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Message from the President Keith L. Fanta
THANK YOU TO OUR
ADVERTISERS
Aspen/Snowmass.....................28
Aston Hotels ...............................5 Our clubs are also active year round, and this issue of the magazine is
Grand Lodge by Stoney Creek....24
Quebec Ski Alliance ..................32
Ski.com ....................................30
Telluride Ski Resort...................13
Richard Halman Vail Resorts.................................2 Whether you Ski or Ride, you’ll enjoy it more with a Club.
Winter Park Resort....................24
4 ❖ SKI & RIDE CLUB GUIDE
A CHANGE
OF TRADITION
elcome to the first issue of Ski & Ride Club Guide, the magazine
W of the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council. This is the first issue in
name only, as our magazine has been published for many years under
the name Midwest Skier. The words “Ski & Ride” recognize the importance
of snowboarding to the world of snowsports. The words “Club Guide”
define the true purpose of the magazine, to be a resource for the members
of our clubs, as well as a promotional tool for snowsports enthusiasts not
familiar with ski and snowboard clubs.
Our old name was selected decades ago and described who we were
then, skiers from the Midwest. What the old name did not say was that
we were committed to our sport, and we traveled wherever necessary to
enjoy the sport of skiing.
Back in the original days of the magazine, the skis were straight, boots
had laces and they generally hurt. Many clubs ran several weekend bus
trips to Midwest resorts. Travel by airline was considered fairly exotic, there
might be only one flight a day to the target destination and a club may have
run only one trip a year utilizing airlines. Checking luggage on flights was
included in the price of the airfare (not all changes are improvements).
Today both skis and snowboards come in a huge variety of shapes, either
end can be pointed down the slope and, fortunately, boots no longer have
to hurt. Our clubs run fewer bus trips, but airline service allows our members
to make multiple trips to North American resorts each season, and many
clubs run trips to overseas destinations.
Neither the old nor new name mentions the commitment to our sport and
our clubs but, believe me, it’s there. The volunteers that run our clubs
are extremely knowledgeable about putting together the trip components
(resort selection, airfare and lodging) that create lifelong memories. The
accumulated experience of the volunteers in many of our clubs adds up
to decades, and in some instances, centuries. Our clubs are simply great
at what they do.
dedicated to the warm-weather activities of our clubs. One warm-weather
activity you won’t see mentioned is planning for next winter; don’t worry, our
clubs are busy doing that even as I’m writing this article. Our 2012/2013
Directory, due out in October, will highlight clubs’ winter activities.
If you’re not a member of a ski and snowboard club, please use this
magazine to find one that suits you. Our website, www.skiCMSC.com,
has updated information on all of our clubs.
Keith L. Fanta, President
Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council
SPRING 2012 PLANNING ❖ www.skicmsc.com