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Ski Club ProfileS

American Blind Skiing Foundation Champaign Ski Club Chicago Friars Ski and Bike Club

f you can read this he Champaign Ski hicago Friars Ski
Iand find your way TClub (CSC) is C& Bike Club is the
down a ski slope by dedicated to making little club that could.
yourself, count your the joys of outdoor Could what, you ask?
blessings because liter- adventure available We are an all-year club;
ally hundreds of visual- year-round to those
of us living in the flat-
ly impaired individuals lands of East Central our members have a
can’t! That’s where the American Blind Skiing Illinois. The club is open to all individuals and wide variety of interests. Some members come
Foundation (ABSF) comes to the rescue – by families who enjoy outdoor activities such as out in the winter and ski with us, while others
providing the opportunity for those who are skiing, camping, rafting, canoeing and group prefer our summer activities. Most of us enjoy the
visually impaired to enjoy the thrilling sensation adventure travel to different lands. The club Friars’ year-round activities. We ski in the winter,
of the sport. With the help of hundreds of volun- normally runs a New Year’s Midwest ski trip, and we bike, hike and camp in the summer.
teer guides, ABSF, established in 1971, makes it three ski trips out West, three other Midwest This winter we’re going to ski at Whitefish
possible for the visually impaired to successfully ski trips and, in recent years, a trip to a warm- Mountain, Mont. from Jan. 20-25, 2012 (formerly
face challenges in all areas of life while engaging weather destination such as Mexico, Costa Rica known as Big Mountain). Our other Western ski
in fun social activities. or the Dominican Republic. The club maintains
During the ski season, the group meets every a busy summer schedule with kayaking, biking, trip is to Steamboat, Colo. from Feb. 25-Mar 3,
golfing and boating parties. Monthly house
weekend at a local ski area such as Wilmot or parties and First Friday Happy Hours at local 2012 during CMSC Chicago Week. Our Midwest
Alpine Valley, takes weekend trips to Devil’s restaurants fill out the club’s social calendar. trip is to CMSC Winter Carnival at Ski Brule,
Head and other larger ski areas, and sponsors The club’s activities encompass all age levels. Mich. from March 16-18, 2012 to engage in fun,
one Western trip. Last year, about 20 volunteer The club currently has over 200 members skiing and general silliness.
guides and blind skiers traveled to Breckenridge, including 43 kids. When the ski season ends (sniff sniff) we put
and this year the destination is Winter Park. CSC also raises funds for Anyone Can Ski, a away the skis and get out our bikes, canoe paddles
New volunteer guides and blind skiers are program developed by CSC that finances trips and tents and prepare for a full summer season
always welcome and ABSF provides intensive for disabled skiers and their guardians to enjoy of camping, bike riding, canoeing and hiking.
training. There are also opportunities for mountain fun at the National Sports Center for
non-skiers to volunteer time or donate money the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Visit our Social events include “Meet & Eat” dinners,
or equipment. Ask about how you or your ski website for a monthly calendar of upcoming events concerts in the park and Ravinia.
organization can get involved. and the club’s newsletter with articles showing
our recent adventures.
www.absf.org www.champaignskiclub.org
jim.hynan@occ.treas.gov 46craw@gmail.com • 217-762-7848 chicagofriars@gmail.com
Jim Hynan, Club Contact
www.chicagofriars.com
Greg Crawford, President
Chicagoland Club 50 – Ski and Sports Duneland Ski Club Elmhurst Ski Club

f you’re at least 50 uneland Ski Club lmhurst Ski Club
Iyears old and love D(DSC) maintains E(ESC) was started
being active, you’ll its roots in Northwest in 1957 by a small
find Chicagoland Club Indiana. Named for the group of people who
50 – Ski and Sports to proximity to the had met in high
school. They all had
be the perfect choice Indiana Dunes, most of one thing in common
of ski club with year-round activities. our club participants – they enjoyed skiing. From that small group
Once a month, the club gathers for Sunday live in Indiana. We are just over the state line ESC has evolved over the years. Today, regular
evening dinner and conversation at different from Chicago. event attendees range from age 9 to age 70 with
restaurants in Chicago and the suburbs. DSC has a wide range of people with diverse a mix of single and married.
Summer and fall bring a host of activities. interests which makes for an interesting group. Our primary activity is skiing, including
Golfers gather every Thursday at golf courses The main interest is winter sports, but we stay single-day and week-long ski trips. We also
around the Chicagoland area for nine holes and connected throughout the year with a variety of participate in CMCS weekend and racing trips.
lunch. Bike rides are planned each month from summer and fall activities. Our destinations have varied from Canada, the
Western US and Europe. We have a cross-country
May through September, as well as regular bowl- Our strength lies in the cohesiveness of the ski trip in the immediate area when the weather
ing outings, horseback riding, canoeing, sailing, group during an activity, while organizing a cooperates.
concerts at Millennium Park, Cubs games and a party, or when traveling together. A comfortable During the summer we enjoy golf, picnics,
day at Arlington Park. Check our website for the feeling of belonging comes quickly while hanging bike rides, chili cook-offs and any other event a
latest newsletter, activities and pictures. with us. member wants to organize.
Club 50 will take 3 weeklong trips next ski The next time you want to see what Indiana Our club is large enough to have active partic-
season to Vail, Snowmass, and Telluride. What people do, come with us on a trip. You will see ipation at events but small enough to get to know
makes these ski trips unique is the end-of-ski- that there is more than corn in Indiana. There are everyone in the club and give every member that
day wine and cheese gatherings where friend- some die-hard skiers and genuine good people. feeling of “community.”
Attend one of our meetings. Come ski and/or
ships are made, dinner plans confirmed, and ski Check us out at skiduneland.com and connect. join us for other activities. Bring your ideas. You,
partners booked for the next day. your ideas, your family and friends are always
welcome in our fun-loving, super group of people.

www.ski50.com www.skiduneland.com www.elmhurstskiclub.com
Lindy Berggreen, Membership Ed Gordon, President Ray Lucas, President
membership@ski50.com edskates-indiana@yahoo.com luke38@sbcglobal.net

www.skicmsc.com 2011/2012 DIRECTORY MIDWEST SKIER 31