The Newtown Winterset Ski Club has gotten a jump start on its 2005-06 season.

Founded in 1970 as a close-knit family club, the Winterset Ski Club has grown to be one of the largest clubs in the area with singles, couples, senior citizens, and a growing number of young families with kids. The club is always looking for new members who are interested in downhill, cross country, snowboarding and snowshoeing. All anyone needs is a love for the snow.

The club held its annual picnic on Sunday, September 11, at Treadwell Park. Some 70 people attended and got a glimpse at the upcoming schedule, which includes a visit to Rocking Horse Ranch on October 28-30, Raffle Night on November 11 at the Edmond Town Hall, the Snowball 2005 Dinner Dance on November 12, and trips to Canaan Mountain in New Hampshire (January 27-29), Steamboat in Colorado (February 11-18), Sunday River in Maine (February 19-24), the On-Snow Carnival in Vermont (March 3-5), at Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe (March 11-18).

The club’s annual Raffle Night will be held on Friday, November 11, from 7:30 to 10 pm at the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium on Main Street. Participants will be able to pick up bulk buy tickets and new membership cards, renew memberships and/or sign up new members and check out and sign up for the Sunday bus trips and special trips. Presentations will be made by trip leaders and special guest speakers.

A look at the scheduled trips:

Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire – Slated for January 27-29. Two nights accommodations at the Woodward’s Resort, two-day Saturday/Sunday lift ticket (cross country and snow shoeing options available), wine and cheese receptions, gourmet dinner on Saturday evening and full buffet-style breakfasts. The bus for this trip is full, but a waiting list is being taken.  For more information email wintersetskiclub@hotmail.com with the subject line of “susan” or “cannon.”

Steamboat, Colorado – Slated for February 11-18. The Connecticut Ski Council is sponsoring this trip, which includes roundtrip airfare, seven nights lodging at the Storm Meadows and a five-day lift ticket.  For more information, call George Krampetz at 203-743-1801 or visit skicouncil@aol.com.

Sunday River, Maine – Slated for February 19-24. Often called the “Best Mountain” in New England, Sunday River offers 130 trails on seven mountain peaks. This is a self-drive trip which includes five days of skiing and five nights accommodations at the Snow Cap Inn, with outdoor Jacuzzi and a short walk to the ski lifts. If interested, email the club at wintersetskiclub@hotmail.com with “Sunday River” in the subject line.

On-Snow Carnival in Sugarbush, Vermont – Slated for March 3-5. The club has reserved 15 rooms for club members at the PowderHound Inn. Trip includes two full buffet breakfasts, a cocktail party, dinner on Saturday night and two days of skiing. There are racing events and other competitions against other clubs from the Connecticut Ski Council.

Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe, California – Slated for March 11-17. Participants will leave from Bradley Airport, fly directly into Reno where a bus to South Lake Tahoe will be waiting. The trip includes seven nights accommodations at the Embassy Suites, five days skiing, daily full breakfast and a two hour daily evening open bar. The hotel is 100 yards from the gondola and is next to Harrah’s and Ceasar’s Casinos. For information email the club or hambro@earthlink.net.

 

The club will also be involved in Monday night racing at Mount Southington. Complete information on Monday Night racing can be found at http://www.skiclub.com or by contacting Mark Krasnickas, Winterset’s racing captain, through the club at info@wintersetskiclub.org or wintersetskiclub@hotmail.com.  Watch for a start date which is usually in early December.

Day trips on Saturdays or Sundays (approximately six this season) will also be offered to mountains such as Okemo, Magic Mountain, Bromley, Stratton, Mt. Snow and Jiminy Peak. After a day of skiing, the bus provides a pleasant, relaxing trip home, where members can enjoy a movie, snacks and drinks rather than fighting traffic or weather.

For more information on bus trips, drop a line on the club email address. 

The membership fee is $35 for current members ($40/year for a new member) with $5 for a second adult and $5 for each child under the age of 21. Children over 21 and additional adults require their own membership.

Contact the club’s membership team, Dennis and Mary Garone, or visit www.wintersetskiclub.org where members can get information and updates on ski trips and events.

New members or renewals will be able to download and print membership forms to be mailed with their membership fee.

But remember, in the meantime, comments or questions about the club or the above information can be addressed to a single e-mail: info@wintersetskiclub.org and it will be forwarded to the correct person.