Best of 2010/2011 Ski Season

I ran the Skiing Tracks app for the first time at Park City Mountain Resort and actually forgot about it until I had an incoming call.  When I checked my iPhone it had better than 1/2 power left in my battery and a bunch of great statistics and numbers - including elevation, speed, maximum altitude, miles skied, vertical skied, hours skied,  and slope degree. 

To take a look,  check out my Ski Tracks stats at PCMR.

Jeremy Evans' In Search of Powder (buy direct) is not a ski travel book that will help you pinpoint hidden stashes in the iconic ski resorts of the American west.

However, it is a travel book in the sense that it takes you back to the days when it was possible to live within walking distance of the lifts at those iconic resorts in America's west and make money for life's essentials - lift tickets, alcohol, food and the rent - preferably in the order. In other words the classic "ski bum" life.

The Columbia Titanium Powder Bowl Ski Jacket (Compare Prices) is a 3-in-1 jacket meaning that you can wear this jacket three ways; just the liner, just the shell, or the liner and shell zipped together.

I wore this jacket all ski season and sometimes with shell only and with liner only and haven't been cold. In fact, this is the first combi jacket I've found that really has a good looking, functional stand alone Liner. Put them together and this is the jacket you want when it's too cold to ski! Of course, Columbia also makes OmniHeat technology for the ladies also.

Icebreaker Base and Mid Layers (buy direct) for both men and women are made of pure New Zealand merino wool. That's Fleece, wool is fleece. So when I wear the Icebreaker men's 320 Real Fleece Aspiring Zip I know that soft and warm fabric is as it says Real Fleece.

I really like this all natural approach to quality mid and base layers that Icebreaker has taken. Fashion and function for skiing and remember the sheep don't die to give you their wool! In fact these sheep are so ready to prove their sustainability they'll give up their hometown.

Lorpen ski socks feature a Tri Layer Technology - three layers of yarn knit together. The first layer, PrimaLoft Eco-Polyester, is for performance and comfort. The middle layer, Merino Wool, to wick moisture away while providing softness.  The third layer, Nylon has nylon fibers concentrated in the toe, heal and shin where the sock gets the most abrasion. Not to worry, the Tri Layer Technology does not equate to a thick sock at all. The Ski Superlight works great for custom liners.

I had heard of Wagner custom skis, but never met someone who actually owned the custom made ski until I was riding the cabriolet at Canyons Resort and the skier riding with me had a pair. Not only did I map my Skier DNA, but I had the opportunity to ski some Wagner Demo skis at the Deer Valley Surefoot store.

So, the 2010 - 11 winter and the 2010-11 FIS Alpine World Cup Racing season go out like lambs. Maria Riesch, who is statistically leading 1728 points to Lindsey Vonn's 1725 points, was crowned the 2011 Alpine Overall Women's Champion. Lindsey never had a chance to ski the final race of the season which was cancelled due to weather and which could have made all the difference in the championship results. She's my pick for best skier this season.

I spent a lot of time in Park City this season - and for good reason.  Whether you live here or you're looking for a great vacation spot, Park City, Utah is a great destination and here are eight great reasons to head out there.

Smugglers' Notch Resort is located in Smugglers' Notch, Vermont, with 78 ski trails, served by 8 lifts. Smugglers' Notch boasts the East's only triple black diamond trail. Skiing includes northern Vermont’s highest vertical.

Smugglers’ awards including #1 for Family Programs in North America, the best ski school, and excellent friendly service and value.

Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge, Colorado is four peaks of Colorado's Ten-Mile range, offering skiers 2,350+ acres of skiing and 155 trails served by 28 lifts. With the highest chairlift in North America, Breckenridge’s ski school offers students an epic mountain experience and an historic downtown - offering endless shopping, dining and nightlife.

I had great early season skiing, and one of my favorite resort visits, at Breck this season.