Signs of the Season: Buyers Guide

Another sign of the impending season is the SKI Magazine Buyers Guide. It is always fun to look through and dream about new equipment. To tell the truth, my last four ski purchases, spanning 20 years, have not been in the buyers guide. I tend to ask people in the equipment business who know how I ski what I should get, but I still love looking through SKI. I like to wonder if that new technology is what I will be skiing on in a few years. Long ago it was shape skis, now it is rockers.

Dress for Success: Kids Equipment Plans

This is the time of year that the local ski shops run special programs for kids equipment. For a membership fee, you can purchase or rent new or slightly used equipment for the entire season. At the end of the season, you turn the equipment back in and get a credit towards next year's gear. It is a great deal and guarantees a good fit each year. No more buying skis too long so they can be skied on for a few seasons or trying to squeeze siblings into hand-me-down boots!

Advice From the Purple Chair: Ski Swaps

Do you want to get some cash from your old equipment? Do you want some of your own equipment but don't really need top of the line new? Then a ski swap may be your answer. Local ski teams hold ski swaps each fall as fundraisers. It is a great way to sell and find gently used equipment. Equipment reps and sales people from the pro shops are often there to help you find the right item, as well as coaches and experienced ski parents. I think it is a great opportunity for adults who have tried skiing on rental equipment and are ready for their own gear. The Harbor Springs sale will be during the Nubs Nob Open House October 8, in the Guest Services building. The Petoskey sale will be at Central School October 29. Just remember, there are no warrantees on equipment you get at a swap, so shop at your own risk!

Signs of the Season: Freeze

This morning when I got up it was 32 degrees! In 30 days and with four less degrees they will be able to make snow! Nub's Nob starts making snow November 1, whenever the conditions are right. One of those conditions is a sustained temperature of 28 degrees or lower. It always amazes me how close we come to that temperature now, but how hard it seems to get there come November!