I always get a little fired up when I hear or read something about what it's like to be a skier or rider, about being a part of this exclusive community. Pick a non-skiing friend or coworker and try to explain to them what our sport is all about. Tell them what it's like to be surrounded in every direction with scenes fit for a museum or how it feels to get the adrenaline rush that comes with going as fast as your limits allow while still being in total control. The chances are your comments will be met with polite smiles, friendly oohs and ahhs and eyes that say, "I don't know what you're talking about."

I recently received a copy of the first issue of "Mountain Sports + Living," a brand new ski rag, and I wanted to share something written by Lee Cohen in an article titled "The Flip Side." Cohen wrote, "It's kind of cliché, but skiing is a disease. There are some variations, but for the afflicted, to live without skiing is unbearable. It is their life. Those who don't have the disease don't get it, and they never will."

Surround yourself with likeminded people this winter and take a trip to the mountains for an experience you will cherish for the rest of your life. Be sure to look at the special deals section of www.ski.com and call a Mountain Vacation Specialist at 800-299-0656 to customize the vacation that's right for you.

If you want to learn more about our Aspen, Colorado-based Mountain Vacation Specialists, you can check out some of them on Facebook. Click here to learn more about Christine Connolly. A native of the Aspen/Snowmass area, Christine has been with Ski.com for eight years and can customize a mountain vacation that's perfect for you.

If you have a group of 20 or more, click here to learn more about Gloria Saiya-Woods. Gloria is a member our department dedicated to groups, has been with Ski.com since 1983 and recently returned from a trip to Europe where she toured several destinations in the Alps.