Want to guarantee first tracks in Aspen this season? It will only cost $25,000

When the Aspen Skiing Co. calls something the “Ultimate Ski Pass,” they mean ultimate.

The pass allows the holder (and up to three friends) the chance to get “unlimited” first tracks all season on all four Aspen mountains before the public is allowed up. But there are many more benefits, including a meeting with the U.S. Women’s Ski Team and lots of behind-the-scenes access.

Sound good? We think so. But bring your wallet: the pass costs $25,000.

Hey, it’s Aspen. And besides, it’s also tax deductible. Learn more in this Aspen Times story.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Check out reviews of the best ski and snowboard gear right here

You might say that the annual gear reviews begin with a flake when the first picks are released. But by this time of the year, there are so many gear guides out there it’s an avalanche of information.

So as a reader service (because that’s what we are ALL about at Swany Gloves) we have collected some of the top ones all in one place for you to use. So if you wind up skiing or riding the slopes using inferior gear, don’t blame us!

• SkiingMag.com Editor’s Picks: Here’s what the top editorial dogs liked best.
• SkiingMag.com Gear Guide: Here’s the complete list of what Skiing Magazine examined.
• Transworld 2012 Gear Guide: Here’s where to find the best in snowboards and gear.
• Freeskier 2012 Gear Guide: You need more ski reviews? We have them here.

Swany Arctic Mitts: Speaking of gear reviews, leading snowboarding blogger Shayboarder LOVED our mitts. Check it out.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

A first-day video from Wolf Creek in honor of Denver’s first day of snow

WATCH: http://vimeo.com/30335463

OK, it’s really ON in Colorado now that Denver has gotten its first snowfall of the season. Granted, it’s not a powder day by any stretch of the imagination in the Mile High City, but it has us even more charged up for skiing and riding.

To honor this unofficial first day of winter, we’re sharing this terrific video sent to us by Benton Iscoe of Breckenridge, who hit the slopes at Wolf Creek earlier this month when it became the first Colorado resort to open.

And even though we haven’t officially opened the gates to our third annual Outdoor Adventure Video Contest, we’re going to dub this the first entry. Check out last season’s winners.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

How much will it snow? We know! Hint: It’s going to be good

Does this map of weather patterns explain the snow forecast for the coming season?

We know the two questions foremost in the minds of those who ski and ride:

• How much snow can we expect this season?
• Will it be more or less than last year?

Of course, no one knows EXACTLY what that answer will be, but the experts at Skiing Magazine have a pretty good idea of the answer to both of those questions. Want to find out? Read on.

Speaking of skiing, did you see what Lindsey Vonn did in the World Cup season opener? Looking for new gear for the season, check out these guides. Trying to find a ski expo? Look here.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Ligety wins giant slalom to make it an American sweep of the World Cup’s opening weekend

Make that a double for U.S. skiers during opening weekend of the World Cup season in Soelden, Austria.

Ted Ligety stormed to victory on Sunday one day after Lindsey Vonn won the women’s season-opening giant slalom on Saturday. Other Americans did well, also, as Bode Miller snuck into the Top 10. Get complete results and learn where others finished by reading this story.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Lindsey Vonn makes a statement (and some history) with World Cup giant slalom win

Any lingering questions about Lindsey Vonn’s reaction to not winning the overall World Cup title last season were answered on Saturday.

Vonn won the season-opening giant slalom of the season in  Sölden, Austria. At the same time, she made history with her first career victory in giant slalom, becoming only the fifth woman to win at least one race in all World Cup disciplines: slalom, giant slalom, Super G, downhill and combined.

The offseason has seen Vonn endure some criticism for her less than graceful acceptance of defeat last season and the apparent cooling of her friendship with champion Maria Riesch, who finished well off the pace on Saturday. See just how far back, and where fellow American Julia Mancuso finished, by reading this story.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Has Lindsey Vonn sworn off being friendly with World cup skiing rival Maria Riesch?

Remember how Lindsey Vonn and Maria Riesch used to be best friends despite their ongoing competition for the top spot on the World Cup circuit?

That’s history.

Judging from this story in advance of the weekend’s opening World Cup event on the Rettenbach Glacier in Austria, last year’s controversial finish that saw Vonn lose the overall title to Riesch when the season’s last race was canceled has her steaming. And that means her best friend is no longer her best friend. Should make for an interesting season. Read the story and look at this piece from Sports Illustrated. 

Then again, this might suggest things aren’t that dire.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

‘Wyoming Triumph’ looks like a tour de force of backcountry skiing

All we can say is, WOW! This trailer from “Wyoming Triumph” is an eye-popping, pulse-racing collection of white-knuckle backcountry skiing all over the great state of Wyoming.

The gang at Skiing Interactive have some of the backstory of the film, made over a two-year period, and a number of great behind-the-scenes videos that are also very cool. To learn even more about the making of the film and its touring schedule (which isn’t posted yet) this winter, visit the Wyoming Triumph website. You’ll be happy you did.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Dave Treadway’s latest video has him flying through the backcountry powder with the greatest of ease

Dave Treadway is INSANE! Actually, he’s just really, really good at skiing some of the most beautiful backcountry in the world in British Columbia. Take a look at this fantastic new video and you’ll agree.

Want more Treadway? (Of course you do.) Check out this Swany-sponsored athlete’s blog.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for even more.

Check out a ski and snowboard expo near you

A few resorts are open for limited action in Colorado, but for most people, their first turns on the slope are still weeks away.

But there is a way to get some skiing and riding excitement in your life:  Check out an upcoming ski show in your area. Below we’ve listed three shows in the coming weeks. But we know there are more, so tell us about shows in your area by commenting below and we’ll keep adding to this list.

• Minnesota Ski and Snowboard Expo (Oct. 21-23): The event at the Mall of America just outside Minneapolis offers a $10 Liftopia gift card to attendees as well as “learn to ski” lessons on an indoor slope, among many other things to do. Details.
• Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo (Nov. 4-6): The 20th annual expo at the Colorado Convention Center will offer deals on skis, boards, clothing and accessories as well as a variety of special appearances and demonstrations. Details.
• Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo (Nov. 10-13):  Organizers of the event at the Seaport World Trade Center, in addition to the usual fun, are promising that “East Coast Alpine & Eastern Boarder will be rolling out the biggest ski & snowboard sale of all time.” Details.

Swany Gloves is dedicated to bringing you the best of outdoor adventure. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter for updates on more adventures.