Skiing Risks and Rewards

I have heard so much about "consequences" this ski season...the word has been popping up like moguls on a spring ski day!

The Consequences of skiing beyond your limit, or beyond boundaries, for example...can be considerable.

Read Heather's Blog on Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/03/consequences.html

Still, I contest that skiing is full of rewards, and the risks (aka: consequences) can be reduced with caution and consideration...so ski with care...but ski!

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Sugarbush – sweeter than ever!

Revisiting this Vermont favorite this week, we discovered Sugarbush is sweeter than ever. Read on about this 4,000 acre ski resort in the beautiful Mad River Valley of Vermont, the new Lincoln Peak Village and the vast Slidebrook Backcountry now open for skiing.

Sugarbush – sweeter than ever - The Ski Guru Blog

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Big reasons to ski the Big Sky State

We admit it, our family has a love affair with the Big Sky state...the scenery, the skiing, the snow, the friendly Montanans...

Need more reasons to visit the Big Sky State?
read Heather's blog on Boston.com !http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/gallery/montana/

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New lift for Loafers

Sugarloaf skiers and riders are finally getting a new lift...but wait ...it comes with a bonus. Let 's hope the new conveyor belt loading system doesn't bum out loyal (but reluctant to change) Loafers...

Read Heather's Boston.com blog about the new Spillway Quad:
New loading system for Loafers - The Ski Guru Blog

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The Snow Belt

March roared in with rain along the coast and southern New England...but as most meteoroligsts claim "an inch of rain = a foot of snow"!

Read Heather's blog on where to go to find the snow this week....
http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2011/03/the_snow_belt.html

Up state Maine - Saddleback & Sugarloaf, The Balsams in New Hampshire, and Vermont's Jay Peak, Stowe and Smugglers Notch got the Lion's share with over a foot fo fresh snow!

Since March came in like the wild cat...will it go out like a lamb? Stay tuned! and ski often!

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Simon Dumont & the 3rd annual Dumont Cup at Sunday River

My daughter's obsession with Simon Dumont began when she was 14. This amazing athlete from Sunday River was smashing freeskiing records, launching big air and giving my daughter butterflies in the process. I actually let her skip school on a sunny spring day in April 2008 to witness Simon's Guinness World Record 35' jump at Sunday River...I frankly knew it would be one of those rare sunny blue ski days with soft corn snow- the Simon show was a bonus to me.

That dreamy day led to our annual pursuit of the now pro Dumont. We attended his first Dumont Cup and met his entourage of freeskier friends - Tom Wallisch, Josse Wells, Mike Riddle, Peter Olenik...which led to the 2nd annual Dumont Cup and more famous fun athletes and another big air showdown throwdown.

And that led to my assignment to write about the mighty young man from Bethel and his 3rd annual Dumont Cup for Maine Magazine...

Like all teen crushes, Simon has grown up and my daughter Aspen has moved on to the new fresh young faces of freeskiing, specifically Olympic freeskier medalists Gus Kenworthy, Nick Goepper and Alex Schlopy who swept the podium at Sochi Russia's Winter Games 2014. These guys are going bigger and better than their predecessors who petitioned the IOC to include slopestyle skiing and super pipe skiing as an official Winter Olympic venue.

Perhaps taking my Aspen to Winter XGames in Aspen is next... and we will continue to go every March to the annual Dumont Cup at Sunday River...now turning 7 in 2015. After all, you never forget your first ski crush. Dumont is now nicknamed the Godfather of freeskiing, which makes my daughter feel old. #lol

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Skiing with Sarah Palin?

Right now I could be in Alaska...sking with my peeps at the annual NASJA meeting and chillin with Sarah Palin at the Iditarod...Todd is participating, don't ya know.

I could be skiing Alyeska, and accepting in person my 4th Honorable Mention for the best ski column writing - the Harold Hirsch Award...but I'm not...so I am pouting! Not because I didn't win...its an honor just to be nominated and "mentioned" right?!

Join me in my pout or just enjoy my blog on Boston.com:

Skiing with Sarah Palin? - The Ski Guru Blog

Next year's NASJA meeting is in Heavenly..so there 's hope I can attend that one...and maybe be a winner!

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