This just in from the 2010 organizers:

As the world’s top Paralympians gather in Beijing for the 2008 Paralympic Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today announced details of how spectators can start planning to attend some of the most inspirational and affordably priced sporting events in the world — at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Approximately 250,000 tickets for 52 sport and ceremony events at seven venues, for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, go on sale on May 6, 2009 on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices start at $10 for group packages of 20 or more people. Eighty-five per cent of all individual tickets are priced at $20 or less. Individual tickets to alpine skiing events will be priced at $15, while wheelchair curling tickets will start at $15 and range up to $30. Ice sledge hockey tickets will range from $20 to $50, and prices for Opening Ceremony tickets will range from $30 to $175. A full range of information on Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games sport disciplines, events and ticket prices is available at www.vancouver2010.com, as is the opportunity to sign up to receive the latest ticketing information as it becomes available. Visa is the exclusive payment method for online ticket purchases.

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The U.S. Ski Team just sent out a ton of quotes from its athletes about the recently concluded summer games in Beijing. It seems all the action inspired them to be ready for 2010:

Here's what they are saying:

Scott Macartney, 2002 and 2006 Olympian, U.S. Alpine Ski Team, Crystal Mountain, WA
My Olympic experience has been watching clips of Spanish language coverage on mute with them skipping around to any Chilean that did decently while cutting away from events mid-shot, mid-dive, mid-routine ... and still riveted to the screen. I enjoyed the track events, watching (Usain) Bolt crush in the 100 and 200 and watching the pole vault. Especially the women's pole vault, they have to have the best bodies of any sport, as a group, by far.

Scotty Bahrke, 2007 World Cup Rookie of the Year, U.S. Freestyle Aerials Team, Tahoe City, CA
My favorite moment was watching Shawn Johnson on the balance beam when it was her last chance to win a gold medal. I thought that was pretty cool watching all her training come together at the very last possible chance to win the gold.

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From the U.S. Ski Team:

The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships will return to the slopes of Alaska's Alyeska Resort this spring, March 24-31, announced the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.

Alaska will host a flurry of competitive ski events this winter as other venues around the state are also hosting national title events as well, including the ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Championships at Kincaid Park in January and the U.S. Cross Country Distance Championships outside Fairbanks in March.

"Alaska is a great place to host U.S. championships," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Vice President of Events Calum Clark. "The state is passionate about skiing.

"For alpine, Alyeska has an ideal set-up as the mountain challenges athletes and the venue is easily accessible for the public to watch the skiers cross the finish. Plus, they have always shown a commitment and great enthusiasm to host the best possible alpine championships."

The 2009 alpine title races will feature the country's best ski racers, including '08 World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), Olympic gold medalists Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) and Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) as well as past U.S. champions Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA), Stacey Cook (Mammoth, CA), Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) and hopefully newly-crowned FIS World champions.

"I can't wait to be back racing in Alyeska," said Cochran who won a slalom title at the 2007 championships. "Good snow, a great hill, a fabulous bakery, and people with a sense of spirit."

No stranger to hosting major competitions, Alyeska Resort, located less than an hour outside of Anchorage, first hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships nearly 30 years ago, in 1981, 2004, and most recently in 2007. It was at the '81 championships that Phil Mahre, fresh off winning his first overall World Cup title, won the U.S. giant slalom title while brother Steve won the slalom. In 1989, Alyeska played host to the Junior World Alpine Championships where the U.S. team captured eight medals, including gold in super G and combined by Alaska racer Tommy Moe.

"We are thrilled to welcome back the U.S. Alpine Championships. This is a great opportunity to showcase our resort on a national level with some of the best talent in the world. Our rich ski racing tradition provides the backdrop for what should be a fantastic event leading up to the Olympic Games," stated Jason Lott, Director of Sales and Marketing for Alyeska Resort and the Hotel Alyeska.

U.S. Alpine Championships are considered a right of passage for many young racers who are hungry for the opportunity to ski in front of the national coaching staff and at the highest level of domestic ski racing. The championships match the best U.S. Ski Team athletes with hundreds of aspiring American skiers looking to measure themselves against world-class racers as they aim for spots on the U.S. Ski Team.

"Winning a national championship is very important and a goal that a lot of the athletes strive for," Clark said. "There's a lot of pride involved in being a national champion in the sport."

The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships schedule:
March 24 - Downhill training
March 25 - Downhill training
March 26 - FIS downhill race
March 27 - U.S. Championships men's and women's downhill
March 28 - Men's and women's super G
March 29 - Men's and women's slalom
March 30 - Women's giant slalom
March 31- Men's giant slalom

If you are like me the most boring part of the Olympics - summer or winter - is the opening ceremonies. Save the halftime show for halftime.

But Beijing's opening ceremonies last week were amazing (until the athlete parade. Zzzzzzz.)

So, my hope is China has set a new standard for the opening ceremonies that will make them worth watching from now on.

The man charged with keeping that tradition going is Australia's David Atkins. He directed the 2000 Sydney Olympics and will do the same in 2010 in Vancouver.

Here's a statement from the Vancouver Organizing Committee which includes a long conversation with Atkins about the opening ceremonies:

Four billion people will be watching. An Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games is the biggest live production of its kind. There's pressure to perform, pressure to be imaginative, and for the Host Country, the Opening Ceremony is like inviting the world into your living room.

At the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the world is eager see what Beijing and China will express culturally, and how they want to be perceived going forward. Australia's David Atkins knows how big that task can be.

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A statement released today from VANOC from the opening ceremonies in Beijing:

As the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad concluded, members of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia offered the following personal impressions on the evening’s spectacular event (all were in attendance):

David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs representing Government of Canada:
"What a proud night for China and for all Canadians as we get ready to be the next host and share that same stage of honour. Bravo, Beijing, on a night of memories for everyone here and watching at home. You have shown the world what can be done to celebrate the spirit of friendship and fair play."

Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia:
"A mesmerizing show where everyone was filled with the sense of the possible. It touched the senses with light and sound, born of a rich cultural history. This was China's invitation to the world. The precision and dedication of all the artists was inspiring. It reminded us all of what the Olympic Movement is about!"

"It was a proud moment for everyone to see Canada's Olympic team enter the stadium and to see the Olympic Cauldron burn bright. It reminds us that the next time our Olympic athletes take part in the Opening Ceremony, and the next time the drama of the Olympic Cauldron lighting stirs everyone's hearts as it did tonight, it will be at home in 2010."

Jack Poole, Chairman, VANOC Board of Directors:
"What an incredible night for China and for the Olympic Movement. I felt honored to be here and to witness what will unquestionably be one of the most memorable ceremonies in the Olympic history books."

"Congratulations to the Organizing Committee and the people of China for truly showing the world one world and one dream."

John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer:
"It felt like the world caught its breath tonight even if only for an instant — but for long enough to remind us all of how good we can be when we celebrate our common humanity. The stadium was filled with joy — hope and inspiration . . . pride and peace.”

"China dazzled us all on 8–08–2008 with the art of what is possible, and they did it with passion, humility and creative genius. It was such a privilege to witness this. I will never forget tonight."

"The elements were as magical as they were technological — as moving as they were inspired — and they were daring. There will be talk about this for generations."

"Seven years ago, in Moscow, China spoke about bringing sport and Olympic values to the lives of 400 million Chinese children. Tonight was their night."

David Guscott, VANOC Executive Vice President, Celebrations and Partnerships:
"Tonight was clearly China's spectacularly dramatic coming-out party. It was like a magic show —as soon as you thought you'd seen everything —there was something even more spectacular!"

"The most memorable moment was the history of China literally unfolding on an ancient scroll painting. The lit costumes were a personal favourite. And I was most impressed by the spectacular ending — the highest tech of a globe, appearing out of the floor with anti-gravity dancers surrounded simply by thousands of beautiful faces of children of the world painted on umbrellas that magically opened at once.”

"All told, it was a wonderful blend of technology, passion and drama."

The 2009 U.S. Alpine Ski Team named it's 2009 World Cup roster today. Here it is:

A TEAM
Men
Jimmy Cochran (5/29/81; Keene, NH; Cochran's/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club)
Ted Ligety (8/31/84; Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team)
Scott Macartney (1/19/78; Crystal Mountain, WA; Crystal Mountain Alpine Club)
Steven Nyman (2/12/82; Provo, UT; Park City Ski Team/Sundance)
Marco Sullivan (4/27/80; Squaw Valley, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team)

Women
Stacey Cook (7/3/84; Mammoth, CA; Mammoth Mountain Ski Team)
Julia Mancuso (9/9/84; Olympic Valley, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team)
Kaylin Richardson (9/28/84; Edina, MN; Team Gilboa)
Resi Stiegler (11/14/85; Jackson Hole, WY; Park City Ski Team/Jackson Hole)
Lindsey Vonn (10/18/84; Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team)

B TEAM
Men
Erik Fisher (3/21/85; Middleton, ID; Bogus Basin)
Tommy Ford (3/20/89; Bend, OR; Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation)
Kevin Francis (6/13/82; Bend, OR; Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation)
Tim Jitloff (1/11/85; Reno, NV; Park City Ski Team)
Tim Kelley (5/20/86; Starksboro, VT; Cochran's/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club)
TJ Lanning (8/27/84; Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team)
Cody Marshall (11/15/82; Pittsfield, VT; Burke Mountain Academy)
Erik Schlopy (8/21/72; Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team)
Jeremy Transue (6/1/83; Hunter, NY; Green Mountain Valley School)
Andrew Weibrecht (2/10/86; Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Education Foundation)

Women
Hailey Duke (9/17/85; Boise, ID; Park City Ski Education Foundation/McCall Ski Team)
Jessica Kelley (10/5/82; Starksboro, VT; Cochran's/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club)
Chelsea Marshall (8/14/86; Pittsfield, VT; Green Mountain Valley School)
Megan McJames (9/24/87; Park City, UT; Park City Ski Education Foundation)
Sarah Schleper (2/19/79; Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail)
Leanne Smith (5/28/87; Conway, NH; Mt. Washington Valley Ski Team)

C TEAM
Men
Chris Beckmann (10/9/86; Guilderland, NY; New York Ski Education Foundation)
Will Brandenburg (1/1/87; Spokane, WA; Schweitzer Alpine Racing)
Travis Ganong (7/14/88; Squaw Valley, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team)
Tague Thorson (1/9/85; Park City, UT; Romark Ski Academy)

Women
Sterling Grant (6/1/87; Amery, WI; Buck Hill Ski Team)
Keely Kelleher (8/12/84; Big Sky, MT; Rowmark Ski Academy)
Julia Littman (7/21/84; Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail)
Laurenne Ross (8/17/88; Klamath Falls, OR; Mount Bachelor Ski Education Foundation)
Kiley Staples (2/2/89; Park City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy)

U.S. Alpine Development Team
Men
Michael Ankeny (1/17/91; Deephaven, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team)
Nick Daniels (4/5/91; Tahoe City, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team)
Colby Granstrom (9/21/90; Lake Stevens, WA; Mission Ridge Ski Education Foundation)
Will Gregorak (9/30/90; Longmont, CO; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail)
Nolan Kasper (3/27/89; Warren, VT; Burke Mountain Academy)
Wiley Maple (5/25/90; Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski Club)

Women
Felicia Byers (12/17/91; Sandy, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation)
Julia Ford (3/30/90; Plymouth, NH; Holderness Ski Team)
Kayla Fry (5/1/90; Reno, NV; Team Savage Ski Racing)
Alice McKennis (8/19/89; Glenwood Springs, CO; Rowmark Ski Academy)
Jennie VanWagner (6/22/89; Traverse City, MI; Rowmark Ski Academy)

Reserve
Caroline Lalive (8/10/79; Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)

Here's a Q&A with mogul skier Shannon Bahrke courtesy of Juliann Fritz of the U.S. Ski Team:

Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) is by no means your average moguls skier. The Olympic silver medalist may seem like she runs bumps all day long, but with a passion for things like coffee, race cars, music and the color pink, Bahrke turns the ordinary into the extraordinary in a way only she knows how.

So, you were out for the 2008 season with an injury, but now you're back. What's your favorite part of being back with the team?
My favorite thing about being back is being with the Team. We really have such an amazing team and it's really fun to see those guys in the gym working hard and everyone joking around and having a good time. Sometimes the season can be a little stressful, but it's nice to be back with everyone and see their smiling faces.

You're obviously a highly decorated athlete. Where do you keep all your awards?
I usually give all the big ones to my mom and she hangs them around the house. But, my silver medal, my uncle made me a beautiful box to hang it on the wall but I am so afraid that if someone breaks in and sees it in the box, they'll take it. So, I am looking into getting a safe to put it in, but we have it at my house and we look at it all the time.

You recently started your own coffee company Silver Bean Coffee Co. Where did the idea for that come from?
My boyfriend Matt is a "super-entrepreneur." He started his own business and sold it. We've always known we wanted to start our own business together and one day we were in a coffee shop hanging out after a day of skiing and we were talking about how much fun skiing is and our biggest jumps and kickers and I kind of sat back and thought, "this is such a cool fun thing to be in a coffee shop with your friends' and it hit me that maybe we could start up a coffee company. We researched if it was viable and it turned out that you can make a lot of money in coffee, so that was our catalyst.

We hear you have another outlet for adrenalin outside of skiing that involves racing cars. Care to expand?
If I made a little more money, I would do that every weekend. It is just the most fun thing. I never thought that I was into car racing, but a couple of our friends are from Detroit and wanted us to come out to the track and I thought it was dumb but when they finally talked me into it I fell in love with it and have been hooked ever since. It's so expensive to go out there so you have to moderate it. If we want to skip an electrical bill, we can go car racing.

Is it true that you can play the trumpet?
I played in a symphonic band and a jazz band and a wind ensemble. Yes, I was a total band geek and I loved it and I miss it so much. I know that I can still read music, but I need a refresher. It was a big part of my life.

So, you've had purple hair and now it's got a bright shade of pink in it. How did that happen?
A year ago I was in my hairdresser's shop and said I was really bored of being a blonde, what can I do? And she said that she could put purple in my hair. So I did a little strip, then a little more and a little more and then I got bored with purple and I went with pink. I've had pink for about a year now and I really like it and I really want to do my whole head, but I don't think I'd be brave enough to do that.

Is there any circumstance under which you would dye your whole head pink?
Oh - if I won a gold medal at World Championships or at the Olympics I would dye my whole head pink.

You know we're going to hold you to that.
I know. If I win, I will definitely do that.

Your brother Scotty is also on the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. What's that dynamic like?
That's another thing, if Scotty ever wins a medal at the Olympics, I'll dye my whole head pink. I think our dynamic is so amazing. I think it was hard for Scotty growing up because I did have a lot of accomplishments, but it has been so amazing for me to see him come through the ranks and be just as good. For him to be in a field of such great aerialists with Speedy [Jeret "Speedy" Peterson (Boise, ID)] and St. Onge [Ryan St. Onge (Winter Park, CO)], to be ranked the highest aerialist is huge. I don't know if he would answer that question any differently, but I think we have such a good relationship and I just love him so much. I look up to him and I think we have a really good thing going. I want to be walking into the Opening Ceremonies in the 2010 Olympics with him - that would be the coolest thing ever.

It would be even cooler if you both had a whole head of pink hair.
I don't know if he would be up for that. I would do it!