As skiers, we tend to live in a bubble. Our world is centered on a few basic needs: When it's going to snow next and where we're going to be when the storm hits. In ski towns, our biggest problems aren't really problems at all. The snow isn't dry enough, the price of nachos is too high and the liftlines are too long. Those who have the luxury of being able to spend a day or two or 100 per winter on a mountain covered with snow are a privileged few in this huge and complex world.

Which is why today, Election Day, is an important day for skiers. It's the day we prove that we are aware of what's happening outside of our bubble. It's the day we remind ourselves that we care about larger issues than what gear we're riding on this winter and what snow tires we're buying.

"Get out and vote," says pro skier Ingrid Backstrom. "It's one of the single most important things you can do."

But since you're a skier, while you're out voting for your presidential candidate of choice and other elected officials and issues, there are also some ski-related voting brackets currently going on that may interest you. "Freeskier" magazine is hosting their 2012 Skier of the Year voting contest to determine this year's top male and female skiers and "Powder" magazine is holding a Ski Town Throwdown to get your vote on the best ski town in North America.

Welcome back to the bubble.