Good Riddance 2020, Welcome 2021!!!  2020 started out with three great ski trips to Snowmass, Colorado, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Banff, Alberta.  Then while we were having a wonderful time skiing at St. Moritz, things went downhill, and not in the way we like.  But when you think about it, since we had these winter activities, we got to do a lot more this year than most people.  As we close out this strange time, I hope everyone is having a good holiday season.

Right after the last newsletter was published, we received more bad news about one of our 2021 ski trips.  The Mt. Bachelor ski resort is not booking groups of more than six people.  Our vendor was notified of this and was able to get a refund (not just a credit) from the airline and a refund on all other aspects of the trip.  As of now, the Taos trip is still on as planned.  The resort is open with a 44” base at the top of lift 7.  Some of the current requirements are: they are limited to 25% of uphill capacity (2225 skiers), the only indoor spaces on the mountain that are open are restrooms, masks are required, patrons cannot ride lifts with others not in their travel party, and gatherings are to be kept to a maximum of five individuals.  One good result of this is the people taking lessons will be with, at most, three other skiers and their instructor, practically personal lessons!

If you are going skiing on your own trip this winter, be sure you are aware of the requirements where you are going.  One example is Pitkin County, Colorado (where Aspen and Snowmass are) which started, on December 17th, requiring visitors to have been tested for COVID-19, with a negative result, 72 hours or less before their arrival. The new rule applies to people who don’t live in Pitkin, are 10 years of age and older, and who plan to stay at least one night.  People who arrive without proof of a negative test result will be directed to a local testing center and asked to quarantine until they receive the result.  Visitors are asked to carry with them a paper copy of their negative test result or have a link available to present.  Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to $5,000.  Another example is the California side of Lake Tahoe, specifically Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties, which have banned travel to their counties from both out of state visitors and California residents until at least January 1st.

On Thursday afternoon December 17th, several of our members volunteered at the Food Bank.  For many years we have made monetary donations to them, but this is the first time, that I’m aware of, that we, as a club, gave of our time.  We packed A LOT of food boxes.  I’m sure we will look at doing similar volunteer work like this in the future.  Thanks to Lulu Copeland for organizing this.

I hope you completed the trip survey that our Trip Coordinator, Scott Kramer, put together.  We haven’t done one of these in a while, but the Board does want your input and we try to offer trips that our members want.  

Please join me in welcoming our new members: Karen Hall, Pamela Watson-Walker and Mark Gipson.

At the December Board meeting, we regrettably cancelled the January membership meeting.  Now that vaccines are starting to be distributed, perhaps we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and we will be able to re-start our membership meetings in the not-too-distant future.

Stay safe everyone,
Bob