Austin Skiers: Frequently Asked Questions

1.   Question.  Do you have a spot for me on your [destination] ski trip that leaves in a couple of weeks/days/hours?

Answer.  You need to contact the trip chair at the email address shown on the trip web page.

2.        Question.  I have emailed and telephoned the trip chair for two days now, but he/she has not responded.  What do I do?

Answer.  Wait.  Your trip chair unfortunately has a day job and may not always be able to respond promptly.  Rest assured that the chair wants you on his/her trip.

3.           Question.  I am the only skier in my house and usually go to [Resort Name] alone for a week.  If I joined your club, I'd be going on trips alone so do you have regular arrangements for "single" members to share condos and so on?

Answer.  This is part of what the club is about.  You will be with another single person (of the same sex) to share a condo or hotel room.  You get the benefit of group rates and prorated cost.

4.           Question.  I'm single and would like to join the [Destination] trip.  Is the price quoted applicable to me if I do not want to share a room?

Answer.  The listed price is per person, double occupancy,whether a single or part of a couple.  If, however, you prefer not to have a roommate at all, and assuming it's possible, then there is a "single supplement" charge that is passed on.  Ask your trip chair.

Hotel rooms are two persons double occupancy, and condos typically have a couple in the master suite and two singles in each of the other two-bed bedrooms.  We usually have four persons per condo, but sometimes we'll have six in a three-bedroom condo.  Club rules are no more than two persons per bathroom, regardless.       

5.           Question.  Does the group stay together on the slopes or do many people go their own way, choose their own slopes to ski on and meet up with the rest of the group later?

Answer.  Yes.  Whatever you want.  There’s the pre-trip party, the welcome party, and the mid-week party; a daily mountain lunch destination; and a daily apré-ski destination for you to get with other members and see who wants to ski what.  Steep and deep?  No problem.  Racing?  No problem.  Trees?  No Problem.  Greens and Bunny slope?  No problem.  With Austin Skiers, you’ll almost always find someone who wants to ski what you want.  You may have to ask around, however, like we typically do at lunch.  You might be surprised who’ll say “Yes.”

6.           Question.  Does the club ever take trips that would be appropriate for families with kids?

Answer.  Yes.  I am unaware of any trip that is inappropriate for families or children.

7.           Question.  Do all the destinations allow snowboarding?

Answer.  To our knowledge, only Alta and Deer Valley remain skier-only.  We have a number of riders in our club.

8.           Question.  I just joined, but have not received my name badge.  How do I get one?

Answer.  Welcome to the club!  You get your free Austin Skiers name badge when you sign up for a trip and attend the pre-trip party.

9.           Question.  Hi!  I just learned about your club and I am very interested in learning more about it.  We are a family of six.  How does it work?

Answer.  We would love for your family to join us on a trip.

Here's how it works.  We are a not-for-profit club for winter sports enthusiasts.  To take part in one of our trips, you need to be a member.  Your family can join as a group.  Fill out the application and follow the directions to remit it and your dues.

Next, you choose your trip(s).  The choices and instructions are on the web site.

10.        Question. I am not sure I understand the price breakdowns (ground only vs entire trip).

Answer.  Our trip costs include air transportation and ground transportation to and from the destination, lodging there, and pre-trip and post-trip parties.  "Ground Only" means that you will meet the trip at the resort.  If you need something different, such as riding the bus with us, see what the trip chair can accommodate.

11.        Question.  We would love to join and go with you guys, but those 7-9 day trips don't work for us.  Are there any short trips?

Answer.  Regrettably, no.  Too few members are interested in short trips for it to be cost-effective for the club.

12.        Question.  I was a member last year.  My email changed and I didn't send it to you.  I need to pay my dues and give you my new email address.  Please let me know who I need to send the membership amount to.

Answer.  We’re glad you want to renew.  We can't imagine not being a member of Austin Skiers.

To renew your membership, you need to fill out an application each year and send in your dues.  You can download the application from the club web site and follow the instructions on the form.  You can choose to pay via credit card or Pay Pal, or with a check.

To receive the club newsletter and other announcements, you need to register your email address.  Do this at the “Contact Us” tab on the web page.

13.        Question.  I seem to have lost my info on accessing our member directory.  How do I get to it?  Thanks.

Answer.  If you did not save the link address or save the pdf to your computer, username, and password, you need to email the membership VP.  Once your membership is verified current, you will be sent the info.

14.        Question.  What’s the best way to tip the bus driver?

Answer.  You already have.  Your trip cost included a generous tip for the bus driver, which your trip chair will remit in cash at the appropriate time.

15.        Question.  How much should I tip the guys that lugged all my stuff up to the condo?

Answer.  Usually nothing.  That work is called “porterage,” and if it is needed, the tip will have been included in your trip cost.  Ask your trip chair if you are uncertain.

16.        Question.  The trip chair was fantastic.  How much should I chip in for a little remembrance?

Answer.  Nothing.  Your trip costs included a partial reimbursement for the trip chair.  If you want to show your gratitude, write the trip leader a nic personal note and volunteer to chair or assist a trip. 

17.        Question.  What can I bring to the pre-trip party?  The post-trip party?

Answer.  Nothing.  Your trip fees included these costs.  Just show up and have a good time.

18.        Question.  We are interested in possibly joining the Austin Skiers organization, but would like to learn more about the organization.  Is it possible for us to attend this week's general meeting, or is there a better venue for us to attend to learn more?

Answer.  Please do show up at our scheduled meeting.  We would love to have you.  It's the best place to learn more about Austin Skiers.  Be on time for some finger food, water, cokes, and other beverages.

19.        Question.  I own a beautiful home in Vail, Colorado.  Would you list it in your newsletter?

Answer.  No.  We are a not-for-profit ski club.  We cannot promote or advertize real estate rentals.

20.        Question.  Our outdoor club has a skiing expedition planned for the middle of January, and thought your members might want to join up with us.  Air fare is not included, but it’s a real bargain.  Could you advertise it for us on your web site?

          Answer.  Regrettably, we do not promote events that conflict with our trips.

21.        Question.  I'll be visiting Austin in the winter and I wanted to see if there was a place to ski or snowboard somewhere in the vicinity of Austin.

Answer.  There's nowhere nearby.  The closest good skiing is about a 13-hour drive to Taos.  After that it's take a plane–with Austin Skiers, of course.