life skills for children living in poverty worldwide. Just $50 buys snacks and drinks during lacrosse practices; $100 buys sticks for four students.

For lodging near Edwards, I highly recommend:

Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa

126 Riverfront Lane

970-790-6000

westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com

A short drive on Highway 6 takes you to the fields in Edwards. Each room of this luxury hotel has a kitchen plus every amenity you could want. Restaurant Avondale, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; plus a mountainside outdoor lounge and a swimming pool are welcome spots after the games.

Top Game-Changing Female Athletes of All Time

2011-04-06T09:55:00.005-06:00

I was asked to share this link to the site naming the top 10 game-changing female athletes of all time. I agree with the editors choices with one exception: they did not mention U.S. alpine skier Andrea Mead Lawrence.

Andrea was the first American skier to win two Olympic gold medals in giant slalom and slalom events. This victory was huge, finally placing an American for the first time on the podium formerly dominated by Europeans. She did it at the 1952 Games in Olso when she was only 19 years old.

Andrea was picked to be on the U.S. Olympic team when she was just 14 years old. Her first Olympics was 1948 (St. Moritz) at age 15. She was a three-time Olympian, competing in the 1956 Games after having three children. Andrea was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1958. Later in life, she was an outspoken advocate for conservation in the Sierra, founding the non-profit Andrea Lawrence Institute for Mountains and Rivers. She died in 2009 at age 76.

I met Andrea at her home in Mammoth Lakes, California around the late 90s when she was passionately involved with her environmentalist group—Friends of Mammoth—to preserve the natural beauty of the area she loved so much. This seemed much more important to her than her gold medals, though she acknowledged her celebrity was an asset "to doing something really good in this world."

Women's Ski Jumping Is a Go!

2011-04-05T20:37:00.003-06:00

For five years, women ski jumpers have waited to get their sport into the Olympics. After an unsuccessful legal battle to get into the 2010 Vancouver Games, women's ski jumping is fianlly set to take its place at the 1014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, as ruled by The International Olympic Committee executive board this week.

Fog ruins Lindsey's chance for Alpine World Cup title

2011-03-20T10:23:00.000-06:00

The battle for the Alpine World Cup title between Lindsey Vonn and Germany's Maria Riesch is over. In the end, weather determined the winner: Riesch by three points.

The much-anticipated finale that would have given Vonn her fourth straight overall World Cup title was canceled by officials due to fog and soft snow in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. She never even got on course.

"Win or lose, I just wanted the chance," said Vonn. "I feel devastated. But I'm extremely proud to have been in the fight in what was one of the most exciting seasons in ski racing history."

Such a shame! But anyone who has skied in Europe knows that weather is a huge factor. Fog, clouds, rain can deteriorate snow conditions in an instant. As I write this from my beautiful Colorado where fog and rain are virtually non-existent in our winter mountains, I wonder why the FIS stages most of the races in Europe. Well, I know why—Europeans support ski racing like we worship football. In the U.S., ski racing is a niche sport, and it's too bad. Because we offer the best playing fields in the world!

Women and Alaska's Iditarod

2011-03-12T16:22:00.001-07:00

In 1985, Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A year later, Susan Butcher won the race and became the second four-time winner in 1990 and the first woman to ever place in the top 10. Soon after, the motto going around Alaska was: "Alaska - where men are men and women win the Iditarod."

Sadly, Susan Butcher died of leukemia in 2006. Two years later, then Governor Sarah Palin declared the first Saturday of every March—the traditional start of the Iditarod—as Susan Butcher Day.

With no special concessions for gender, the playing field is equal in this grueling race over 1,150 miles across jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast between Anchorage and Nome. Temps dip way below zero, winds can interfere with visibility, and there are long hours of darkness.

"The number of women in the race has definitely increased," said Carolyn Muegge-Vaughan, who was the 49th woman to run in the 49th state in 1987, and her bib number was—49! "I always think women have more stamina, maybe it's the extra fat we carry around; but women always place in the top 20." Carolyn raced in three Iditarods, having moved to Alaska to be a dog handler for Col. Norman Vaughan in 1986 whom she later married.

As of this writing, DeeDee Jonrowe, 57, is in the top 10 for the 2011 "Last Great Race." A cancer survivor and crowd favorite, DeeDee, her dogs and their handlers were decked out in pink at the ceremonial start in Anchorage on March 5. "The volunteers and residents of rural Alaska are an important element of the experience, and I am blessed to continue participating in this race."

DeeDee is just behind Jessie Royer, 34, from Fairbanks running 9th. Jessie got her first sled dogs at age 15; she won Montana's Race to the Sky when she was just 17.

Good luck, DeeDee and Jessie! To see how they and the 13 other women fared this year, go to iditarod.com for all updates.

Kim Kircher: Using ski patrol skills to deal with personal crisis

2011-03-04T15:01:00.001-07:00

The hardest challenges Kim Kircher has dealt with in her 21-year career as a ski patroller at Washington's Crystal Mountain have helped her get through the toughest time in her personal life.

Photo by Chris Morin

With her mostly male mates on ski patrol, Kim, 40, is required to do three important tasks: Snow Safety, Skier Safety and Rescue.

Snow safety involves avalanche control. On days following a storm, she's up at 4:30 a.m., on the lift by 6, and throwing bombs by first light. When all avies have slid, the mountain is safe to open. Here she attaches a bomb to a piece of bamboo for an air shot.

Skier safety means she does everything possible to make the mountain safe, such as putting up signs and rope lines, padding lift towers, marking hazards and controlling speed of skiers and snowboarders.

Photo by Chris Morin

Finally, in her job of rescue, she aids injured skiers and riders as an EMT, helps those who are stuck on a cliff or otherwise can't get down the mountain, and "sweeps" the mountain at the end of the day for lost or missing people.

Needless to say, she puts in long days under stressful situations. She must stay strong and tough in the face of crisis. "The hardest part is not crying when things get hard," says Kim. "I've learned to toughen myself up; be strong when I have a patient who's not breathing, come across a bloody scene or find someone who is dead." Kim is also a diabetic, a condition that makes her physical demands even greater. She's won awards from the National Ski Patrol for her life-saving efforts.

When Kim's husband John (a member of the Kircher skiing family dynasty that owns and operates 10 ski areas in the U.S. and British Columbia ) became ill and needed a liver transplant, Kim drew upon her experiences as a patroller to help them both get through the ordeal together. "I kept saying 'I've done hard things before, I can do this,'" she says. "I knew the health issues, but beyond that, I knew I could get through it."

Today, John is cancer-free and the two are enjoying their active lifestyle. You can read about Kim's life and work in her memoir The Next Fifteen Minutes to be released in November. Check it out at www.kimkircher.com. I had the privilege of meeting Kim at a North American Snowsports Journalists Association annual conference at Alyeska Resort. I can tell you she is one inspiring woman—all 6 feet of her!

John and Kim Kircher of Boyne Resorts

Quebec City's Winter Carnival is the Winter Olympics of Fun

2011-02-21T18:04:00.004-07:00

The Québécoise call it "the real winter game." I can see why. . .it's not for anyone timid about being in cold and snow! Carnaval de Quebec is the grandest celebration of winter and has been on my bucket list for years. I finally made it!

For 57 years, Quebec City has thrown this 17-day party that includes day and nighttime parades, music, dancing, fireworks, ice sculptures and lots and lots of sport activities. It's an ambitious, fun and beautiful fete to winter. Entrance to the Fun Park is a mere $12 for the entire 17 days; the street parades and many other events are free.

The gang at the night parade. Photo/Dino Vournas

Everything one can do in snow and on ice is here: from popular activities like ice skating, snow rafting, ice slides, Nordic skiing, dog sledding and sleigh rides to crazy adventures like snow baths and canoe races in the icy St. Lawrence River to exciting spectator events like the St. Hubert Derby (horse racing with sleighs). People come from all over the world to revel in winter like the Quebecoise!

St. Hubert Derby

A Snow Bath at -10 C

Tim Johnson, a journalist from Toronto, rides the Zip Line high above the Fun Park.

Reigning over it all is the lovable, ever-present larger-than-life mascot called Bonhomme. He is Carnaval's Rock Star, appearing everywhere—skating with the children, cheering with the crowds, kicking off events—and always, always commanding huge audiences wherever he goes. He holds a special fascination with women, who just giggle in his huge presence!

Edmonton journalist Jody McKague, me and Tim Johnson, giggling!
Photo by Dino Vournas

Photo by Dino Vournas

Be Unstoppable

2011-02-08T11:48:00.001-07:00

Here's a proactive way we can help girls and women gain confidence with every move they make to be "unstoppable."

The newly launched "Unstoppable Moves" video series on Facebook encourages fans to join women around the country in a montage of unstoppable female athletes. Every time you upload a clip of Unstoppable Moves on the Facebook page, $5 will be donated to the Women's Sports Foundation in support of programs that nurture healthy, active and confident girls.

The Playtex®Sport® brand and the Women's Sports Foundation have partnered to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The benefits of sports participation include increased self-esteem, confidence and healthier body image.

Click here now for your sisters!

Lindsey named Female Athlete of the Year

2010-12-18T15:08:00.002-07:00

The Associated Press chose Vail's Lindsey Vonn as Female Athlete of the Year for 2010. She is the first skier of either sex to win the annual AP award that began in 1931.

On the heels of her winning a World Cup downhill race in France on Dec. 18, the 26-year-old champ said this in an AP interview: "For sure, 2010 was the best year I've ever had. It couldn't have gone any better for me. Even if I just won the Olympic gold medal, that would have made it the best year of my career and the best day of my life, period. Winning the World Cup races and the overall title just topped it off."

To be the first skier ever to be selected by AP members is truly an honor that she holds dearly. "When I say that it means everything to me, it really does. The Olympics are what I work for. They're why I spend so much time in the gym. It's why my family moved (from Minnesota to Colorado) for me to ski race, so I could pursue my dream of being Olympic champion."

To read the full article in The Denver Post, click here.

Surprise feature in Columbia's Omni-Heat Jacket

2010-11-21T13:38:00.005-07:00

My new Omni-Heat jacket by Columbia is incredibly warm and stylish. The warmth comes from the revolutionary thermal technology of the tiny silver dots in the inside of the lining that generates and retains heat created by your body. You can read about that on Columbia's website. But what they don't tell you is how that same lining can be used as a chic jacket by itself.

When I was heading out the door for the opening party of One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge, I realized I had packed only my Columbia jacket and not a coat for the dressy outfit I was wearing. So I unzipped the liner from the outer shell, and to my surprise, I now had a stylish satiny (it's actually taffeta) black jacket that was perfect for the evening soiree! And, one that kept me warm in the frigid night air at 10,100 feet.

The next day I was on the mountain early when temps were in the teens. I was toasty warm with the complete system at work.

For ski traveling, this jacket gives me the best of both worlds. I won't leave home without it!

Read my tips on buying ski jackets here.

Lindsey Vonn Trapped in Snowstorm

2010-11-21T11:51:00.000-07:00

I was excited to meet Lindsey at a Vail Resorts party prior to the opening of Warren Miller's newest show Wintervention Nov. 16 at Denver's Paramount Theatre. Soon after I arrived, she called the VR people from her cell phone saying she was stuck on I-70 that had closed due to a nasty storm. The Colorado mountains have been pummeled with storm after storm since late October, so this was no big surprise. She later talked to the audience from her phone, graciously apologizing for her non-appearance.

The Vail celebrity just released two milk mustache ads and a promotional campaign to "Live Like Lindsey Vonn in Vail." If you write about the value of drinking milk, you could win a trip to Vail to live like the ski champ. Part of living in Vail means getting trapped in snowstorms on I-70!

New Lift Starts Up at Arapahoe Basin

2010-11-03T16:57:00.002-06:00

Photo by Alan Henceroth

The new Norway Lift at A-Basin begins running Nov. 5 from mid-mountain to the summit. This photo was taken Nov. 3, 2010. Two chairlifts, seven trails and four terrain park features are open. Ski season is here!

Colorado first to kick off nation's ski season, again!

2010-10-25T12:29:00.005-06:00

Following a snowstorm made in heaven, Loveland is the first ski area to open for the season Oct. 24, with Arapahoe Basin following suit on Oct. 25 amid a snowstorm. Both areas are in Colorado.

Despite Maine's Sunday River's claim to be "the first in the nation to open" on Oct. 22, it has suspended operations during the week until they can "get the trails in the best shape possible for next weekend."

So. . .Colorado again trumps all ski areas in the nation in the race to open and stay open for the season. Remember, Loveland's lift-served summit is 12,700; A-Basin is nearly 13,000. With that elevation, of course they should be the first to catch the powder.

Yoga and Skiing

2010-10-10T10:53:00.001-06:00

Don't wait until the first day of skiing to begin training. . .it should be happening - now! I've found yoga to be the best all-around prep for skiing. Read my post from last season.

Women's Ski Jumping At Last!

2010-10-05T21:02:00.005-06:00

I hear from my colleague at The Snow Industry Letter that the International Ski Federation said it intends to launch a World Cup for women's ski jumping in time for the upcoming season. It's planning 11 events for athletes over the age of 15 for the Cup.

A number of countries are poised to stage individual events, with Germany and Norway penciled in for two of the meets, while Turkey and Japan are also thought to be in the running to be host countries.

Six athletes per nation will be allowed to compete under FIS rules. The event is likely to start in December 2011 in Lillehammer and end in early March in Oslo.

Do you think this announcement from the FIS could lead to women competing in this discipline at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi? It's about time!

Learn more about women's ski jumping at the Women's Ski Jumping website. For the latest International Olympic Committee ruling, click here.

Glam Helmets Glitter on the Slopes

2010-10-04T11:03:00.085-06:00

So by now we all know wearing a helmet is a wise thing to do. (Read my earlier post on helmet use). California even toyed with a law to mandate its resorts to require it, but Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the legislation, saying it would place an unnecessary burden on resort operators without any assurance of fewer injuries and fatalities. Nevertheless, it just makes sense to protect your head. So why not make a statement while doing it - a brilliant one. Check out these high-style helmets handcrafted by Dareece Saca for Ice Couture.

Saca makes these designs with Swarovski, Czech and Korean crystals that catch the sun for a dazzling downhill display! Liners come in fur, velvet and dryfit. They cost anywhere from $200-$2000 but will protect your head in grand style. To order, go to her website or call 916-804-4037.

Lady, it's cold outside!

2010-09-29T20:23:00.029-06:00

Do you know what ceramics, soda pop bottles, zirconium carbide and insects have in common? They’re all sources of materials that go into your ski clothes.

The list of state-of-the-art fabrics and fibers that make up ski clothing reads like a chemistry book. Today’s technical threads move moisture, block wind, shed water, wick vapor, trap air, transport perspiration, heat up, cool down and breathe. They do everything but carve turns. Warmth, comfort and a pocket where you need it are the hallmarks of new-millennium ski clothing. Think of it as equipment.

Whatever your preference—high fashion or high tech—warmth is always in. My survey shows that being cold puts a freeze on a woman’s ability to enjoy skiing, and it is one of the reasons women quit skiing.

How much warmth?

When buying ski clothes, consider your body chemistry: warm-blooded or cold-blooded? Combine that answer with the terrain you usually ski and the amount of energy you put out to determine how much warmth you need.

Layering continues to be the smartest way to foil foul weather. Warm air trapped between layers of clothing creates insulation that keeps you warmer than a single piece of heavier clothing.

The clothing layer closest to your body should be made of a fiber that both breathes and wicks away perspiration to keep your skin warm and dry. The base layer I wear is Snow Angel, the softest and most versatile of all sports underwear. It comes in lightweight, mid-weight and ultra warm fabrics. The inside is a soft brushed material, while the outside is a smooth, shiny fabric that lets me easily slip my fleece over it. And, back at the lodge when I shed my jacket and pants, it becomes apres skiwear! The top is a zip T-neck, the bottom is a low rise capri. Love 'em! This season they've added an adorable Posh Plaid to the collection. Hard to believe something so cute and cuddly can also be the most important piece of clothing I wear!

Middle layer: sweater or fleece

2010-09-29T20:00:00.011-06:00

On top of your base layer, the next piece of clothing should be a turtleneck (polyester is better than cotton) topped by a fleece pullover or thin zippered jacket. With its new weather-resistant treatments, fleece holds as much warmth as a traditional ski sweater, plus it resists moisture and wicks away sweat.

If you choose a sweater, make it wool or wool-blend. Wool draws moisture from the skin and retains heat well; cotton and cotton-blend sweatshirts absorb perspiration, become damp and stay damp. You’ll get cold very quickly in cotton.

Outer layer: parkas and pants

2010-09-28T14:57:00.011-06:00

The final layer should be the insulated or non-insulated parka and pant. Insulated clothing traps air, creating a barrier that keeps warmth in and cold out. It stays warmer than non-insulated clothing, but for some people can be too warm. The cold, damp northeast requires more insulation than, say, the dry climate of the Rockies where a lighter insulation works just fine.

Obermeyer for 2010-11

Don't be fooled by skiwear in discount or department stores. Although department-store jackets may look and feel like those you see on ski slopes, look closer. Read hangtags. If you want real warmth, you want the latest technology from companies that make clothing specifically for cold-weather sports. Though a parka might resemble a brand carried in specialty ski shops, its cheaper price tells you the fabric, construction and features are not the same quality and won’t protect you from the elements like the real thing.

Look for these features:

• Wind flaps over zippers for wind and snow protection • Pull-tabs on zippers for easy grabbing with mittens or glove • Strategically placed pockets for outside access like a trail map pocket on a pant leg • No hip pockets on tight-fitting pants — they make pants too bulky • Sealed seams — wind can rip through seams of poorly made clothes • Snug or adjustable cuffs at wrists and ankles • Collars and inside closures that can be zipped or buckled to the chin • Elasticized drawstrings at waists and hems of jackets that can be tightened.

I find everything I like in Obermeyer, the Aspen-based company that has been designing skiwear for more than 60 years. You can read about the company's founder Klaus Obermeyer here on this blog. His ski clothes top the charts, especially for women and kids.

Nils for 2010-11

I also like Nils. This Swedish company designs ski wear only for women, so it's all about us! Their clothes fit women's curves like no other. My review of 2010-11 ski fashions is here.

I dread the day one-piece ski suits come back into style. Not that they aren't warm. They are. Their biggest drawback is going to the bathroom! You know the drill: you get into the stall, take off your goggles, hat and gloves and find there's no place to put them except between your knees. So you unzip and drop your top, trying to keep the sleeves from dragging on the dirty, wet floor. Still clutching your hat (or helmet), goggles and gloves with your knees, you attempt to pull your long underwear bottoms down around your bum. Then you remember what your mother told you: don't ever sit on the seat!

While I'm on this delicate subject, let me tell you about a great find that is invaluable if you ski in the backcountry. It's called Freshette, a palm-sized anatomically designed device that lets you take a leak like a man. Without having to squat, you can direct your flow through a trough, a spout and a tube while standing up. Check it out here.

2010-09-27T10:18:00.003-06:00

Buying tips:

Bring long underwear, turtleneck and sweater or fleece to ensure a good fit when trying on ski clothes.
Sit and squat in pants to make sure they don't ride up. For all-day active wear, they must be roomy, and you don't want to split a seam when doing a spread eagle!
If leg length looks too long, it's probably OK. Remember, ski boots add about an inch.
Too loose is more flattering than too tight.
Black and navy create a more slimming silhouette than other colors, particularly in pants.
A long, cinched-in jacket looks better on big hips than a short one. A belted style emphasizes big shoulders, narrow waist and legs.
Don't be afraid of white. Water-repellent coatings also contain stain repellent tough enough to be scrubbed. Most fabrics can be machine-washed, but always follow instructions on the tags.

Gloves and Mittens

2010-09-26T16:51:00.004-06:00

Keeping hands dry is equally important to keeping them warm because hands lose heat 30 times faster when they are wet. Look for gloves or mittens made with high-tech insulation and materials for heat retention and water resistance. Mittens keep hands warmer than gloves and mittens with liners are warmer yet. You can't beat Manzella, the glove company with a line specifically made for women and our smaller, uniquely shaped hands. I wear their warmest style, the Bubble Down Mitt with goose down insulation and a water repellent quilted shell. My hands never get cold.

Many gloves and mittens feature pockets for heat packs for those bitterly cold days. There also are packets for feet, but don't substitute one for the other — the ones made for feet can burn your palms. If you have unopened packs from last year, you can use them this season; they are good for two to three years. Small-size packs for kids are available, too.

Thin glove liners made with moisture-moving materials work well inside gloves or mittens for added warmth and dryness. I like mine when I need to use my fingers outside my gloves for taking notes or opening trail maps.

Cold Feet, Warm Socks

2010-09-26T13:29:00.001-06:00

If cold feet are a chronic problem, or if you can't feel your toes while skiing, your boots could be cutting off circulation. Next time you take them off, check your feet and lower legs immediately. If you see any bulging blood vessels, this means they are pumping blood to get it back to the toes. It is an indication your boots are too tight in that spot. A bootfitter can correct this.

Nothing makes you more miserable than wet, clammy feet. Pedorthists say the average skier’s foot sheds half a pint of perspiration a day on the slopes, but I think this is more of a guy thing. Nevertheless, wearing the right kind of socks and taking simple precautions can prevent sweat and swelling problems that cause cold feet.

Socks should be made of the same moisture-wicking materials that are used for long underwear. These thermo-regulation materials (wool included, like SmartWool) should transfer vapor and perspiration from the skin without soaking the sock. One way to determine a fiber’s resistance to saturation is by observing how fast it dries. When I take my socks from the washer, they are hardly wet and line dry in a flash. Cotton socks, on the other hand, take forever in a dryer.

Layering doesn't apply to socks. Wear one thin sock (about the weight of a man’s dress sock). Heavier socks or layering will create more perspiration and circulation problems. I wear SmartWool's PhD medium ski sock made of 72 percent Merino Wool, 26 percent nylon and 2 percent elastic. Remember, boot liners inside your boots are designed to be warm.

Pantyhose and nylon workout tights do not make good substitutes for ski socks. They contribute to cold feet in women more than anything. Nylon doesn’t allow feet to breathe, making them wet and clammy. Nylon also makes feet slide in the boots, causing loss of steering and edging control.

Wear clean socks every ski day. Dirt and perspiration interfere with wicking, causing loss of thermal quality. Wipe your feet dry before putting on socks and never put on boots when socks still are damp. Never put on wet or cold boots. Your feet will stay wet and cold all day, making them susceptible to blisters and frostbite. When you drive to a ski area, keep your boots on the heated floor of the front seat.

New Ski Technology Great for Women

2010-09-25T17:15:00.003-06:00

Wayne Wong explains the Anton ski technology. Photo by Dino Vournas.

Of all the new skis I demoed last February at the SIA on-snow show at Winter Park, the most fun was the Anton, a brand new ski with a built-in suspension system like your car, absorbing all the shock. It has an unbelievable way of hugging the snow, so you are always in control and able to initiate turns like never before. This is super important for women, since we tend to ski in the back seat with most of our weight in our hips. With the tip grabbing the snow like a front-wheel drive car hugging the road, there's no way the tips will leave the ground or (worse) get crossed. It creates amazing stability and balance.

I spent the day ripping on the Anton with the inventor for whom the skis are named and Wayne Wong, the hotdogger from the 70s era who is helping to bring the skis to market. I was impressed with how easily I could get the skis engaged and carve into the turn. I was with some ski journalist buddies who all loved it as I did. One said it's the first time he's skied all day without his knees hurting with every turn. In fact, at the end of the day, he said, he had no knee pain at all!

And get this: the next day when skiing on my own skis, I noticed my tips were all over the place. I really missed the stability the Anton gave me.

I'll be writing more about this Ferrari of skis, but if you want to learn about the specific technology, click on www.antongliders.com.

I also demoed a few skis with the new "rocker" technology. Basically, the rocker is a reserve camber, where instead of bowing in the middle, the ski's middle is flat against the snow with a longer rise in the tip and tail. This allows better flotation in powder and crud. If you like big-mountain and powder skiing, look for rocker technology.

Women's Ski Clinics

2010-09-24T19:28:00.000-06:00

Chicks on Sticks
2010/11 Ski Season

Academics are taking a second look at new research showing that boys demand, and get, teachers’ attention more than girls in grade school through grad school. But remove the boys from the classroom, and girls are more likely to participate in discussions, to achieve more and to hold themselves in higher self-esteem, the studies show.

The concept also has proven effective in ski schools. The trend toward all-women ski classes is snowballing in the ski industry.

Chicks on Sticks, Babes on Boards, Thelma & Louise on Skis— call them what you may—participants of these clinics know a good thing when they ski it.

All-women classes remove the pressure to ski like men. Women learn at their own pace, in their own way. Dancing with the mountain rather than attacking it becomes a unified goal. Men like to Rambo down the mountain while women take it slower, concentrating more on technique. With everyone sharing the same objectives and strategies, the class becomes an ideal learning environment. It breeds success.

Former Telluride Ski School Director Annie Vareille Savath said all-women classes work because most women are not as confident about their athletic ability as men. “In coed classes, women tend to ski defensively, and lose quality,” Vareille Savath said. “But competition on the same level pushes them to be better and builds confidence.

“In Women's Week, we show women how to accomplish goals, how to recognize and deal with fears and to coordinate mind and body,” Vareille Savath said. “What they learn skiing, they carry throughout their lives. It’s better than psychotherapy.”

Women-only programs owe much of their success to the quality of instruction. Ski schools select the crème de la crème of their fully-certified women instructors who are well-versed in the latest teaching methods and equipment technology, and capable of setting examples in a non-condescending way. Their skiing definitely presents a visual, achievable model.

A male instructor for these specialized classes just won’t do. Feedback questionnaires from participants who’ve completed women’s clinics indicate they prefer the women-taught-by-women format. The presence of even a single male is like having a “gal” go out for beers with the guys after bowling. It’s just not the same!

Besides mastery of skills and building confidence, women come for the sheer fun of it. A spirit of camaraderie sets these clinics apart. The multi-day seminars can be a slumber-party-sorority-house-Girl Scout-camp rolled into one great getaway. “Let’s Do Lunch” takes on a whole new meaning: Picture a sun-drenched mountaintop deck where new friends celebrate their skiing breakthroughs over a bottle of wine.

FOR A LIST OF RESORTS WITH WOMEN'S PROGRAMS, CLICK HERE:
http://bit.ly/2tLDat

Schlep Ski Boots with Ease

2010-09-09T20:25:00.004-06:00

Schlepping ski equipment is a necessary evil for skiers. For day trips, I never put my boots on at the car and walk on icy pathways or graveled pavement to the slopes. This is a sure way to either fall on my butt or ruin my boot soles. I used to strap boots together and hang them over one shoulder and carry my skis on the other. Now I've taken the weight off my shoulders and put it on the ground. . .in my Skboot bag. Skboot is a versitle roller bag that holds not only my boots, but my helmet, goggles, gloves, neck warmers, sunglasses, and extra stuff like hand warmers, boot heaters, hats and socks. It rolls easily over snowy parking lots and hotel hallways, and it'll be great for flying too. Here's a photo of Caroline Horner, who invented and designed Skboot. Check out more at www.skboot.com.

Aspen's Christy Mahon Becomes First Woman to Ski All 54 of Colorado's Fourteeners

2010-05-18T13:31:00.005-06:00

Most people consider hiking a Fourteener a huge feat. Aspen's Christy Mahon, 34, just climbed and skied 14,130-foot Capitol Peak in the Elk Range on May 16, her final conquest on the road to setting a record as the first woman to ski all 54 Fourteeners. Fourteeners, for those who don't live in Colorado, are the mountains in the state whose elevations are 14,000 feet or higher. There are 58 such peaks, but climbers recognize only 54 of them as official (they don't include the sub-peaks of a saddle).

According to Jason Blevins' story in The Denver Post, Christy began this quest quietly six years ago, edging out Crested Butte's Brittany Walker who was sidelined by a knee injury. Brittany's April descent of Capitol is considered to be a first by a woman.

"Some of those peaks just weren't meant to be skied from the top," said Christy. "I had to wait for better conditions and turned back a couple of times. That fourteener code is now out there," she said. Christy's day job is as an assistant development director for the Aspen Art Museum.

Kudos to Christy and every woman out there who set these lofty goals—on mountains or in their personal lives—and achieve them!

My last turns of the season at the Taste of Vail

2010-04-14T16:37:00.007-06:00

Where did the season go? Seems like I just got my skis tuned and readied for the long winter. And now it's spring!

This time of year, many resorts hold fun and sometimes zany shenanigans to keep the slopes filled until closing. The Taste of Vail is not one of them. Though spring skiing is a big draw, the annual food and wine fest is an event that stands on its own as one of the country's premier gourmet celebrations. An average of 5,000 foodies and wine geeks attend each year, raising around $20,000 for charities in the Vail Valley in Colorado. Read my story on last year's Taste here.

It didn't hurt that Vail Mountain received four feet of snow just prior to this year's 20th annual Taste April 8-10, making afternoon skiing just superb and the popular Mountaintop Picnic a solar spread of epic proportions. New this year were two on-mountain skiing sessions with chefs and vintners that participants could buy for $200 each. Added to the seminars and tastings was a fun session on aphrodisiac foods by Amy Reiley, author of Fork Me, Spoon Me. Guys: eat your watermelon!

The only complaint of the weekend: "the sky isn't as blue today as it was yesterday."

Due to the big late season dump, Vail expanded its terrain for closing week and its Spring Back to Vail celebration. Vail closes April 18. After that date, the only Colorado resorts to remain open are Echo Mountain, closing May 2 and Loveland and Arapahoe Basin (closing in May and June, respectively).

Vail Names Ski Run After Lindsey

2010-02-28T20:51:00.008-07:00

In honor of its hometown hero, Vail has renamed an expert run Lindsey's. As of Feb. 28, the sign on the former International trail on the front side of Vail Mountain will bear the name of the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in Downhill. (Though she also added a bronze for the Super G, her gold medal in her favorite discipline is what she cherishs most.)

Wow! What an honor!

This trail is a good choice. It is the site of the women's speed events during the World Alpine Championships in 1989 and 1999, and its primo location emphasizes how highly Vail regards its resident champion. Lindsey Vonn was actually born in Minnesota, but calls Vail her home since moving there in the late 90s to train for her career. Vonn and her husband Thomas live at the chi-chi Arabelle, a Rock Resort, at Vail Square when they're in town.

"We could not be prouder of Lindsey and her success at the Olympic Games. She truly embodies the Vail spirit with her perseverance in the face of adversity, dedication and hard work, and commitment to excellence—both on and off the snow," said Vail Resorts' Chairman and CEO Rob Katz.

If you're a Lindsey fan, follow her on LindseyIsEpic.com. You'll learn a lot about the champ, certainly a fantastic role model for women athletes everywhere.

Paralympian Sarah Inducted into U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

2010-02-09T15:17:00.003-07:00

Sara Will loves to ski. When she became paralyzed in a skiing accident in 1988, she didn't turn her back on the sport. Instead, she picked up a book on adaptive skiing by Hal O'Leary and started to train under him at Winter Park. Within three years she won gold medals in the downhill and Super G at the 1992 Paralympic Games. In total, she's won 12 medals. She started an adaptive skiing program in Vail with a colleague, Chris Waddell. Her accomplishments earned her a place in the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 2004, and on April 9, 2010, she was inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in Beaver Creek. Sara lives in Edwards, in the Vail Valley of Colorado. Congratulations, Sara!

Ski Clothing Pioneer Obermeyer Still Going Strong at 90

2010-02-03T16:32:00.008-07:00

Klaus Obermeyer, founder and president of Sport Obermeyer, has a 100-watt smile and a successful business to match. For a long time, he's been a leader in the ski clothing biz. Here he is with me and a fellow journalist from New Jersey, Martin Griff, (nj.com) at the SIA Snow Show in Denver recently.

The 90-year-old skis every day in Aspen, his home since 1947 when he immigrated to the U.S. from Bavaria looking for a job as an aeronautical engineer. Instead, he found an opening as a ski instructor, falling back on a sport he knew and loved since first skiing on homemade skis crafted from runners of a wooden crate at age three.

When he arrived at the tiny ski hamlet, it was almost deserted. “There was snow on the ground like I had never seen except maybe at 3,000 meters in the Alps,” he said over breakfast at The Wienerstube in Aspen. “When I put my ski down, flakes flew like feathers, it was so dry. It snowed almost every night with the sun shining in the day — a paradise for skiers, but there were no people here!”

Undaunted, he joined his friend, Austrian racer Friedel Pfeifer, Pete Seibert (who would later discover Vail) and four others who made up the first ski school in Aspen. He lived at the Jerome Hotel, skating on skis through the streets to the mountain. He remembers being followed by packs of barking dogs that were left behind by miners. “There were more dogs than people in those days,” he said.

The single-chair number one lift from the base to midway had just been completed. The second lift was a rebuilt mining tramway that dripped grease on riders so frequently that the ski company obligingly pickup up dry cleaning tabs. To ward off the cold, Obermeyer wore a “long city coat” for the 15-minute ride to midway, and then sent it back down while he skied two and a half minutes to the bottom and rode up again sans coat. “I had one warm ride and one cold one,” he laughed.

Eager to earn his $10-a-day pay, he scoured the slopes for students. He found that people were reluctant to commit to lessons because “they froze like hell.” Ski clothing then consisted of long underwear, a sweater and unlined shell and pants, hardly enough to keep warm in the best of conditions. To keep his classes filled and students happy, he began making down parkas for them after fashioning the first one from his goose-down comforter he brought from Europe. Later, he built machines and made the first quilted parka out of shavings from the floor of a textile factory in Munich.

Severe sunburn was another problem in the high-altitude of Aspen. “People came here in February and March for a 14-day vacation and left after two days because they sunburned so badly,” he said. So he and Pfiefer concocted Sportana, “the first suntan lotion that really worked.” To foil the sun even further, he helped develop mirrored sunglasses with a French manufacturer using vaporized metal to block the sun’s UV rays.

No idea escaped Klaus Obermeyer. His turtlenecks were the world’s first with elasticized collars and shoulders. He was the innovator of a dual layer ski boot with a soft, warm liner inside a strong rigid shell. The list goes on and on.

“There was a lot of opportunity then,” he said modestly. “There was no supply because there was really no market. So it was easy to become a supplier with very little money.” Soon dealers heard about his products at the same time the sport exploded, and demand was created. It was a classic moment of being in the right place at the right time.

Today, after scores of awards honoring the clothing pioneer and his company, the innovation continues with fabrics made from bamboo and recycled materials. “We try to step lightly on the planet,” he said.

New Slope Fashions Revealed at Snow Show in Denver

2010-02-01T10:39:00.020-07:00

I previewed fashions for the 2010-11 ski season at the annual Snow Industries America (SIA) Snow Show in Denver Jan. 28-31, 2010. Remember the neon color craze of the 80s? It's baaaaack! Though not as blinding bright as that bygone era, snow clothes for next season will be vibrant—lime green, orange, sky blue, red—but softer and easier on the eyes. Contrasting that will be lots of gray in both men's and women's styles with black as an accent color. Metallics will shine, and jackets and hats with faux (and real) fur trim will keep you warm. No longer just black, snow pants come in photo-print patterns and colors. Silhouettes range from baggy to body-forming, but not too hugging. Though the 80s retro colors are back, the one-piece suits are not. Everything is jacket and pants. Base layers are so cute they can be worn as tops with jeans and moon boots, another throwback to the past. Tecnica has them in black patent. (Photos by Steve Crecelius, courtesy of Visit Denver.)

Lindsey Vonn: "My Success Has Nothing To Do with Weight"

2010-01-12T12:28:00.008-07:00

In her personal commentary in The Denver Post (with reference to Austrian newspaper stories about her weight), Lindsey Vonn wrote, "If adding weight was the key to downhill success, everyone would be stuffing their faces with food. It doesn't work like that. You have to be agile and strong," she wrote. "It's frustrating as an athlete to be called overweight. . .I pride myself on how hard I work out and how physically fit I am. For them to say that was extremely aggravating. Read her entire article in www.denverpost.com. See her workout regime here.

What do you think? Does more girth get to the bottom of the course faster?

Watch a Lindsey Vonn Training Session

2010-01-08T12:03:00.004-07:00

Lindsey Vonn is America's hope for Olympic medals in alpine skiing. Here's a peek into her training regime.

Free fun at Colorado Resorts

2009-11-23T16:33:00.018-07:00

Skiing/snowboarding may be relatively expensive, but there are ways to soften the blow once you're at the resort. For example, free mountain tours are offered at nearly every major resort in Colorado. Here are some more examples of free fun:

Aspen/Snowmass
First Tracks is a free amenity that gets you on the slopes before the masses. Reserve a spot by calling 970-923-056 at Snowmass or 970-925-1220 x3543 at Aspen. Grab a free morning cup 'o joe at the base of the mountains and hot cider at the top of the lifts. Snowsports Events like X Games or Word Cup races are free to spectators as are Concerts in the once-a-month Bud Light series.

Copper Mountain
Snowcat rides are free for skiing/riding on Tucker Mountain from 10-1:30 on certain days. Snowshoe tours are free and use of Redfeather Snowshoes and poles is also complimentary. Ice Skating with your own skates is free on West Lake rink, or you can join in curling and a game of broomball.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate at the base area on weekends and holidays.

Echo Mountain
Lift tickets for kids 5 and younger are free when an adult buys a ticket and for all seniors 75 and older. Plus, Colorado Gem cardholders can get a free lift ticket between Dec. 2-18, 2009 or April 1-16, 2010.

Eldora
Snowshoeing and X-Country Skiing at the Nordic Center are free to season pass holders. Kids who need a break can warm up, rest and hang out with a movie at the Children's Center at no charge.

Loveland
Helmets are provided for all kids in lessons. Lift tickets are free to kids 5 and younger, and all beginners who buy a 3-Class pass for lessons will get a free season pass.

Monarch
Lift tickets are free to kids 6 and younger and seniors 69 and older. Colorado Gems cardholders get one free day in April.

Silverton
Earn you turns by boot-packing the snow ala 1950s. Show up on any of the four scheduled days with a beacon, shovel and probe and earn a free day for each day you work.

Ski Cooper
One free lift ticket on weekdays during March for Colorado Gems cardholders.

Steamboat
When booking through Central Reservations you can get: Free lift tickets when booking early season (11/25-12/18) and late season (4/4-11) packages; a free airline ticket for kids 12 and younger for each adult ticket purchased; one free lift ticket for kids 12 and younger for each regular-priced five-or-more-day adult lift ticket; and one free rental for kids 12 and younger for each five-day adult rental.

Telluride
There's plenty of free cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding in and around the town.

Vail Resorts (Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail)
These resorts will give you free equipment rentals with the purchase of lodging.

Wolf Creek
Free racing, equipment storage and online carpooling service are offered to all skiers and riders.

Wear a helmet!

2009-10-04T19:00:00.002-06:00

Mandatory Helmets
Vail Resorts took the lead in requiring all employees of its five mountains - Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, and Heavenly in California - to wear helmets as part of their uniforms. In addition, all children 12 and younger in lessons must wear helmets. And the head gear will be a required part of any child's equipment rental package at all of Vail Resorts' rental and retail stores. A parent or legal guardian can sign a waiver to decline helmet use, but what parent in their right mind would do that! The company also is recommending the use of helmets for all skiers and snowboarders on its slopes.

I applaud the ski company for taking a bold stand on this safety issue. As the leading mountain resort operator in the U.S., it no doubt sets an example that I believe other resorts will follow.

What do you think? Are they going too far? Do you wear a helmet? Are you for or against mandatory helmet use? I know a lot of instructors (mostly men) who think they are invincible when I comes to protecting their noggin and will take exception to this new rule.

Could the tragic death of Natasha Richardson at Mount Tremblant in Canada have been prevented if she were wearing a helmet? Experts say helmets help prevent head injury mostly when skiers travel 12-17 MPH - fairly slowly. Richardson was in a beginner class, so chances are she was within that range.

I started wearing this helmet years ago and have never regretted it. I've taken several falls where I've hit my head hard, and really believe that my helmet prevented any kind of injury. Yes, it takes away that wind-in-your-hair sexy sensation of skiing fast, but your brain is your life, so protect it! The picture was taken on Cresta D'Arp in Italy, 2004. I was amazed at the time that few Europeans wore helmets, but I've read that recent accidents and deaths have shaken them into the realization that it's a good thing to do.

Whistler's Peak 2 Peak Gondola

2009-05-23T15:30:00.008-06:00

If you haven't been wowed at Whistler on the new Peak 2 Peak Gondola, head up there this winter for a spectacular ride.

I rode it last season shortly after it opened. It was like being suspended in the sky like a hot air balloon—quiet, gentle, with no feeling of motion. Truly amazing, and yes, it was a bit scary since we were so high above the valley floor. A break in the clouds let the sun shine on the tops of the enormous pine trees waaaaay down below. It took 11 minutes to travel the nearly 3 air miles between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains—the world's longest unsupported span between two towers, and the highest (1,427 feet!). Two of the cars have glass bottoms for viewing the terrain right under your feet (railings around the glass protect it).

Here's the video of my ride last January, courtesy of Chris Elliott, travel writer and editor of Tripso.com.

Yoga for Skiing

2009-03-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

Since I've been practicing yoga, I've noticed an improvement in balance and leg strength while I'm skiing. My yoga instructor Josh McGirk in Denver explains why: "Certain poses like Chair Pose and Warrior I and II are excellent for building strength and endurance in the legs for downhill skiing," he says. "Strong legs translate to shorter recovery time, reduced muscualr soreness and more effective skiing."

In addition, the breath control one learns in yoga practice helps with endurance and increased oxygen delivered to working muscles, McGirk says. "Increased oxygen transfer also reduces muscle fatigue and increases effective caloric consumption."

"Tree Pose, Dancer's Pose and Eagle Pose improve balance, which can reduce falls and increase ankle, knee and hip flexibility and range of motion," he says. Have you ever watched a beautiful skier carve perfect silky turns in the snow? That's balance and strength at work!

Core strength is needed for bump skiing. The way to get that is through Boat Pose, Bow Pose and Bridge Pose, McGirk says. "These all are fantastic core strengtheners, and we know how important a strong core is to successful skiing"

Poses like Crocodile, Side Plank, Tabletop or Reverse Plank, and Downward Facing Dog are excellent for shoulder strength, helpful in lifting yourself up after a fall.

There's no question that Yoga should be part of your ski training regime. For more Yoga/skiing connections, contact Josh at Jlmcgirk@gmail.com or visit his website www.jlmtherapeutics.com.