For some skiers,  the more natural snow that ski resorts report, the less likely they will be to ski there. Why? Because their favorite playground is skiing in the backcountry, off the groomed slopes and away from the lifts. Whether it's cruising an open bowl, powder stash or combat skiing brushes and brambles, more and more skiers are heeding the siren song of the wild snow.

There is a lot to know before heading into the wild and guest author, Brian Griffin, Editor in Chief for Skiing the Backcountry Magazine, gives an introduction to backcountry skiing - Backcountry Skiing 101.

For the past 10 years or so, Brian has averaged skiing over 200 days per year in backcountry terrain. He knows the thrills and satisfaction of skiing in the wilds, and knows that keeping safe and having fun go hand in hand. In Backcountry Skiing 101 Brian presents a primer everyone should read before heading out to ski wherever you see.

_{Photo Copyright Brian Griffin}

The 2010 Winter Olympics take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from February 12 - 28, 2010.  There is a full agenda of skiing competition including alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, cross country skiing, and nordic combined, which incorporates both ski jumping and cross country skiing.

The men's and women's alpine ski races - Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, and Super Combined - will take place Whistler Mountain at Whistler Blackcomb Resort, about 70 miles from Vancouver.

Nordic events - cross country skiing, biathlon, ski jumping, and Nordic combined - will be held at the Whistler Olympic Park.

The freestyle skiing venue is Cypress Mountain, about 30 miles from Vancouver.

Here are all the details, including events, venues, schedules, and top US and international competitors: 2010 Winter Olympics.

Related: Olympic Skiing Venues | Winter Olympics History

_{Image Copyright Shaun Botterill / Getty Images}

Who needs skiing lessons? In a word - everybody. When you consider that a ski instructor is, in effect, really a ski coach, does it surprise you that all Olympic ski teams have instructor/coaches? In fact, ski instructors have ski instructors.

What type of ski lessons should you look for? There was a time in the ski industry when there were rival schools of thought on how to teach the art and skill of skiing. Today, with the introduction of the shaped ski, there is an inherent turning capability engineered into the ski, so you're ahead of the game.

Related: Ski Lessons | Professional Ski Instructors of America

_{Photo Copyright Mike Doyle}

Squaw Valley USA is located in Olympic Valley, California, with over 170 ski trails served by 33 lifts. Squaw Valley USA became world-famous in 1960 as host to the VIII Winter Olympics.

Offering 4,000 skiable acres spread across 6 peaks, 16 open bowls, 3 terrain parks, the most advanced lift network in the US and some of the deepest snow in the world, Squaw Valley USA is regarded as having the best lift accessed terrain in the world.

Squaw has a variety of ski and stay packages available all season long - including weekends and holidays.

Related: Lake Tahoe Ski Deals and Discounts | Skiing Squaw Valley | Ski Tour With Jonny Moseley

_{Photo Copyright Jason Shields / Squaw Valley Ski Corp.}