Inside Edge: We're back for our 22nd year

The ground’s wet, there’s a hint of white on the mountaintops — it’s time to get back into the skiing frame of mind. It’s good to be back!

We’ll try hard to keep you connected with mountain and racing news every Thursday moving forward. This is our 22nd year!

World Cup opener at Solden — The World Cup season kicked off in Austria with giant slalom competition under sunny skies and on near-perfect snow conditions.

Three-time overall World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin took the gold in stunning fashion. She was second on the first run, but put down a burner on the second run to earn her 70th World Cup win.

Teammate Nina O’Brien posted her best ever WC result in ninth. She was followed by AJ Hurt and Paula Moltzan in 20th and 23rd respectively. The only male racer in the points was River Radamus, who finished a career-best sixth. He skied two very aggressive runs, each featuring a couple of Bode Miller-esque recoveries.

Ski Swap — Sadly, the ski swap has been canceled again this year. Are your garages getting full?

Warren Miller Returns to the Panida — Warren Miller’s 72nd film, “Winter Starts Now,” will be featured at the Panida on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.

The film will chase winter from coast to coast. From Alaska’s Prince William Sound, where the only fresh tracks encountered belong to bears, to Maine’s community of people who are devoted to sliding on snow. From kids with huge Olympic dreams, to adaptive shredders who leave even the most able athletes in the dust.

Viewers will road trip with big mountain skiers Marcus Caston and Connery Lundin as they chase winter all the way to Alaska, before catching up with speed-riding legend JT Holmes and meeting new friends like Madison Rose and Vasu Sojitra.

“Winter Starts Now” takes viewers on a journey to the highest peak in America, to the best groomed trails at beloved resorts, to the mom and pop’s that have stood their ground throughout the ever-changing ski world.

The film is an homage to every skier who lives for the thrill and finds solace on the chairlift. The Panida is currently limiting capacity to 200 people per event, so get those tickets early.

Junior Race Series sign-up — This popular series features free coaching, lots of prizes, lots of kids and lots of fun! Racers meet four Friday evenings in January from 5:30-7 p.m. No excuses — come join the fun!

Historically, we get an 80% participant return rate, so you better register now. Entry forms will be at the Alpine Shop by Nov. 1 and at the Warren Miller Show.

Potpourri — The Edge will appear every Thursday until April with all your ski racing news. Any comments, recommendations or contributions to this column may be sent to Shep Snow by email at shep@thesnowschool.com.