There are a lot of worthless (and nearly so) 'Green' books on the market. Drop by your local bookstore and browse the 'eco' section. It's amazing to see publishers continue to pump out pretty, but vague, books designed to latch on to the Green bandwagon. After trading emails with Auden Schendler, the author of 'Getting Green Done', I decided that I should read at least one more 'eco-book'. Now, I'm quite glad I did.

Can a ski area grow and be green? Must a ski area expand to remain competitive and attract skiers and boarders? Does proposing a development plan make a ski area less environmentally friendly? These aren't rhetorical questions, they apply to ski areas worldwide. For example, Taos Ski Valley has presented a 10-year Master Development Plan to the Forest Service. As Taos Ski Valley operates on Forest Service land the public is invited to comment on the development plans. So, here are a few of mine.

Some early season ski stoke from Sweetgrass Productions - Desert River.

Desert River from Nicholas Waggoner on Vimeo.

Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving in the US is infamous for early-morning sales and hordes of shoppers. If your plans for Black Friday include a tactical shopping mission - I have a suggestion. Buy Durable Stuff. Whatever it is you shop for, choose products that are made to last. For a product to be sustainable it must also be durable. Now, how do you find well made, durable stuff?

Mountains are a source of inspiration, recreation, beauty and solitude. Mountains hold the snow that we ski in winter and then melts in Spring and Summer to water our fields and gardens. Swiss researchers have found that mountains may act as bio-diverse refuges for plant and animal species as global warming alters the climate. Here is just one more reason to respect and preserve the mountains we love.

Autumn rainstorms make for a cool and melancholy day. But, rain in town often means snow in the mountains. The ski season may still be weeks away, but seeing snowy peaks can get me in the mood. Ski movies and ski swaps also get me excited for the upcoming season. Read below for the time, date and places for Matchstick Production's newest ski film THE WAY I SEE IT and the Santa Fe Ski Team's Winter Gear Swap.

WHAT: THE WAY I SEE IT by Matchstick Productions
WHEN: Friday, November 5, 6:00 & 8:30pm
WHERE: CinemaCafé, 1616 St. Michael's Drive, Santa Fe, NM

In the mountains, the Aspens have turned color and the weather has turned cooler. We've finally passed the Autumnal Equinox and shifted from a too-hot summer into fall. What is there to do while we wait for the snow? Besides prepping gear and a litle daydreaming I've built a ski bench to rest my lazy bones on. If you've been skiing or snowboarding for a few years it is easy to collect old skis and boards. Instead of filling your closet, the garage or a landfill why not build something out of your old skis?

Winters of My Life from Jonathan Burhop on Vimeo.