This election is not just about healthcare and the economy in Utah. SkiLink and the wildly successful Outdoor Retailer Show (OR) are both in the crosshairs. 

Thanksgiving is typically when many Midwest ski resorts hope to open for the season. A few have already opened, and several are offering discounted overnight packages for early season snowsports enthusiasts ready to kick-start the season. 

The response from the International Ski Federation (FIS) to American superstar racer Lindsey Vonn and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s request to allow Vonn to compete against the men in a World Cup downhill came swiftly. “Forget about it.”

Where are my Snoozies? The temps went from 70 yesterday to 50 today. My toes are cold. Snoozies are like fleece socks with the tops lopped off and they are oh so cozy. 

A new state headquarters and home to the Pico Ski Education Foundation got a jump on winter when the first “shovel” dug into the ground at Pico Mountain this week. The $1.3 million state-of-the-art facility is set to open by the end of summer 2013.

The snow’s starting to fall over the Alps and skiers and riders across North America are making their plans to cross the pond this winter. Travelbite, a UK-based international agency, just issued a “what’s new” list for 2012-13.

Want to feel a bit older? Well, when Copper Mt. cranks up the American Eagle chairlift Woodward Friday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. it marks the beginning of the Colorado ski resort’s season number 40.

New employees at Sugar Mountain never expected to get ramped up so quickly for their new jobs. On Saturday, they were recruited at the resort’s job fair; snowmaking began on Sunday; the lifts will churn for the first day Wednesday (Oct. 31). 

A new component will bring fresh tracks to the Mountain Travel Symposium March 7-14, 2013 in Snowmass, Colo. It’s the MICE Exchange for professional meetings incentives, conference, and exposition planners.

Ski Dazzle’s Ski Show & Snowboard Expo, Nov. 16-18, offers skiers and riders a jam-packed, fun weekend, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. 

Sugar Mountain, N.C., opens its winter skiing and snowboarding season Halloween, Oct. 31. It’s the earliest opening in the 43-year history of the area, beating out the Nov. 5, 1976 record. 

Many ski areas/resorts still have job openings for the upcoming 2012-13 season. Some still are operating job fairs, while other are taking resumes online. Here are a few with upcoming job fairs. 

Some good news for a couple of Michigan ski areas – Porcupine Mountain and Otsego Ski Club – that won’t be closed for the 2012/13 season. Minnesota’s Detroit Mountain Recreation Area is looking to reopen after an eight year hiatus.

The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season headed into the gates in Soelden, Austria, but it was not a memorable start for American ladies. That all turned around, however, when the men took the field. Ted Ligety won by an historic 2.75 margin.

Jim Spring, the man universally respected and known as “the smartest man in the specialty retail business” died this week of throat cancer. His wife and business partner, Joy, and his three children and two grandchildren survive him.

It’s time! It’s snowing in the North American mountains and winter is truly “just around the corner.” No matter how fit you are from your summertime adventures, you’ll feel better and ski stronger if you take the time now, to do some pre-season training.

Long-time publicist, educator, and writer Mary Jo Tarallo received the Industry Achievement Award from SnowSports Industries America (SIA). It was presented by SIA Board Chair Tim Petrick at the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Disclaimer -- Go see Flow State no matter what you are about to read. I just want to say up front that no matter how you feel about ski porn and the legacy of Warren Miller, you're a lame-a** if you choose to sit on the couch instead of making the annual pilgrimage to kick off this ski season.