As I write this, the Chattanooga Ski Club’s winter 2020 ski trip is finally under way!!!  We have a group at Taos Ski Valley, and to top it off - it is snowing there.  From the reports I’ve heard, everyone is having a great time.  I wish I was there with them, especially after watching the web cams with the snow and nearly empty runs.   I’m looking forward to Jim Mullenix’s report on the trip in next month’s newsletter, as what happens Taos doesn’t stay in Taos.

I hope everyone who wants to get some skiing in this year is able to, either with the club or on their own trip.  As I’ve said earlier, if you are planning your own trip, be sure to keep up with the latest news and rules.  For example, a couple of weeks ago two smaller resorts, Hunter Mountain in NY and Bluebird Backcountry in CO, had to temporarily close due to positive cases among their staffs; and last week Pitkin Cy CO (Aspen/Snowmass) tightened their existing restrictions. 

Perhaps it is fitting that our first, and due to COVID only, club ski trip this year is in January which is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month.  This initiative, which was started 2009, was created to get new skiers to take lessons from people who are certified to teach, and many resorts offer special deals for new athletes at over 200 ski areas and resorts located across the country.  Be thinking of ways we can recruit new members to join us on our trips next year.

Scott Kramer, our Trip Coordinator is hard at work putting together ski trips for next winter, based on the input received from the survey.  Be sure to look at his article with the results of the survey to see how everyone responded.

With the increases in COVID-19 cases and the cold weather preventing outdoor meetings, we are still holding off on in-person meetings until at least March, but the board will discuss this at their February meeting.  I know I miss getting to see everyone.

Please join me in welcoming our new members: Juliana Bartra, Aaron Schaublin, and Theresa Sharp.  By the way, Theresa has already gotten involved in club activities as she was one of the people who volunteered at the Food Bank in December.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob