…and by “positive” we’re talking about positive snow control.  In other words, the inspectors have given the Soelden, Austria glacier the green light to host next weekend’s FIS World Cup season opener.  What did you think we meant?  Anyway, the competition will be the usual giant slalom events; gals on Saturday, guys on Sunday.  Defending winners are Marco Odermatt and Mikaela Shiffrin…photo above from Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, they cranked up the guns yesterday, as did neighbor Loveland.  It’s the annual race to first chair, and although it has tended toward the Basin in recent years, the rivalry has grown friendly over the years and we’re glad to see both benefit from the publicity.   Loveland may be quirky, but it’s easily one of the most underrated ski areas in the country…turning east, Killington laid down a huge volley of snow last weekend, but rising temps made it much ado about nothing.  Or was it?  Good test of the system I imagine, and certainly garnered a bunch of free TV news time in the Boston area…elsewhere, recent snow atop Saddleback  Maine, Smuggler’s Notch Vermont, and quite a few others.  It’s referred to as “snowliage” by some New Englanders, as they’re enjoying peak leaf peeping season right now…not gonna talk too much about newsy news from the resort industry today, it remains kind of depressing.  Vail Resorts Inc. doing all sorts of lift upgrades, rolling out some pricey new products to “enhance the customer experience” of course,  but I just don’t see much activity in terms of employee housing, you know, so that they have people to actually work at their resorts….On the positive side, Indy Pass recently added Arctic Valley Alaska,  Mt. Crescent IA, as well as Calabogie  and Loch Lomond in Ontario, plus a few more “allied” resorts where Indy Pass holders get a discount….went to the original Loch Lomond a few months ago, interesting geology and beautiful area, kind of a stepping stone to the higher and wilder Scottish Highlands.  Beautiful country…season nearly upon us, time to dust off the gear and do a few extra stretches between donuts…