More than ever before ski resorts are offering women-only classes, camps, clinics, and social groups.  It doesn’t take Einstein to understand that women learn differently than men.  Learning from a female instructor can empower a woman to speak up with questions and ski and snowboard with confidence.  Women naturally are more encouraging and fellow class members can give each other the needed support that we may need.  I was very pleased to find that in every ski region of the country many, many resorts had either a clinic or specific women-only ski/ride time.  Have you ever participated in a women-only ski event?  I’d love to hear from you. 

For as long as I could read and speak, I’ve been an avid Winter Olympics fan.  My life comes to a complete halt from the time the cauldron is lit at the host city, to the final awards ceremony.  I follow all Winter Olympics sports.  I grew up not far from Lake Placid and the 1980 Winter Olympics has special meaning to me. I was a young amateur figure skater then, and I was very proud of all of our women athletes, not just those on ice.  Times have changed in those 28 years since.  More sports have been added to the games.  More countries compete.  More female athletes compete.  But I’m disappointed to say that there is one sport in which female athletes will not be, but their male peers will be competing in Vancouver, 2010.  The sport?  Ski Jumping. 

 This February the IOC (International Olympic Committee) made the (final) decision not to include women’s ski jumping as an official Winter Olympic sport. IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge said “We don’t want the medals to be diluted and watered down, that is the bottom line.”  His argument goes on to say that the international sport only has 80 competitors worldwide, and that allowing them to participate in 2010 would dilute the value of the medals.  This is very hard for me to swallow, given that a young American women set the Vancouver Olympic Jump Record on January 5th.  That’s right.  Lindsey Van set the 2010 Olympic Jump Record, and even beat out the male competitors at that event.  The president of the Women’s Ski Jumping USA says that Rogge is wrong with those numbers.  Deedee Corradini, president of Women’s Ski Jumping U.S.A. says that Norway has between 500 and 600 female fliers and the U.S. has 150.   Corradini says “We had 83 women in our Continental Cup last year,” she added. “If you compare that to ski-cross, snowboard-cross, skeleton, luge and bobsleigh, we had more women and more nations competing last year than any of those five existing Olympic winter sports.”

I say, let the women jump.  Please, sign the petition to allow the women to jump at the Olympics.  Click on the petition link on my blog roll.

One of my favorite sights to see on a snow day are those who are using adaptive equipment or techniques on the mountain.  They never fail to bring a smile to my face.  These fellow snowboarders and skiers are amazing.  They have overcome a physical or developmental disability to learn how to slide down a snowy mountain.  Let me repeat.  They have overcome a physical or developmental disability to learn how to slide down a snowy mountain.  Their determination  and motivation is truly amazing and inspirational.

 I am the mother to a boy with Downs syndrome.  Thanks to a wonderful not-for-profit adpative sports organization called S.T.R.I.D.E, he is a great skier.  The STRIDE coaches are completely volunteer.  They go through many hours of intense on and off-mountain training.  Their dedication is endless. 

I’m proud, oh so proud, to say that my son skied his first black diamond trail this week.  He did beautifully, and only non-chalantly acknowledged his accomplishment.  I, on the other hand, was shouting from the lift all day.

Our family has always had mountain nicknames for one another.  This son’s is…CHAMPION.

Many ski areas across the US had great snow this season and therefore are continuing their season well into April.  Some even into May!  Now is the time to get a great deal on a lift pass, equipment or some soft goods (jackets).  Go for it!  Check out your favorite ski area’s web site and find a deal just made for you

Yeehaw for you!  Get yer goodies now.  Everything is 20-50% off.  Go for it.

Girls rock.

It’s inevitable.  We don’t have perpetual winter here in New York.  But I’m still always sad to see the season come to a close.  Have you already had your last day?  Or does your mountain have enough snowpack to last a few more weeks?  Lucky you!

How many of you wear a helmet?  If you don’t, I’m wondering why?  I know it might not look that cool, but you’d look really uncool with a concussion.  Not able to be on the mountain for a few days.  Or… worse…  WEAR A HELMET!!!

Don’t they know it’s very unsafe?  If you’re waiting for someone, you’ve got to pull over to the side, just like you would when you’re driving.  You wouldn’t stop your car in the middle of the road would you?

He was so non-chalant about it too.  Just a little smile at the end of the run, while I cheered loudly for all to hear.  Then he shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing….

Yes I do, and I’m proud of it.  And I want my daughter to be proud of it too.  That’s why I started my company, Ski Chick.  You can find it on the web at www.skichick.com.  When daughter was 5 and learning to ski, I wanted to get her something that would encourage her to continue skiing.  I thought a little t-shirt, a pin, a pencil that said “I’m a ski girl” or something like it.  There was nothing to be found.  For years I searched and searched and all that I ever found was something (at best was) unisex, if not downright boyish.  She’s a girlie girl through and through and needed something pink!  She was my inspiration to start the company, and that’s what we’ve got.  Cute tee shirts and pins, magnets and stickers, all that say you ski like a girl and are proud of it!