With all the excitement building around the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics there are a couple of memorable events concerning past Olympics here in the U.S. that I want to be sure everyone is aware of.

It was 50 years ago, this year, that the now 60 year old resort of Squaw Valley in California hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics - the VIII Winter Olympic Games. That the Games were even awarded to Squaw Valley is amazing, but Alexander Cushing managed convince the Olympic Committee to select a town with no mayor, and a ski resort with just one chairlift, two rope tows, and a fifty-room lodge.

The Squaw Valley Games were the first held in the Western United States and the first to be televised. Also for the first time computers were used to tabulate results. For skiing, French racer Jean Vuarnet became the first Olympian to compete on metal skis, a pair of Allais 60's and he won the Men's Downhill.

This January the North Lake Tahoe region will commemorate the 50th anniversary of hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics with the Olympic Heritage Celebration, January 8-17, 2010, at venues throughout the region. Read more on the Olympic Heritage Celebration.

To be sure Squaw Valley USA is offering some great deals honoring the Squaw Valley USA 60th anniversary.

_{Photo Copyright Mike Doyle}

A ski trip to the Alps should be on every skier's wish list. Just the sight of those towering, treeless, snow covered wonders of nature is overwhelming and that you can safely ski them makes it something you will never forget. If you can do it this season there are a lot of bargains over there.

This year, at most ski resorts across Europe, prices are holding pretty much in line with last year. Meaning the biggest layout will be for travel from the states - but there are a few ways to cut that considerably.

Search for off-peak airfare prices or think about flying to London and grabbing a cheap commuter flight that run all the time. Also you could take an overnight train from England that wakes you in the heart of ski country with shuttles lined up to whisk you off to the resorts.

This year I am heading to ski in France at The 3 Valleys - Les Trois Vallees. I thought it fitting after doing pre-2010 Winter Olympics coverage at Whistler Blackcomb - the largest ski area in North America - to visit the largest ski area in the world!

The 3 Valleys comprise the resorts of Courchevel, La Tania, Maribel, Brides-Les-Bains, Les Menuires - Saint Martin de Belleville, Val Thorens and Orelle. These resorts are linked together by 180 ski lifts, with almost 400 miles of interconnected slopes and tens of thousands of acres of off-piste terrain.

These eight  resorts offer a vast array of accommodations, ranging from low cost options to prestigious 5 star ratings. I'm staying in the Les Menuires - Saint Martin de Belleville area and will be skiing as much of The 3 Valleys area as I can. Much more on this in the near future.

_{Photo Copyright Mike Doyle}

Speaking of New Year's Resolutions - probably the one most promised is to get in better shape. Now that we are pretty much full swing into the ski season a lot of skiers figure they are skiing themselves into shape.

Well, I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but studies show that one or even two days skiing a week does not define a healthy enough workout. No doubt, there is a real aerobic value to our sport, but unless we are skiing every day there is a definite need to add more off slope time in the gym or doing home skiing exercises.

If we are really getting a hard day of calorie burning out of our downhill skiing we need only supplement this during the work week. You are the best judge of how much you think you are putting out when skiing, so make an honest assessment and then pick an appropriate off slope routine.

I say this, not only because it's the New Year and time for resolutions but because I don't find my ski pants getting any bigger, i.e. I could benefit from more off slope exercise.

For off slope ski related exercising - ski related being the operative word here - here are two excellent web sites  - Coach Andrew Hooge's FitSkiing.com and Joe Nevin's Bumps For Boomers which offers Free Exercise Tips - A Ski Exercise Video Program developed by Bill Fabrocini - a world-class Aspen Colorado physical therapist and personal trainer.

Both these sites are run by professionals that are serious about helping skiers get better at skiing by getting in better ski shape and you'll find plenty of skiing exercise tips, as well.

Resolve to check them out - I am.

Related: Ski Exercises | Skiing Tips

_{Photo Copyright Getty Images}

I thought I'd take a moment to share my skiing New Year's resolutions for 2010:

Be More Careful How I Speak

I won't talk about my March skiing trip in front of my high school daughter, who'll be taking exams at that time.

I won't talk about my April skiing trip in front of my wife, who will be driving my daughter to rowing practice at that time.

I won't talk to myself about skiing Chile in August.

Be More Careful How I Shop

Don't buy that extra pair of on-sale skis at the end of the month - they will show on the statement that comes a week later. Buy them the first week of the month - nobody will know for a whole month.

New coats don't go unnoticed.

New black pants are easy to blend into the wardrobe.

And, Most Important

Take a kid skiing this year. Hopefully, in 20 years they'll take me - or another kid - skiing.

May This New Year Be Your Best Ever!

Mike