Wednesday February 15, 2012
At last, winter has arrived at most ski areas throughout the country. Snowmaking crews everywhere deserve a big round of applause for carrying us for most of the season until Mother Nature's engines could get wound up and start dumping the real stuff.
What that means for skiers and snowboarders is that ski resorts are calling to you in a big way to come out for President's Day Weekend. There are all kinds of ski and stay deals. In addition, if your kid's winter break is also next week there are even more alluring 3, 4 and week long packages just waiting for you to break out those skis and snowboards.
Starting looking here on About.com Skiing Deals and Discounts and you if can't find what you want check your favorite resort's website because deals are updated frequently.
Also check out your state ski association for the state you might be able to head to over President's Week:
Check for daily deals online on your local ski area's website and at Liftopia.
Whatever it takes, try to get out this weekend because the deals are there and the snow is good to excellent most everywhere - even if there's none in your backyard!
Read More: Ski Deals and Discounts | Ski Resort Directory
Crested Butte Mountain Resort © CBMR
Tuesday February 14, 2012
Planning a ski trip? Before you head to the ski slopes, be sure that you have all the right ski equipment.
You'll be able to rent some skiing gear like skis and boots, but you'll need to bring your own warm ski clothing, goggles, and gloves or mittens.
This skiing gear checklist will help you make sure you've got all the basics covered.
Skiing Gear
Rossignol Skis Image Courtesy PriceGrabber
Monday February 13, 2012
Would you rather return to campus with a goggle tan than a beach tan? If so, a college spring break trip to a ski resort might be a great option for you.
College ski trips are priced reasonably for a student's budget, and offer the chance to experience world-class terrain--a valuable experience if your college isn't as close to the mountains as you might like.
Not only will you be able to get in some great runs, but you'll be able to enjoy access to some of the hottest resort night life, meet new friends, and maybe even come away with a goggle tan that will be the envy of all skiers on campus.
More: Top College Ski Trips
Image Copyright Mike Doyle
Sunday February 12, 2012
It's been a while since I came across a new ski instruction book that I could recommend as offering something positive and beyond more than rehashing and rewording what has been said umpteen times before.
The 7 Secrets of Skiing by Chalky White (longtime Ski Instructor at Beaver Creek, CO) brings a new approach to instilling confidence in beginners and moving skiers of every ability to a new comfort level and in so doing makes them a better skier. There's no magic bullet in Chalky's 7 secrets. To become that better skier you need to take what you read and apply it on the snow.
So, what's special about the book? In his book, White sets a premise right off: "Skiing is Balance - Balance is Power." OK, you say, you simply can't ski without balance and that's true, but White is talking dynamic balance. Once you get a real handle on how this dynamic balance works through an athletic stance to become the ROCK of your skiing , you really can quickly progress through repetitive drills and exercises.
What I really like about The 7 Secrets of Skiing is how Chalky White sets up his progressions with unique reminders of the basics. Each time he adds a new progression, and as he talks through it, whenever there is a mention or reference to something in the basic balance equation the first letter is capitalized and emboldened. This way you are constantly reminded that 'this won't work if you are not in touch with this aspect of balance.
I could go on and tell you about Chalky's seven secrets, which aren't as much secrets as they are a better way for you to remember and execute - you don't forget a secret. However, they are unique to his book and well worth discovering yourself .
I'll have more to say about the book in the future, and I welcome your comments, also. For now, I really think after reading The 7 Secrets of Skiing and practicing on the snow, never-ever to experts will come away with a new set of tools to bring your skiing to a new level.
In fact, this is only the second how-to-get-better book I recommend taking with you on your next ski vacation and it's the first how-to-get-better book I can recommend that's available in a Kindle edition.
Related: Skiing Books
The 7 Secrets of Skiing © Chalky White
