Here are the 10 essential things all serious skiers should do,,,but first let's define "serious".
Serious to me ,means a person who sees skiing as a life long "adventure" where you are learning and progressing at all times! It is a person who wants to "get the most" from skiing!
Just from the many answers it is clear we have some serious skiers here! Gooseh's daydreaming suggestions are "understandable" but you must get beyond dreams to progress in skiing.
Tony H items 9 and 10 nearly got him a special prize since all skiers should note this! I have found so many great "deals" while traveling and stopping by some small resort or ski shop!
Ross's rock skiing is a well know practice to keep skiing alive,,but does have some serious disadvantages! My scars prove it! Worst is sand skiing!
The most original and touching was IceGhost's suggestion to , "touch base with family"! Right on the mark for skiing gypsies!
Now here are my suggestions for activities to do EVERY year, after a ski season.
1. Clean and check all ski equipment
It is during this period that you can detect that zipper that sticks, that velcro that needs extra section, that jacket ripped,that glove with hole,that goggle with elastic cut, that boot with loose rivet, that screw off that ski glasses! Dubbin or MINK OIL are great products to "massage" into ski gloves! I find placing scented wood chips into ski jacket pockets gives me a great feeling in October.
2. Wax skis and set DIN level to 0 on bindings!
Edges do rust over summer so any cheap wax on ski edges will do! If you want to keep your binding for more than 4 years set DIN level at 0 since it will release tension spring!
3.Sit down and make inventory of you ski equipment and make "needs list for 2009"!
What did you miss while skiing? What product did you see other skiers had which was great? This list is great for; birthdays, Christmas wish list, father's day list or just whenever anyone in family is "kind" to you! In IceGhost's case his family might be so happy to hear from him, they might buy him a "home welcome" gift!
The object of this exercise is to every year get a better inventory of ski material you need! In a couple of years you will have a "full inventory" of practical ski material!
4. Make a "bilan" of positive and negative aspects of your ski year! Bilan is a French word for 'end-of-year report! Why do this? So you can avoid the negatives next year and strives to promote the positives!
In this manner you will avoid negative ski resorts! Negative ski "friends"! Negative skis! Negative ski products! Yes even negative ski trips!
In short ,,ask yourself, "what went well last year" and....strive to repeat it!
5. Now is the time to plan ski trips next year! Now is the time to discuss prices and select ski resorts and ski friends!
6. Of course now that you are in top shape after all that skiing,,now you must keep this this "elite" Olympic level ski shape active! By all means plan activities so that in October you are not suffering from aching thighs, sore knees and backs!
7. Review all your BOOKMARKS! There are valuable ski sites that give you all sorts of information! Evaluate the sites you visited! Some are garbage! Some are too commercial! Then there are those which really are designed by skiers for skiers! Keep those rare pearls!
In July I will post my 10 most relevant internet sites! Yes another prize will be given!
8. Visit ski shops, ski clubs, ski bazzars!
Now is the time to get great deals since many skiers ( especially ski professionals

sell their equipment! Most racers want new skis ever year! All ski instructors demand the newest skis and boots! Prestige demands it! You can get fantastic deals NOW!
9. Review ski photos and videos! We are more and more into the electronic world and we can learn via this medium! I have skier friends that I tape every year and at end of ski year we do a video "collage" over a 10 year period!
You can see your progress! You can view your mistakes! You can establish what you will do next year!
10. Here is the most important "suggestion"! Set yourself 3 goals! Just 3, but promise to attain these goals!
It could be just skiing that "hard" run you have always avoided!
It could be skiing with wife at least 6 runs.
It could be that great trip to powder heaven!
It could be just taking a ski holiday to Maine!
Then do all you can to work for these goals!
JUST MAKE SURE YOU HONOR THOSE GOALS!!!
Now for the winner!
DaveMac you are the winner of a polar fleece vest! Please send via PM your residence and choice since I have two types of vests!
The team vest is medium and royal blue, with USA Team logo on chest area!
The large thick vest is a caramel/honey and red vest! It has a ski resort logo that will be the envy of all your ski friends! Once you have been there,,all other resorts will be evaluated in reference to this place! (This is not a commercial)"
You will have to "prepare" some form a story very much like Mike and his instructor jacket he wears! May I suggest you become well versed with White Heat!
Pavel