Pre-ski season rituals

[ski diva]

Does anyone have any special ritual that really signifies the coming of opening day for you?

I plan to go over to the mountain to pick up my new season pass tomorrow or Tuesday. Holding that new laminated card in my hand is always exciting!

 

[ISki]

Yes! The annual "ski pants diet"!

 

[Marigee]

I tried on my ski pants the other day and they were a bit "snug." I guess they must have shrunk in the wash.;)

 

[Marigee]

My ritual is to take out the ski clothes (mine and kids') and see what fits and what we need to buy. I always seem to need something new!:D Then I like to hit all the pre-season sales at the ski shops to check out all the new clothiing and equipment.

 

[tcarey]

I walk around with my ski boots on!!

T

 

[snowflake]

I usually take in a ski movie opening or two. Then wait anxiously for the snow to fly. Usually there's a Urll party tucked in the mix too.

 

[Snowbird]

I go through my ski clothes to make sure I have everything I need. Sometimes I'll even find a dollar bill or two in the pocket of my ski pants or jacket, left over from the previous year!

 

[Jilly]

Well the first thing we do in the fall is wash up the summer wet suits. Since we don't have alot of space for storage, the ski stuff must come out to put the wetsuits, lifejackets etc away. So once that is done, its examine, try one, decide if new is needed. Skis are sent to the shop by the end of October for tune-up. The annual ski swap in the area is the last weekend of October and the first weekend of November. So decisions need to be made wrt skis and boots. For the ski swap I get one of the shops Ski boxes on the top of my Jimmy. (I also get to keep it for the year, the only thing is the large logo for the ski shop on it! But this Diva can be a bought for the right price - FREE!) So, what am I doing this weekend. Exactly that - washing neoprene and finding out what I own!

 

[Lola]

In my house, we have the "Pugliese Cerimonial Right of Fall' in which he Thule roof rack box for the skis is securely mounted on the top of our Subaru wagon, whose liscense plate reads 'Skibaru'. Once the Thule's on top, skiing is not far behind!

 

[SnowHot]

I tried on my ski pants the other day and they were a bit "snug." I guess they must have shrunk in the wash.;)

You washed your ski pants?
Mine shrunk hanging in the closet

For me it's the boots!
I gotta get my boots out and try them on. Sometimes I even walk around the house in them.
And then there's the waxing of the skis. Nothing gets me in the mood for ski season than the smell of ski wax.

Check out the weather report for my area.
There's snow in the forcast :D

 

[SnowHot]

In my house, we have the "Pugliese Cerimonial Right of Fall' in which he Thule roof rack box for the skis is securely mounted on the top of our Subaru wagon, whose liscense plate reads 'Skibaru'. Once the Thule's on top, skiing is not far behind!

Lola, are you talking about this (posted on Epic)!

 

[dburdenbates]

I do many of the same such as go through the clothing, start trying on boots, etc. But I know it's getting close when I start my daily checks of the weather for all the ski areas.

 

[eng_ch]

Don't laugh - walking round the house with ankle weights on!

 

[Lilgeorg]

I picked up my season pass today. Snow is expected on Friday. Wahoo

 

[Jilly]

I forgot one special ritual and was reminded last night. "Bad ski movie night". Yup we watch all those old ski school, "fire and ice", aspen extreme stuff. Along with that goes Chili, beer, wine, sometimes blender drinks and good friends. Gets us fired up for the season.

 

[ski diva]

It's coming round again!

Anyone have anything else they'd like to add?

 

[tradygirl]

Driving up to Alta the first day it snows (usually in Sept!!) I've been doing that since I got my driver's license.

The night-hike training ritual begins. My husband and I have a rotation of a few steep, easily accessible trails near the house. We break out the headlamps and start doing short, intense hikes with heavy packs in the dark after work. Works wonders for getting those touring muscles ready!

Winterizing the swamp cooler.

 

[Greeley]

I start watching old Warren Miller ski movies when the weather gets bad enough to come inside for my workout. Gotta keep occupied while on that treadmill or stationary bike.

 

[Lilgeorg]

I started working out on the Bolsu with the Ski training video. I am also re-reading Lisa Marie Mercer's book Open Your Heart with Winter Fitness. Of course, I will have to do more than read it!

 

[BackCountryGirl]

For me, it's the first email from my snow sports director with the season's training schedule. That came on Saturday. Our first dryland training session is on 10/24. I can't wait.