How To: Store Your Ski Gear This Summer

1. Take Stock: Go over any equipment issues while the season is still fresh in your mind, and address any fixes you’ve put off. It’s discouraging to bust out the gear for a new season and see that core shot’s still there, that buckle’s still bent, that basket’s still missing.

2. Get Them Tuned: Shops are busy in the fall, and so are you. Take your skis in now for the post-season tune and any other backshop business. While you’re there, it’s always worth asking if the shop is selling any high-end demo models at season’s end.

3. Or…Coat With Travel Wax: If you tune your own skis, give them an end-of-season tune, then slather on a thick coat of cheap, soft wax and leave it (don’t scrape). This helps keep your bases and edges clean, rust-free and uncontaminated. (Don’t forget to scrape the wax off in the fall.)

4. Clean and Store Boots Carefully: Boots get filthy, especially if you’re tromping around muddy parking lots on sunny spring corn-snow days. Take them out of the bag, clean them, and also clean the inside of the boot bag before replacing the boots and storing in a cool, dry place. Remember, two things love ski boots especially: mice and mildew. Plan accordingly.

5. Tuning Bench: It’s time to dismount the vises and put the tuning tools away. Take inventory of stuff that needs replacing (wax, brake holders, worn files) and get it done now. Scrape wax drippings off bench and floor and sweep up filings and wax/sidewall shavings. Store all tools tidily, keeping all the waxy stuff (scrapers, brushes, bars/vials of wax) separate from all the metal-working stuff (files, file guides, gummi, stones) so that waxing stuff doesn’t get contaminated with filings and files don’t get clogged with wax. Protect any file-guide faces that come into contact with your ski bases from damage: even a small nick can mar your ski base with every stroke.

6. (Do Not) Relax Binding Springs: Some grizzled veterans still do this because it gives them peace of mind to know that their release spring is relaxed and therefore not at risk of permanent deformity (or whatever), but this isn’t necessary anymore, if it ever was. If you do loosen, it’s crucial to remember to retighten in the fall (or risk prerelease and possible injury on your first run of the season). Tape a reminder to your toepieces with DIN values written down. And remember if you do touch your DIN settings you’re letting shop and manufacturer off the hook in event of a binding malfunction.

Staff Picks: Where to Camp

The X Games Factor

Aspen and the X Games.

Even after 11 years, it’s a marriage that strikes some as odd and potentially, presumably strained. After all, when most of us think of Aspen, we think of old money, fur coats, heated streets and a, shall we say, mature crowd that must shudder at the thought of another two years of Winter X Games shenanigans. But as it turns out, most of us are dead wrong. There’s nothing Aspenites love more than the hordes of pant-sagging, culture-countering gen-Yers who—for four days every winter—pull the mountain town out of its glitzy, stuffy shell. The announcement earlier this week that ESPN has renewed Aspen’s contract to host the Winter X Games for two more years—through 2014—was bass-pumping, speaker-rattling rock music to the town’s ears.

Aside from the hefty cash flow the Games bring, locals say the event exposes a side of Aspen not normally seen. “People think of Aspen as only a chalet mountain town for people with private jets and Land Rovers,” says Andy Pappani, manager at Aspen’s Escobar nightclub. “If we keep pigeonholing Aspen into being an older people’s town, it’s going to die out,” he says. “But the X Games show that there’s a young crowd here, and they know how to have a good time.”

            George Michael Goldberg, owner of Aspen’s popular bar and live music joint Belly Up, agrees. “The town was in need of a youth movement and the Games brought it,” Goldberg says. “It brings people to town that might not come otherwise, and they’re a boon to the economy.”

As the 20- and 30-somethings roll into town, the scene changes from Grey Goose martinis and Bogner one-pieces to Jager bombs and rail jams.

“Celebrities usually show up, and it’s great because people get to interact with them in a much smaller, intimate setting than they would in a big city club,” Pappani says.

So for two more years at least, rowdy kids and party hearty ski bums will turn this posh resort town on its head. And the best part: You can bet several locals will be there to tap the first keg.

PSIA Names The Top Ski Instructors In the Country

Every four years, the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) hosts what is known among its members as one of the most grueling tryouts on snow. The mission: To identify the very best ski teachers from around the country who can represent the organization, perform outreach, educate and train budding instructors and push the sport of skiing to new levels. Just receiving an invitation to the tryouts is an enormous honor. From a pool of hundreds of applicants, several dozen are selected to attend the weeklong on-snow tryout, which takes place at Snowbird and is a virtual decathlon of events—on snow and in a classroom setting—designed to test and examine their prowess as skiers, teachers and ambassadors. At the end of the week, scores are tallied and the best of the best are named to the elite and prestigious Alpine Demonstration Team. For the next four years, these 14 instructors will share their knowledge and passion not only with their lucky students but also with other ski instructors through academies and clinics at resorts around the country and throughout the world. Among the new members are SKI's Instruction Director Michael Rogan, returning for his fifth term on the team. To read more about the tryouts and the new team members, visit thesnowpros.org.  And next time you book a lesson, you might want to ask if one of these instructors is available.

Jonathan Ballou – Aspen, CO; Robin Barnes – Heavenly, CA; Mike Hafer – Northstar at Tahoe, CA; Nicholas Herrin – Crested Butte, CO; Jeb Boyd – Thornton, NH; Matthew Boyd – Thornton, NH; *Ryan Christofferson – Northstar at Tahoe, CA; *Kelly Coffey – Breckenridge, CO; Heidi Ettlinger – Truckee, CA; Eric Lipton – Blue Mountain, PA; David Lyon – Stevens Pass, WA; *David Oliver – Breckenridge, CO; Michael Rogan – Heavenly, CA; Jennifer Simpson – Vail, CO. *Freestyle specialty

Few Words...

From the looks of it, Candide Thovex nailed everything but the title of his much-anticipated film. By our count, one word—"wow"—would suffice.

"Few Words" will premiere in Paris in October.

Magic Mountain’s Million Dollars (Well, Almost)

Lost in the shuffle of another busy winter was welcome news from southern Vermont. Rugged, no-frills Magic Mountain announced on Feb. 2 (see below) that it had officially gone “skier-owned,” having sold its 300th share.

The news came on the eve of the Londonderry ski area’s 50th anniversary, as Magic lovers, paying $3,000 per share, came together for a final push to give the mountain a fitting birthday present. The 300-share threshold satisfied the legal minimum to enact the new ownership structure and, more importantly, gave the mountain access to the $900,000 raised. How will it be invested? That’ll now be partly up to the Magic’s new skier-owners, who control three seats on the board.

Magic joins Mad River Glen in adopting the skier-owned format, and the two have often been compared for other reasons. Magic is smaller (1,700 vert) but similarly soulful and underdeveloped, with creaky fixed-grip lifts and a preference for natural terrain and snow conditions. Presumably, though, the new owners will continue to allow snowboarding at Magic, while at Mad River hell has yet to freeze over.

Here are the details from Magic:

For Immediate Release

Magic Reaches 300 Share Goal New Era of Skier-Owned Partnership to Officially Begin at Magic Mountain

February 2, 2012,

Londonderry, VT — With a burst of new shareholders in the New Year, Magic Mountain has completed the sale of over 300 shares at $3000 per share to achieve the milestone required to capitalize the new skier-based ownership entity The Magic Partnership LLC.

This new entity will be a cooperative partnership between the current operator and owners and the new skier-community based shareholders. Shareholders will now elect 3 of 5 board members. The other two board seats will be held by Jim Sullivan, current president, owner and operator of the mountain, and Tom Barker, a current owner.

“After a partnership meeting in Mid-January, the community really came together to put this share offering over the finish line,” said Sullivan. “Current shareholders stepped up to buy additional shares and new people came on board who want to see this mountain survive and thrive for another 50 years.”

Despite the initial offering coming at the height of the economic downturn in 2009, Magic steadily increased its shareholder base, but the current snow-deprived winter heightened the necessity to finish the capital raise to access monies for improvement to snowmaking, as well as other key infrastructure projects. Over 42 shares were sold since the New Year in an effort to complete the transfer to the new cooperative “partnership” entity before Magic’s 50 Years celebration on February 4th.

“The Magic Partnership is really designed to let the skier community have a say in the future of the mountain,” continued Jim Sullivan. “The monies will be used to enhance the quality, reliability and consistency of the product we offer customers, without changing the character of what people love about this unique hill: its unmatched focus on the adventure and camaraderie inherent to the sport of skiing and riding.”

There are still a few more shares available to the public to complete a fully funded offering of 333 shares, but the 300 threshold marks the legal requirement to access any of the capital and fully institute the new ownership entity.

About Magic Mountain: Ski Area Magic first opened in 1960 and will be celebrating this season its 50th anniversary of peak to bottom skiing dating from 1962, which to this day, is still one of the most exciting, challenging and authentic Vermont ski experiences. Different than the corporate resorts, Magic has stayed true to the original Vermont ski culture. Magic skiers enjoy a mountain emphasizing natural, diverse ski terrain in an atmosphere of shared camaraderie for the sport both on the slopes and in the lodge after a long, rewarding day. Magic has an authentic vibe because, in reality, it still remains first and foremost a ski area, not a “resort” and a distinctly Vermont one at that. It’s a community spirit that keeps Magic thriving for those committed ski and riding enthusiasts who want to “carve their own trail” and experience real snow and obstacles that mother-nature puts on the hill. And, it’s why Magic skiers love the mountain so much that they are personally investing in the ski area via The Magic Partnership in order to enhance and preserve it for future generations to enjoy. Please visit us at www.magicmtn.com and “like us” on facebook for updates.

Sit, Stay, Search!

Six Must-Haves For Your Spring Camping Trip

Skiing Makes You Smarter

Good news for skiers: A University of Illinois study suggests that exercise strengthens more than your muscles. It also promotes brain growth. Data collected from the study shows mice that ran increased their brain’s capacity to learn and retain memories while mice that ate well but didn’t exercise did not see brain growth. What does this mean for skiers? Now when you tell your boss you're taking a "mental health" day to go skiing, you're not lying.

Road Warriors

Suffering from end-of-the season blues? One of the best coping mechanisms we’ve found is hopping onto the saddle and riding in a race. Cycling not only distracts you from the melting snow pack, it keeps your quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and calves in shape. Plus, cycling is a low-impact sport so you can give your knees some rest after bashing bumps all season. Here’s a sampling of races, from serious to silly.  

Trek Across Maine: June 15-17

Get in shape and gain good karma by benefiting the American Lung Association in Trek Across Maine. Starting at Sunday River ski resort, participants race approximately 60 miles per day for three days and conclude in Belfast. Races can campout in the countryside each night or bunk in the fieldhouse at either University of Maine-Farmington or Colby College. Participants must raise a minimum of $500 to compete.

Race Across America (RAAM): June 12-25

Think you’re the Forrest Gump of cycling? Then prove it in “the world’s toughest bicycle race.” Literally ride from coast to coast in this 3,000 mile expedition starting in Oceanside, Calif. and ending in Annapolis, Md. Adding to the insanity, RAAM isn’t a stage race so the longer you break, the slower your time. Thankfully you can race in teams but if you want to be a true Gump you’ll go it alone.

Race Across the West (RAW): June 13

There’s no shame if you’re not cut out for RAAM. You can compete in the shorter (850 mile), but nearly as challenging Race Across the West instead. The course starts near the beaches of Oceanside, Calif. and ends in the mountains of Durango, Colo.

Georgia Cycling Gran Prix: July 25-29

Whether you’re an amateur cyclist or a Lance Armstrong wanna-be, the Georgia Cycling Grand Prix will challenge you. Six different races over a five-day span will take you through the deep south and Georgia countryside. Participants can win up to $9,000.

Tour de Nez: July 27-29

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tour de Nez—a giant, weekend-long event in Reno, Calif. that attracts professional cyclists, families, and those looking to get a little crazy. Labeled “a celebration of all things cycling,” the Tour de Nez offers numerous events including a men’s and women’s pro criterium, handcycle races, kids’ races and parties every night. If you’re looking for an event to let loose and coast, this is it. 

Copper Triangle: August 4

Experience the Colorado Rockies on something other than skis in the Copper Triangle cycle tour. This 78-mile loop climbs three different passes with a total elevation gain of 5,981 feet. The course starts and finishes at Copper Mountain resort and passes through Vail and the historic mining town of Leadville, Colo. 

LOTOJA Classic: September 8

Put your stamina to the ultimate test in the LOTOJA Classic. If you can make it through the first 110 miles which climb three different mountain passes, the rest of the ride will seem like child’s play. The race starts in Logan, Utah, winds through eastern Idaho and ends in Jackson Hole, Wyo. If you can trek the 206 miles and climb 9,738 feet in one day, you’ll gain enough bragging rights to be deemed king of the road.