Janice Bachmeier a K2 Ski Alliance member as well as also a full time fire fighter and mom. Earlier in her days, Janice competed in moguls and aerials circuit. Today she competes in water skiing comps and is a nationally ranked water skier. outdoor DIVAS wanted to ask this extreme mom a few questions.

outdoorDIVAS: Would your kids call you a "cool" mom or are they at that "everything my parents do (no matter how cool) is lame" stage?
Janice:  "Cool" mom for sure! We have two girls ages 13 and 16. We do a lot of stuff together and I love skiing with my girls - they rock! I know they like me around cause I get a lot of "flack" if I don’t show up to support them when they compete, have school events, etc. My kids say I am an "up for anything" kind of mom. I'd say were pretty close.

outdoorDIVAS: As a mature athletic in the ski industry you have truly seen the industry change, (as in more women’s specific), what has been the biggest leap you’ve seen in technology and in fashion?
Janice:  Wow, everything has changed! When I was 18 there were hardly any good girl skiers. Now, there are tons! Aggressive girl skiers - I love it!

Probably the biggest leap in technology would for sure be women’s skis! Back when I started skiing, I don’t even think ski companies offered women’s skis. Plus, I wouldn’t have considered skiing on them. About 9 years ago, K2 recognized that there were women’s skis available on the market and there were a lot of women skiers on the hill, but women were still skiing on men’s skis. There were no high-quality women’s skis on the market. K2 set out to change this and put together a group of strong women and formed the first K2 Alliance Women’s Team. And changes they made! Today’s skis have lighter weight core materials, forward mounting binding positions, forward side cuts, innovative flex patterns, modified dampening systems. Plus, they look pretty hot! Today’s K2 T-Nine women’s line offers a ski for every woman skier out there, from beginner to intermediate, hard skiing ex-racers, and every condition-- flats, ice, moguls, power, and backcountry. I have skied every one and they are all great!

Fashion has changed too - for the better. There are more manufacturers making women’s clothing. I think the snowboard influence really changed the ski clothing industry in recent years. Better functionality, fabrics, fit and designs. I love ski clothes, I have so many that I probably could outfit a small army!

outdoorDIVAS: Can you tell us how you got started in the ski industry?
Janice:  When I was 16, I tried out to be a ski instructor up at local ski area. My life changed completely. I made a whole new group of friends (mainly boys) and whatever they did on the mountain I followed! Jumping off stuff, skiing fast, doing tricks. I was "hooked" having so much fun. I skied every weekend and a few nights midweek. A good friend coached me in moguls, ballet and aerials and I started competing at a local level. I would also help the local ski reps at ski shows. After high school, I taught full time at the local hill, kept competing and earned a spot on the US Freestyle Team. I competed in the World Cup events in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and France in three events (ballet, aerials, and moguls). It was a great experience.

I taught skiing for 15 years both as an instructor and a clinic instructor and taught at many ski camps. I also did a lot of Masters Racers after I retired from Freestyle. Today, I have a full-time job as a firefighter and am still as passionate about skiing!

I spend a lot of time supporting my kids doing their ski activities. My youngest ski races and my oldest competes in Big Mountain Extreme Comps. Over the years, I have done a lot of volunteering for our local Ski Club and of course a lot of driving to events and making sure my kids equipment is ready and they are mentally ready.

outdoorDIVAS: Do you have any pre-competition rituals?
Janice:  I do! I am a three-event water-skier and here’s what I do! Goofy as it sounds I don’t watch my competition. I focus entirely on me. I will either listen to a really rocking, loud song on my iPod or joke around with friends. I try to relax and have fun. Oh, and I do wear only "good" luck shorts. Some get only one wear, some a lot!!!

This Pistil Jax Beanie is a best seller on outdoorDIVAS.com this season. The Jax Beanie in charcoal, olive, sky, or brown makes for a great stocking stuffer or gift for the up-coming holidays.

Pistil Jax Beanie - Charcoal

Pistil Jax Beanie - Sky

Pistil Jax Beanie - Brown

Pistil Jax Beanie - Olive

This beanie looks great on everyone, buy one for yourself and for your friends.

The DIVAS snowshoed and skinned up to the top of Vail pass, and enjoyed every minute of it. There is nothing like enjoying good times in the outdoors with good friends.

The ladies of outdoor DIVAS were able to test the gear while enjoying it. The following items were big favorites:

G3 Women's Nectar skis	G3 Alpinish Elle Skins	Mountain Hardwear Powestretch Zip T	Mountain Hardwear Powerstretch Tights	Pistil Betty Hat
K2 Women's Miss Baker Skis	Women's Helly Hansen Dynamic 1/2	Women's Patagonia R1 Flash Pullover	Women's CW-X Expert Tights	Women's CW-X Insulator Stability Tights

The guys had flair, style and move to spare. These drag queens showcased a sample of our women's adventure gear lines from Orage, K2, Bettyrides, Skirt Sports, KEEN footwear, Burton and others. Our 3rd annual DIVAS in Drag show was filled with Burton bandanna making, cake eating and video playing. The lucky attendees who went home with the ROXY Envy snowboard, Gretchen Bleilers K2 Mix snowboard and the women's Neversummer Infinity snowboard were more then stoked. Not to mention the winners of the KEEN footwear giveaways, Rossignol ski bag, Orage gift cert and the Betty Rides jacket were more then pleased.

(THANKS again SPONSORS!) See it to believe it

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Now these guys just couldn't jump into a pair of women's ski pants or a running skirt on their own.  Oscar Blues supplied the liquid courage and our professional makeup artist was very reassuring. Plus the women’s ski and ride gear they wore was so cool anyone would want to sport it.

Next year get your tickets early and let the Drag Queens do all the strutting.

The October 2008 best sellers list shows that women are gearing up for winter. Here comes the snow, ladies. You can find all the most popular down jackets and layers that other women are shopping for at outoorDIVAS.com.

1.		Verve Clothing Leda Pants
2.		Betty Rides Rocker Pant
3.		Burton Women's Starr Vest
4.		Pistil Sprout Beanie
5.		Isis Clothing Snow Queen Coat
6.		Helly Hansen Bianca Down Jacket
7.		Prana Amaya Top
8.		Skirt Sports Gym Girl
9.		Moving Comfort Lila Bra
10.		Sierra Designs Vesper 1/4 Zip Fleece