News

The Good:  Twenty-nine (29) club members attended our Snowmass Ski Trip during the week of Jan 8 - 15.  We stayed at the Top of the Village resort which provided us with ski-in ski-out accommodations.  We enjoyed a terrific snow base, minimal crowds, and perfect weather all week, which made for an awesome week of skiing.  Most of our members skied at Snowmass the whole week, but several people ventured over to Aspen, Aspen Highlands and/or Buttermilk to experience a variety of terrain.

Lisa Jennings with Aspen/Snowmass Tourism provided our club with 20+ appetizer dishes during Happy Hour on Monday afternoon at the New Belgium Ranger Station.  This was a great treat, and really the only time that we were all together to socialize as a club.

A few of us discovered that both Snowmass and Aspen were offering free Nastar racing, and took advantage of the opportunity to hone our skills through the gates.

The not as good:  There were two groups traveling to Snowmass.  The group flying to Denver and busing to Snowmass enjoyed an easy trip without any disruptions or issues, notwithstanding heavy snow for the last 30 miles of their bus ride into town.  The return home was mostly uneventful, save for a delay on their first flight, but they were still able to catch their connecting flight.  The other group, however, endured two canceled flights, and had to spend the night in Denver … finally arriving to Snowmass on Sunday evening.

Due to Covid, the Top of the Village resort banned all group gatherings, and thus canceled our Welcome Party (each room, however, was provided with two bottles of wine and a meat and cheese snack tray instead), and cancelled the Group Dinner in their clubhouse.  However, we did not let this stop our fun, and we were able to enjoy our catered group bar-b-que dinner in our own rooms on Tuesday evening.

All-in-all, it was a fun week, and I believe everyone had a great time.

A.B. Maynard

Ski season is in full swing as 29 members of our club just returned from Aspen/Snowmass. On February 5^th our next group leaves for Breckenridge, Colorado. Then on the 19^th our last ski trip of the year leaves for Mt. Bachelor, Oregon. Think SNOW.

Note that there will NOT be a membership meeting in February (since we have been meeting outside at the Flat Duck for the last few months, it might be a bit cool). We will keep you posted on our plans for March.

As you are probably aware, the 2022 Winter Olympics are about to start, running from February 4^th to the 20^th.  This will be the first Winter Olympics in China, and the first time the Winter Olympics will be hosted by a city that previously hosted the Summer Olympics (four indoor venues as well as the Beijing National Stadium (hosting the opening and closing ceremonies) which were originally constructed for the 2008 Games, will be re-used). The events will be spread over three “zones”, the Beijing zone (including hockey, skating, curling and some snowboarding), the Yanqing zone, 56 miles away (alpine skiing, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton), and the Zhangjiakou zone, 140 miles from Beijing (ski jumping, Nordic combined, biathlon, cross-country, and other snowboarding). One interesting fact, the Yanqing zone will be using artificial snow since it rarely snows in this region of China.

Here’s a trivia question for you – Where and what is the highest chairlift in North America? Here’s a hint: about 50 members of our club will be skiing there in a couple of weeks.  That’s right, Breckenridge and the lift is the Imperial Express.  It tops out at 12,840 feet, 158 vertical feet below the top of Peak 8.  Who is going to get a picture from there for our webpage and Facebook?

In the past, the Chattanooga Ski Club has had a booth at the Lookout Wild Film Festival (https://lookoutfilmfestival.org/).  On December 11, our Publicity Chair, Suzanne Grueser, sent an email asking for volunteers to staff our booth to answer questions about our organization.  Unfortunately, the event organizers moved the dates from January 14-16 to February 4-6. The new dates coincide with our large Breckenridge trip. Since we didn’t think we’d have enough volunteers to staff the booth, we cancelled our participation for this year.

An administrative note: For many years, the Ski Club has maintained a Post Office box (# 1007) at the downtown post office (on Georgia Ave. across from Miller Park).  The cost of that box has increased each year for the past several years.  Since we rarely receive any mail there, the board has decided to not renew it (saving the club over $200/year) and instead, our Treasurer, Tom DuBose, and newsletter editor, Susan DuBose, have graciously offered to use their address for the club’s official snail mail address (which as a 501c7 non-profit corporation we are required to have).  The website (at bottom of the home page) has already been updated to show the new address: 1204 Hanover Street Chattanooga, TN 37405.

Plans are underway for the 2022 Crescent Ski Council’s Spring Convention and Fall Conference. Due to Covid these were cancelled in 2020 and 2021, but we hope 2022 will be different.  Any and all members of the Chattanooga Ski Club are welcome to attend. The Spring Convention is scheduled for April 21-24, 2022 at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach. The plan is to have all of the usual activities including the vendor show, Beach Olympics, and DJ party with a Roaring 20's theme. The Fall Conference is scheduled for October 28-30, 2022 at the Glenstone in Gatlinburg, TN. Mark these dates on your calendar and more information will be forthcoming.

We have six new members to report: Donna Harvey, Mary McNeal, Larry Shears, Boris Budik, Sandra Calhoun, and James Hobbs.  Let’s be sure we make them feel welcome.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

February Membership Meeting @ TBD – February 1, 2022 – Cancelled

Volunteering at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank – TBD   (working w/ Food Bank to determine date)

Booth at the Lookout Wild Film Festival – February 4-6, 2022 – Our participation cancelled

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705  (Full)

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580 (Full)

March Membership Meeting @ TBD – March 1, 2022

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022 - cancelled

April Membership Meeting @ TBD – April 5, 2022

Virginia Creeper Bike Ride – Spring 2022

Len Foote Hike – October 21-22, 2022    https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3235020

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! On Thursday night December 16^th we held our annual Christmas Party.  After everything we have been through in the past 20 months or so, wasn’t it great to get together again?  For those of you that missed it, Hilda, Bobbi, Jinksie and others planned and executed a fantastic evening.  The venue (Hilda & Willis’ Flat Duck) was beautifully decorated, the main course (from Susan & Van Chambers) was delicious, the member-supplied desserts were scrumptious, and the entertainment (by Bobbi and DJ Stacey VanPelt) was joyous.

Note that there will NOT be a membership meeting in January (since we have been meeting outside at the Flat Duck for the last few months, it might be a bit cool).  We will keep you posted on our plans for February.

Since this is the season for giving, Lulu is planning an opportunity for us to give sometime in January.  We are looking at volunteering at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank again.  The Food Bank primarily distributes food to those in need through partner agencies located in 20-counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.  Be looking for more information in the coming days, and if you can, join us.  We will only work a few hours and it isn’t hard, but you will be helping people in our community.

The 2021-2022 ski season is officially underway as 17 members of the Chattanooga Ski Club joined 200+ members of other Crescent Ski Council clubs for a week at Steamboat.  I understand everyone had a good time despite the less-than-ideal conditions (is it true that there was a scavenger hunt where one item was snow?).  In just a few days (January 8^th to be precise) the first of three Chattanooga Ski Club trips will be underway as we return to Aspen/Snowmass, probably our most popular destination.

While our club is running three western trips this season (two more than last year), we have had to cancel the European trip for the second year in a row.  I wish this wasn’t necessary, and our Trip Coordinator, Scott Kramer, and the Trip Leader, Lulu Copeland, worked very hard to make the trip work.  Unfortunately, there are several reasons that made this decision necessary.  First, we only had 20 participants who were paid up, but to prevent a significant cost to the club, we needed a minimum of 25 participants.  Second, due to the increasing COVID numbers, the US and France are implementing travel requirements including negative PCMR tests 48 hours before returning to the US; vaccine passports required in France to visit tourist attractions, go into bars, cafes, restaurants, and shared areas in hotel; etc.  These were causing, with good reason, some of our participants to consider dropping the trip. Third, the air fare was over $1000, which was a bit pricey for some participants.  Had only one of these factors been in play we might have still run the trip, but not with all three. The good news is that Scott is already working on trips for 2023 and a European trip is planned.

We have five new members to report: William Cesan, Autumn Friday, Natalie Gill, Marie Holland, and Grant McAlpin.  Let’s be sure we make them feel welcome.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

 

Event Listing   

Membership Meeting January – cancelled

Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819  (Full)

Membership Meeting @ TBD – February 1, 2022

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705  (Full)

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580

Membership Meeting @ TBD – March 1, 2022

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- cancelled

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. After you indulge in the holiday festivities, it will be time to prepare for the upcoming ski season. In just a few days (December 4^th to be exact), we’ll have a number of people going to Steamboat as part of the Crescent Ski Council’s Race and Ski Camp.  Then we’ll have our three western trips (Breckenridge and Snowmass are sold out, but we might be able get some more people on the Mt. Bachelor trip).  We are finalizing the air component of the Europe trip.

I know everyone is looking forward to the Christmas party at the Flat Duck Event Venue on Thursday, December 16^th, starting at 6 pm.  If you are planning on attending (and why wouldn’t you?) you must register by December 12^th so Susan and Van will know how much food to prepare.  In addition to the food, there will be a DJ providing music.  The cost for members is only $5, which will be donated to charity.  For non-members, we must charge $20 (and since it is only $30 for an individual membership or $45 for a family, it would make sense for them to join the club instead and get all the benefits for about the same cost).

Note that there will NOT be a membership meeting in January.  We will keep you posted on our plans for February.

If you weren’t on the Len Foote hike a few weeks ago, you missed a beautiful trip.  The weather was cool, which was perfect for hiking, the Inn’s food was excellent as always, and everyone had a good time playing games Friday evening.  Barb is already planning next year's trip so be watching for more information and sign up early.

There was an interesting article in the Washington Post recently titled “A Beginner’s Guide to Ski Photography” ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/ski-photography-beginner-tips-guide/2021/11/11/81fbd27e-3e73-11ec-a493-51b0252dea0c_story.html ).  There is some good information there for both advanced photographers as well as those that just use their cell phones.

We have three new members to report: Kelly Braden, Mary Buckner, and Patrick Howe.  Let’s be sure we make them feel welcome.

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone for the cards, prayers, and calls as I have dealt with the care of my father and brother over the past year and their deaths this past month.  You have truly helped me during this time and I’m thankful to be a member of a club made up of such caring people.

Stay safe everyone,
Bob

Event Listing   

Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Ski Trip – December 4-11, 2021  (registration closed) https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2021_Steamboat%20Trip_Information.pdf

Christmas Party @ Flat Duck Event Venue, 7742 Three Notch Rd., Ringgold, GA 30736  –    December 16     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4562484    

Membership Meeting January – cancelled

Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819  (Full)

Membership Meeting @ TBD – February 1, 2022

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705  (Full)

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022  2022 Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip

Membership Meeting @ TBD – March 1, 2022

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4284148 

“The Len Foote Hike Inn Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail Loop is a 9.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Marble Hill, Georgia that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking.

"The easy-to-moderate trail takes between two and four hours to complete, crossing small streams, traversing mild ridges and ambling past the hickory, pine and oak trees of North Georgia. [The point is you'll survive the trek and you'll love the end of the trail.]

"Rustic guest rooms, hot showers, family-style dining and stunning views offer the rare gift of enjoying nature in the company of wonderfully friendly folks.”

The above describes Len Foote Hike Inn; what it doesn’t tell you is once CSC arrives, this trip becomes an “adult sleepover”! We have so much fun!

Words from CSC members that went on the November 5-6 2021 trip:

Faith Young said, “The Inn has great food and it’s a beautiful hike! I enjoyed our game time with the ski club members.”

Ernie Holsopple wrote, “So many good things. The hike itself was awesome; the shared friendship and fellowship; AND GAMES!!!! Also the food was great.”

A.B. Maynard wrote, “Spending time with friends! AND hiking a beautiful trail with gorgeous fall weather.”

In other words, the trip is like an adult sleepover, with no TV, radio, or cell service. It is so nice to laugh, talk and play games. We were having so much fun playing games that other guests at the Inn came into the dining room to see what all the laughing was about and to ask, “What kind of club are ya’ll in?”

We did recruit one new member. No, Jim Bates, we didn’t clear it with you; he was just standing in the lobby and we gave him a CSC T-shirt and made him our newest member.

This overnight trip is so much fun and we would love for you to go with us next time.

One thing really bad happened on the trail up this time, our dear long time member Cindy Dees lost her “sole” on the trek up the mountain.  It was a great loss. 

This October 1-2, 2021 was the fifth (5^th) year in a row for CSC to make a bourbon trip to the bourbon capital of Bardstown, KY. We did go one of these years to Louisville, but by far Bardstown is our favorite. We even went last year in 2020 amid COVID; we used and practiced extreme caution and no one was infected. 

What makes this trip so popular? What makes some of my favorite people go back every year?  Let’s get to the root right away….fellowship, fellowship, fellowship. You get to spend a seven hour day in a bus with your fellow CSC friends, you tour as a group at the distilleries, you enjoy meals together, and let’s face it, after about 18 shots of bourbon, you seem to get really close and personal.  It is so much fun.

This year for the first time in Bardstown we took a mixology class at The Bardstown Bourbon Company called "Shaken and Stirred." It was so much fun and the bar was attached to the rickhouse.  We learned to make a Kentucky Mule (shaken) and an Old Fashioned (stirred). 

What is a Kentucky Mule? It's the same as a Moscow Mule; you just substitute bourbon for the vodka.  (Note: I do not like “Moscow Mules” however the Kentucky Mule is awesome!)

The name was eventually decided to be Moscow Mule, which is said to be a random pick. Apparently Moscow was used because of Americans' tendency to associate vodka with Russia and mule was added to the name because the ginger beer gave a 'kick' of flavor.

I have already had a group ask when we will do the 2022 bourbon trip; I will let you know the date as soon as possible.

Go with us next time,
Barb

Ski season in the U.S. is officially here as Wolf Creek opened Saturday, October 16, inching out Arapahoe Basin by one day for the bragging rights as the first resort to open. Winter has arrived (although the slopes aren’t open yet), at one of our upcoming ski destinations. The Colorado Sun reported snow in the mountains around Aspen/Snowmass on October 2

and I just had to include this picture of the snow and aspen trees from the article:

AccuWeather’s long range Ski Forecast says we should have “Excellent” conditions this winter at all four of our western destinations.  Steamboat, Snowmass, and Breckenridge are sold out, but you still have a few days left to sign up for Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.

Fellow Ski Club member Adam Seiler, of 1-On-1 Personal Training (7429 E Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421; (423) 704-7237; https://www.chattanoogapersonaltraining.com ) was the speaker at our October membership meeting. I think everyone who was there learned something to help us prepare for skiing or other activities. If you haven’t met Adam yet, those of us on the Breckenridge trip will get to know him then, if not sooner.  We will also have an informative guest speaker at our November meeting.

Save the Date – Thursday evening December 16^th.  After missing last year, the Annual Christmas Party is making a comeback! More information will be sent out soon.

We have a new member to report: Glen Urey. Let’s be sure we make him feel welcome.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

Event Listing   

Membership Meeting @ Flat Duck Event Venue, 7742 Three Notch Rd., Ringgold, GA 30736  –   November 2    https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4537383    

Len Foote Hike Inn – November 5-6 https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3235020 http://hike-inn.com/

Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Ski Trip – December 4-11, 2021  (registration closed) https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2021_Steamboat%20Trip_Information.pdf

Christmas Party – December 16    details to follow

Membership Meeting @ TBD – January 4, 2022

Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819  (Full)

Membership Meeting @ TBD – February 1, 2022

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705  (Full)

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580

Membership Meeting @ TBD – March 1, 2022

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4284148 

Fall is officially here, and we’ve had some cool mornings, so can ski season be far behind?  The deadline for signing up for ski trips is approaching fast.  The deadline for the Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat trip (December 4-11, 2021) is October 1^st.  For our trips, Snowmass is essentially filled, but we might be able to add a group of four.  For Breckenridge, we will be having to drop unsold slots in a few weeks.  Shortly after that, we will have to make decisions about the Mt. Bachelor and Chamonix/Lyon/Paris trips.

If you were at Nightfall the last three Friday’s nights of this year’s series (August 27^th, September 3^rd & 10^th), you may have seen our club’s banner at our information booth.  We were there giving out information and answering questions about the club.  If I only had a dime for every time I heard, “I didn’t know Chattanooga had a ski club,” I could go on more trips.  Thanks to Bill Coolidge for making the suggestion we do this; to Suzanne Grueser for coordinating this with the Nightfall folks; to John Neblett for supplying the tent, tables, etc.; and to Bill, Suzanne, John, Tom & Susan DuBose, Lulu & Robert Copeland, Hilda Jones, Scott Kramer for staffing the booth and talking to potential members.

Our club’s fourth ski trip this coming winter is to Chamonix France, site of the first winter Olympics in 1924 and located at the base of Mont Blanc (which is French for White Mountain, it’s like the French have a different word for everything), the highest point in Western Europe, at 15,777 ft.  The last time our club visited there was 1999, while the James Bond movie, “The World is Not Enough” was being filmed.  So, if you go on this trip, you could end up in a movie.  If you are looking for something to do while there, you could attempt to break the Mont Blanc Speed Record on Foot (ascending Mont Blac from the center of Chamonix and returning), which is currently 4 hours, 57 minutes 34 seconds.  While you are making that trip, you probably won’t have time to stop at Europe’s two highest toilets (at an elevation of 13,976 feet, or 1801 feet below the summit).  In case you were wondering, they were placed there and are “serviced” by helicopter.

We have some new members to report: Kelly McGinnis and Shannon Ritzhaupt and family.  Let’s be sure we make them feel welcome.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

Event Listing   

Bardstown Bourbon Trail – October 1-3     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3753468  
Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Things To Do in Bardstown, KY | Visit Bardstown

Membership Meeting @ Flat Duck Event Venue, 7742 Three Notch Rd., Ringgold, GA 30736 – October 5 

Zipline Adventure at the Historic Banning Mills – October 14
https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4446115      North Georgia's Ultimate Zipline | World's Largest Zipline Adventure (historicbanningmills.com)

Crescent Ski Council Fall Convention, Glenstone Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN - October 22-24   Crescent Ski Council  Cancelled due to COVID

Membership Meeting @ TBD – November 2 

Len Foote Hike Inn – November 5-6     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-323502 (note the revised date)  The Hike Inn (hike-inn.com)

Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Ski Trip – December 4-11, 2021  https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2021_Steamboat%20Trip_Information.pdf

Christmas Party – tentatively the week of December 13

Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819 

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4284148 

If you weren’t at the August membership meeting at Office Furniture Warehouse, hosted by Beverly and John (JJ) Jerman, you missed an inspiring talk by Olivier LeMaitre, as well as some good information on our upcoming trip to France.  Be sure to see Lulu’s article below, and ask me (at the September 7^th membership meeting at the Flat Duck) about his remarks.

If you are having trouble deciding where to ski this winter, perhaps part of the problem is you are not familiar with the destination for our third 2022 ski trip, Mt. Bachelor (February 19-26), as the club hasn’t been there in the 25 years that I have been a member (although Janet Brooks and A.B. Maynard were there this past winter).

Mount Bachelor is a stratovolcano (built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava), in the Cascade Range of central Oregon, 18 miles from the town of Bend.  It was named Mount Bachelor because it stands apart from the nearby Three Sisters volcanic peaks.  Mount Bachelor last erupted between 10,000 and 8,000 years ago, so I’m not worried about it happening the week we will be there.  In addition to the ski area, the volcano’s summit hosts the Mount Bachelor Observatory, located at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level (so altitude sickness shouldn’t be a problem for anyone).

The Mount Bachelor ski area has operated on the mountain since 1958, with the installation of the first chair lift in 1962 (there are now 15 lifts including 8 high speed quads).  The resort is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest with a skiable area of 3,683 acres (for comparison, Snowmass has 3,339 acres), a vertical drop of 3,365 feet, and six terrain parks.  There are 101 trails totaling 62 miles, with the longest being 4 miles.  A unique feature of skiing this volcano is you can ski 360° around it (so you can always be in the sun or shade as you wish).  There is a lot of terrain for all abilities as the percentages of runs are as follows: Green 15%, Blue 35%, Black 30%, and Double Black 20%.  The average weather conditions (from 2017-2018) are High Temperature: 24°F, Low Temperature: 21°F, Snowfall per week: 20 inches. (Mt Bachelor Snow History (snow-forecast.com)).

We will be staying the Doubletree Hilton in the town of Bend in the geographic center of Oregon at an elevation of 3623’.  In February the average high and low temperatures in town are 46°F and 24°F.  The Bend metropolitan population is about 200,000 (about 40% of Chattanooga’s metro population).  Besides skiing, some other things to consider include ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, sled dog touring, snowmobiling, and Nordic skiing (there are 59 miles of groomed trails).  Some things to do off the snow include caving, helicopter tours, walking the Roundabout Art Route (a collection of over 20 pieces of public art on display outdoors), and exploring the town via Riddle Routes which guides you through town using a variety of clues.  You may want to take the Bend Ale Trail, as largest such trail in the West it is divided into 7 territories.  There are more than two dozen breweries as well as a bunch of distilleries, cideries, wineries, and kombucha brewers.  Prizes are given for each territory you complete.  https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580

Our summer activities are going full blast.  I think everyone enjoyed the SUP party hosted by Barbie Standifer at the Harbor Heights Subdivision Clubhouse.  Don’t forget about the Hiwassee Raft Trip on Sunday August 29^th  https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3933037 , the Bardstown Bourbon Trail – October 1-3   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3753468 , the Zipline Adventure October 14
https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4446115.

On July 20^th, the International Olympic Committee unanimously approved the addition of ski mountaineering to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (Cortina was the destination of our 2002 Europe ski trip, and just up the road from our 2019 trip to Ortisei).  If you are like me, you might be wondering what is ski mountaineering?  The “individual” discipline is a mass-start race that follows an established trail, challenging skiers to race up and back down mountainous terrain while passing through a serious of checkpoints. The races typically last between 1 1/2 and two hours.  “Sprint” races, as their title suggests, take skiers through a fast-paced fixed course featuring an uphill ski section, a hiking section and a descent around race gates. These races typically take about three minutes to complete. The relay race is based on the sprint format, with a team of three or four athletes taking turns completing the course.  The 2026 games will feature five medal ski mountaineering events: men’s individual and sprint, women’s individual and sprint, and one mixed-gender relay event. I suggest you start practicing now so you can make the 2026 team. Ski mountaineering to make Olympic debut at 2026 games in Italy | SkyHiNews.com

Telluride just announced a new wrinkle to their lift ticket and season passes, included in the price is a $25,000 no-deductible insurance policy covering medical expenses from accidents on the mountain.  Telluride passes, lift tickets will include insurance coverage for accidents (coloradosun.com)  I hope no one in our club needs to use this, and wonder if this is the start of a trend or a one-and-done deal?

Speaking of season passes, most of us are aware of the EPIC and IKON passes, but how many of you know about the Indy Pass?  The Indy Pass covers 2 days of skiing (and you can buy a 3rd day’s pass for 25% off the daily rate) at 76 small to midsize ski resorts (in 25 US states, 2 Canadian provinces, and just recently 2 Japanese Prefectures). Indy Pass resorts near Chattanooga are Ober Gatlinburg TN, Cataloochee NC, and Winterplace WV. Indy Pass | 76 Resorts ❄️ 152 Days ❄️ $279 (indyskipass.com)

We have several new members to report: Alecsa, Asa, Ashton, & Lisa Hendrick; Estee & Jay Jackson; Joan, Michael, & Savannah Pinchot; and Sandy Battles.  Let’s be sure we make them feel welcome.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

Event Listing   

Hiawassee River Raft/Duckie float trip – August 29   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3933037         Webb Brother's Rafting on the Hiwassee River (webbbros.com)

Membership Meeting @ the Flat Duck Event Venue – September 7 
https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4462741 

Bardstown Bourbon Trail – October 1-3     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3753468  
                              Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Things To Do in Bardstown, KY | Visit Bardstown

Membership Meeting @ TBD – October 5 

Zipline Adventure at the Historic Banning Mills – October 14
https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4446115      North Georgia's Ultimate Zipline | World's Largest Zipline Adventure (historicbanningmills.com)

Crescent Ski Council Fall Convention, Glenstone Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN - October 22-24   Crescent Ski Council

Membership Meeting @ TBD – November 2 

Len Foote Hike Inn – November 5-6     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3235020
                              (note the revised date)            The Hike Inn (hike-inn.com)

Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Ski Trip – December 4-11, 2021  https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2021_Steamboat%20Trip_Information.pdf

Christmas Party – TBD

Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819 

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4284148 

We had an excellent lake party this year, especially after having to cancel it last year.  The weather cooperated, we had good food, and great company.  We are indebted to Bobbi and Chris Witt for preparing the chicken, fish, and fixins.  Be sure to thank them for their hard work.  I also want to thank everyone that brought salads, desserts, etc. 

Barb Wise: Chicken Whisperer.  How else do you explain Barb winning the Chicken Poop Bingo game at the Lake Party?  If you don’t know how the game is played, use your imagination.  Anyway, we raised $214 for the American Legion Post 95 Honor Guard’s Funeral Fund; and I can’t think of a more deserving person to also win than Barb.  She spends a lot of time organizing special event for us to enjoy, like the SUP party on August 1^st (which is for everyone whether you want to kayak/SUP or not).  Congratulations Barb!

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the August Membership meeting (August 3^rd).  Thanks to the hospitality of Beverly and John (JJ) Jerman, we will be meeting indoors at the Office Furniture Warehouse, 1900 Stuart Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406.  We are also fortunate to have as our guest speaker Olivier LeMaitre, VP with Sandler Training, President Elect of Chattanooga Chamber's International Business Council and member of Tennessee French American Chamber of Commerce. If you are considering our March 2022 trip to Chamonix, Lyon, and Paris France, you won’t want to miss this meeting.  Due to reported increase in COVID cases and low vaccination participation in GA and TN, we will not offer food or drinks at this meeting.  Please bring your own food and drink.  We will have some water bottles available.  Mask will be required for those not vaccinated.

Where is our second ski trip this year, are we going to Breckinridge or Breckenridge?  The story I have heard for years was that the town was initially named for the 1857 to 1861 Vice President John C. Breckinridge, but was later changed due to his siding with the Confederacy.  However, an article from the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance tells a slightly different story.  It says that a member of John C. Fremont’s 1844 expedition, named Thomas Breckenridge lost a pack mule in the area.  The expedition made camp while Breckenridge searched for his mule.  After two days Kit Carson was sent to look for both of them.  Eventually all three returned, and Fremont named the area “Breckenridge Pass”.  In 1859, George Spencer (“Spencer’s” Restaurant, in the resort where we are staying, is named for him) laid out the town of Breckenridge.  But two months later he mailed an application for a post office to Washington DC, changing the name to Breckinridge, hoping to improve his chances for approval.  In January 1860, the application was granted and Breckinridge had the first post office on the Western Slope.  That name didn’t last long.  In late 1861, the former VP and runner-up to Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 Presidential election, now US Senator from Kentucky, John C. Breckinridge went south and was commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate Army (fighting at both Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge).  Because of this, in 1863, the people of Breckinridge changed the town’s name back to Breckenridge, as it is today.  Historic Myth-Busting in Breckenridge, CO: Is it BreckInridge or BreckEnridge? (breckheritage.com)

We have several new members to report, Thomas Bumgardner; Katherine, Elizabeth, & Paolo Davini; Tom & Carol Hackney; and David & Nancy Rice.  Let’s all welcome them.

Stay safe everyone,

Bob

Event Listing  

Standup Paddleboard (SUP) party – August 1      https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-2920338  

Monthly Membership Meeting, 1900 Stuart Street, Chattanooga, TN 37406 – August 3     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4419532

Hiawassee River Raft/Duckie float trip – August 29   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3933037   Webb Brother's Rafting on the Hiwassee River (webbbros.com)

Bardstown Bourbon Trail – October 1-3     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3753468 
Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Things To Do in Bardstown, KY | Visit Bardstown

Crescent Ski Council Fall Convention, Glenstone Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN - October 22-24   Crescent Ski Council

Len Foote Hike Inn – November 5-6     https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-3235020 (note the revised date)   The Hike Inn (hike-inn.com)

Crescent Ski Council’s Steamboat Ski Trip – December 4-11, 2021  https://www.crescentskicouncil.org/TripFlyers/2021_Steamboat%20Trip_Information.pdf

Christmas Party – TBD

Snowmass Ski Trip – January 8-15, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4231819 

Breckenridge Ski Trip – February 5-12, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4241705

Mt. Bachelor Ski Trip – February 19-26, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4254580

Chamonix/Lyon/Paris Skiing & Touring Trip- March 5-18, 2022   https://chattanoogaskiclub.org/event-4284148