Skiing

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming  will replace the Casper triple chairlift with a new high speed 4-passenger detachable chair this summer.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort president said "The Casper area is the heart of our intermediate skiing. Not only are we installing a state of the art lift but we will be doing summer grooming and expanding existing trails to make them much more attractive to intermediate skiers."

This expansion of intermediate terrain is part of Jackson Hole's overall plan to attract more intermediate skiers and riders. The new Marmot Lift, installed last summer, also currently services intermediate terrain from the top of the Gondola to the base of the Thunder lift.

Intermediate skiers and snowboarders are the largest segment of the United States skiing and riding population.

The announcement of the new Casper chair follows a strong January in which Jackson Hole Mountain Resort saw skier visits exceed the January 2011 levels.

Read More: Skiing Jackson Hole

_{Image © Mike Doyle}

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:

• Vermont
• Utah
• Maine
• Colorado
• California

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}

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

• Skiing Gear Guide
• Skis
• Ski Boots
• Ski Clothes
• Women's Snow Boots
• Men's Snow Boots

_{Rossignol Skis Image Courtesy PriceGrabber}

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}

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}

Are you a skier or rider looking for love?  Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is adding a twist to its singles-only line this Valentine's Day.  There's going to be a new lift line just for singles who are not in a relationship to meet each other while high-speed dating on Peruvian Express chairlift.

Besides having the opportunity to find romance on the slopes, you can do it at a bargain price - adult all-day chairlift tickets will be sold at a discounted rate of $40 on Valentine's Day.

"The Valentine's singles line is a unique way of speed dating, and Snowbird is the perfect place to meet fun friends," said Snowbird Marketing Director Dave Fields, who proposed to his now-wife on a chairlift.

After the lift closes, head over to an après singles social at El Chanate, Snowbird's Mexican restaurant. Mention the singles line to get buy-one-get-one-free appetizers and entrees throughout the evening.

There's skiing and romance for couples, as well.  The resort is offering romantic dining and lodging options including a night at The Cliff Lodge, three treatments at The Cliff Spa with access to the scenic rooftop pool and hot tub, and with Tram and lift tickets.  Here's information on Snowbird's Valentine's Day Retreat.

If you can't make it out to Utah, you'll find plenty of Valentine's ski vacation deals at ski resorts across the country.

Read More: Snowbird | Romantic Ski Vacation - East | Romantic Ski Vacations in the West | Top Ski Resorts

_{Snowbird Copyright Mike Doyle}

On tap today is the  men's and women's skicross (SX) competition rounds leading up to the big final 4 racer throwdown at the 2nd Sprint U.S. Snowboarding & Freeskiing Grand Prix at Canyons Resort.

This wild free-for-all competition has a men's event and a women's event, both held on the same course.  The course is different at each venue but contains turns of different types and sizes, jumps of varying size, flat sections and rolls, banks and ridges which are all built up on Canyon's Doc's Run a popular ski slope that leads to a finish line in full view of Canyons famous 'Beach.' .

Sanctioned as a NorAm Cup competition, the Sprint U.S. Snowboarding & Freeskiing Grand Prix skicross - which is now an Olympic event - requires strength, stamina and excellent skiing skills.  2011 X Games skicross champion John Teller  of Mammoth Lakes, CA headlines an international cast of skiers and each event will also determine the 2012 U.S. Champions.

I like to think of skicross as a human NASCAR, Formula 1, BAJA rally and Demolition Derby rolled into one and all done on skis at about 40 - 50 mph, and repeated through qualifications, several rounds of pre-finals and the grand finale.

The events are free at Canyons Resort but if you can't catch the events live, NBC will air the action on February 18 at 3:30pm ET.

Last weekend there was a very exciting World Cup Freestyle aerials and moguls stop at Deer Valley, Utah and you can catch the jumping and bumping highlights today, Feb. 11th at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.

Read More: Understanding Skicross

_{John Teller (right) at 1/11/2012 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup SkiCross, Alpe d'Huez, France Copyright Getty Images}

Did you ever dream of skiing the high snowfields of Chamonix, France with Glen Plake as your guide?

Well, if you have, take note that Julbo, the maker of top quality ski goggles and eyewear, has partnered with Glen Plake to launch the Julbo Glen University Session.

This 13-month accelerated program is designed to discover the next generation of up and coming skiers, ski mountaineers and backcountry riders to make up Julbo's pro team under the mentorship of "Professor" Glen Plake.

"Scholars" must complete four out of eight exams on Julbo USA's Facebook Page, the first of which is a 'POW 101.'  At the end of the course, graduation ceremonies of the top three to five performing students will take place in Julbo's homeland of Chamonix, France in March 2013 with part-time Chamonix resident, Plake himself, as the head guide.

This is a serious offer and Plake and Julbo are committed to supporting the young talent who are out there looking for a shot at becoming a pro.

Check out the full application process on the Julbo USA's Facebook Page and that dream of you and Glen skiing Cham just might come true.

_{Alps of France Image Copyright Mike Doyle}

Are you going skiing for the first time? Before you head to a ski area or ski resort, it's important to pick a ski area that will coordinate all the logistics, from providing expert instruction to getting your lift ticket and rental equipment.

More and more ski resorts are putting all the separate steps necessary to getting a "never-ever" person on the snow and ready for that first lesson into one facility. This is the key thing to look for if you have never been through the ticket, rental, and ski school process.

Take the time choose a ski area with all the amenities you need to get started and you'll have a great time on your first outing on the mountain.

More: Renting Ski Equipment | First Time Skiing Tips

_{Image Copyright Mike Doyle}

When you're out on the slopes, the harsh elements are bound to take a toll on your skin. With the sun reflecting on the snow, the wind whipping around your face, and the cold, dry mountain air, you may find yourself leaving the resort with both sunburn and windburn, both of which can make your next day skiing extremely uncomfortable.

Fortunately, if you take the necessary precautions, you can prevent skin irritation or sunburn. Whether or not you have a skin care regimen already in place, winter skin care doesn't have to be complicated. There are products available that will help you combat the environment.

Here are reviews of three winter skin care products - Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, and Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm.

Read More: Winter Skin Care Products for Skiers

_{Copyright Kevin Arnold / Getty Images}