It's All Downhill: Teaching an old dog new tricks

[View web version]( [It's All Downhill] Friday, November 17 [Follow Matt Pepin]( [I feel your pain](#) I could definitely relate to [ESPN's recent story about Detroit Lions defensive tackle Akeem Spence's experience trying out snowboarding]( for the first time. Several years ago, my sons wanted to try snowboarding, so we signed up for one of those deals that was part of New Hampshire's Learn to Ski or Snowboard month. After years of confident skiing, I had the same belief Spence expressed in the article: "You know, I'm thinking I'm an athlete, so it shouldn't take me no time - 30, 40 minutes I'll be going down the hill in no time. but it wasn't like that," said Spence, who is 6-1 and 307 pounds. My experience went much like Spence's. I fell a lot, but by the end of the day I could go top to bottom - on the bunny slope at Pat's Peak. I was in some serious pain that night, but pretty pleased for having given it a go. I liked it, but not enough to give up skiing, although one of my two sons switched to snowboarding and has not skied since. As for Spence? He had the benefit of a pal who was an experienced snowboarder to help him learn the ropes, and he stuck with it to the point it's a passion for him now. I've thought of giving it another try, especially now that I have a basement full of snowboarding gear that belongs to my son as well as some relatives who live in Florida. There's something about snowboarding that is alluring. I admire the way boarders can sort of surf the slope and carry their speed in a different way. I also imagine catching air is a whole new sensation on a snowboard. The pain is a factor, for sure, but I think I'm going to give it a go. I've always disliked that expression about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks anyway. OPENING DAY: Here's a case where photos are better than words, so I'm passing along some opening-day shots that were shared with me. Mount Snow [mtsnow2017openingday] Wachusett [wachusett2017openingday] Wildcat [wildcat2017openingday] Sunday River: The aerial photo below was taken by Larry Grenier during the opening weekend and shared with both Sunday River and It's All Downhill. Grenier told me he was flying on the north side of the mountain, going west to east, in his 1939 Piper Cub. [sundayriver] PLAN AHEAD: The three New England ski areas in the Fairbank Group - Jiminy Peak, Bromley, and Cranmore - have adopted what they are calling "airline-style variable ticket pricing" to offer significant discounts for buying in advance. The savings can be as much as 30 to 50 percent, similar to the types of deals available on websites like Liftopia or GetSkiTickets.com that reward customers for locking in early. Meanwhile, Liftopia is [starting a "Cyber Monday" sale on Tuesday]( Nov. 21 that offers added value to gift card purchases. And the Boston Ski & Sports Club has [a good lineup of day trips that get you a ride and a lift ticket]( at pretty good prices. BOSTON WINTER FILM FESTIVAL: The 5th annual Boston Winter Film Festival is Dec. 8 at Down the Road Brewery in Everett and Dec. 9 at Brooklyn Boulders in Somerville. [Check out the film lineup here]( and [buy advance tickets here](. GOOD ADVICE: The Ski Diva has a good preseason checklist - [16 quick tips for a better ski day]( - to review before your first day out. Some are obvious - use sunscreen and dress in layers - but others are good reminders you might not have thought of before they actually happened. Like keep your cell phone warm. I knew this, yet the other day when it was crazy cold I went running and sure enough a full charge was down to nothing by the end. Another good one: Put the ski patrol number in your contact list. 'TIS THE SEASON: Ski racing season has begun, and the women's World Cup visits Vermont next weekend. Slalom and giant slalom races will be held at Killington Nov. 25-26, and you can watch for free. But how do US skiers get to compete? [SkiRacing.com had a good explanation recently](. ALL SYSTEMS GO: Killington received [the official OK to hold its World Cup races]( from the International Ski Federation. It's technically called "positive snow control" but man that sounds pretty stuffy. LOOKING GOOD: Spyder [revealed the uniforms the US ski team will wear at the PyeongChang Olympics](. Snazzy, IMO. INTERESTING CONVERSATION: Vermont Public Radio [hosted an interesting discussion on its Vermont Edition program this week](. Host Jane Lindholm was joined by journalists Karen Lorentz and Adam Howard to discuss the state of the ski industry in Vermont, including the sale of some of the state's ski areas, participation rates, and the future of skiing in Vermont. Most notable was one caller's comment that he decided to purchase a season pass at Sugarbush instead of Stowe despite the fact Stowe, by now being included in Vail's Epic Pass program, was considerably less than it was previously. His reason was he believed Stowe would now be too crowded. A GOOD LAUGH: The Snow Report by the always clever Halley O'Brien is back, and [the latest one takes a look]( at the hysteria surrounding opening day as well as a lighthearted look at getting ready for the Winter Olympics. ENDLESS WINTER: Before you completely close the book on last season, [it's worth reading VT Ski+Ride's collection of tales about last season]( which lasted officially until June and unofficially beyond that. It's a good way to get in the right frame of mind as you set your ski calendar for this season. [Like It's All Downhill? Tell a friend to subscribe](. [Sign up for more Boston Globe newsletters](. 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