A Utah doctor says American snowboarder Kevin Pearce is improving in a Salt Lake City hospital. Dr. Holly Ledyard says in a statement Wednesday that Pearce’s breathing tube has been removed. She says he’s slowly regaining consciousness and is able to follow commands.

Seven different tourist offices and the four ski lift companies in the 3 Valleys, the world’s largest ski area, have responded to consumer concerns over food and drink prices and cut charges. “This is a first for a French ski area and they are keen to show their willingness to adapt to the market by being innovative, whilst listening to the needs and suggestions of tour operators and their customers.” said an area spokesman.

A Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski patroller is still in critical condition Wednesday night at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after being buried in an avalanche. The resort says 58-year-old Mark Wolling was caught in the slide Wednesday morning as he and other patrollers conducted avalanche hazard reduction work in the Cheyenne Bowl.

Two skiers have died in accidents at Colorado ski resorts this week. A 23-year-old ski instructor at the Arapahoe Basin ski area was found dead at the Steamboat ski area Wednesday. Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg says Grace Lynn McNeil of Cedar, Mich., was found under 2 feet of snow in a tree well, the depression of snow that forms around a tree base.

With the Olympic Winter Games a little over a month away (I can’t believe 2009 is gone!), Under Armour has just released a second Lindsey Vonn behind the scenes video, this time shadowing her as she goes through her fitness routine at the gym.

Outdoor lovers everywhere, from walkers to polar explorers, climbers to festival goers, are raving about this essential kit item. Even celebrities such as Fearne Cotton have been talking about it. She and Alesha Dixon used Shewee when they climbed Mt Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief.