Behind the Scenes

Twenty individuals make up your ski club’s current Board of Directors, including elected positions, appointed Committee chairpersons and current trip leaders for future trips. 

What’s on my mind today is how smart, insightful, focused and dedicated these individuals are when it comes to making our club run well. All have diverse and valuable talents and areas of expertise that they are willing to share.These folks are intent on making the right decisions for our organization and they work well together. I feel so fortunate to have this group making up the board.

One challenge the board has is to shift focus as our members’ needs change.This is something I think we are doing rather well. Admittedly, it’s a never-ending pursuit.This is where you as a member may impact the direction of our activities.Voice your ideas for new activities at meetings or to board members whenever you like as well as let us know how you feel about the things we are currently doing.

In an effort to keep my column short enough that it is likely to be read, I’ll end with a quote from Mae West - “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Hilda Jones,
President

It seems to me that time speeds up as we get closer to the end of each year! Obviously, that is an illusion, but with the many events our club has on the calendar… it surely feels real. So I’ll get right to it…

Be sure you have as many of these events on your calendar as will fit:

*October Members Meeting @ Farm to Fork Restaurant on Tues. Oct 7  (program to be presented on ballroom dancing)

*Len Foote Hike – Oct 17-18

*Flat Duck Halloween Party - Oct 25 (plan your costume!)

*Crescent Ski Council Fall Conference in Gatlinburg- Oct 24-26

*November Members Meeting @ The Enclave Club Room (program to be presented on the new Lookouts Stadium)

*Christmas Party @ The Car Barn Venue - Dec. 2 (be sure to register for this on the website!)

As you all know, more details are available on all events are available on our website and keep an eye on our Facebook page as well.

A Closing Thought:

I’m grateful for this community and excited for the adventures ahead. Let’s make this season memorable—on and off the slopes. See you at the parties and on the mountain!

Warm regards,

Hilda Jones,
President, Ski Club

The Anticipation of Fall and Ski Season

The approaching change of season is marked by a contagious sense of anticipation. What a great array of summer events we have had!  We will soon be happily bringing along our flannel shirts and warm jackets for the upcoming cool evenings as we hike, gather around the campfire and otherwise enjoy the cool weather as it makes excitement grow for being in those snowy mountains we love so much.

With snow ski season around the corner, preparation becomes key.  Be sure your travel plans are set and if you are a skier, know what lift passes you will need and when to buy them for best value.  Our trip leaders are there to help. Early planning is essential!

Après-Ski: The Social Side of Winter

The ski season is as much about community as it is about sport. Après-ski, the tradition of gathering after a day on the slopes, is a beloved ritual. Fireside lounges, lively bars, and cozy cafés fill with stories of epic runs and comical tumbles. Live music, local cuisine, and seasonal festivities create a unique mountain culture, making our ski trips wonderful whether you ski or enjoy other activities in the mountains.

Looking Ahead: The Promise of the Season

As the snow ski season nears, excitement builds and preparations intensify. It is a time of renewal, adventure, and connection to both nature and community. Whether you are a lifelong skier/boarder or other winter sport enthusiast, this season offers the chance to embrace the spirit of winter, challenge yourself, and create lasting memories with friends.  So wax your equipment and plan your journeys.  The mountains are calling, and the snow awaits. May your ski season be filled with powder days, bluebird skies, laughter, and discovery, as the world transforms into a playground.

Cheers,

Hilda Jones,
Chattanooga Ski Club President

Wow! Our summer activities are really keeping us hopping - Lookouts night (thank you, Bob Tramel); the lake party (thank you, Beth and Mike Rawlston, Jinksie and a host of others); and the upcoming Hiwassee paddle day and potluck dinner (thank you, Cindy and Neil Gawlowsk). Before we can catch our breath, we’ll be packing and preparing for the Bardstown bourbon tour, Len Foote Hike Inn and Halloween party.  Barb Wise, thank you for your leadership and inspiration for these great non-skiing activities that help make our club so meaningful. 

All the while, our ski trips and Portugal trip are filling up nicely.  If you have not locked in your place on these trips - get in touch with trip leaders soon!

Opportunities to Get Involved

Our club thrives because of the energy and commitment of its members. There are countless ways to get involved: join a committee, lead a trip, help organize an event, or simply share your love of skiing with others. Volunteering is not only rewarding but a great way to meet fellow enthusiasts and give back to the community that supports us all.

We are actively seeking volunteers for upcoming trips, mentors for new members, and creative minds for all sorts of things.   If you have ideas for new events, workshops, or ways to improve the club, please reach out to any board member.  Remember that board meetings are open to members - just let an officer or committee chair know you are interested in being included in the meeting plans.

And finally - 

It is my hope is that each member finds something meaningful through our club - be it the thrill of a new run, the joy of teaching a friend, a hike, a day on the river, just meeting for dinner - the warmth of community with club friends.

The loss of our dear friend, Bebe Eyssen leaves a hole in our hearts.  It brings the realization that tomorrow is not promised.  We should make the most of each day.

Thank you for entrusting me with the role of president; I am honored to serve alongside capable and dedicated friends.

Warm regards,

Hilda Jones,
President

Myra Altschuler with Travel Protectors gave a seminar on trip insurance on July 16 via Zoom. In it, she explained the two types of trip insurance and gave advice for navigating the complex issues surrounding when and what to insure. 

The two main types: 

• Standard (medical) - 100% refund of costs for illness, injury or death
• Cancel any reason - 100% refund for medical reasons; 75% refund for other reasons 

Of course, there are requirements for using trip insurance, time limits, and other considerations to keep in mind. 

• For a preexisting condition to be covered, you must buy trip insurance within 14 days of your first payment of any kind toward the trip.

• You must see a doctor during the trip and obtain documentation of the illness or injury. 
• Only obtain coverage for non-refundable charges, but you can increase your coverage if your estimate is too low.
• Trip insurance reimburses you, it doesn’t pay for expenses upfront. 
• Medicare doesn’t pay costs outside of the U.S. Check with your secondary carrier, if you have one, to see if they cover costs overseas.

Annual trip insurance, which covers any trip you take for a one year period, works the same, but it only covers a set amount from the year of purchase. If you use up your annual amount on a trip, you can purchase another annual policy within a short window of time.

The entire presentation is available for viewing on YouTube. Here is a link: https://youtu.be/aPkfYs4ZeK4?si=06ftznKjG7lmdGwe

A Summer of Excitement Awaits!

Our summer season is just as exciting as ski season!  Lookouts Baseball Game night is July 11. Be sure to sign up for this fun night- even if you don’t watch every pitch, you’ll have a great time with your ski club friends.  Next is our Annual LAKE PARTY, July 26. Hosted this year by members Beth & Mike Rawlston at their wonderful lake home. Again, be sure to sign up, this is a not to be missed event!  Next is rafting the Hiwassee River on Friday, August 15^th. Reserve your raft with Webb Bros. in Reliance, TN and register so we know who is coming. Details of the potluck at members Cindy & Neil Gowlowski’s new home are forthcoming. Last, but not least, August 21 is the Bardstown, KY distillery tour  and train ride while staying in a wonderful converted jailhouse! 

Our next Season’s Ski Trips are booking fast!

Don’t wait too long to make your decision on how many of these great trips you want to join -- Telluride, Snowmass, and Banff.  Not a bad choice in the bunch.  Do them all. Details are all on the website. 

A Call to Volunteers

Our club thrives on the enthusiasm and dedication of its members. We are currently seeking volunteers to assist with event planning, to lead small group outings, and to help with administrative tasks. If you’re interested in giving back to our wonderful club, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the board members.

Stay Connected

Finally, let’s stay connected! Be sure to attend club meetings when you can -- the next meeting  is on July 1 and will be held at the Farm to Fork Restaurant, a first time for this venue. It should be especially fun. See the website event for details and be sure to register to come.   Whether it’s through our monthly newsletter or the Ski Club Facebook page or at a meeting, we want to hear from you. Share your photos, your stories, and your suggestions. Together, let’s make this year a great one.

Your President,
Hilda Jones

Upcoming Summer Season Highlights

This summer season promises to have something for everyone -- Lookout’s Baseball Night, Summer Lake Party at Beth and Mike Rawlston’s beautiful lake property, paddling the Hiwassee River and potluck afterward at Neil and Cindy Gawlowski’s new home. Be sure to go to www.chattanoogaskiclub.org and sign up to be included in these fun activities.

But FIRST!!!

Our 2026 ski trips are filling up. Telluride, Snowmass and Banff, Canada are all prime destinations for next season!  Early discount pricing is good for ONE MORE WEEK (until May 31) so if you intend to go on these trips, get your registration and payment to the trip leader(s) to secure your spot and save a few bucks.

See the website for details and trip leader contact info.

And as always- Membership Benefits

As a member of our Ski Club, you enjoy numerous benefits, including discounts on equipment rentals, access to our exclusive events, and fun and camaraderie with members who share your interests.  Our club newsletter will keep you informed about all activities and provide tips, news, and stories from the skiing world and beyond.

Warm regards,

Hilda Jones
President

33 Club Members Run Wild in Lake Tahoe!

March 15-22, our members explored lots of ways you can have fun around Lake Tahoe. This group included several first timers to our trips, some  returning after many years, and even newlyweds spending their honeymoon with us! From accounts of how much they enjoyed this trip, we can expect them to join us again!

New snow greeted us as we arrived, so the ski/ride conditions at Heavenly were very good. Jaxon Cronan, our high school senior, experienced snowboarding in the west for the first time and I could tell he is totally sold on it. Our contingency of non-skiers enjoyed touring the beautiful lake on the big paddle wheeler, riding the gondola to the top of the mountain to take in the incredible views, gambling, shopping and discovering the best places for food and beverage.

We gathered several evenings at various restaurants, enabling all to swap stories and get to know each other. Especially fun was St. Patrick’s Day evening at Fire & Ice, where we had great service, great food, festive atmosphere and lots of camaraderie.

One injury occurred; Bill Coolidge broke his femur getting on the chair lift. He was taken to the local hospital, had a hip replacement later that day and was back at the hotel the next afternoon. Three days later, he flew home with us - what a trooper! Many in our group pitched in to help Bill. A huge thanks to all made sure Bill’s needs were fulfilled and granddaughter Jamie was cared for.  

This was my first experience leading a ski trip and I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this group and how helpful they were in so many ways.

Hilda Jones

This trip went pretty much 'as planned' from take off to landing back home. 

We had a late shopper at the grocery stop but did not leave him, and one wallet was found left on the bus BEFORE the driver took off, and it was returned to the owner. 

I believe everyone was satisfied with their condos AND their roommates! 

Although there was no new snow for this trip, the slopes were groomed well enough to please us all, even those of us that did NOT want groomed. A lot of us went to Vail in small groups and got to experience that too.

There was a good bit of hot tub activity most evenings. The wine and cheese hosted by Charter was very nice. The Friday night leftover bash was a smash. No one went away hungry or in need of a drink.

There was one knee injury and she went home walking, not pain free but upright at least.

To the best of my knowledge, I was the only one that went home with the flu and I used a mask as soon as I felt it get me and no one else reported getting sick. 

I want to thank all that attended for making this a pretty easy trip to lead. 

Well we just finished off the first trip of the year to Finland and I hear it was wonderful.

The northern lights were a lifetime remembrance event. Everyone and myself should have went and seen them also.

Next up Beaver Creek and hopefully snowfalls upon snowfalls. The pre-trip parties for Beaver Creek and Tahoe are Feb. 16^th. Check your emails.

THE VIEW

I as I write, I am putting together the last chorus of one greatest songs ever written in the American college of popular music history. I call it “The six-time COVID blues and massacre.”

Yes I have COVID, but I still feel I am a good person. Why does bad COVID happen to good people? I have not had it six times but for the purposes of the song I think the number 6 is a nice round number.

Well just like not being able to see the northern lights or not being able to do something you really want to do.

Sometimes the planets do not align, and you just fall, tumble, get behind, or just stay where you are, with the worst case of dysphoria and malaise imaginable. You cannot get to where you want because you just cannot.

Let us raise our voices in four part harmony to the heavens, to our spouses, or too the darn kitchen walls if our spouses leave us if we are getting too loud, …”Happy days will be hear again and we will all sing our good songs again,” and we will all relish times of togetherness of everyone in the club on a trip, event or at a meeting.

Yes living many times sucks, but the highs of good times are a drug we all must have.

See you next meeting,

Ashley