Women Buying Ski boots

Ski boot buying is a frustrating experience for most women, especially for experienced skiers. The common misperception among shop employees is that women don’t know what they are doing. Women need to trust that they know when their feet are comfortable.

Here are a few tips to help make the process better for you. Try on ski boots with the ski socks you normally wear, that’s the best way to feel your feet in the boot. The heel should be at the back of the boot, having a snug fit and not moving around. It should not be painful. The most important buckles on the boot are 2 and 3 holding the foot in place but not cutting off circulation. The right fit gives you control over the boot which transfers to the ski. Toes should not be jammed into the front of the boot like shop employees tell you. If that is the case, the boot does not fit. Toe room is needed for good circulation and keeping your feet warm. If the boot does not feel right, try another boot. Try on a couple of different options before you make your choice. You are under no obligation to buy from anyone because they help you try on boots, that’s their job. When you make your choice, be sure adjustments can be made with no charge. Know that you will need to do that since everyone has individual imperfections with their feet and adjustments will make the boot fit even better. To add to your enjoyment of skiing, try Boot heaters, they are awesome, making skiing in cold weather more pleasurable.

The Boot Lab in Vail, the Lionshead area, owned by Dave, does a good job of getting the right boot for you and making adjustments so you are happy. Check them out at www.thebootlab.com

Moon Light snow shoe and Flowery language

I had a friend read my blog to see if I made any glaring errors I passed over when editing. She is a very good writer hence the reason I asked. "Too flowery" She said in an email. Later she called back saying that she thought that may have been too harsh. I thought it was funny. I love flowers. "Flowery is not a word anyone would use to describe me so where did all that come from?" Not sure? I was trying to write something I thought other people would understand and would enjoy doing if they never thought about a moonlight snowshoe before.

She says that I can be funny and I have a great voice for storytelling. The voice she read was one from someone I was trying to emulate. I would like to know who that might have been. Perhaps, I was channeling when I wrote that!?! I am not sure people really want to know what is going on in my head when I do these activities but she says that they would. So, I am going to try again to tell you how incredible it is to moonlight snowshoe. Actually, snowshoeing at night, no matter what’s hanging in the sky is incredible. What does go through my mind when I participate in these activities, I am sure you are wondering now. It's probably what everyone else is thinking. "How come no one likes to do this with me” I ask friends all the time and everyone is busy. So off I go. I can't help it; I am drawn to the outdoors and look for any enticing excuse to do anything outside. When I once made the mistake of having an office job I would leave the office on a "coffee break" just to breathe real air.

I often think as I am trudging up the mountain, why do I do this all the time and I am still huffing and puffing? Will my butt get any smaller, I am using it, and it should Dr Oz! My ski pants are filthy and need to be washed- badly. Why again did I buy cream colored pants? Oh yeah, they matched the jacket, still stupid. If I found the right man would he be doing this with me? He better or he couldn't be the right man! Under the moonlight, making out in the trees, now this sounds awesome to me. Come to think of it, wouldn't it be great to meet the right man wandering around up here. Would I be scarred or excited? Where did I put that bear mace anyways? I sometimes follow a trail made by others and depending on the snow I make my own. It's tiring to make your own path but the hip flexors love it and that makes putting on ski boots easier, tying shoes as well. Making your own path can be so cliché and boring metaphorically, so what’s really fun is to equate it with not following the rules that others have set up for you. I hate most rules and will follow those that will keep others safe. For instance, I stop at stop signs and don't run red lights. But other rules are just plain nonsense.

Wandering around in the woods, at night, when its soooo quiet you can hear your own heart beat in amazing. I know people don't like to be alone but its ominous being totally alone in the wilderness. It has a freeing feeling like everything that has been bothering me somehow does not seem too difficult and in those trees is the answer. "Stop worrying about it and take some action". The blood pumping through my body floods me with an energy that helps me to believe anything is possible and I really believe that! You really cannot imagine how bright the moon can be. You can walk anywhere without concern, you can see every crevasse carved into the mountain. I laugh when I think about how the moon freaks people out with its power. I know I am drawn to it but I think people use it as an excuse to behave badly or write a scary story one of the two. Just last night I saw the sliver of the moon and I know the full one is on its way. I got really excited. Is that pathetic or weird? I am almost compelled to research more about the moon, but don't tell anyone they may think I have lost my marbles. The moon is coming so try to enjoy it. I will take notes about all the stuff that flows through my brain and give you moonlight snowshoe 2!

Still awesome

If you are thinking about coming to Vail this winter to ski, i am telling you that it is as good as ever. There are some great discounts and people are bending over to accommodate the guests. If you have a family it can be tough to provide for their basic needs. To take them to Vail? Crazy you say! Well there are some experiences in Vail that are free that you can use to incorporate with your ski experience. Right now the Vail area gives you the opportunity to snow shoe, cross country and ice rinks that are fun activities for you and the family and they are free. Vail resorts is offering the adventure ski package which lets you ski with an instructor for $129.

Check out The Parents Handbook magazine and website for some incredible coupon offers. www.theparentshandbook.com They have everything from family restaurants like the Tap Room in Vail, Dusty Boot in Beaver Creek, Saddleridge in Beaver Creek, The Gashouse in Edwards, Pazzos Pizza in Vail and Eagle, JPS Old Forge Pizza in Vail and Edwards, Route 6 Cafe, who has the best breakfast. Stores Like the Book Worm Book Store, Kidsport, the General Store, CJ boardroom, Alpine Ambiance, Mommy and Me, Threads Consignments. Need activities other than skiing. How about 4 Eagle Ranch for an authentic Sleigh ride dinner in the mountains. We have a bowling alley and Glenwood Caverns, Simply massage discounts, free gelato and Snowmobiling.

If you are planning on coming here and need some help send and email and will help you out. I have a lot of info for Summit County, which is Breckenridge, Keystone, Abasin and Copper. Aspen more to your liking I have info for that as well. So plan your trip, great family vacation here the in the mountains of Colorado!

The Family has fun in Vail

Families coming to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone can go the best source around to find activities other than just skiing, restaurants that want families and cater to them. The best places to shop for kids stuff and for the parents. Any cultural activities that families can do together. That source is the Parents Handbook. You do not have to be a tourist to take advantage of this info, if you are an area local the resources are abundant. The best part is that this resource has coupons you must have. Go to this website to check it out.
www.theparentshandbook.com

Snow Peace

The snow just keeps coming. I love it although the shoveling does get old. It is absolutely majestic around here when it snows. Even a couple of inches of snow blankets everything making our surroundings perfect as if no one human and animal has tread. The snow blanket makes sound disappear taking your breath away making time stop. You could stand and look around forever, It's such a visual peace, somehow it makes you see the world more clearly and it gives you hope that everything will be alright and you are lucky to see this beauty. When the snow is falling and you are lucky enough to take a walk in this miracle, it's as if with each flake, the stress you are feeling is gently pulled from your body, it feels so good. Even the cold air helps to freeze your negative thoughts almost giving you a rebirth and peace.

The Powder is Here

The Powder has arrived and we have been waiting for it. Most of us having been waiting for it to happen. Last year was Epic with our snow conditions over 450 inches of snow (about 38 feet) That's an incredible amount of snow. Since I have been living here I can never remember that much snow. 2 days before the mountain closed we had a powder day! In April that is unheard of since I have been there. April is when the locals take a couple of runs and them pick their favorite deck and hang out and get a tan. But a powder day, crazy!

As we waited for the powder the economy was thick in our thoughts. Why? Because we are thinking that true powder hounds we find the money to come on vacation to Vail. Most of our visitors do have a lot of money so the down turn in the mortgage industry did not have a major effect on them. The other side to this is 15% of our visitors do come from NYC? Do we really know what the season will bring, not really except that the snow can only help.

So it has come, one big storm after another and that will help for the holidays.

The Epic Pass

To those who are not familiar with this pass, it's a new pass offered by Vail Resorts. When it came out no one was quite sure why. It allows the user to ski anytime without any restrictions. By restrictions I mean blackout dates on all the holidays. People can ski unlimited days throughout the season. The pass is about $300 less than the normal merchant rate.

I was not taking any chances and purchased mine a couple of days after the announcement. This season will be Epic to say the least. We are now waiting for the snow to kick in so we can have as many powder days we had last year. At the end of the season we had over 450 inches of snow and three days before the mountain closed we had a Powder Day. In 15 winters here in Vail I have never had that experience.

Powder Day for a local is the reason we continue to cling to our life in Vail!

For more info about ski tickets and passes go to www.snow.com