That’s Wild Mountain up in Taylors Falls Minnesota, perennial “first to open” in the midwest and it looks like they’ve done it again. Wild spun the lifts late yesterday, they’re open this afternoon and on through the season. This place gets it right…I’ll tell you who gets it wrong, that would be Vail Resorts Inc. who yesterday had a splash banner image on the Okemo VT website, great photo. Unfortunately it was a photo of Stowe. Amazing how the Broomfield Borg constantly uncovers new ways to alienate skiers in the northeast, often in the name of “improving the guest experience” and a dash of greenwashing…Well after a poorly timed but fortunately brief warm up last week, the guns are back on in the northeast and midwest, and Killington giving it all they got to get Superstar and the support trails ready. I think it’s Skyelark? Doesn’t matter, it’s looker’s left, and it’s looking good! “Snow control” is coming up, which is FIS-speak meaning that the course gets inspected, and “positive” means they’ll be good to go…concerning that warm up, couple of the eastern areas are pushing back their openings…Sunday River making snow on Barker and Locke but opening a bit later than usual…back to World Cup chit chat, after a parallel slalom event in Lech/Zeurs Austria with competition for both men and women this weekend, the gals’ podium was comprised of Andrea Slokar of Slovenia on the top slot, followed by Thea Louise St. Jenesrund and Kristin Lysdahl of Norway 2nd and 3rd. On the boys’ side, Austrians Christian Hirschbuehl and Dominik Raschner were 1-2, with Atle Lie McGrath of Norway in 3rd. You’ll be forgiven for not knowing any of the six, and you’ll pardon any typos, because none of ’em have ever been on the podium! All six spots to first-evers — has that happened before? I imagine so, but certainly not that I can recall. We often see new names and first podiums in these side-by-side competitions, but all six? And based on gaining some points back in the season opener, Ms. Slokar is in first place in the overall standings! Well it’s odd, but it’s good. Glad to see some new names and faces having success.

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