Right now is the time for winter warm-ups

It snowed. True. Not a lot by midwinter standards. Only a few inches at the 7,000-foot level and eight inches at the top of Snowbird's 11,000-foot Hidden Peak.

But, it snowed. And it was enough to get people to start thinking about snowblowers, fireplaces, winterizing the boat and skiing.

It also got the PR people switching from summer to winter. Laura Schaffer at Snowbird sent out a release on the first snow, noting that this is a bonus snow and won't be included in the season total, which officially starts measuring on Nov. 1. Mary Rowland at Snowbasin sent pictures.

Jessica Kunzer, new communications director of Ski Utah, warmed up the computer with a long list of upcoming ski movies.

Sharon Johnson, PR director at the Deseret Morning News, brought to my attention the 2007 forms and cards for the annual Deseret Morning News Ski/Snowboard School. Registration starts in about two weeks.

A man next to me on the upright bike at the Sports Mall said, after his 40-minute workout, that he was late starting his ski conditioning. With the warm temperatures we've had the past few months, it's understandable.

The snow, he said, got him thinking.

The signal to start workouts for the first trip to the ski slopes, however, should be when the leaves begin to change colors, not when the first snow falls.

It's a fact that those skiers who are out of shape after a summer of little or no activity have less energy, tire more quickly and are more prone to injury.

And, conditioning needs to be more than a few sit-ups and a couple of deep-knee bends.

Trainers break it down into cardiovascular and strength training. Cardiovascular consisting of things like running, cycling (either on a regular bicycle or stationary cycle indoors), hiking or walking.

In strength training, the muscles most used in skiing are those in the lower body, mainly the ankles, legs and hips. This does not mean other muscle groups should be ignored. The abdominal muscles, for example, are important in stabilizing and protecting the spine.

It's a fact, though, that a little exercising now can make for a more enjoyable, and safer, ski season.

If the ski sales and a light covering of snow aren't enough to encourage a little fitness training, consider a ski movie.

Nothing gives a skier the fever faster than watching someone take a vertical run in shoulder-deep powder.

Showtime starts with "Realtime" at the Atrium Building in Ogden this Saturday.

The Utah sponsored Warren Miller movie, this year's edition titled "Playground," will open Oct. 24 in the XanGo Grand Theatre in Orem and Oct. 25 in the Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City.