2012-2013 SCHEDULE

The Cross-country Ski Section of Sierra Club's San Diego Chapter enjoys numerous ski trips each season, including:

• 4 day weekend trips to XC ski resorts
• Impromptu local trips where the snow is (WSI)
• Beginner lessons when local snow conditions allow

Keep reading for this season's program. Select links in the left-hand menu to review past programs or obtain additional information.

Hi Skiers,

Here is the schedule for the coming season. It is very similar to last season's schedule. We have planned 5 trips, one sand dune car camp, one condo trip, and 3 lodge trips. All are carpool trips, except the April trip to Clair Tappaan Lodge (you could drive there if you wanted to).

This will be my 36th and final season as chair of the ski section. I am retiring from my day job (45 years as Chief Engineer with the same company!), and I'm going to do some traveling. I should have that out of my system and be out of money in a couple of years. If you would like to be a part of the ski section committee, please let me know. The committee will plan the 2013-2014 ski season.

The last several decades have been outstanding! I have enjoyed every single trip, and I have enjoyed sharing them with you. I am planning to ski with you for many years to come.

-Mike Fry

2012 - 2013 SCHEDULE

The long term forecast is not definite at this time. There were earlier indications of a developing El Niño condition, but Howard Sheckter thinks it is too early to tell, and he knows more than I do. I think we can plan on an average winter in the Sierra, and average is more than good enough.

We will add local trips if there is enough snow. We didn't offer any local trips last season, but several of our skiers enjoyed good snow in Laguna Meadows in December. 2013 should be much better.

2012

Nov 10-11, Kelso Sand Dunes, Cross country skiing on world class sand dunes in the Mojave Desert. Carpool and car camp. We will use my large collection of old skis and boots for this purpose. No charge. Trip limit 14. Leader: Diane Hargrove, dhargrove002@san.rr.com Assistant: Mike Fry, skisection@gmail.com

Nov 21-25, Mammoth Thanksgiving, Hiking and/or skiing. Coordinator: Rhea Leptich. rleptich@hotmail.com 4 nights in condos in Mammoth Lakes. Thanksgiving Dinner included. About $260. Carpool. This is an excellent trip in all conditions. There is a good chance for skiable snow, and many good hiking trails if there isn't. We are returning to condos near the Villiage: Seasons 4. http://www.seasons4.com We have one condo reserved at this time, and the limit is 8 persons. We can add a second condo if necessary. Most of us will be driving up Wednesday, Nov. 21. The condo rental is for 4 nights, Wed. to Sat. You can come up anytime, but we have to charge for all 4 nights. We will be driving home Sunday, Nov. 25.

2013

Mar 8-11, Fri-Mon, Montecito-Sequoia Lodge Trip begins at the Lodge Friday morning, Mar. 1, so allow driving time in your schedule. Most of us will be driving up Thursday evening (carpool) and staying in a Motel 6 in Tulare. We will drive to the Lodge Friday morning, and chains or 4WD may be required. Coordinator: Monique Alkemade Monique_Alkemade@yahoo.com

The spacious Montecito-Sequoia Lodge, based at 7500' elevation, provides a breathtaking view of the snow capped peaks of the Great Western Divide and is set amid large and imposing fir and pine trees. Some of California's most scenic trails begin at the steps of the lodge.

INCLUDES:

• Group lodging in your own bed (double occupancy, lodge room, private bath) Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights and all meals, Friday
• Back County ski touring for 2 groups of advanced beginners (or better), with experienced Sierra Club leaders and track or backcountry skiing (including lessons). Independent skiing is always available.
• Cost also includes a profit for the X/C Ski Section making these trips possible.
• Use of hot tub and groomed ski tracks.
• Gratuity (for lodge staff).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Transportation costs (carpools & caravans to be arranged independently - participant list provided).
• Park entrance fee
• Ski rentals
• Breakfast and Lunch on Friday, lunch on Monday.
• Lodging en route (It is recommended that you drive most of the way Thursday so you can join us when the trip begins Friday morning.)

COST: These are last year's prices. 2013 should be about the same.

• $447 a lodge room all to yourself
• $353 per person for double occupancy
• $342 per person for triple occupancy
• $322 per person for four people in a room (two share a king bed).

The rooms have 1 king bed or 1 king and one bunk bed.
Must be paid in full by January 1, 2013.
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $50. will reserve your space now.
Best lodging choices based upon payment in full date.
Send your $50 deposit (payable to Sierra Club), and your name, experience, address, phone and e-mail info (or 3 SASEs) to: Monique_Alkemade@yahoo.com

CANCELLATION POLICY for Montecito Sequoia:
Before January 1, all but $50 will be refunded. After that date, no refunds unless your place is filled from the waiting list.

Mar 14-18, Fri–Mon, ROCK CREEK LODGE – Intermediate level advised
Coordinator: Alice Fichandler, aliceandorbill@aol.com 619-226-6083
Rock Creek Lodge is a lovely ski-in mountain resort in the eastern Sierra. Per person cost is $345 for a rustic cabin (wood heat, no bath), $435 for a cabin with bath and wood heat, and $450 for a fully modern cabin with bath and propane heat. We will be carpooling Thursday night to a motel in Bishop (not included in the cost) before skiing to the lodge. The Lodge will transport our gear to the cabins.

Apr 5-7, Fri-Sun, WBC Snow Camp. This outing is not part of Ski Section program, but several of our leaders are staff. You can sign up for this course now. It is more fun than you can imagine. Two courses are offered concurrently, beginning in January 2014: San Diego Wilderness Basics Course and North County Wilderness Basics Course.

Apr 11-15, Fri-Mon, Clair Tappaan Lodge (CTL), Coordinator: Patty Dahl obpatty@cox.net. This is home base for Sierra Club skiers. Guests can use the groomed ski tracks near the Lodge. Royal Gorge XC is down the road, 3 alpine ski resorts up the road, and there are Sierra Club ski huts to the north and south. This has become one of our regular trips, and it just keeps getting better. Air fare, carpool in rental cars, lodging, and almost all meals will total about $450. Each participant must buy their own airline ticket. CTL is north of Lake Tahoe, 99 miles from Sacramento. www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/

Refund Policy: Note that sickness or injury does not play a part in refunds. You may purchase travel insurance from any travel agent. Travel insurance usually covers sickness, injury, family emergencies, lost luggage etc. Airline refund policy is set by each airline company.

Full Refund:

1. We cancel the trip, or
2. The leader determines you shouldn't be on the trip, or
3. You find your own replacement and they reimburse you.

Partial Refund:

1. We find your replacement and keep only your deposit, or
2. We can't replace you, but we get a refund (or are not charged) by our providers because of your absence. You get back whatever we get back.

The Sierra Club is a registered seller of travel: CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.