SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE

Hello

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Hello Orlando Ski and Adventure Travel Club members!

I am honored to introduce myself as your new club president, having been elected 2 weeks ago. It’s exciting to welcome you all as we embark on a new year of skiing and adventure. All of your club’s board members have been hard at work for several months planning local activities/events and offering an upcoming year of ski and adventure trips for you to attend.

More than 92 of us enjoyed the day on Sunday at Wekiva Island! Socializing, kayaking and sitting down together for a nice BBQ lunch was a great way to start our new year of events. Our Membership Drive Event was extremely successful as I have witnessed more than 20 New Club Memberships in the past 2 days resulting from both the Membership Drive Picnic and new signups for the 1st Annual Cabin Party Weekend happening this September 10th-12th (nearly sold out).

Our 2021-2022 trips were just launched/released on May 27th. Go to your Club’s website www.OrlandoSkiandTravelClub.com now, if you haven’t already, and signup for trips. Early Bird discounts of $100 off are being offered for signing up by July 15th (Purgatory Adventure Trip by June 13th) to go on a new trip. Check out your Club’s website!

I thought it might be helpful and perhaps interesting to share a little about my background, so you can get to know me a little better. I am a native Floridian and a resident of Orlando for 28 years. I enjoy boating, waterskiing, snow skiing, golf, tennis, weight training, running, motorcycles and kayaking. I have 15 years of real estate sales experience and graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Accounting and worked for companies such as Florida Hospital, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Minnesota Power, and Encore Resorts.

I first learned to snow ski in Colorado when attending middle school. Later, I water skied just about every day during high school and at college in Florida. My father introduced me to the Gator Snow Ski Club (in West Palm Beach and part of Florida Ski Council or FSC) when I was 19 years old and just beginning college (go FSU! ). I went on a club trip with him and the club to Mont Tremblant, Canada and then another club rafting/kayaking trip to South Carolina. I revisited snow

skiing in 2009 by attending the Aosta Valley, Italy trip with the Orlando Ski Club (OSC). I’ve attended trips each year since and began leading trips myself in 2014.

I joined the Orlando Ski Club’s Board in 2015 and have been your Vice President of Trips for approximately 5 years now. I have led nearly 20 trips to locations such as Aspen, Colorado – Banff, Canada – Vail, Colorado – Rafting Ocoee, Tennessee, Las Vegas Hiking, Montana Dude Ranch Trip, Sun Valley, Idaho, Adventure trip to New Zealand and will be leading the Dec-2021 Snowmass, Colorado and February 2022 Taos, New Mexico trips in the coming year.

I’ve also been a member of the Orlando Runners Club since 2008 and have served on their club board and have been successful in recruiting a few of their members into OSTC.

My cell phone is (407) 803-2239 if you ever want to call me to let me know how much you enjoy what we are doing with the Club. I am also available for help or questions you may have about real estate. Having a successful real estate sales business is key to me being able to service this Club in this role.

I look forward to getting to know you and creating fun memorable moments with each and every one of you at both our local events and on our Trips!

Steve Clark

OSTC President

MEET YOUR NEW

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT, STEVE CLARK

1ST VP OF TRIPS, CYNDY VALENCE

2ND VP ACTIVITIES, AMY McCLURG

TRESURE, JACKIE WARREN

SECRETARY, DEVIN COFFY

BECOME A MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

You must be a paid

registered member to signup for

SKI TRIPS, LOCAL TRIPS, ADVENTURE TRIPS.

SKI TRIPS

New List of 2021-2022 Club Ski Trips

PRE-HOLIDAY LUXURY TRIP TO

SNOWMASS / ASPEN, CO

December 9 - 13, 2021 (Thursday thru Monday)

Beaver Creek

January 8-15, 2022

"Team Orange" is going to Beaver Creek, a feast for the eyes, a delight for the senses. The influence of renowned resorts such as Switzerland's St. Moritz, Italy's Cortina, and Spain's Val d'Aran led to the creation of a unique mountain resort full of excitement and village luxury. The resort comprises three villages, the main Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead to the west. Originally designed to accommodate skiers of all abilities, Beaver Creek Mountain continues to welcome and challenge those who visit her slopes. From the gentle groomed runs of Strawberry Park to the rugged glades and bump runs of Grouse Mountain, Beaver Creek is enjoyed by a variety of Nordic sports enthusiasts.

ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT

HEAVENLY

Florida Ski Council, January 22-29, 2022

High above the sapphire-blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Heavenly is one of the most unique snow resorts on the planet. Whether you and your friends come to ski and ride from sunrise to sunset, head out to explore the new craft beer scene, or simply unwind at the resort, perhaps place a wager or two.

 The choices in Lake Tahoe are endless. Do you ski California or Nevada?  Why not both! Will it be 34 miles of wide-open, groomed cruisers; 1,600 foot plunges in the double-black diamond canyons or the most outrageous tree skiing in North America?  You can make Heavenly your playground with several hundred of your closest friends from across the state.  

 The terrain varies at Heavenly, with 97 trails ranging from wide-open cruisers to plunging chutes, 50% beginner/intermediate, 50% advanced, 350” annual snowfall.28 chairlifts around the mountain, including:  Nine high-speed lifts.4800 skiable acres, 3,500 vertical drops.10,067 feet in elevation, 2 terrain parks.  Push yourself in our expert areas (and local favorites) Mott Canyon and Killebrew Canyon. And with three access gates around the mountain, there's no shortage of intense backcountry terrain.  Want even more?  Head over to Northstar or Kirkwood.

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO

February 6th-11th, 2022 (Sunday-Friday)

Located in Summit County, Copper Mountain is an ideal ski and snowboarding destination. Featuring various types of terrain, Copper Mountain has slopes for beginners, intermediates and experts, including a double black diamond. A self-contained ski village, Copper Mountain offers numerous resorts. A new pedestrian village offers a variety of restaurants, lively nightlife, social events and festival plazas for fun during the day or after a day on the slopes. The mountain itself has 3 villages, the West, the East and Central. Accommodations for this trip are at the newly opened Element 29 luxury, contemporary hotel located in the Central village. The hotel features hot and warm outdoor pools, fitness area and mountain views.

TAOS, NEW MEXICO 

Florida Ski Council February 12^th - 19^th, 2022

Over 60 years ago, Swiss ski pioneer Ernie Blake spotted this awe-inspiring mountain’s towering vertical and snowy aspect from his Cessna 170. From that day forward, the Blake family dedicated their lives to building a destination, their way. Taos Ski Valley is located in the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains at the start of the Rocky Mountains. Originally an old west mining town established in the 1800’s, today is a world-class ski resort that was purchased by a billionaire in 2013 who has since revitalized both the Mountain and Village including the construction of The Blake Hotel in 2017. “Old World ambiance seasoned with Native American and Spanish spice gives our valley its unique flavor. “We resemble a European ski village but our core is pure New Mexican—all smiles and sunshine.” This is a unique destination that many of your ski friends have yet to experience but a place that every skier should have on their list!

Have you ever thought to yourself, when is the right time to significantly improve my skiing ability? The time is now on this Taos trip as the mountain offers the “Famous Taos Ski Week” for Adults. $250 includes 5-6 days of similar-ability half-day small group lessons in the mornings, video analysis, NASTAR, and après-ski talks.

STEAMBOAT, COLORADO

February 26 - March 5, 2022

Come ski the champagne powder of the Rocky Mountains at Steamboat Springs, CO!  Still steeped in deep historical roots of the West, Steamboat is also a foodie’s paradise, with new restaurants, breweries, live music, and lots of energy in this charming old ranchers’ town. Enjoy 2,965 acres and 165 trails in the place known for the best powder skiing in the west! Sleigh ride dinners, snowmobile tours, scenic gondola rides, or warm hot springs all await you on this epic winter vacation.  Come back to the luxury Steamboat Grand and relax at the spa or take a dip in one of the multiple hot tubs after a fun filled day of skiing!  This is a trip you won’t want to miss!

Zermatt

Switzerland, 2022 

Bucket list DREAM SWISS SKI & TOUR trip! 2022 ITINERARY: we’ll start in Zurich for 2 nights in global finance city, a cultural, social & historical melting pot w/Chocolate producers & stained glass windows by Chagall. Next, we move to Lucerne for 2 nights with its well-preserved medieval core, elegant historic buildings & genial atmosphere (walking tour in each city). Next, we move by train to Zermatt to meet other Florida Ski Council clubs for 6 nights with optional Day Excursions &/or skiing/boarding. In Zermatt, we’ll be staying at the foot of Matterhorn (iconic pyramid shaped peak) in a luxury, eclectic, fun, family owned & operated EUROPEAN hotel! Ending the trip w/taking a very scenic train from Zermatt to Geneva, stay overnight and depart following day. Thus, we’re starting in NE Switzerland with mostly German influence, moving southwest toward French influence, both in language & cuisine. Ending with clean & comfortable train ride with beautiful scenery, passing through the deepest cleft valley with views of the highest mountains as we travel to Geneva.

More details to follow in a week or so, the trip is not available for registration at this time.

Hope to see you on the “Swiss Dream Trip 2022”!

JUST RETURNING SKI TRIP

OSTC ran a spontaneous trip to Zermatt, Utah end of March with 34 trip participants! We had skiers and tour participants. The skiers skied Park City & Deer Valley, while the tour persons spent the day in the historic downtown Park City then toured the town of "Midway". All of us went to Sundance where "Bob" greeted us warmly! Highly recommend Sundance, if you've never been!

Kathryn Hardage, Trip Leader

LOCAL TRIPS

LAKE LOUISA

CABIN PARTY WEEKEND 2021

US-27 just south of Clermont, Fl

ACTIVITIES

• FRIDAY - 4pm arrive, get settled, traveling pot luck dinner, socializing around the fire pits
• SATURDAY - morning & afternoon club organized hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding - bring your own or rent (https://lakelouisastatepark.com/equipment-rentals), evening lakeside social.
• SUNDAY - 11am checkout, but can stay in the park until it closes

CABINS

• Cabins are two bedroom - Queen bed in one room, two Twins in the other room. 

(2) people to each room, (4) people to each cabin, no single occupancies

SOLD OUT

ADVENTURE TRIPS

New List of 2021-2022 Adventure Trips

LEAF PEEPING ADVENTURE

DURANGO, COLORADO

Purgatory Resort    September 16-21, 2022

By the late 19th century, thanks to successful mining in the San Juan Mountains, southwestern Colorado needed a real town. The Denver & Rio Grande Railway chose the site of present-day Durango, on the banks of the Animas River, to build its depot. The railroad officially made its way into the Animas Valley in August 1881 and folks like us started to flock to the area to enjoy outdoor adventures and lovely fall colors.

It’s OUR turn to beat the heat in Florida and be amazed by the quaking Aspen, breathtaking mountain views, and the rich old west history.  We’ll be based at the condos at Purgatory Village and use rental vehicles to venture out for our daily sightseeing and activities.  Not only does Durango have history it has some great restaurants and shops downtown.

We’ll enjoy a leisurely trip on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which is still completely coal-fired and steam-operated, conquer the Inferno Mountain Coaster, and spend some time on the water at Twilight Lake. There will be some hiking, a hot spring visit, and the opportunity to zipline or tour the backcountry by jeep.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS ALONG THE DANUBE

November 22-30, 2021

Experience the spirit--with OSTC aboard the Grand Circle Cruise line 162-passenger ship, M/S River Adagio, through 2 European countries for a magical Christmas season you will never forget including *Austria: Linz, Melk, Vienna & *Germany:  Nuremburg, Regensburg, Passau. Walk their streets and experience all the old-world holiday traditions these regions offer—homemade toys, ornaments, & handicrafts, just in time for Christmas, to go with the smells of fresh baked cookies, warm mulled wine, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire

SOLD OUT

PERU – 11 days!

May 11^th -  22nd, 2022 or May11th - 15th, 2022

Marvel at ancient wonders and modern culture during this once in a lifetime trip. Check Machu Picchu off your bucket list! Immerse yourself in Peru!

In Lima, we’ll discover some of the country’s best museums, churches, historic plazas and bustling shopping areas— including a private tour of the famously yellow Baroque Church of San Francisco. From there we fly to breathtaking Cuzco where we’ll discover Cuzco’s ancient sites, explore modern Andean culture with a visit to Chinchero, a weaving village high in the mountains, as well as take a rafting trip the Urubama River and a train ride through the Sacred Valley. From there, we head to Machu Picchu. Located on a mountaintop 8,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, the city was built with residential, military, and religious areas. Our small group will visit the spectacular ruins twice, allowing us for a deeper exploration of the site after the crowds are gone. We’ll witness the Intihuatana (a sundial-like megalith), the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows in Machu Picchu’s Sacred District.

JUST RETURNING ADVENTURE TRIP

On May 15, 2021, twelve OSTC members departed for a busy, adventuresome trip that helped many check off a major bucket list item - visiting the Grand Canyon.  If you haven't been on one of our smaller, high-activity level trips you're missing out on building lasting friendships, challenging yourself, and experiencing amazing things.

During our three days in Sedona we were treated to stargazing through large telescopes, meditation and yoga, hikes to vortexes and among glorious red rocks.  We found the literal coolest place in town - Tlaquepaque - did some rock scrambling, and at least the group's fearless leader entered the icy waters of Slide Rock.

We took a day excursion to walk among the ancient cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon, learned that you shouldn't have a picnic lunch at a dog park, did some forest bathing among the largest Ponderosa stand in the world and hit the slopes at Snowbowl (there was a little snow and the Aspen were enchanting).

As we transitioned to the Grand Canyon we enjoyed the sights and fun of traveling by train - even if the gunslingers did try to rob us...  Then we enjoyed dinner at an old gas station on Route 66.

With the majority of the travelers having this as their first Grand Canyon experience it was with amazement that each twist and turn of the canyon and each new vista point was experienced.  High winds did ground us from our aerial tour of the canyon and our Colorado River rafting had been snatch from us due to COVID, but we enjoyed an IMAX substitution and our guided Hummer tour of the eastern vistas and the many elk and other wildlife encounters were delights. 

The biggest challenge day physically was when we descended into the Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail.  Everyone pushed themselves and learned the true meaning of wearing layers and keeping hydrated.  I'm so proud of everyone's self-accomplishments and thrilled that I was able to show the great variety Arizona has to offer.

If this sort of travel sounds appealing... check out the September 2021 adventure trip to Durango Colorado and keep your radar up for when a repeat Arizona Adventure and hopefully a Utah Natural Wonder trip are scheduled.  I'd love to show you these great places!

Jackie Warren

MONTHLY EVENTS

Join your Orlando Ski & Travel Club friends at the following events.

Visit each link for more details. 

MONTHLY SOCIAL

Social Happy Hour

SOCIAL

JUNE 9TH, 2021

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sanford Brewing Company-Maitland

160 Independence Ln Suite B, Maitland, FL 32751

THIRSTY THURSDAY

Social Happy Hour

SOCIAL

MAY 20th, 2021

6 PM-8 PM

M Lounge

2000 N Orange Ave Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32804

GREAT SKI RELATED READING MATERIAL

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