Jen Forsyth

As the holidays approach, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you will hear reminders for shopping deals, reminders about holiday food, reminders about family and yes, reminders not to drink and drive. It may feel a little early for that last one. I certainly thought it was two years ago when I answered a call at my daughter’s cheer competition in Louisville, Ky. It was from my oldest son, and it was the worst call of my life. “Mom, there was an accident.

This time of the ski season is bittersweet. Coverage is just getting to the point where you can let the skis or snowboard let loose without worry about what might be underneath, but then the sporadic warm and sunny day rears its beautiful head and has us dreaming of flips flops, shorts and carefree lake days.

Many people are familiar with the name — as a ski manufacturer, race car driver, born and raised Spokane local. The man behind the name is T.J. Sneva. Born in Spokane 41 years ago, he started skiing at age 3 at 49 Degrees North with his family, and it was over from there. As Sneva explains, "I went with my uncle and cousin and immediately fell in love with skiing." Over the years, he skied mainly at 49 but did venture over to Schweitzer on occasion.