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.

(The view from atop Mary's Peak the day after Thanksgiving. The fog was as thick as gravy [pun intended])

"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

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.

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.

So here it is at last, Spring has made it to New England. With one of the best Skiing/Riding seasons we've seen in years, New Englanders have been tearing up the slopes.That is about to a lot more literal meaning to it. With Spring comes Corn snow. What is corn snow I am asked every spring. Obviously by a non Skier/Rider.
Dictionary.com provides the folowing Definition.

CORN SNOW

–noun Skiing

Snow in the form of small pellets or grains produced by the alternate melting and freezing of a snow layer.

Also called corn, spring snow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin: 1930–35 Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.

I fall on the side of hating corn snow. Most other people I know really love it. They say it's part of New England Skiing/Riding. I am mostly a just freeride snowboader and I find that the corn snow makes for a slow and rather wet day. Everytime I ride corn snow I tend to get hurt. Call it a curse, back luck or whatever you want I know it has to do with the snow. I will take -20*F and icy slopes over corn snow.

The other thing that drives me insane about corn snow is how easily bare spots pop up. I have damaged my board on many occassions while riding corn. I know,I know, it is just the natural effect of spring melting away our winter playground. None the less it is depressing. Knowing with the coming of corn snow my winter fun will be coming to an end shortly just takes the beauty out of spring for me.

Sorry I had to go on this rant but I needed to get it out. Maybe with time I will come to like corn snow. Nah, I doubt it! I will however still ride it because God put it there for our enjoyment, and I guess corn Snow is better than no snow!!!

Just a quick shout out to one of out partners. Ski Butlers picked up some props from Vail.

Ski Butlers Wins Vail Platinum Service Award

Vail, Colorado Ski Rentals...Ski Butlers Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado is a winner of the Platinum Service Program Award given by the Vail Valley Partnership for exemplary customer service in the month of the December. "We are very proud to have won this award. The staff works very hard. It is great that our staff is being recognized for their efforts," says Bryn Carey, President of Ski Butlers. "Since day one, Ski Butlers has been built on customer service, high quality ski and snowboard rental equipment, and a well trained staff that is knowledgeable and friendly. We are a valued proposition; you get the convenience of home delivery at the same or lower price than one would pay at a resort rental shop."

The Vail Valley Partnership is an independent voice for the community that sends out secret shoppers to evaluate numerous businesses throughout the Vail Valley. Last year, Ski Butlers was fortunate to have won the annual Platinum Service Award given to companies that provided exceptional customer service over the course of the 2007/2008 ski season. "We hire for service, it is the key to our success," explained Carey. Ski Butlers was the only ski and snowboard rental delivery company to win this award.

About Ski Butlers...Founded five years ago in Park City, Utah, Ski Butlers has become the leader in in-room fitting. Ski Butlers serves over 25 ski resorts in Colorado, California, Utah, Wyoming and British Columbia, Canada. These include the top 9 resorts as rated by readers and editors of SKI Magazine in their "Top 50 Resort Rankings" issue. Currently, Ski Butlers delivers ski and snowboard rentals rentals at the following locations: Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Sierra in California; Aspen, Snowmass, Highlands, Buttermilk, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper, A-Basin, Telluride, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Arrowhead in Colorado; Park City, Deer Valley, The Canyons, and Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts in Utah; Jackson Hole in Wyoming; and Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia.

For more information go to www.SkiButlers.com, call 435-658-0458, or e-mail info@skibutlers.com.

Casting Snow Skier's & Snow Boarder's for Brand New TV Show!! Casting Attractive Male and Female Snow Skiers or Snow Boarders, Ages 18-24 of all Levels for a Brand New TV show with a Major Production Company. Must be outgoing with great personalities and energy!! We are currently Casting in California right now, but will be expanding the area soon. All areas welcome to submit. Local ski areas in Southern California preferred. If you are not a skier currently but a regular "Snow Bunny" we want to hear from you too!

Send photo: Contact Info: Tell us some background about your ski experience, interests and why you would be good for this show: Email us at: peakscasting@gmail.com

* If this is not you, but you know someone this fits perfect... please pass it on!

The winter of 2008-2009 has been a news-worthy one so far. Unfortunately, winter sports incidents have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A combination of heavy snowfall, thawing and warm temperatures, and general bad luck have caused a number of early-season fatalities.

-Yesterday, reports broke of a 31-year old climber being killed on Oregon's Mt. Hood after she was struck by falling ice and thrown down the mountain. The ice fall is blamed on thawing caused by warm weather.

-A German skier was killed when he was swallowed by an avalanche in Zermatt, Switzerland on January 20th.

-Last week brought news of the death of two climbers-both Britains-as they abseiled off their climbing route at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. According to local guides, the pair were hit by debris from an avalanche. One of the men killed was the youngest Britain ever to climb Mt. Everest, when he summited at age 19 in 2006. The week before, two local guides were killed by falling ice in the same area.

-Also last week, a skier died of chest trauma at Beaver Creek in Colorado. And when eight snowmobilers were killed in BC at the end of 2008, the toll for snowsports-related deaths in North America for December rose to 17.

-Skiing-related fatalities have also occurred at Alta (UT), Whiteface (NY), Treetops (MI), Miledge Creek (BC), Jackson Hole (WY), Alice Mountain (BC), Val d'Isere (France), and Whitetail (PA). The causes of death included avalanche/ice fall, tree collision, heart attack, and hypothermia brought on by entrapment in a stream.

So why highlight all the bad news? As a reminder that the winter sports we love are inherently dangerous. Whether its by chest trauma or avalanche or in the mountains of British Columbia or the hills of Michigan, winter sports can prove deadly. And also because it is National Safety Awareness Week . What can be done to minimize the risk?

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Note: this post was provided to us by By Shirley Bloethe, owner of Pass-It-On Sports, a shop out of Southington, CT.

It's going to be getting colder and the snow will fly--sometimes a lot and sometime a little. But with winter around the corner, how do you plan activities that most of the family and just about anyone can do?

Does the family want to get involved in winter outdoor activities? What is there to do??? Let's start with the really simple and fun things with very little or no cost other than warm clothes and mittens!

When the snow flies and it is deep enough to play outside, it is so enjoyable for all ages to make snow angels (lay in the snow and move your arms up and down and get up carefully to see your angel ). Snow forts in the front or back yard are a great activity everyone can participate in. Be sure to have waterproof pants and gloves or mittens for everyone. Remember a hat will keep the heat in your body and keep you warm even if you get your clothing wet.

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