EcoNewMexico.com

Are you ready for the start of ski season? Stock up on excitement and gear over the next two weekends in Santa Fe. Watch 'In Deep' Nov. 6th and 'Flakes' on Nov. 15 at the Jean Cocteau Theater for deep powder fun and big mountain thrills. Pick up new boots, boards and bindings, clothes and assorted snow sports gear at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center during the Santa Fe Ski Team Swap from Nov. 13 through 15. Read below for dates, times and locations and mark your calendar for some pre-season stimulation. Until then, Think Snow!

If the individual and idiosyncratic people of Santa Fe have a universal sport, it is hiking. Trail hiking is the simplest and most direct way to explore the mountains and arroyos that surround The City Different. Of course, A Walk in the Woods is also a superb way to escape (often with your dog) the paved confines of the city. Conveniently, you can celebrate America's 200,000 miles of trails (with a friend) this Saturday, June 6, 2009 at a National Trails Day celebration.

Welcome to Bike to Work Week 2009! This is your annual reminder that bicycling is a great way to get in shape, save money on gas, explore your neighborhood and reduce your carbon footprint. To top it all off, riding a bike is fun too! Below is a schedule of Santa Fe Bike to Work Week free events to check out. Enjoy the warm spring weather and pedal on down to the Railyard Friday morning for a festive Bike to Work Day fun and giveaways. You know you want to ride your bike, so the question is what is stopping you?*

Bike to Work Week - May 11-16, 2009

What: Tony Forrest Telemark Workshop
When: January 31 and Feb 1, 2009
Where: Ski Santa Fe

This amazing Telemark Workshop is now in its 22nd year. We hope you will come and join Tony Forrest and a host of other fantastic instructors to learn the latest in telemark technique. New tele skiers are welcome, however the workshop is not for someone who has never skied downhill (alpine or tele) before.

The Tony Forrest Telemark Workshop includes four hours of lessons each day.
Class: Saturday and Sunday, January 31 and Feb 1, 2009
Time: 10 am - 3pm

Update: The Climate Code has its own website at SnowCode.org.

What: Santa Fe Ski & Sport Swap
Where: Genoveva Chavez Community Center, Santa Fe, NM
When: November 14, 15 and 16, 2008

The snow has started to fly and winter is knocking on our door. That means it's time to gear up for winter. If you haven't started shopping for your skis, boots, boards and snow gear don't worry. The annual Santa Fe Ski Team Winter Sports Swap is here! Head over to the Genoveva Chavez Community Center from Friday, Nov. 14 through Sunday the 16th for great deals on new and used snow sports gear.

Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 14th

WHAT: The Pact by Powderwhore Productions
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 13th, 6:00 & 8:30pm
WHERE: CinemaCafé, 1616 St. Michael's Drive, Santa Fe, NM
TICKETS: $10 at the door

One of the many reasons I love winter is skiing. Well, I just tried another surface for skiing that doesn't need cold weather - sand dunes. While I fervently hope that the snow keeps coming each winter (and I'm working to make sure that it does) I've found a new place to slide on some old skis - The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

I'm definitely no expert, so I went with some new friends who are old hands at sand skiing. From what I've learned the basics of sand skiing are: