Instead of a healthy retirement portfolio, my husband and I have gear. In the back of our minds, the plan must be we'll die of exhaustion before we can succumb to retirement.

We have gear for all seasons, several sports, and varying conditions. But it's the winter sports that really eat up space and finances. Our ski quiver would be truly impressive if it weren't for the fact it really does represents a huge chunk of what should be in retirement accounts. But once past intermediate skiing, you learn quickly that different skis work better in different conditions and are oh-so-much more fun. And isn't fun now much more important the saving money for when we're too old to have Epic Fun?

Since we play in three disciplines, cross country, telemark, and alpine, and in widely varying conditions (hard pack, ice, slush, rain, sub-zero and this year Ullr, the Norse God of Skiing, has even wrought upon us heaps and heaps of powder) we "need" and use it all and then some. (Yes, there's still a list of Wants.)

In deference to our dwindling retirement accounts, this is the year we decided to put our second home, which is in a ski area, into a vacation rental program. Our cabin has served as our winter gear annex. But we needed to reduce the number of personal effects, so we had to make decisions about what to schlep back to house #1 home and what we could leave. It made sense to to bring home the alpine gear which we can use at nearby resorts and leave the real mountain gear back in the mountains. Makes sense, right? Sense to everyone but Murphy.

Murphy's Winter Law has been decreed: You will never have the gear you need, when you need it, or where you need it. We are now looking down the barrel of our second two-foot snowstorm of the season...at our flat land house. And not a snow toy to be had. Deep snow boots? Other house. Gaiters? Other house. Cross country skis? Other house. Snowshoes? Other house. The upside to renting our vacation home is that we ski other places now, but the logistics of that, courtesy of Murphy, seem insurmountable. Since Murphy passed this new law, it never fails that some key equipment is missing. No matter how many times we check the snow reports and forecasts and plan for contingencies, pack and repack, we just can't seem to get it right. My favorite gloves will be stuffed in the pocket of a coat I didn't bring. We'll bring the groomer skis and find beautiful bumps begging for the short skis. My personal favorite is the ice melting off the lift soaking through every layer...on the first two runs of the day.

I was spoiled by not having to suffer the discomforts of day-trippers. Yet one thing this Murphy character can never spoil for me is that any day playing in the snow, no matter the conditions, is far better than anything that can be had under a roof. So bring it, Murphy. You can't wipe the smile off my face, especially when it's frozen by snot.

Cross country skiing can still be done on the cheap and provides unparalleled enjoyment for millions of folks every year. Most people opt to stay with skinny skis and leather boots. The options are many: You got your ultra-lights, skate skis, race skis, carbon poles, and special gear enough to make you blush and broke. I entered the free-heeled world from alpine skiing. I like my heavy boots, that feeling of being locked and loaded, of carving tight turns and skiing glades. I also love solitude. While I could find plenty of adrenalin downhilling, untouched powder and quiet were hard to find.

Skiing regularly with an expert telemark skier, I was convinced it was time to make a break for the backcountry. A confident and very competent skier on alpine equipment, I was eager to strut my stuff on the wimpy slopes at the neighboring Nordic venue.

I opted for Karhu 10th Mountain Division backcountry skis over the skinny skis and had some burly Hammerhead binding slapped on. I paid about $200 for some high end Alpina backcountry leather boots. Going up wasn't too bad. I was grooving. The skis and boots were weightless. Granted, they felt a little flimsy. Ok, a LOT flimsy. As we switchbacked up on a green trail, I knew this was a sport for me. So quiet. Beautiful, pristine wilderness and not a lift line or a snowboarder in sight. This is IT.

Two sweaty hours later, I slid none too gracefully onto the summit of Bald Knob. I was now ready to cash in on some turns I had earned. "This," I thought, "is where the fun begins."

Not so much. Leaning forward in my flimsy boots with a free heel brought about predictable results. Superman I.

I gathered myself and my dignity up and adjusted. I leaned back and promptly fell flat on my tail.

For the next hour and a half, I weebled and wobbled all the way down. On greens. Groomed greens. No fresh pow for me. I couldn't even stay in a set track. I reverted to snow plowing and prayer. And I kept falling. The real workout for me was in getting up 20 or 30 times.

Wait a minute. I ski expert slopes. Bumps. Trees. Steeps. And I can't do this???

Let us bow our heads for a moment of silence in remembrance of my hyper-inflated ego. I made it back physically uninjured, snow covered and exhausted. I struggled to free myself from the tele-bindings. Even that's harder. After several moments of self-pity and self-flagellation, I traded my Aplina boots for some Garmont Excursion, hard plastic boots.

And I went out again the next day. The beefier boots gave me a modicum of control and much more importantly, confidence. The next weekend I took my stuff over to the downhill resort and started again. And again and again. I took telemark pointers from my husband. And I fell some more. After a few weeks I managed to ski a two-mile green without falling, linking wobbly telemark turns the entire way down. I wasn't finding adrenalin, but I was punching my tickets for freedom. What I gave up in adrenalin was more than replaced by finding endorphins and satisfaction.

This year, we passed on buying season passes at the alpine resort and saved several hundred dollars with season passes as a Nordic ski area which actually offers more vertical than the neighboring downhill venues. This is the year that Ullr, the Norse God of Skiing, has blessed us with epic powder. I am now skiing back country powder clumsily and haltingly, but I'm doing it. And every successful tele turn is as sweet as clover honey. I am now rewarded with both adrenalin and endorphins. I still strap on my alpine gear for some flawless runs at lift-serviced resorts, but there's nothing sweeter than earning a turn. Nothing.

"Alis volat propriis"-the motto of Oregon, which translates roughly to "we don't tan in summer, we rust!" Yes, Oregon gets enough rain to justify keeping an ark in the garage. Thats Oregon. And the Beaver State sure loves beards and flannel and of course, beer. Portland has more microbreweries than any city in the world, including any of those found in Germany or Belgium, who are also apparently fond of the stuff.

But Oregon is more than IPAs and lumberjacks. Its also got some solid mountains, snow, climbing, surf, world class whitewater and loads of public land (almost half of the total land area in the state is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and BLM). Viva socialism!

The outdoor recreation opportunities in the Beer State are endless. The past 72 hours for this author have included 6-10 foot surf (with sea lions for company), a last-minute hike of 4,000 foot high Mary's Peak (highest in the Coastal Range-bigger ones lie just east in the Cascades), and a split lip sustained from mountain biking in one the many nearby forests. Just for good measure, there was also plenty of quality beer (may I suggest Bridgeport's IPA and Ebenezer Winter?). Click below to continue

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So the Beginning of another season and I can only dream it's gonna be a good winter. The weather so far has been somewhat normal,I wish it was a lot colder and the snow guns were firing away everywhere. With that said lets move on to the subject at hand. The Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo at the baside Expo Center. I will be attending this Saturday Nov. 21st. It runs from Nov 19th to the 22nd.

I went last year and grabbed a bunch of discount and free lift passes, not to mention I won a free trip to the berkshires. It is not just for northeast resorts either, there were canadian resorts there, Tahoe region, and Colorado. I brought my 2 and 4 year olds and they had a great time. I cannot say enough good things about the Expo. All I can say is if you are a serious Skier or Rider you needto get there for at least one day. You'll save alot of money in the long run and have a blast while your there.

SO if your in the Boston area this weekend and want to see the hottest new gear, grab some killer gear discounts and possibly lots of free stuff, stop in. You won't regret it.

See you on the slopes folks Bryan

Thankfully, Oregon's brief moment on the surfing map has ended. The 2009 Nelscott Reef Tow-in Classic has wrapped up after lucking into some solid surf. Known more for cold waters, sideways rain, surly locals, and hungry sharks, Oregon's coast is recognized once a year for its big wave surf.

In 1995, Nelscott Pioneer John Forse braved the monstrous surf he had observed breaking a half mile offshore for years. Using a zodiac to reach the lineup, Forse pioneered what is now considered the most consistent break on the Pacific big wave contest circuit. Hosting its 5th annual event in Lincoln City, the Nelscott contest has not missed a year due to lack of surf, protest by organized sasquatches, or the spotted owl. While certainly not the biggest wave on the Tow-in scene, Nelscott Reef is no pushover at 20-30 feet, excluding the 20 foot logs that commonly float in Oregon's lineups and wait patiently to chop a surfer in half.

This year was no different. Sets of 30+ foot waves steamrolled into the lineup through what was a foggy morning, a common theme on the Oregon coast. Much of the day remained perfect with no wind, however, a sadly uncommon theme on the Oregon coast. Even the sharks stayed away, most likely looking for less psychotic prey elsewhere. (click for more and video)

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My Utah ski vacation guide turned up a few weeks ago. Right on time. On its tail came the avalanche of gear catalogs. This is my late summer, early fall fix, the seasonal opposite of the lifesaving arrival of gardening catalogs in the dead of winter. I'm done with summer. Done. There's just way too much sweating for so little exhilaration. I say bring on the snow. Epic snow. Shut down the schools, ground flights, stock up on a year's supply of toilet paper and milk, gridlock a city snow.

My friends at White Grass have been pumping up theories of an epic winter. I'd be okay with it starting tomorrow. I'm done. Cooked. I find myself lost in thoughts of crisp air stinging my eyes and sinuses, breathing deep, and letting go.

In summer (spring and fall, too, really), I plod, peddle, and paddle. By the end of the sweating season, I'm weary of the predictability and repetition. And did I mention the sweating? And the mud? And bugs?

I probably play harder in summer than I do in winter. At least it feels that way. I know I come home with more marks. I long for a clean run, pristine snow, and the freedom from gravity and laundry. All summer long I've been hiking up or biking up trails and spending hours cleaning up gear. It's time for some gravity magic and some of the stuff that doesn't stick.

In July, we hopped on horseback and rode many of the trails on which we ski both downhill and cross country. We spotted wild turkeys, a black bear, and plenty of blackberries. The wildflowers were lush in the open sections and in other places, the trails seemed impossibly narrow and wet. And steep. The horses thought so, too. As we switchbacked up and back down the mountain, I found myself looking for new lines. As much as I've always felt there's no better way to spend a day than on horseback, the skier's itch seized me.

The stack of ski gear that needs repair is now calling my name. My ski mechanic (also known as my husband)has a full complement of skis to tune and wax. And then we'll watch for the Weather Channel, itching and scratching, for signs from above that it's time.

My name is Bryn Carey, President of Ski Butlers and the fall is my travel season to make sure all our locations are ready for the winter months. People always ask me which resort is my favorite to visit, who has the best skiing, which shop has the most potential and so forth. I guess my best answer to these questions is that each place is so unique and has there own qualities that it is tough to answer. Whistler if the weather right has the best skiing, Jackson Hole the best vertical, Utah the best snow, Colorado the most impressive views and so forth. Traveling is what makes my job so good, there are not many people in this world where there business trips include Denver, Breck, Vail, Park City, Whistler, and Heavenly all in two weeks (that is my current schedule) but hey someone needs to do it! If you want to follow my travels on Twitter go to www.twitter.com/skibutlers or if you want to visit our site to learn more about our award winning Ski Rental Delivery service then go for it. I will post from time to time throughout the winter!

Previously I had wrote a blog about my dislike for spring (Corn) snow. Well Yesterday I had the opportunity to change my view. Although I am still not entirely found of wet hills and puddle filled bases, I really enjoyed cutting through some of the best corn filled slopes of my life. The highly moveable snow had formed some excellent elements on most of the slopes. Which I took full advantage of. I rode the mountain like I owned it and I do not regret my choice to go during spring conditions. Contrary to my other spring boarding sessions, I did not end up injured. This was a contributng factor to me changing my mind.

SO I leave this season a happy and extremely wet boarder. Yes with all the melting yesterday and me using the mountain to the fullest I absorbed at least 95% of the water on the slopes. It was worth it. I will return next year to as many slopes I can and still try to do it for a budget. I think next years challenge will be 20 mountains under $200 in lift licket prices.The quest is on again.

In the off chance you aren't familiar with Red Hat Society, it's an organization of fabulous women who have declared they will not go quietly into the night. Their gatherings are easy to spot...smiling jovial women sporting flamboyant red hats and vivid purple clothing. The founder, influenced at least in part by the poem, Warning, by Jenny Joseph knew instinctively perhaps that joy has its roots in play and breaking out of molds.

A refresher of the poem:

Warning by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick flowers in other people's gardens And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple. ###

I feel a kinship to all those who have declared that age represents freedom and fullness, where playfulness is our earned right and when we quit being ruled by the expectations of others and start living to our own desires. I'm all about that.

My "beef" is that most of the RHS meetings are lady's luncheons at tony restaurants. Forgive me if that doesn't strike me as actually breaking out of any "proper lady" societal constraints. I'm recruiting women who are interested in living a different life, not just the equivalent of a spectator "buying a t-shirt."

I'd like my own society of fabulous women...one that spontaneously meets at ski resorts and bike races and other places where we play hard and push harder than "they" say we should. And where we don't worry about sucking in our tummies, we focus instead on sucking in enough oxygen for the next run, wave, jump, or hill. I know you're out there...wanting to stretch your wings and quit being the chauffeur for everyone else's lives. Take a stand, claim your space, strap on your bucket (a/k/a helmet), and connect with your sisters-in-spirit. Look for the other women, especially those sporting huge grins. Say hi. Say, "Can you show me?" Say, "You new in town?" Say, "You wanna play?" But above all, say "Yes!!" to your own journey.

Look for Bucket Society gathering at your favorite venue.

From our friends over at Ski Butlers...

Whistler, British Columbia...Ski Butlers Whistler Ski Rentals, a locally owned ski and snowboard rental delivery service, worked with members of WinterPRIDE '09 to support the Western Canadian Pediatric AIDS Society, or Camp Moomba. Ski Butlers donated a portion of all sales from every WinterPRIDE member who rented ski or snowboard equipment from them during the annual Gay Ski Week. "This is our second year in business and our second year offering this promotion." said Karin Schulze, owner of Ski Butlers Whistler. "The WinterPRIDE members love the fact that part of their rental price goes towards Camp Moomba, a very important charity."

Established in 1997, Camp Moomba is a specialized summer camp program for kid's age 6--7, who are impacted HIV/AIDS. Many of the children that attend Camp Moomba are confronted by similar issues in their lives. By coming together each year they are able to find the type of support that can only come from understanding

WinterPRIDE is a celebration of diversity and inclusiveness at the resort of Whistler, Canada. This is one of the largest Gay Ski Weeks in the world that offers culinary, health + wellness, and fantastic entertainment both on and off the slopes. We are committed in creating safe and welcoming spaces for the LGBT community and their friends & family. WinterPRIDE celebrated its 17th anniversary in Whistler this year.

"We hope to get more members of WinterPRIDE working with us next year so we can increase the amount given to Camp Moomba," said Ms. Schulze. "Ski Butlers Whistler grows its business, our WinterPRIDE guests get the most convenient Whistler Ski Rentalservice, and Camp Moomba gets greater financial support to help the kids. It's a win, win, win situation!"

For more information go to www.SkiButlers.com, call Karin Schulze at 604-932-7548 or email karin@skibutlers.com.