February Newsletter 2025

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President's Notes

Many of us enjoyed the Winter quarterly meeting complete with a choice of chilis and a presentation of great interest by Jim Schaefer. Jim has been working on an application for a historic designation of The First Alpine Skiing in New York on Yantaputchaberg. The Board and those in attendance at the meeting feel it worthwhile to obtain a historic marker about the initiatives of the Schenectady Wintersports Club in the 1930’s in building alpine ski trails, racing, snow trains, ski patrol, rope tow and more. The text of the sign has been designed and the casting would include our iconic SWC emblem at the top. To move forward with the sign casting there is the matter of cost. Jim has already secured a generous donation for approximately 1/3 of the total cost. Members at the meeting suggested requesting donations to pay for the purchase of the sign. To that end there will be a link established on our website or a check can be sent to our treasurer. Be sure to annotate the purpose of your check. Our goal is to raise $1000.00. This will be a wonderfully permanent symbol of the impact SWC has had on alpine skiing in New York.

There are a variety of options to see the movie Variable and all reviews are very positive. I was able to get tickets to its showing at Tannery Pond in North Creek which will be preceded by Reviving the Legend which tells the story of what the newly reopened Hickory Ski Center experienced through during the 23/24 ski season. 

As most of you know we are working with an important Board position currently vacant. It’s not a position that requires work between meetings and I would be happy to speak with anyone who may be interested, to elaborate.

Take care,

Karen

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Is Your Membership Lapsed?

Years ago SWC mailed a paper newsletter to all Members at a significant cost which was included in the membership fee.  If your membership lapsed, the club stopped mailing you a newsletter.

Fast forward to today – the paper newsletter has been replaced by our website of information, events and offers, and an electronic newsletter.  There is still a cost associated with our website platform covered by your membership dues. 

Everyone receives a renewal email 30 days before the membership expires.  Your membership automatically becomes Lapsed if you do not renew and pay within 90 days.  SWC plans to review membership every quarter and archive Lapsed members.  

A Lapsed member cannot view Member Only pages, cannot book rooms at the clubhouse, and will not receive newsletters.

If your Lapsed membership is archived, it is very easy for you to become a member again.  The next time you log into the website, you will see your name at the top of the page with “Lapsed”.  Click on your name, and the renewal form opens for you to complete (example below).

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Reservations – Hitchhiker Tips for February

The clubhouse is busy and filling up. Maybe you want to see what is available at the clubhouse? 

On the bookings page, click CHECK CLUBHOUSE AVAILABILITY.  Then look at the chart (example below) to see what rooms are available on a specific date.  Click the BOOK to open and book a room.

If you are closed out on a date, there is a way to add your name to a Wait List.  When making your search, the page  says “Unavailable rooms” (btw – this really does mean unavailable). Click on the link labelled “Join waitlist”.  We will try to match you up if the room you requested becomes open.

So you booked a room for one night, but you really wanted an additional night?  With the new system, you do not need to make a second booking!!! 

You should learn about your PROFILE in the booking software WebRezPro (WRP).  Log into your profile as outlined in our USER GUIDE, find the existing booking and modify it to add the additional night. (Assuming the room is available).

There are benefits to using your PROFILE – every time you log in you will see your rooms, can cancel or modify existing bookings and apply gift certificates. Just be sure to consistently log in with the same email address every time you use WRP.

P.S. Every booking you make has a unique DOOR CODE, so back-to-back bookings will have different door codes.  For that reason alone, it is worthwhile to learn about modifying a booking in the USER GUIDE.

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Clubhouse Lost and Found

Are you wondering where you left something? Perhaps it's at the Clubhouse in the lost and found box. There are other various and sundry items, in addition to those photographed, waiting for their owners to retrieve them.

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To register for any of these events click here.

Rock and River, Keene NY
February 7 - 10, 2025
Happy New Year! In just a month, we will all be together at Rock and River in Keene, hopefully enjoying fluffy snow and sunshine!

This email and form will help us organize FOOD ARRANGEMENTS for our visit, and we need your input. Please fill out the attached form by January 15th,  so we can plan for breakfast supplies and meals.

BREAKFAST - The lodge owners do not supply breakfast so SWC purchases basic breakfast items for the group (coffee, tea, sliced bread, butter, jam, milk, eggs, oatmeal and orange juice) for an extra charge of $10/ pp. This covers your breakfast items for the entire stay at the lodge (indicate in the form that you want to purchase).

If you desire to opt out of ALL of our supplies, you are welcome to bring your own breakfast without the extra charge (fill out in the form to opt out).

LUNCH - All lunches are on your own. Bring all of your own drinks (except for coffee and tea).  Alcohol is allowed.

DINNERS - Dinners will be potluck style.  We are asking everyone to bring 2 items: one (soup or appetizer or dessert) for Friday night and another one (main course or vegetable or salad…) for our Saturday night sit-down dinner.  On Sunday we’ll reheat and finish whatever we have left from the previous nights. It is also Superbowl Sunday if you wish to add extra snacks/items.

Couples bring 2 items, not 4.  We have 24 participants on Friday and Saturday and a few less on Sunday so your items are to be generous but not to feed all 24.  We usually have plenty.

Crock pots work very well for soups and stews in case you have one and prepare ahead of arrival. There are full kitchens with plenty of utensils available so you don’t need to bring any serving spoons, ladles…

Please reply by January 15th so that others will know what you are bringing and we won’t end up with too many duplicate dishes. We’ll make a chart, print it and hang copies in both buildings.

Looking forward to seeing you all again, meeting new members and having a great time at Rock and River!

Margie Litwin or Rebecca Harrison.

Serfaus Austria
Feb 7 - Feb 16
This amazing trip is set in the resort area of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with over 220 kilometers (135 miles) of groomed trails and off-trail opportunities, mostly above the tree-line! 

Chef Earl Weekend
Join the Kangas family and Chef Earl for a culinary treat! Chef's Dinner on 2/7/25 and 2/8/25. Breakfast - Friday through Sunday.

Presidents Weekend
Feb 14 - 17
It's a tradition - join Ellen and John for a family-friendly weekend with lots of activities.

MVHC Hike
Feb 15
Partridge Run, Berne, NY

NH Break Week
Feb 20 - 25
Calling all NH families! Head to Stowe for a mini vacation with the kids (remember, kids under 17 stay for free with their parents)! Dinners will be available throughout the week  Feb 20 -24 (Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon), so you don't even have to cook.

Fat Tuesday Weekend
Feb 28 - Mar 2
There is no other way to explain Fat Tuesday than a food fest/party. Traditionally, you cooked up all the fat in the house the Tuesday before Lent (aka Mardi Gras).

Wine and Cheese Tasting
Mar 7 - 9
Join our neighborhood cheesemaker, Stan from Mansfield Creamery as we taste a variety of cheeses. Participants should bring a bottle of wine to sample.

Second Chance - Big Austria Snow
March 7 - 16, 2025

Tom O'Connell, our Austria trip coordinator from 47 North has presented an offer for our SWC members of the additional opportunity for one more excursion this ski season the week of March 7! 

From Tom O'Connell:

Ski conditions are looking great in Serfaus, Austria. Rooms are rented and flights are affordable. The dollar is almost at par with the EURO, lift passes are cheaper than they are here in the USA. I am wondering if anyone has any money left over from Christmas and would like to spend some of it before taxes come due. 

Join me for the fourth and final trip to Austria this ski season March 7-16, 2025. Everything is arranged for you and is included in the price, hotel room with breakfast and dinner, 6 day lift pass with ski or snowboard rental, roundtrip transportation from Munich airport to resort, overnight stay in Munich with sightseeing and dinner. 

More details:

ITINERARY: March 7 depart US for Munich GermanyMarch 8 arrive Munich bus to Serfaus AustriaMarch 9-14 ski / snowboard six days at a world class resortMarch 15 depart Serfaus for MunichMarch 16 depart Munich for USATrip is per person w/ double occupancy

I have made all the arrangements except air and everything listed is included - Ground transportation, Hotels w/breakfast & dinner, ski rentals, lift passes.

Airfare is separate - I will book your flight if you would like

toconnell4559@gmail.com

Steamboat Springs
Mar 8 - 17
Steamboat Ski Resort, located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is renowned for its world-class skiing and genuine Western charm.  Known as "Ski Town, U.S.A.," Steamboat offers over 2,965 acres of diverse terrain, catering to all skill levels from beginners to seasoned experts.  The resort is famed for its "Champagne Powder," a unique, light, and fluffy snow that provides an exceptional skiing experience.

Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Steamboat boasts a variety of winter activities including night skiing, snowshoeing, and hot springs. The resort's vibrant après-ski scene, with its cozy lodges, bustling bars, and gourmet dining options, ensures a memorable experience both on and off the slopes. Steamboat's rich history, coupled with its friendly, laid-back atmosphere, makes it a beloved destination for families and adventure seekers alike.

St Patrick's Day Weekend
Mar 14 - Mar 16
St. Patrick's Day has always been a big celebration in Stowe. And you don't even have to be Irish!

SWC at ADK Expo
Mar 22 - 23
More info forthcoming

Spring Fling
Mar 28 - 30
Welcome in Spring Skiing as the season has changed. Break out the shorts, we are looking for popcorn on the hill and a BBQ at the lodge. Hope to see you there.

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Variable - Adirondack 46er Ski Documentary 

THE FILM 

VARIABLE chronicles the 10 year journey of two brothers as they attempt to backcountry ski the Adirondack 46ers - a rugged collection of 46 mountains rising to 4,000ft and higher - in a quest to become the first to ski all 81 of the classic high peaks of the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains. The duo face an uphill battle skiing to the summits, navigating through complex terrain of ice, rock, thick trees, and a seesaw of harsh and unpredictable winter conditions.

Physical injury in the mountains, a midnight rescue across thin lake ice, and the tragic loss of a spouse, all test the brothers’ commitment. In a landscape where climate change now has the final say on what form winter takes, the two find themselves racing against the clock, and a disappearing snowpack, to finish skiing the last peaks before the decade-long goal melts beneath their skis. 

Mountain Gazette called their accomplishment “a New York skiing achievement like no other.” 

SCREENINGS 

For up-to-date information see https://www.kratedesign.com/variable

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Call for SWC Volunteers!

ADK Sports
Summer Expo
March 22 & 23

Saratoga Springs City Center

SWC will have two adjoining booth spaces at the ADK Summer Expo and we need your help.  One booth is dedicated to Northern New York Paddlers which always grabs attention with their paddle training machine and the adjoining booth focuses on Mohawk Valley Hiking and SWC membership.

This is a very well attended Expo and we need help with early Saturday set up, manning two hour shifts Saturday and Sunday, and with tear down on Sunday.  

This is a great way to meet the many SWC members who stop by as well as to greet prospective members and share the benefits of SWC membership.  So join the fun of sharing by emailing Don Streed at swsctreasurer123@gmail.com to choose your time for pitching in.

Sign up HERE

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We hosted a “Family and Friends Weekend” at the Clubhouse on 1/3/25 to 1/5/25!  The first and second floors were nearly full with a few folks on the 3rd floor. Nine folks had dinner on Friday evening with chili, salad and fixings. Our dinner crew grew to 18 on Saturday evening with baked chicken, potatoes, green beans & salad on the menu.

We had many “first timers” staying at the House with several of them being new club members.  Seems the word is getting out!!!

On Saturday we celebrated with a birthday cake and ice cream for two birthday boys followed by two groups of folks playing games (spoons and cards).

Those who skied reported good snow conditions, with several snow squalls adding some fresh powder throughout the day.  Several guests checked out the Waterbury Reservoir for a winter walk and sledding.  

In true Clubhouse spirit, all were anxious to help with chores and meal prep which made Hosting “Super Fun!”

Jim and Aline Flaherty

The midweek outdoor event was enjoyed by a retired crowd that doesn’t have to take time off from work to travel to enjoy the clubhouse. The folks signed up for the event were first-timer visitors, there for x-country skiing, and the snow gods were good. That’s not to say there weren’t also alpine skiers of all ages staying with us. They enjoyed the happy hours and joined the event attendees for some dinners. There was plenty of good food including Mexican lasagna and homemade guacamole. During the first day, some toured the state’s capital and were lucky to have an intern be their guide. There was x-country skiing at different ski areas (some took lessons) and others snowshoed. In the evening, we were challenged by jigsaw puzzles of different degrees of difficulty. Everyone agreed it was a good introduction to the clubhouse and the areas around it and  look forward to coming back.

Denise Hobson