Ski Girl Says

Olympic Team USA

Congrats to the ski girls who will wear Team USA's colors at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

The Alpine team: Stacey Cook, Hailey Duke, Julia Mancuso, Chelsea Marshall, Megan McJames,Alice McKennis, Kaylin Richardson, Sarah Schleper, Leanne Smith, Lindsey Vonn.

The freestyle team for moguls: Shannon Bahrke, Hannah Kearney, Heather McPhie, Michelle Roark.

The freestyle team for aerials:Ashley Caldwell, Emily Cook, Jana Lindsey, Lacy Schnoor.

Olympic Tickets Available

With the winter games just a few weeks away, official ticketer Co-Sport has released new blocks of tickets.

Get them now if you can, 

at the official website.

Intrawest Denies Troubles

Various news sources this week reported Intrawest was going into foreclosure.  Intrawest released a statement denying these claims.  Intrawest will host several Olympic events next month at Whistler- Blackcomb.

My Morning in a Mono Ski

I recently spent a little time in a mono ski.  This equipment is like it sounds, a single ski, and much more. The binding on a mono ski leads to a shock absorber and above that, a bucket seat.  Skiers on a mono ride seated, positioned above the ground where most skiers knees would be. 

The mono ski allows people with physical challenges who can't otherwise ski to get out and enjoy the slopes with everybody else.  The gear can be loaded and unloaded from a lift by the skier, allowing the monoskier to explore the mountain independently.  The principles of skiing are the same. The slopes are the same. The gear different.

With the single ski, you use a pair of outriggers. These are specialized poles that have very short ski tips and breaks where other skis have a basket and a pole tip  The mono-skier uses very fine movements to guide the ski through turns on the mountain.

This is not the easiest skiing to learn.  Balance and skill refinement go a long way in making for a good ski day.   have fallen on a mono ski plenty. But once you get going.....what an exhilarating ride!

For a view of some very experienced mono skiers, see this You Tube video.  I can't wait to try it again.

Wounded Warrior Women Ski Video

The Wounded Warrior program is dedicated to aiding and empowering those wounded in the military.  Through Wounded Warrior, many soldiers have been able to learn to ski after incurring injuries.

The Today Show on NBC recently featured a segment on women skiing through Wounded Warriors. Click here to see the video. 

Set a Ski Resolution

The New Year is here. Here's to 2010!  When you set your resolutions, did you include a ski resolution?

Ski resolutions are a great idea. They involve fitness, being outdoors and doing something good for yourself.

Here are a few ideas that might work for you:

• Resolve to ski more often
• Decide to call up a friend each week and plan a ski day together
• Plan to get in better shape to support your skiing. Pilates, cardio, and strength training are all helpful for your skiing. 
• List every resort you have been to and determine to try at least two more areas by year end.
• Aim to ski down a slope you have never attempted.
• Think of a skill you wish you had in skiing and take a lesson to learn it.
• Look over your equipment and apparel now and decide what you need to replace for next year and go find it at a deal when the season winds down.  Yes, this is a skiing and a shopping resolution.
• Get a friend or relative interested in the sport.
• Try something different like telemark or freestyle if you haven't already.

There are plenty of resolutions you can make, large or small in skiing.  There is no end to learning and improving your skills in this sport. No matter how much you progress, room for growth never goes away.

My 2010 ski plans?  

• I will take at least 2 more ski trips. 
• I will take my boyfriend skiing as much or as little as he wants to learn the sport.  
• I will keep up my ski blog. 
• I will train for and take my level II PSIA adaptive ski instructor exam.  
• I will watch and cheer on Team USA in Olympic skiing.

Happy New Year and Happy Skiing!