Snowskills.net has posted a list of websites for Ski Clubs in the USA; check out http://www.snowskills.net/usa-ski-clubs/. There are over 350 clubs on this list and many of them have excellent website, please check them out.
If you would like to add your ski club, please contact us!
The TSA is experimenting with using a ski-industry trail marking system to assist travelers through security. Many skiers/riders are familiar with the green circle-blue square-black diamond progression of easy to intermediate to difficult abilities. The TSA intends to translate that standard system to the selection of various types of security lines; green for families and those who need extra time, blue for travelers with multiple carry-ons who are familiar with traveling, and black diamond for experienced travelers who are familiar with security procedures.
The levels of security are the same; the intention is to reduce stress by grouping like travelers together. The TSA is testing this system at Salt Lake City airport, apparently expecting that a higher percentage of travelers who are skiers/riders will be familiar with the trail markings.
Trekking poles are essential for winter trekking and powder baskets for those poles are, too!
“I’ve only made this mistake once and I’ll never do it again!” I’m referring to heading out for that first snowshoe trek of the winter season, grabbing the backpack, the snowshoes, and the trekking poles on the way out the door. Upon arrival at the trailhead, I noticed that the trekking poles had the small baskets that had served me so well through the summer. Well, they’ll be fine in snow, right? “I’ve only made this mistake once and I’ll never do it again!”
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It’s only 2 years and counting to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada!
Check out the latest news at the official website. 
Most of the Olympic venues are ready, operating, and available to the public. Compared to other recent games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, maybe Beijing 2008), our Canadian friends appear to have planned for these facilities well in advance and will avoid a last-minute rush to be ready.
An estimated 5,000 athletes and coaches, 10,000 press and media staff, and millions of spectators are expected to attend the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The alpine skiing events will be at Whistler, the nordic events at Callahan Valley (20 miles from Whistler), and the snowboarding events at Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver. Tickets for the 2010 Olympics go on sale in October, so now would be a great time to check out the snow, before the crowds show up!
Develop balance that uses the location of the body to allow the skis to turn with ease.
The position of the body in relation to the feet is critical to balanced skiing turns. With your skis across the slope, stand balanced on your uphill edges with slightly flexed ankles and knees. Simultaneously release your edges just enough to begin sideslipping and move your torso slightly ahead of your feet. You will begin to move forward diagonally to gravity; now move your torso slightly behind your feet and move backward diagonally to gravity. Begin to make alternating redirections that sweep forward and backward, similar to the manner a leaf falls from a tree.
Later, do five redirections and, on a frontward movement, fully release the edges to allow the skis to enter a turn. Keep doing sets of five redirections and one turn; focus on the sensation of having your body slightly ahead of your feet as the skis drop into gravity. Now, make gentle parallel turns and focus on moving your body into gravity with the skis as a single unit.
The Black Diamond Sabretooth Crampons are an excellent crampon choice for winter climbing and hiking. Read the rest of this entry »
Flex your ankles and knees to balance and move with the skis.
Moving Balance is generated by bending and extension movements of the legs. With your skis across the slope, stand balanced on your uphill edges with slightly flexed ankles and knees. Alternately shuffle your feet forward and back, focusing on moving them a similar distance in relation to your hips. Discover that the best shuffles keep your ankles bent constantly, moving under you with steadiness. Now, begin making turns and shuffle constantly through the turn. Focus on moving the skis such that your balance stays built from the base of your foot and never braces off the upper part of the boot. Eventually, make gentle turns where you move with your skis by keeping your ankles under your hips at all times.
The shape of snowshoes is probably the most important factor for selecting snowshoes and its your planned use that will dictate what you choose.
FOR CLIMBING: A relatively short, wide snowshoe is generally more versatile and maneuverable. They are generally best for climbing situations and hiking in forested areas. I prefer molded plastic snowshoes such as the MSR Denali as they are light, indestructable and easy to strap onto the outside of your pack. The Denali is an excellent choice for winter trekking in mountains and wooded trails.
FOR HIKING: A relatively long, narrower snowshoe is generally more efficient and promotes a faster pace. They are generally best for flatter, more open areas when one’s path is straighter. The Tubbs Couloir Backcountry Snowshoe is a good example of a snowshoe that is perfect for tromping around fields.
FOR WOMEN: The Atlas Women’s 923 Elektra 9 Series Snowshoe is designed for a woman’s biomechanics including a narrower stance and stride. It uses a lightweight aluminum frame and is sized for a total weight of 200 lbs or less.
Ankles are meant to be bent. Stiff ankles mean no balance. When strapped into your board, any sudden extension of both legs will probably be followed by a falling movement to heelside and a prompt landing on your buns. Avoid being a “Jack in the Box” by keeping your ankles flexed and only extending them enough to apply edging and steering movements of the board.
The use of a gliding wax like Swix F4 Glidewax will protect your gear and improve your sliding fun!
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