Dates

 The 2009 trips will be

           Dates

The trip began with Carol S., and her good-natured Charlie, hosting French lessons.  Carol was hoping we would at the very least find bathrooms and our way back to the hotels.  We also found out a lot about each other and became friends.  5 classes and we were off to France.  Arriving in Meribel-Mottaret at the ski in-ski out Hotel Alpen Ruitor, was amazing; 3 valleys, 180 ski lifts, 6 villages, numerous restaurants, bars and shops, all connected by the most user-friendly ski area I’ve ever been to.  The skiing was fabulous with enough powder for everyone.  After 6 days of great skiing we were off to Nice on the train.  Train travel in France is nothing like our train to NYC.  It’s fast, clean, quiet, and on time.  We stayed at the Hotel Westminster, and all had views of the sea from our rooms.  We all took off in various combinations for 4 days of touring, meeting in the mornings to plan and the afternoons to catch up.  Then we were off to Paris, arriving at dinnertime, and heading out right away for our “Fat Tire” night bike tour of Paris.  Our guide was terrific, we laughed, and learned a lot, including that there aren’t a lot of rules for bikers.  The bike included a boat trip on the Seine River, bringing us back to our hotel around midnight.  The next day we went in various directions again touring or cycling, and then meeting at dinner to share our stories.  Larry and I bumped into a person who picked up a ring off the sidewalk, asking if we’d dropped it.  No? Why look, it’s 18k gold, the finder says he can’t keep it… but he’s hungry and can we give him some money.  At dinner Larry offers up the ring as proof that we got married. Dick slaps one down too and says he and Laura got married too!  And the laughing continues. Carol, you put together a great ski trip, and a wonderful adventure.  Thanks. -- Wendy R.--

Though the club hasn’t been to Tremblant in 5 or 6 years, I think most of the 45 of us that ventured on this trip will agree we shouldn’t wait that long for a return.  Frank J. did a wonderful job with all of the arrangements – starting with the location of the hotel.  Once you left the hotel, it was just a short walk to the people mover that took you up to the gondola and chair lifts, and only a few feet from the street of colorful and lively restaurants and shops.  Frank’s daughter Kristin fit in well with the ‘older’ crowd and was very helpful.  (Frank’s wife and Kristin’s mom, Barb who had planned to be on the trip, suffered a serious shoulder injury just a few days before the trip left.)  Ski conditions and temperatures were very good and we enjoyed two and a half days of sun and beautiful blue skies.  Frank found great places for all of the après ski events (including Monica B. volunteering her and her roommates' condo for one of the get-togethers) - and the trip included plenty of extras.  It was a mini taste of France for us and for me, I was glad to see so many little ones learning to ski!  A big thanks to Frank and Kristin for running a fun trip!   (Bev M.)

Wow, who would have thought that you could have six days of “Quiet” snow? What a great trip. Everything was white and the famous “snow ghosts” of Sun Peaks were there in all of their glory. After a relaxing evening in Toronto and an uneventful trip to Sun Peaks we started the week by skiing with former Olympic Gold Medalist Nancy Greene and her coach husband Al. Mid-morning a light snow started and continued through the day and night. A total of about 30 cm. (hey we were in Canada, remember) fell, setting the tone for the rest of the week. Mid-week we headed over to Silver Star where there was more of the same. Temps were perfect all week  (-5 to +1C, Canada, remember) and one to two days of sunshine to boot. With breakfasts and a dinner included it was just a super trip. Thanks so much to Margie S. who coordinated the trip. She had to pull a couple of rabbits out of a hat to clear a couple of Skican snafus, but she did and no one was the wiser. One puzzling thing occurred when two apparently healthy individuals never made it to the delicious dinner. They forgot it. Thanks again Margie for planning and running a great trip. (Jim P.)

Well, last year it was snowing so hard only a few people braved the slippery roads. This year on the second day of rain only a few people decided to “ski”. Those that showed up, all 6 - enjoyed a sumptuous potluck luncheon and a lot of good talk. Karen I think next year will be perfect. Thanks to Karen K. for hosting the RSC at Hunt Hollow again this year. (Jim P.)

The trip to Holiday Valley was great.  There were 33 skiers ready to ski for the day as it snowed all day making very good slope conditions.  We had our own private après ski wine and snacks on the top floor of the lodge, after which we were bused to Ellicottville for dinner at two of the favorite restaurants, Tips Up and Balloons.  Thanks Pat for a great day and to Monica B. for her help. --Pat R.--

How many minutes are in a Happy Hour?  The folks who were on the Okemo trip are not certain but all agree that it is more than sixty minutes.  Sixteen club members were lodged at the Okemo Inn and twenty-one stayed at the Combes Inn, where we all met to party and enjoy our evening meal. Luckily five inches of snow fell on the evening of our arrival and covered the damage wrought by the previous week’s rain and thawing temperatures.  Much thanks for the “Good Times” go to John H. who once again organized this trip He believes the club has been to Okemo eleven times.  Fourteen first timers were in the group.  One person found the Okemo cross-country layout enjoyable. --Terry S.--