How was your ski season 2012-13?

Killington is still spinning, perhaps through June - and The West just got dumped on - a foot of fresh at Arapahoe Basin. But I have switched gears to biking. Next week we launch the ski boat for some h2o skiing.

With a  hint of melancholy - here's my best and worst of this 2012-13 ski season:

The best was the SNOW, plenty of consistent snow fall East and West, and no big January thaws. So much better than the previous winter...thank you Mother Nature for quieting the global warming gurus.

The Weather Channel won respect with their crazy snow storm - very well timed for a bountiful snow year. Who will ever forget Nemo and Euclid's big dumps?! Network meteorologists resisted the urge to whisper the Weather Channel names! Brilliant branding.

There were monumental mountain birthdays - Vail hit the big 50, Loveland 70, NH's Gunstock, Cranmore and Cannon all turned 75. Dumont Cup at Sunday River reached 5 years - an event I have covered since Simon first hucked himself 75' in 2008 to break the world record. Hard to believe Sugarloaf's Reggae Fest turned 25!

My son passed his Level 2 PISA certification, while attending school full time at MSU and teaching skiing on weekends at Big Sky Resort in Montana. I am so very proud of his successful balancing act. I also admire how beautifully Ian skis - both technically and joyfully. He truly loves the sport we shared with him 19 years ago, starting at 23 months old. He has taken in to the next level - literally - PSIA Level 2! Those in the know recognize the alpine rigors of this examination process and the professionalism required.

Greg and I had amazing adventures, as usual, but I never take for granted our travels. We skied our way up the St Lawrence Seaway in Quebec over New Years. It was frigid cold, but the fantastic scenery and hospitality in Quebec City, Mont Sainte Anne and Le Massif were worth the chill.

Our ski safari to southwest Colorado unveiled new stashes, Telluride being a new favorite, Durango a close second, plus Crested Butte, Monarch and Wolf Creek. A refreshing detour from the big resorts and crowds of Summit County.

A romantic getaway to Bretton Woods and the grand Mount Washington Resort Hotel was a lovely reminder that New England has some top lodging, skiing and scenery - where you can sneak away even for a night and feel exhilarated.


Ending the ski season in the Swiss Alps, yeah that was cool too. Seriously, Switzerland is the king of skiing and we hit five of the best, from charming Adelboden and the vast Aletsch Arena, to the spectacular glaciers at Saas Fee, the steeps of Verbier, and the grand finale - Zermatt! Greg had proposed to me 27 years ago at this legendary ski resort...returning for three days of sun and perfect snow did not disappoint! A vow renewal...we love each other and skiing... still.

This ski season was slightly blemished by my tibia fracture, time stamp 1/28/13 11:30. I kept skiing - amid the 12 day assignment, stoic or silly? In my skier's silver lining playbook, I had the upside of a same season comeback, squeezing in 44 ski days. Already looking forward to next year's 47! Need to start skiing my age in days...and you?

No Snow November? No way...bring it winter!

Happy November, offically my least favorite month of the year as the leaves are off the trees, the daylight hours are deprived, it's the undecided month...not summer, not yet winter..blah.

But hope springs eternal if you will pardon the seasonal pun. Once elections are over, and everyone has made the "right" choice, we can set our sights on ski season and our own white houses and white mountains. Those slippery metal campaign signs that didn't blow away during Hurricane Sandy can be used as sleds once we get that first big November snow storm right?!

I think we are due for a big cold winter in the North East and a snowy season in the West...and not just a pounding in the Pacific mountains of Oregon and Washington this time! Squaw Valley in California has already been dumped on to open for skiing prior to halloween!

Vail will celebrate its 50th with a beautiful new Golden Peak Gondola from Vail Village - complete with wifi and heated leather seats - sweet! Aspen Snowmass hopes to open 230 acres of new glades on Burnt Mountain. Arapahoe Basin opens a new Pika Place beginner area with a magic carpet - beginner terrain that A Basin previously lacked. Jackson Hole in Wyoming has a new high speed quad to replace the ghostly slow Casper triple.

And in the East, Cranmore, Burke and Jay Peak have new lifts, Bretton Woods opens new glade skiing with T Bar access and  Sugarloaf will open more of the Brackett Basin glade expasnion towards Burnt Mountain. See what's new in New England skiing and riding for this season at FamilySkiTrips.com

Have those skis and boards waxed and ready - winter is coming. Props to Killington for their Oct 14, 2012  debut, but it was only a day and only for passholders. Shout out goes to the North Carolina ski resorts as well that got dumped on by Hurricane Sandy and opened for Halloween skiing...

Anyone want to wager on who will be the next New England Ski Resort to open and stay open?  See you on the slopes!

The Client List, Zumba, Presidents and Prostitutes

My little town of Kennebunk is making national news. Yes, my Zumba instructor was also turning tricks, videotaping her johns, and evading taxes and its all over the web, TV, newspapers, and local gossip. Can I just say Alexis is a very attractive gal, her Zumba dance workout classes were fun and she is very fit? No defense, just little details. Zumba is like skiing, it's a great work out but you don't feel like you are exercising.  The music, the movement, the hour just flies by. That's all I have to say on the subject - I am not going to get into The Client List, Kennebunk's Coming Out Party for Johns and Janes. While the Zumba/Call Girl scandal has made for lots of humor around town, it will also do some harm to families and friends in our tight community.

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have been in the national media spotlight before, as the Summer White House for two Ex Presidents. The Bush family has brought fame and fields of reporters to our seaside hamlet through the years. Now that we have two retired Presidents, the attention is more of what we call Bush Gawkers, eager to get a photo of Walkers Point or see George and Barbara in Church, on Fidelity - their boat,  or out at Mabels for Lobster.  George W, or as we call him - 43, versus his dad 41, actually mountain bikes with my friends - a fantastic athlete and great guy they say. Not a zumba guy. 
 

Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude, a holiday celebration the first two weekends of December, has also brought tv coverage with the Today Show,  Travel Channel, HGTV and Food Wars. I rarely participate in Prelude as it conflicts with the start to New England's ski season and my small Maine town is more packed than the ski slopes. So welcome to my world, the Kennebunks - home of Presidents, Prelude and Prostitution... party on!

In other news, the leaves out my Family Ski Trips office window are turning faster than you can say Kennebunkport Zumba scandal. So soon it will be ski season.  We are preparing our editorial and travel calendar for winter 2012-13, ski resorts are blowing the mice out of their guns, and prepping for a much bigger snow year than last...ok maybe Oregon, Washington and Austria being the exception as they made out like snowy bandits during last year's snow drought every where else.

Our ski friends at Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Aspen and Lake Louise are posting frosty photos on facebook, Killington is making snow, one resort called the contrast of autumn leaves a fresh dusting of snow "snowliage" ... love that! So enjoy the snowliage...ski season will be here faster than you can fill in the blank_____. 

Think snow, do your Zumba snow dance, and be ready for the first ski resorts to open!

Beat the heat - Think Winter and Skiing!

When mid summer heat hits, there are a few sure ways for skiers and riders to cool off. White wintry thoughts and plans will help you get through those dog days of summer when downhill skiing and riding seems far off. No need to fear ski friends, snow season will soon be here. Until then...

Here are 5 ways to beat the heat in summer!

1.       Watch our ski videos to cool off!

2.       Ride your bike to exercise those quads and glutes as a primer for winter!

3.    Plan your next ski vacation with these helpful ski trip planning tips!

4.     Read about our recent trip to ski the Alps of Austria! 

5.       Follow Family Ski Trips on twitter and facebook for a daily dose of snow and ski anticipation!

And of course, snow dance often and with enthusiasm!