In the midst of what's been called the "greatest economic crisis of our lifetime," Skinet.com, the website of skiing's flagship magazines SKI and Skiing continues to flaunt just how out of touch with reality they really are. In an article entitled "Jet-Setters: Use Your Ski Commute to Live the Highlife," author Paul Tolme reports on the growing popularity of skiers traveling by private jet. Citing the high level of service that comes with traveling in a private aircraft, the article states, "With service like that, it's easy to see why private jet travel is soaring in the mountains." As I write this, the Dow Jones is on the brink of going below 9,000 for the first time in recent memory - so it's definitely easy to see why private jet travel is soaring in the mountains.

Look, I'm not here to bash skiers. Heck, in a moment of weakness I'll even admit that I'm a skier (as well as a snowboarder). What irks me is the fact that SKI and Skiing are seen by many to represent not only the ski industry, but in a sort of guilt-by-association way, the snowboard industry as well. Skiing and snowboarding have a reputation as expensive, exclusive activities, a reputation I feel is not deserved or accurate. But if the only exposure a non-skier or snowboarder has to the sports is through the Lexus/Gulfstream/Rolex/Amex ad riddled pages of SKI and Skiing, can you blame them for thinking they need a trust fund to get started on snow?

The other thing that irks me about the article in question is that it draws attention to behavior that is outrageously selfish insofar as its environmental impact. You'd think that publications whose very existence relies upon the continuation of a season of cold temperatures and snowfall would try just a little harder to encourage its readers to behave in an environmentally-friendly manner. Oh, sure, the author does say that "Private jets are the Hummers of the skyways. Because they frequently fly half-empty, [they] emit up to 40 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial aircraft." He then goes on to mention that "private jet travelers are encouraged to buy carbon offsets." Carbon offsets?! Don't even get me started.

SKI and Skiing need to wake up, if for no other reason than the fact that they're tarnishing the reputation of snowboarders worldwide - an effort which, I assure you, snowboarders worldwide neither want nor need these magazines to assist with.

A recent Wall Street Journal article written by Candace Jackson is highlighting the effects the economic downturn is having on resort and vacation bookings for the upcoming holiday period, but the news isn't all bad. Due to the lackluster demand for what is normally a heavily-booked period, many resorts, including those in snow-country, are offering steep discounts to entice travelers. According to the article, holiday bookings at Vail Resorts are currently behind those of last year. In response, the company is offering one night free during a five-night stay over the Christmas and President's Week holiday periods. The offer is good at all Vail Resorts properties. According to the company's CEO Rob Katz, deals that typically were offered during off-peak periods are now being offered during peak times.

Another winter vacation deal mentioned in the article is being offered by The Four Seasons at Jackson Hole - the hotel is throwing in a fourth night free for anyone staying between December 18 and December 26, a deal previously not available until after the New Year's Day holiday.

Of course, as the article notes, there is a catch to these deals. Airfare prices are up drastically over the same time last year, with the travel website Farecast.com reporting Thanksgiving airline ticket prices up nearly 27% from 2007. Nevertheless, the smart traveler will be able to maximize their bang for the buck by flying during off-peak times (midweek), shopping around for the best lift ticket prices, and possibly staying closer to home this season. As the WSJ.com article shows, there are deals to be had...as dedicated snowboarders, it's our job to find them!

It's official - the race to be the first mountain open in the U.S. has begun! Around midnight Wednesday, Colorado's Loveland Ski Area began making snow. Traditionally one of the first resorts in the U.S. to open each season, Loveland Snowmaking and Trail Manager Eric Johnstone said, "It has been cold up in the high country, but it didn’t look like we would get the temperatures necessary to start making snow until later in the week. We had all our guns placed on the hill and our crew was on standby so we were ready to go when the temperatures dipped last night." Current snowmaking operations are focusing on the trails Catwalk, Mambo and Homerun for Opening Day 2008. These trails form a top to bottom run of 1,000 vertical feet.

Daily updates and photos can be viewed by visiting Loveland's Snowmaking website.

For the latest snowmaking updates and resort conditions across the U.S., check out our Snow Reports and Current Conditions page.

Seriously...Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont is once again offering FREE, no-strings-attached Learn to Snowboard lesson packages this season. The program began last season, and was such a success (over 1,600 people took advantage) that the resort has decided to bring it back for another season. Beginning Monday, December 1^st and running through Friday, December 19^th, new and beginner snowboarders ages 7 and up can sign up for a free level 1 or 2 beginner lesson. The lessons run at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and include a free lower-mountain lift ticket, lesson, and beginner rental package (snowboard, boots and bindings). According to a resort spokesman, "Upon completion of the program, participants qualify for a free First Tracks Plus card, entitling them to a $10 savings on group lessons and rental equipment on weekends and holidays, and $20 savings on group lessons and rentals on non-holiday weekdays, all season long."

It's not often you see this type of offer from any business, let alone a business in the snow-industry. New East coast riders looking for some instruction should definitely take Okemo up on this offer, and veteran riders would be remiss if they didn't let their non-riding friends know about it ASAP!