If you ski today, you have only 18 days left to find the right gift for the skier on your list. Of course, if you quit early and go to the ski shop at the area, that adds another day and you might just find something. Considering what I do, no one in my family would even think of buying me a ski-related gift, and I have to admit there is not much ski related that I need. That being said, there are some things that I would enjoy, especially if price was no object. There are also plenty of inexpensive items that most skiers could use.

One gift every skier could use is a ski tune. A gift certificate could range from $25 to $50 depending on the shop and whether it’s a hand tune or a machine job. Choose your shop according to where your skier skis. Locally, Myrick’s Skiers Edge is a good choice, and Eric Anderson is doing the tuning at Lost Valley this year. On the way to Sugarloaf the guys at Ski Depot know their stuff, and on the Sunday River access road, the Jack Frost shop can do it right. Also a new shop is located in the Sunday River Inn and a local, Buster Bean, is doing their tuning. A good thing about this gift is that even if the skis don’t need tuning now they will sometime this season.

Of course, a gift card at any ski shop is an easy way out. Gift cards from ski areas are also good and offer the opportunity for a range of prices. If the skier has a season pass, a gift card in the area restaurant could enhance a ski day.

If your skier does his own tuning or is interested in learning, most shops carry a selection of tuning equipment and kits. For the skier who simply wants to maintain the edges between shop tunes, an FK Multi Tuner kit runs about $70. Add $10 to $12 for a diamond stone and all the skier has to do is use it every two or three times out to keep a good edge. Another item all skiers need is wax. An easy-to-use can of Swix Universal F4 is $12.95. Check with your shop for more tuning needs.

Unless you get the information from your skier, buying skis is impossible, but if you can, there are great new skis out there. And better still, some good values. Some prices sound high but most now include bindings. The Volkl AC 30 Titanium lists for $899, but that includes a binding that lists over $200. There are also plenty of moderately priced skis that perform well thanks to technology that has trickled down. Fischer, known for their race skis, has the Heat series, ranging in price from $499 to $699, all with bindings. If your plastic has no limits, there are a number of skis that would make a great impression. Almost any giant slalom ski would make me happy and one in particular is new this year from Atomic. The Doubledeck D2 VC 72 is listed as an all mountain, but it will carve those long turns like a GS model. $1249 with bindings.

Whether it’s used for day skiing or longer trips, every skier should have a boot bag. Not just any boot bag but one with back straps. And it should fit the size requirements for airline carry on. Ski shops have a variety, most with some ski company logo. I found one in the Tecnica catalog that will fit under an airline seat 15.5 “x 14″ x 10” for $49.

Obviously, skiers have to purchase their own boots. This critical piece of equipment has to be carefully fitted, something that can easily take a couple of hours and sometimes even a return trip for further adjustments, but if your skier has boot issues, a gift certificate for a fitting session might work. Often some time spent with a good boot fitter can bring performance back to old boots if they’re not broken down. This can run anywhere from $25 to $150 if new footbeds are needed. A custom footbed can add comfort and performance to any boot. Find out the issues from your skier and discuss this with your shop.

No skier has too many ski socks. Be sure they are made of a good wicking material, polypro or wool. One brand I have had success with is Smartwool. The light weight, over the calf models are around $20 a pair.

The shops are full of ski wear and plenty of accessories — gloves, goggles and sunglasses in a variety of prices.
If your skier has everything, how about a ski trip? Drive to destinations here in New England or up in Quebec can run $100 to $200 a day depending on accommodations and meal plans. Shop for these on line.

With no budget limits, why not a big vacation. The annual Skican catalog lists a bunch of Canadian trips from Quebec to the West coast. You might not be able to attend the Olympics but trips to Whistler are available before and after those dates on Feb. 7 to the 27. For $1,660 per person, you can stay five nights in January at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler including airfare from Boston. Seven nights — $2005.

The ultimate gift would be a Heli-skiing excursion. Having been dropped atop a mountain in the Canadian Monashees, I can vouch for this being the ultimate skiing experience, but you could push the limits of your plastic. CMH has packages starting at $975 a day. The base price includes ground transportation from Calgary, accommodations, all meals and use of powder skis and transceivers. Check the details at www.CMHski.com.

I hope these suggestions have helped. Now let’s hope the ski areas get their Christmas wish — good snowmaking temperatures from now until vacation, and some help from above.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.