The Ski Journal is anything but just a new magazine about skiing. Publisher Jeff Galbraith is putting out a quarterly publication that he says will "Examine all aspects of global ski culture, past, present, and future." And, you know what – the premier issue goes a long way to proving this.

First of all, the 110 page issue weighs more than the two mid-winter issues of the main ski-related magazines together. It is printed on paper stock so heavy that you can hold a page up to a light and not see what’s on the other side. You can put in a briefcase, a backpack or a suitcase, and be sure that when you pull it out again it won’t be mangled. I know, I took my premier issue on a recent trip to Utah and it survived two airport layovers, one ride in baggage, and being passed around the airplane to more passengers than took the free pretzels.

The colors in the pictures rival those in any travel, best homes, or architectural publications, and the photos have hues and shades you expect to only see in glossy prints. Believe me, the pictures alone are worth the cover price - and at 39.99 USD for a year’s 4 issues I’m not saying that frivolously. The articles in the premier issue cover day area resorts and far out places like maybe skiing the moon. There are young ski personalities and icons, commentaries and historical technology – the Spademan binding – and again, there are the photos. If you love this sport and the wonders of sliding on snow you have to see these.

I lent my copy to PSIA professional Tim Paley who splits the winter teaching in Park City, Utah and Killington, VT and it quickly made the rounds of the pros’ locker room. Tim summed up the consensus – “Wow, what a refreshing change in the ski mag world…super pics …the tech heads loved the Spademan article…just what the ski biz needs.”

I need to mention a stand out point - advertising is minimal and what there is of it, is presented with the same high glossy look. So, when you subscribe to The Ski Journal know that you are buying into a community of people who are dedicated to skiing and all it gives us.

The only problem I foresee is that Publisher Jeff Galbraith keeps referring to The Ski Journal as "coffee table quality." Well, the coffee table in my office space sees too many skiers and I’ll be lucky if the issue doesn’t walk out the door the first day. If it stays there I know for a fact that half the photos will end up cut out and pinned to my daughter’s wall. When Katie cuts out ski photos you know you have a winner!

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