Austin Skiers: A club for snow sports and travel enthusiasts

Enjoy a special Thanksgiving with Austin Skiers and the Texas Ski Council (TSC) in Summit County, Colorado, one of the most popular ski destinations in the U.S. Breckenridge's past is much longer than its skiing history. Unlike many ski resorts which are basically condo developments, this is a real town - a former mining community that holds onto its roots. This is a fun, affordable, quaint Victorian-flavored community. History is preserved at the Summit Historical Society museum on Main Street, and the Breckenridge Historic District is one of the largest in the state of Colorado. And on the mountain, well, just look. Stretching over four interconnected peaks, "Breck's" 25 lifts serve 3,400 vertical feet spread over 2,000 acres. That's a lot of skiing in an area where half the mountain is geared toward intermediates, 15% for novices, and 35% for the hotshots. The 139 trails run the gamut from smooth cruisers to high alpine bowls to tree-filled plungers, and just in case Mother Nature does not cooperate, snowmaking covers 25% (516 acres). Breckenridge stands on its own as a mountain to keep you busy for a week. Yet for those who want to sample some of the other skiing in the area, however, your lift ticket is valid at Keystone and Arapaho Basin (both are just a short ride on the free Summit Stage bus). In addition, a three-day or longer lift pass entitles you to at least one day skiing at Vail and Beaver Creek.

After the on-mountain thrills end for the day, a free on-call shuttle will take you to legendary Main Street, full of shops, eateries, clubs, and countless avenues to explore. There are over 85 restaurants, numerous pubs (some with live music), and the best shopping this side of Santa Fe. If all this isn't enough, catch the free Summit Shuttle to Silverthorne for a large selection of factory outlet stores. Outdoor enthusiasts who want to take a day off from the great skiing will really love the variety of other activities available. In addition to horseback riding, sleigh rides, and Nordic skiing there are miles of paved bike paths interconnecting Breckenridge, Frisco, Lake Dillon, Silverthorne, Dillon, Vail, and Copper Mountain.

Our trip includes direct, non-stop air from Austin to Denver, private motorcoach transfer to the resort, 5 nights lodging, pre and post trip parties, and a great lineup of Texas Ski Council activities such as the welcome party on Wednesday evening, aprés ski parties, Nastar races, and special events. Also included is an optional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday evening and the Awards dinner and party on Saturday evening. We'll be staying at the fabulous Beaver Run Resort with its own ski-in/ski-out quad to whisk you to the mountain each day. Each of our units has a living room and full kitchen, and your private ski locker is located next to the chair lift. On-site amenities include 8 hot tubs, an indoor/outdoor heated pool, a ski shop, Watson's deli and convenience store, Spencer's restaurant, Coppertop Café, and Tiffanie's lounge. So take your holiday break at "Breck" with Austin Skiers and the TSC!

This trip was so wonderful last two years that we're going back for a third straight year of holiday fun!! Join us for an exciting trip to historic Ogden where we'll spend the week enjoying the slopes, partaking of the great "after ski" activities, and welcoming the real start to the new year at the "First Night" New Years Eve festivities. Located in the Wasatch Mountains 17 miles east of Ogden, Snowbasin is one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the U.S. It has long been known to the locals as one of the best ski areas in Utah, but has been overshadowed by the better known resorts closer to Salt Lake City. But with exposure to an estimated 1 billion television viewers when it hosted the Downhill, Super G, and Combined events of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Snowbasin's charms and challenges became known. Think of the thrill of actually doing your personal Olympic review by skiing on these courses a year after the Games! In order to transform the area into a major league Olympic resort, Snowbasin's owners spent $20 million in 2001 on improvements and development, including new lifts, renovation of the base area, extensive snowmaking, and enlargement of the skiable terrain to 3,200 acres and the vertical drop to 3,400 feet. What hasn't changed with all the expansion is the superb skiing. Snowbasin averages 400 inches a year of famous Utah powder, and offers excellent terrain for all ability levels (20% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 30% advanced). Also close to Ogden (only 19 miles) is often-overlooked Powder Mountain. It claims a vertical drop of 2,005 feet and 2,800 acres of lift-served terrain, and even backcountry skiing served by snow cats.

We'll be staying in Ogden's Ben Loman Suites Hotel on Historic 25th street. This is a great location, right in the center of the "First Night" activities and the vibrant downtown area. Dining, shopping, museums, pubs, antique and art galleries, boutiques, and the historic district and the Ogden Mall are within walking distance - all framed by the towering backdrop of the Wasatch mountains. Our one-bedroom suites have a separate living room, wetbar with refrigerator and coffee maker, cable television, hairdryer, and multiple phones. Also included are a full American breakfast buffet with cooked to order omelets and a complimentary manager's social happy hour from 57 p.m. daily. Our trip price includes air from Austin, airport to hotel transfers, daily shuttle service to the ski areas, and 6 nights lodging. Last year, some folks decided to use rental cars, so if you opt out of the Club's shuttle service check with the Trip Chair for reductions on your total trip payment. So join us in Ogden during the holidays, and you'll be able to tell your friends with confidence how you skied those tricky runs you saw at the Olympics!

The new mail-in signup is a great success! In the first three days we've received 227 trip applications. That is over half of the slots we had planned for next season. Sun Valley and Norway are especially popular and Liz Earhart says she is working hard on trip expansions. We owe a large thank you to Liz and the trip planning volunteers for putting together such a wonderful variety of outstanding and reasonably priced trips for next season. And our Club members deserve a large pat on the back for responding so enthusiastically to the first major change in our trip signup procedure in many years.

Reasonably priced trips to spectacular destinations is only part of the experience, however. At the recent orientation meeting I was struck by the very high caliber of talent possessed by our trip leaders. We are indeed fortunate that this outstanding group of individuals has volunteered to spend countless hours organizing and managing these trips on our behalf. Thank you Phyllis, Ellen, Rainer, Gary, Peggy, Ben, Kevin, Lou, Marcia, Tom, Julia, and Cindy!

Even if you have already signed up for your trips by mail I encourage you to attend our general membership meeting on Tuesday, August 13. Doors open at 7 p.m. The trip leaders will have some literature and answers to questions for you at their trip tables, and will give a short presentation, plus ski area and tour operator representatives are also planning to attend. It's a great time to socialize with fellow Club members while learning more about the choices you've made (or will make that night!). Location is the Red Lion Hotel, on the Northeast corner of I-35 and US 290 in North Austin.

I have been informed that the Texas Ski Council Summer Meltdown party on Lake Travis scheduled for early September (advertised in our periodic e-mailout) has been cancelled. Not to worry, though. Our VP of Special Activities, Cindy Berry, has many other great things planned. Check out all those events on the Activities page (p.7), and if you have a special activity you would like to share with the Club please contact Cindy.

This is shaping up to be one of the best ski seasons ever for our Club! See you at the August meeting!

Editor's note: Prices, itineraries, and other details subject to change!! At press time, the Lillehammer and Sun Valley trips were full, but spots frequently become available. Contact the trip chair if you have any questions about a particular trip.

Talk about a slam-dunk sure thing! This perennial Austin Skiers favorite is also most-frequently cited by ski magazines and polls as the number one world destination. And why not? The Whistler/Blackcomb complex is the largest single resort in the world, boasting over 7,200 acres on two mountains. That figures out to over 200 trails, 35 lifts, plus over a vertical mile of skiing on each mountain highest in the Western Hemisphere! But all this size shouldn't fool you the beautiful, quaint, internationally flavored Village, tucked into Whistler's V-shaped valley, allows quick, convenient access to either mountain from the base. And, Whistler's low elevation means less panting and more carving in that 360 inch per year snowfall! You'll find shopping aplenty and a remarkable choice of world dining cuisines (plus don't forget the mountain itself some of the best resort food at remarkably low prices!). The TSC Traditional trip will have the parties, races, and activities that you've come to enjoy, and the great news is that we'll staying in the ski-in, ski-out Apen's Resort on Blackcomb, where you can take advantage of the great exchange rate for the Canadian dollar. When you're talking a number one value, you're talking Whistler! Approximate price:(click here)

Steamboat's Western heritage was born out of ranching. This friendly, neighborly, and adventurous town takes these same pioneering ideals of the past and offers up a tremendous present-day ski and resort experience! The resort's six peaks - Mount Werner, Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak, Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridge and Christie Peak - offer an entire mountain range of 2,939 skiable acres. The gladed areas of Sunshine and Storm Peaks are Steamboat's particular claim to fame, with "Champagne Powder ®" in the trees for the most avid powder hounds. And there's more coming - the four-phase Pioneer Ridge Expansion, a 770-acre area of intermediate and advanced terrain to the north of the existing ski area began in 1998 and adds more this year! And when you're tired from all this great skiing, take in Steamboat Springs town, complete with its quaint Western-meets-Scandinavian architecture and countless restaurants, shops, and places to dance the night away! This year, we're in our home away from home, the Lodge Condominiums. Come see why Steamboat has produced more Olympic athletes than any other town it's simply the place to be if you want to ski! Approximate price: (click here)

A first time adventure! We're going to the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics! Beautiful, sunny Sestrière sits high on a plateau just off the French border in Western Italy's high Alps. Largely built by the Fiat car company from 1934, Sestrière enjoys a long history and has earned a reputation as a practical, friendly, and total ski town. Sestrière's fame for terrific snow is not exaggerated its resorts' high altitudes and brisk climate assure an average of over 350 inches per year. And what a choice of skiing the local Sestrière area is on one flank of the famous "Milky Way" range circuit with 400km (250 miles) of 66 lift-linked trails on the Cesana e Sansicario, Claviere, Sauze d'Oulx areas, all the way over the border to Montgenèvre, France (be sure to take your passport along on these runs!). All of these mountains offer over 5,000 vertical feet in the high Alps, with superb trail grooming. For après ski, check out the town and its famous "Round Tower" and a host of superb eateries, shops, and dance factories. Or you can venture out of the area to the close by hub of Turin, Northern Italy's largest city (about 70 miles). Other excursions ( i.e. Milan) are also in the works. We're staying at the Edelweiss Savoy Hotel an alpine, balcony laden chalet-style hotel, where breakfast is included in the price. So say "bon giorno" to a unique ski week and join us in Sestrière! Approximate price: (click here)

Another first time adventure! This winter, the TSC couldn't have chosen any better - we're off to Scandinavia for the first time ever, to the site of the 1994 Olympics! Lillehammer may be small in size, but it's huge in life! Lillehammer's city center, with its famous old-world wooden architectural style, provides a charming base for all the regional activities available. Skiing is of course available at close-by Hafjell alpine center (the largest downhill area in the region), and cross-country Mecca's of Nordseter and Sjusjøen, and hiking and touring is also a good choice in these areas. Or, you can ice fish, take a sleigh ride, see a moose, or even be towed by a reindeer! The Olympic Park is a must-see, which includes: Håkons Hall (with the new, vast National Olympic Museum), Lysgårdbakkene Ski Jump Arena, Birkebeineren Skiing Stadium, Kanthaugen Freestyle Arena and the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track. And, if exploring the Lillehammer region isn't enough, how about this? We'll first arrive in the capital of Oslo (a breathtaking city!) and are you ready? there's even a post-trip excursion to St. Petersburg, Russia! We'll be staying in Olso for 2 nights, then make our way to Lillehammer, where we'll be for 5 nights and all with breakfast and dinner included in the price! The TSC Winter Expedition assures us of some great activities as well. So what are you waiting for? Join us on our maiden voyage to the beautiful Scandinavian Peninsula and Russia! Approximate Price: (click here)

We haven't been to Vail for awhile? Why? Well, honestly it's been the price! Vail's treasures are limited to thicker wallets most of the time until now! We got such a terrific deal on this trip that we couldn't believe it - we're psyched at going back to Colorado's largest ski resort! In fact, Vail is 3^rd in North America. It's big 7 miles wide with more than 5,000 acres of terrain stretched out over 3,800 vertical feet! And, Vail's 350 inches of snow per year promises a lot of skiing for your money! Vail is known for its three main areas: the Front Side, the Back Bowls, and Blue Sky Basin. The Front Side's 127 trails include virtually every type of terrain, while the Back Bowls offer six miles of powder paradise and the Blue Sky Basin present a tree-gladed utopia nestled in wilderness. When the downhill fun ends, check out Vail's European-style village, replete with all the shopping, fine dining, and other winter activities at your disposal. Of course Vail is a haven for all the other winter activities, such as orienteering, horseback riding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, you name it! We'll be staying at the spacious SunVail Condominiums, and experiencing the vastness of the mighty Vail! Approximate price: (click here)

Jackson Hole always comes up high in our annual surveys, and this year was no exception. With its challenging, beautiful Grand Teton terrain, access to Yellowstone, and quaint ranching culture, "the Hole" keeps us coming back! This time it's with the TSC, with all the usual parties, activities, races, and things you love. Jackson Hole's huge 4,100 feet of vertical drop provides over 400 inches of snow per year, which you'll need to experience Rendezvous Mountain's gut-wrenching chutes, bowls, couloirs (have you done Corbet's?), glades and other world-famous expert terrain, or challenge yourself on the much longer than usual intermediate runs on Rendezvous and the gentler Apres Vous mountain. And this year, a nice treat - we're staying at the resort on the mountain, an easy 20 minute bus access into the Town (and famous Silver Dollar Bar and all the shopping, dining, and exploring you can "round up!"), so we're practically ski-in, ski-out! There's just no better challenge for any level of skier than Jackson Hole, so join us for what's always a memorable time in Wyoming's premier resort! Approximate price: (click here)

North America's largest single mountain resort, Heavenly's nine peaks and two valleys split the Nevada-California border and offer the best of both. Don't even think about covering Heavenly's massive 5,200 acres of 79 trails, just do your best! After toasting the day at one of Heavenly's three base lodges, go into Nevada's South Lake Tahoe for the casinos and Vegas-style buffets. Home for the week is the quaint 2/2 Forest Inn condos, just a 1 to 5 minute walk to either the new Gondola or the casinos, where the action never stops. And, as usual, we'll be looking to sample a few other magnificent Tahoe area resorts, interest permitting Squaw Valley, Kirkwood, Alpine Meadows, or another deep snow paradise! But wait, there's more you can also take the scenic Tahoe Queen boat ride, snowmobile, rent a dogsled, even ride a Harley, among South Lake Tahoe's numerous non-ski activities! So join us and go for it all at Heavenly it's a sure bet! Approximate price: (click here)

Our recent trips to Sun Valley have been so enjoyable that we're going there for Spring Break 2003! Sun Valley is a place of firsts it was the first destination ski resort in the U.S. (1936), and soon became the first winter stop for the Hollywood elite in the 40's and 50's. After a brief period of decline in the '60's it was once again restored to its former glory, so that by the mid-90's Sun Valley, having regained its original luster and charm, was voted SKI magazine's #1 resort in 2000. Located in the Sawtooth Range, Sun Valley boasts two mountains: Bald Mountain's 2000+ acres stretched over 3,400 vertical feet provide for serious skiing, and Dollar Mountain's excellent learning terrain is among the best anywhere. We'll be staying at the Warm Springs base in the Prospector Condos; this is near the shuttle stop to the Challenger quad, which will whisk you up Bald Mountain in a short 10 minutes. Each of our 2 and 3 bedroom condos offer fireplaces and mountain views. Amenities include heated swimming pool with Jacuzzi jets, sauna and on-site laundry facilities. Shuttle service to Dollar Mountain, Sun Valley, Elkhorn and downtown Ketchum is available from 7:30 a.m. to midnight via the Ketchum and Area Rapid Transit (KART). So don't be last come to experience Sun Valley's many firsts!

Want to go to France without a long overseas flight? As the only fortified city in North America, Québec City has sat at the crossroads of colonial history, attracting visitors (and attackers!) since it was founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Québec City is located on a high, scenic bluff above the St. Lawrence River from atop Cape Diamant. Greater Québec City comprises five historic areas with buildings representing four centuries of architectural history and the influences of Aboriginal, French and English you can experience the heart of French culture and language seasoned with other heritages. And we'll get a great view as we're flying directly into Québec City no long bus rides! There are just too many to-do's to mention here; of course there's skiing - three ski areas within 30 minutes of downtown: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Station touristique Stoneham and Le Massiff (plus over 30 cross country ski centers in the city). Beyond this, there's enough to keep you busy for a lifetime, never mind a week! You can tour and shop the oldest commercial district in North America (Petit-Champlain), or visit the Place Royale, the Île d'Orléans, the colonial Citadel, or the Old Port; you'll find premier shopping, museums, galleries, artisans' workshops, renowned designers' boutiques, and over 1,000 restaurants and exotic food shops everywhere. You can even take in all these sites in from your 5-star window - the TSC is hosting its Final Showdown from the fabulous, historic 19^th century Chateau Frontenac, high on a scenic bluff; you'll feel like royalty with this treatment! And, we'll have several excursions, including one to Montreal. Come see what the English and French found worth going to war over in the 1750's join us for a French-flavored taste of Canada in Québec! Approximate price: (click here)

At this time, details of this trip are still pending and will be announced in an upcoming issue and on the Web site. However, we will be accepting deposits and early sign ups mail-ins for this trip. There will be no penalty for cancellation until October, when contracts and information will be finalized by the tour operator.

Among the proposed activities are: jungle/rain forest hiking, swimming, visiting the beach, and historical touring.

Date and time: Tuesday, August 13, 2002, 7 - 9 P.M..
Location: Red lion hotel
6121 N. IH-35 (IH-35 & 290 North) 323-5466

By now we're either near or at the end of the early sign-up mail-in period, and many of you have already signed up for trips. After August 5 (the end of early sign-up) the focus turns to the August 13 meeting at the Red Lion Hotel. Even if you've mailed in your trip apps, you should come on out to the meeting, especially if:

- you were notified of an invalid or improper mail-in application; or
- you didn't participate in, or were ineligible for, mail-in early sign-up; or
- you just want to sign up for another trip feel free to sign up for any other trip(s) that night!

Even if none of these apply to you, come on out to learn more about your (and other) trips, meet the trip chairs, ask questions, hobnob with club members, even meet reps from the resorts, and even maybe be convinced to sign up for one more trip. Also, this is a great time if you're new to the Club and missed early sign-up to come out, join up that night, and sign up for a trip! And bring your used equipment and get ready to bargain at our Swap Shop table. Just go to the appropriate trip table and sign up you'll either be put on the Participant List or a wait list if the trip is full. So come on out Tuesday the 13^th!

Seems like this summer June and July switched places July was cool and rainy while June was hot and dry. Couldn't have been a more perfect setting for our Summer party, held June 15. Over 60 Austin Skiers found a way to beat the heat and enjoy the splendors of Brian and Bernice Wilson's Lake LBJ home (thanks, guys!).

Aug. 13 monthly meeting at Red Lions 6121 North IH35 323-5466(Trips presentation & sign up for more trips!)

Hey, the only strike threat here is over the plate! Our illustrious (and multi-championship) co-ed team picks up again this month after a short break (well, actually they've already started but the rain postponed a few games)! Anyway, join us every Wednesday night at Krieg Field (515 S. Pleasant Valley Dr. by Longhorn Dam) to root on our ski softballers. For directions, give Ben Mathis a call (see game times on the calendar above!). Ben can also fill you in on player spots needed if any. Let's cheer on our team!

See what's news for the TSC in their online "Inside" newsletter. This contains key events, info, and goings on which just might be relevant to you and a TSC trip you're on. To view the latest issue, just go to their link at http://www.texas-ski.org/insidernews/inside-tsc.htm . The TSC appreciates your continued support!

Wine-tasting, that is Tuesday, August 27, from 6:30-9:30 is the time, and the Central Market location at 4001 N. Lamar is the place! The cost is $20 and includes light appetizers and of course wine! Please make checks payable to "Austin Skiers" by August 20th. To make a reservation, Cindy Berry at email activities@austinskiers.org.

Well, we wanted moonlight, not white water, rafting, but the recent deluges have caused the normally placid Colorado River to rival its Grand Canyon namesake! So we've postponed our July trip back to October 20. And there's two seats that have opened up (cost around $35)! Interested in this late night cruise by moonlight? Contact Cindy Berry at activities@austinskiers.org.

From the Editor...

Congratulations! Many of you "voted"- with your "ballots" (trip applications) and even your wallets (those deposit checks- ouch!) during our mail sign-up period! Since we're still in a "voting" mode (er, trip signup season), I've appropriately written this month about poll results ski polling, that is. With the Austin August heat, it beats thinking for myself, at least! Turns out I found a "ski polls" Web site last week well, it's British, Euro-centric, and anything but scientific, but great August filler (and funny, if not accidentally informative)! For instance, did you know that voters' "biggest priority" was: big snow (42%) anything big (29% - not going there!), big air (22%), and big parties (8%)? On the slopes, there are a variety of "important" topics: best thing for warm feet- good socks (61%), bed (15%), loose boots (13%), and hot chocolate (11%); otherwise, voters: preferred fast chairs over gondolas (53%-23%, with cable cars and funiculars lagging far behind); constantly feared injury (70%-30%); and by a surprising 75%-25% margin felt their boots were comfortable; yet when asked what was most important about boots, preferred "smell" over "comfort" 46%-44% (a misguided 10% actually cared about "precision").

Hey, the poll also covers après ski, and even delves into more complex psychological/social elements! For example, "women rule the hills" (53-47%); "skiing brings couples closer together" (53% no, 46% yes); "skiers 'should' ("should??") drink alcohol at lunch" (60%-40%); prefer as their vodka shot: lemon (28%), "you tell me" (27%), toffee (22%), Mars Bar (19%), or pepper (5%); and perhaps the most telling question of all asked if they had to give up either sex or skiing, giving up skiing prevailed by a razor-thin 51%-49%! Other "critical" topics include: most annoying thing about skiing; best thing about spring skiing; for warm feet you need...; worst ski fashion; how important are ski poles; should pregnant women ski; favorite aprés ski; and of course, can chimps be trained to skateboard? Anyway, take a look while trying to kill time while at your dog-days-of-August office. The site is http://www.complete-skier.com/community/poll/ Science marches on!

The Austin Skiers' newsletter is published monthly, 12 issues per year. Subscription is included with payment of yearly membership fee. Articles and correspondence should be addressed to the Editor by e-mail at newsletter@austinskiers.org or by phone (see above). Deadline for submission is the 15^th of each month. Send issues regarding the Club Web site to skiwebmaster@austinskiers.org. For more information on the next Club meeting or other related activities, contact any of the following:

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Issue 08:02 August 2002
Texas Ski Council Member

Contents

From the Editor...

Issue 08:02 August 2002 Texas Ski Council Member

Contents

From the Editor...

Issue 08:02 August 2002
Texas Ski Council Member