HOW DO YOU GET READY?

The winter storm that barreled through southeast Idaho, Montana and Utah was big news in mid October. Grand Targhee harvested inches. Lost Trail Powder Mountain was right there with a foot of new snow. We'll take a closer look at the winter outlook in this issue (Yin and Yang), but in the meantime, how are you getting ready?

If you're like me, skiing (or boarding) is both a physical state of being and a mental state of mind. This time of year you can find dozens of publications and web sites with articles about how to get in shape for the slopes. But how about your spiritual side? For me, when the frost is on the pumpkin I take my boards to Freddy Nowland, my favorite tuner, for a grind, binding check and application of professional, race-proven TLC. While I'm at the shop I check out all the beautiful skis, and visualize endless runs through powder up to my armpits. This annual ritual stirs a feeling in my soul that's hard to describe-but I think you know what I'm talking about.

Planning the winter adventures to come is just as exciting. And now is the time to get squared away. That's why you need to check out news here about award winning resorts, mountain events, and best of all-- the Idaho Ski Area Association's brand new website: skiidaho.us. So get cracking! Right away! Winter will be here before you know it. For most of us, it can't get here soon enough Bill Jennings

SkiIdaho.us: INTRODUCING THE SOUL OF SKIING

The Idaho Ski Areas Association is proud to introduce its brand new website, skiidaho.com, the ultimate online location for everything you need to know about winter adventure in Idaho.

Want to know who reaped the most bountiful harvest from the latest storm? Check out skiidaho.us for the latest snow reports from every ski area in the state. Need air travel information, driving directions, lodging options? We've got that too. Plus, the hottest deals, a full calendar of all mountain events, and direct links to every resort's website.

And when you need a little food for the soul, come to skiidaho.us and feast on videos and photo galleries of people experiencing skiing and boarding the way it ought to be. Then head for the hills of Idaho-and ski like you own the place!

WINTER OUTLOOK - YIN AND YANG: LA NINA vs EL NINO

During last year's epic snow season we had the pleasure of skiing with lovely lady La Nina-the term meteorologists use to describe a cooling of waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

La Nina, and her evil twin, El Nino, have a profound effect on the jet stream. There are two jet streams across the Pacific Ocean. The polar jet is a powerful engine for ocean storms. The tropical jet is a breeze by comparison, flowing across Mexico. The polar jet usually points right at the northwest in fall and winter. This is good.

Lovely La Nina lures the polar jet south, bringing even cooler air, bigger, more bountiful storms and lower snow levels. This is even better.

Evil twin El Nino warms the waters in the equatorial Pacific, driving away the polar jet and leaving us high, dry and blue. This is bad. The La Nina/El Nino cycle changes about every 1-2 years. A complete cycle takes from 3-7 years.

So where are we now? Business as usual. Equatorial ocean temps are average. The polar jet is pointing right at us. But it has a tendency to drift a little bit north and south, portending a "normal" winter with a smorgasbord of weather. Big storms. Some long waits between powder days. The occasional Pineapple Express. The National Weather Service predicts these conditions will hold well into next year.

Ski resort operators in the northern Rockies and the Northwest will enjoy another season of abundant snow, although snow depths will not match last winter's record-setting snowpack. But anything can happen

MORE ACCOLADES FOR IDAHO SKI AREAS

Ski magazines kicked off the 2008-09 season with nods to Idaho for uncrowded slopes, great lift systems, awesome terrain parks and unmatched mountain views.

Schweitzer was Skiing Magazine's number one Editors Pick for the "Best Place to Ditch the Crowds." Honorable mention on that list included Grand Targhee, as well as Snowbasin, Kirkwood and Ascutney, VT.

In its Reader Resort Survey, Ski Magazine included Sun Valley in the Top 10 for Lifts, Grooming, Service, Lodging and Dining. Schweitzer made the top 10 for Lifts and Grand Targhee made it for snow.

Powder Magazine singled out Schweitzer as a top resort in the Northern Rockies for its expansive bowls, tight trees, best park in the Pacific Northwest and the unmatched beauty of Canada to the north, Glacier National Park to the east and massive Lake Pend Oreille stretching out below.

SKI IDAHO EVENTS, DEALS & LODGING

Kelly Canyon ~ Targhee Bonus Present your 08-09 Kelly Canyon season pass at Targhee BEFORE Kelly Canyon opens and receive a HALF price day ticket.

Silver Mountain: Silver Rapids Water Park - The family fun continues year-round at Silver Mountain. Silver Rapids is HUGE--nearly the size of a football field, plus the weather is perfect--84 degrees everyday. So come catch a Wave--where else can you surf in Idaho? Stay & Play: luxury condos are just steps from the waterpark. 1 day lodging and 2 days of waterpark fun starting at $149 for a family of four!

Sun Valley: October 31 - Nightmare on Main Street, Ketchum's biggest party of the year! Main Street will be closed off for ultimate partying. Live music by The Jeremiah James Gang Band, food booths, drink specials and a costume contest with big prizes. This event will serve as a fundraiser for employees of Whiskey Jacques and the Sawtooth Club, popular local businesses that were damaged in a fire in September. Downtown Ketchum, $10 for adults. www.visitsunvalley.com (208) 726-3423.

Schweitzer: First Annual Fear Fest - Friday, October 31st and Saturday, November 1st, 6pm-9pm. Schweitzer's first annual Fear Fest creeps its way into The Attic of the Selkirk Lodge at Schweitzer. Dare to enter and you'll be greeted by a nightmarish experience that will leave you unsettled for days. Guaranteed to leave you screaming; The Attic is not recommended for children under 13 years old. Guests meet our tour guides in the Selkirk Lodge lobby and take the elevator of no return to The Attic. From there it's a horrifying trip through a fright-scape you have to see to believe! Party and Concert - Break out your craziest costume for the Halloween party to end all Halloween parties! The Jason Spooner Trio plays in Taps, plus enter the costume contest for a $500 cash prize and enjoy free appetizers. Last year's party sold out so buy your tickets in advance.

Thanksgiving in Sun Valley:
Sun Valley/Ketchum is held by many as the gold standard of skiing with gloriously long runs, notoriously short lift lines, and an abundance of Idaho sunshine. In an uncertain economic climate, a trip to Sun Valley/Ketchum ensures a great value and a positive return on investment with vacation plans that live up to powder dreams and skiing superlatives.

Thanksgiving Day heralds the traditional opening of the winter season with deep discounts. Amid minimal crowds, with the feeling of skiing your own private resort on an abundance of snow, Thanksgiving ski holidays offer a way to add to your scrapbook while being kind to your checkbook. Between November 27th and December 12th, packages start at $116 per person including lift tickets and lodging, with kids 15 and under skiing free.

For the most spectacular memories of your Thanksgiving holiday getaway, call to reserve your Sun Valley Resort Thanksgiving Package that includes 4 nights lodging, 3 days of skiing, and a lavish Thanksgiving feast, all for $302 per person, double occupancy. There is nothing like a Sun Valley Thanksgiving to celebrate family and spend time together.

IDAHO SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS:

Bald Mountain - Bogus Basin - Brundage - Cottonwood Butte - Grand Targhee - Kelly Canyon - Little Ski Hill - Lookout Pass - Lost Trail - Magic Mountain - Pebble Creek - Pomerelle - Schweitzer Mountain - Silver Mountain - Snow Haven - Soldier Mountain - Sun Valley - Tamarack