Published by the Midwest Sport/ Council www.midwestfun.org Volume 11, Number 1 Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr 2016

MSC 2015 WINTER CARNIVAL Winter Carnival extravaganza gest that he retire like Gary Johnson ALASKA 2016 with Sitzmark and Bus Survey Results and Chris Mickman and let the others We will venture into the Alaska Glad to learn at least one of the While rainstorms and talk of glob- battle for the hundreds of dollars in wilderness, see Mt. Denali (North Midwest Ski Council’s clubs will be al warming made some of our gang prizes. Unless we have a Champions America’s tallest mountain), sail the visiting Steamboat Springs, Colorado, nervous about attending our Giants Race next year! glacier laden waters of Prince William this season. Whether or not Steamboat Ridge Winter Carnival, It turned out As you know, your bus surveys on Sound, kayak, paddleboard or cruise holds a special place in your or that the skiing was fair to good, and the the way back from Winter Carnival are through icebergs in Kenai Fjords ‘boarding “heart”, it definitely does for overall experience was great! It was a very important to us to improve your National Park and Prince William yours truly, sharing some thoughts ib good move to go to Giants Ridge experience and decide where to go in Sound, relax on the Alaska Railroad as that regard now. because some of the other ski areas the future. Here are the high points of we travel through breath taking When I arrived at KSTP-TV in late weren’t even open on our winter carni- the survey: 97% had their expecta- scenery, drop our fishing lines in hopes 1970 to succeed Johnny Morris as their val weekend. tions met or exceeded (even though the of catching a prize king salmon, ling weathercaster debuting the following I want to relate how we resort made meal and service cod or halibut and get close to some July 19, 1971, I also inherited the post almost had a dark stage on mistakes with their brand whales. These are just some of the as host of (gladly) THE SKI SCENE, Friday night because the pop- new staff). 47% want to activities planned for a 11 day, 10 night which had been hosted by Johnny since ular band that was booked had return to Giants Ridge, 22% “once in a lifetime” adventure to its inception a few years earlier. That a car accident earlier and had to cancel. want to go to Lutsen, 19% want to go Alaska. hosting “inheritance” lasted from We were frantically trying to find a to Indianhead, and 12% want to go to It’s off to the wilderness where we October, 1971 through November, replacement band or Plan B was to Indianhead if it includes another Ski will spend 3 nights outside of Denali 1974, and provided some of the most wake up our bus drivers to drive us to Resort. A slight majority would not National Park. We’ll take a bus tour enjoyable and blessed years of my the local town. want to go to Winter Carnival one week deep in the park with numerous stops broadcasting career, now entering its Thank goodness the G.R. manager later in December, but a vast majority for sightseeing and photos. There are 72nd year. That career began for me at contacted a replacement bandleader (61 to 36) would be open to moving the also hiking, ATV/Jeep and rafting age 5-1/2 as a “boy singer” on KDKA having a romantic dinner with his wife Winter Carnival to January, even opportunities in the park. radio (the world’s first commercial and talked him into dropping every- though it would cost at least $100 The highlight of our trip will be 4 radio station) in my birthplace/home- thing and coming out to play for us. more. nights in Seward, and Kenai Fjords town, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Special thanks to Colleen from Giants If anyone is interested in organiz- National Park, which include July 4th That aside, for THE SKI SCENE Ridge for going the extra mile for us ing Winter Carnival next year, please and the annual Mt. Marathon race, telecasts (aired three times a week for because it turned out that the local town contact the MSC especially if you want sponsored by the City of Seward. In four months each year) I was blessed to had only head banger punk rock music a different resort because we believe in addition to the race, activities are interview all the world’s greatest skiers so we averted a seeming disaster by not sharing the fun of organizing events. planned throughout the day and include and ski champions. The first was Billy dragging half of us into town. In addition to “Fabulous” door a fireworks display in the evening. Kidd, then and now Director of Skiing Saturday Turtle Race results: prizes, we had a really fun “mingle- Participation in this challenging race at Steamboat Springs. Billy and I First Place Men’s: Brent Rosenberger bingo” game that got people talking and volunteer opportunities are avail- became great, longtime friends. That from Ski Hawks. First Place Women’s: and moving around at our main event able. friendship exists to this day. The friend- Kim Greene from Traverski. First Place Saturday night. John Olsen did a nice We’ll spend 3 nights in Anchorage, Continued on page 3. Couples: Brent Rosenberger and Amy job of showing us videos and pictures Alaska’s largest city. Many options for Wild. Just a reminder that those who of our wonderful weekend. Special one day train trips with guided hiking win first place cannot compete (in the thanks to Deb Assmussen and Jerry to glaciers and wildlife sightings. www.mnski.org same event) the very next year. Schuster. Biking or hiking the local trails through www.midwestfun.org Congratulations to Brent for winning a Chris Mickman. Anchorage and neighboring Chugach race two years in a row. I would sug- Continued on page 3.

    

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  "     #                  ! %"            2. ADDRESS CHANGE? PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE If you are changing your address and don’t want to miss your next SPORTSTER, Starting with this issue of the and not as the organizer. Midwest Sportster, it will no longer be The MSC Spring Fling Party will please fill out this form. Send it, with your present address label on the back, to: mailed to our MSC club members be held on May 21, 2016 at a great Lynn Reemtsma, 9100 Cottonwood Lane, Maple Grove MN 55369 unless a subscription has been submit- location, the Phalen Golf Course ted. To read the Sportster online, it will Clubhouse. The Sitzmark Ski & Social Name ______be necessary to access the MSC web- Club is subsidizing this event. The spe- site www.midwestfun.org. The MSC cific details are being worked on, see Address ______does not have an email list for our club the preliminary ad located on the back membership. When the issues are page. City, State, Zip ______placed online, we will notify the presi- The MSC website updating is still dent and representative of each of our being worked on. member clubs, but that information Due to the El Nino weather pat- may not always be passed down to the tern, whether the MSC will participate MSC BOARD OFFICERS club members. It was suggested that in the March 18-20, 2016, joint three we change from publishing 4 issues per council Indianhead/Blackjack big band PRESIDENT: MIDWEST SPORTSTER Jerry Schuster 952-888-0860 year, to 3 times per year, and it was weekend trip, will need to be decided as [email protected] is an official publication of the approved by the MSC Board. The three we get closer to the event date. EXECUTIVE VP: Midwest Sport/Ski Council, Inc. issues will cover the following months: In February 2016, nominations and is published quarterly. Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr - May/Jun/Jul/Aug - will open to club members for all MSC PAST PRESIDENT: Sep/Oct/Nov/Dec, and will be Board positions. The term of Jerry Schuster 952-888-0860 SPORTSTER STAFF placed online near the first of the office is from May 1, 2016 thru SOCIAL DIRECTOR: General Editor & columnist: month for each of the 3 issues. April 30, 2017. Get involved and Alice Williamson 651-429-6606 Printed copies will continue to be have a say in what the Council is [email protected] Fax 651-407-8025 distributed at local ski shops and doing, by volunteering to take an TRIPS DIRECTOR: Cell 612-221-8424 John Olson 612-722-4120 [email protected] other locations, and we will evaluate active part and helping out in running [email protected] Club News Editor: the effectiveness of this distribution the MSC. We currently have vacancies MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Carol DeVore 320-217-1321 during the year. in three positions, Directors of [email protected] Although we could have used Marketing, Membership and Social. [email protected] Ad Accounting: more on the MSC Winter There isn’t enough space in this issue of SECRETARY: Robyn Wallin 651-687-0102 Carnival trip to Giants Ridge in the Sportster to list a description of Judi Peterson 715-377-5674 [email protected] December, Chris and Deb ensured it each position. For a description of the [email protected] Sportster Distribution & columnist: was a fun, successful event for the three duties, see the MSC website www.mid- ACTING TREASURER: Carol DeVore 320-217-1321 busloads of participants attending from westfun.org. Under the MSC Board Jerry Schuster 952-888-0860 [email protected] [email protected] Columnist: our member clubs. I will be twisting Election box on the homepage, click on PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR: Barry ZeVan Chris’s arm to run this event again for a the “more details” and subsequent Carol DeVore 320-217-1321 E-mail: [email protected] third year. Consider volunteering to “MSC Board Duties” links. Please [email protected] help, and learn the organization contact me or another Board member to MARKETING DIRECTOR: required to run it, as one day he may answer any questions you may have. want to enjoy the trip as a participant, Jerry Schuster, MSC President [email protected] WEB-SITE: Jerry Schuster 952-888-0860 ALICE’S ALLEY [email protected] In case you haven’t heard, the In addition, I plan to forward the Sportster will be published every 4 web PDF to them just as soon as I get it months now instead of 3. This is an from Korry. When we get the PDF additional part of the effort to cut costs, made for the printer, Korry then makes in order to keep it going. The next a separate reduced size PDF for the MIDWEST MSC DIRECTORY deadline is April 1, and we hope to have web. He sends me a copy, which I can it out later that month. It will be the forward to your presidents and repre- is an official publication of the SPORTSTER May/June/July/August issue. sentatives, on the day I get it from Midwest Sport/Ski Council, Inc. Attended the MSC Winter Korry. If they forward it to you, you ADVERTISING and is published annually. Carnival at Giants Ridge for the first will then have a copy even before it is Director & General Editor: The MIDWEST SPORTSTER is time to the event in many years! I was Alice Williamson 651-429-6606 printed and posted on the website. I will online and available by subscrip- Fax 651-407-8025 very impressed with how smoothly it also send out an email when Troy lets tion for First Class mail.. To help Cell 612-221-8424 rolled along; and how much fun every- me know it is posted. So stay tuned. defray the cost of printing and [email protected] one seemed to be having in spite of the Read Jerry’s column above for mailing, advertising space is sold less than wonderful conditions. Sunday news about the upcoming MSC elec- in the Sportster. For information morning was full of surprises about advertising in the Sportster, tions in February. And watch for contact: when it started out with rain and notices in your email. ALICE WILLIAMSON turned into a veritable snowstorm! We certainly can use more We went to breakfast with rain 1177 Goose Lake Road people on the MSC Board! Please coming down and by the time we Gem Lake, MN 55110 ATTENTION consider volunteering to help with got ready to go outside, it was 651-429-6606 the MSC programs that benefit VENDORS snowing big fluffy flakes! 612-221-8424 - Cell ALL of our club members! Call Chris and Deb and their 651-407-8025 - Fax any of the Board with your ques- ALL current MSC officers, helpers did a fantastic job with [email protected] Sportster staff, & Committee tions about it. Get on board the making things run smoothly. And the chairs are listed on this page. Board and have a say in the planning of These are the ONLY authorized way Friday night magically righted its- our events. representatives of the MSC. self after the news that the band expect- See the ad on the back page about COMMITTEE CONTACTS Questions? ed was in an accident was just AWE- the Spring Fling Party coming up. Call: SOME!! DEAF, HARD of HEARING: Sounds like a great venue for it has Alice Williamson, Editor [email protected] The Lodge did its usual great job been arranged. Sounds like it will be a 651-429-6606 ELECTION COMMITTEE: with the food. The only glitch was with good KICK OFF to the Spring and Carol DeVore, Editor [email protected] a new waitress-in-training, who had not Summer seasons. 320-217-1321 had time to prepare for such a crowd. If you don’t have your Winter trips I’m very impressed with the new all arranged, see the other ones avail- plan in place for the ‘Ridge’! Looking able to you on the back page. Most of forward to visiting when it’s all done! FIRST CLASS SPORTSTER SUBSCRIPTION $8/YEAR them are running their ads here because Take some time to check with your they still have spots available. So jump club president and representative and on it! Name ______encourage them to have a group email Hope the rest of your Winter goes Address ______list ready for passing out information smoothly, with loads of great skiing! about when the Sportster is online to all Alice Williamson, Editor City, State, Zip ______of your club members.

Phone ______www.mnski.org Please enclose check to: MSC. Mail to: MSC, 5115 Excelsior Blvd #447, St Louis Park MN 55416-2906 www.midwestfun.org 3. ZeVan, Cont’d from page 1. ship included (in January, 1977) taking best instructor ever, my friend Billy. him and our mutual friend, Suzy His daily invitation to meet in the Chaffee, to Iran to ski with the Shah’s morning on one of the lower hills and wife, Empress Farah Diba Pahlavi, for learn how truly easy it is to ski have an HBO ski film I produced and shot been an iconic Steamboat trademark for (with my little Bolex H16 hand-wind the over 30 years Billy has headed the camera) made to entice U.S. skiers to ski program there. Billy has a great ski at any of the four major ski areas sense of humor and is very easy from The Shah had built, and commissioned whom to learn. by the Iranian government to make the One of the better advances regard- film. It was nominated for an Emmy in ing getting to Steamboat, aside from 1977. (One of the others I chose to be taking the time to drive, is its longtime on that trip was ski film giant, and accessibility via at least one major air- friend, Dick Barrymore. Dick showed line. Now that MIDWEST SPORT- his films in theaters, I showed mine on STER articles will only be seen online, television, thus there was no competi- I’ll defer to you to hopefully viewing tion and I wanted to maximize the the Steamboat website for all statistical exposure for the areas The Shah had details and updates that would normal- built. I was told after the Khomeini rev- ly be written in my traditional columns. olution, only men were allowed to ski Bottom line: Skiing and ‘boarding at those areas.) Those of you going to at Steamboat is one of the better winter Tuesday Wipeout, Karen Felton finding her after the Wine & sports experiences anywhere. Congrats Steamboat this season, and reading this, Cheese party at the MSC Winter Carnival. could certainly feel free to ask Billy if you’ll be among those going there about our Iranian adventure. Please say this year. (I don’t get paid to write this Photo courtesy of Colleen Belgum. “Hi!” for me, too, even though he and I or any article, nor do I get “freebies”! communicate frequently. It’s just true.) CLUB NEWS Information Regarding Steamboat, in my opin- Barry ZeVan ion, it certainly typifies what a Rocky Editor’s note: You can reach Editor is Carol DeVore - 320-217-1321 Mountain ski area should be and emit: Barry at [email protected]. He welcomes You are to send your Club News to Carol at: Friendliness, excellent runs and lifts ideas for future columns and is avail- and perhaps the most approachable and able as a speaker at club functions. [email protected]

Some of the MSC Winter Carnival bunch at the Wine & Cheese party on the hill. Photo courtesy of John Olson. Men’s Turtle Races at the MSC Winter Carnival. Photo courtesy of Colleen Belgum. Alaska, Cont’d from page 1. State Park are more options, plus an lodging and transfers. A $400 deposit is exciting nightlife. due to secure your reservation. Next Sportster Deadline - April 1 Departing June 30, 2016 from Dennis Sherwood, 952-239-9954, Minneapolis/St. Paul and returning on [email protected] July 10, 2016. Cost is $2150 ($2250 John Olson, 612-385-5646, john- WHISTLER with SITZMARK after March 1) and includes airfare, [email protected] March 3-12, 2016 Sitzmark’s Trip to Whistler is less The suites are two bedrooms with 3M Ski, Snowboard & Social Club - Silvia Fousters - than two months away. Whistler is a living area and a complete kitchen. [email protected] having a great Each unit even has it’s own washer Elan Vital Ski & Social Club - Alice Williamson - 651-429-6606 Start to the season with over 16 dryer. There is a indoor-outdoor pool Four Seasons Adventure Club - Joe Senden - [email protected] feet of snow already. The holidays are and several hot tubs to soak away the Hiawatha Bicycling Club - Bob Bowen - [email protected] over and it is time to start thinking aches from your day of skiing. about going out west skiing. Whistler is The dates of the trip are March 5 - North Star Ski Touring Club - Lee Wenzel - [email protected] rated as the number one by 12. We only have a few spaces left and Red Eye Ski & Snowboard Club - Scott Kuehn- ski magazine. What is holding with the Canadian exchange rate [email protected] you back, signup and join us for being better than when we origi- Sitzmark Ski & Social Club - Julie Bromley- a trip that you will not forget. nally priced the trip call John or [email protected] When you ski at Whistler, you Julie for the final price. get two mountains for the price The trip price includes round Ski Hawks Sports & Social Club - Brian Boehne - of one. airfare from Minneapolis to Vancouver. [email protected] We are staying at the Delta Bus transfers to Whistler. 7 nights lodg- Slope Slurpers Ski Club - Jen Gostomski [email protected] Whistler Suites in the main village, ing at the Delta Whistler suites. Pre trip Snofuls Ski Club - Tom Kolhoff - 763-428-8149 great location to the slopes, après ski, parties and get-togethers in whistler. Traverski Ski, Sport & Social Club - Jodi Whitcomb - the myriad of restaurants to dine at and Lift tickets extra. plenty of shopping opportunities. Contact Julie Bromley, [email protected] There is a shuttle that takes you to the [email protected] or John olson, Tuesday Wipe-outs - Judi Peterson - 715-377-5674 slopes in the morning and picks up up [email protected]. For more Ullr Ski, Bike & Social Club - Patty Fitzgerald - [email protected] in the afternoon, or we are close information. Yodelers Ski Club - Mike Holland - [email protected] enough that you can walk back. John Olson 4. SKI LUTSEN MOUNTAINS TUESDAY WIPE-OUTS CASCADE LODGE Yikes! I can’t believe it’s mid- the weather this year allowed. December and we have NO SNOW! On Our next gathering will be at Afton In the midst of Cascade River State Park I’m going to be crabby if I can’t get out on January 5 for skiing and a New overlooking Lake Superior. to ski! And I want some snow in the Year’s Party lunch. January 12th, we’ll Historic main lodge or log cabins. yard so it feels like Christmas, and win- ski and enjoy a salad lunch. January Excellent Restaurant/Pub. ter, and...well, you know. 19th is our South of the Border lunch 57 km of XC ski trails out our door. OK, I’ll try to settle down now and and skiing, too, of course! This pattern Mid-America’s Largest 10 minutes from . write nicely.... Though our planned first will continue each Tuesday through 218-663-7281 CALL TODAY! outing (December 1st) was canceled, I early March (providing we have 800-322-9543/218-387-1112 did have fun skiing with the Tuesday SNOW!) Please check the MSC www.lutsen.com 3719 W. Hwy. 61, Lutsen, MN 55612 Wipe-Outs on December 8th at www.cascadelodgemn.com website for particulars. I’ll try to Afton when we had our new keep it up to date! SOLBAKKEN RESORT on SUPERIOR member day. About 30 women We have two ski trips scheduled THIS SPACE AVAILABLE Cabins, Suites & Rooms came to ski and enjoy the lunch- for this winter: First, VAIL will be $120 per year on Lake Superior eon. We picked up several great our destination on February 6th Free shuttles to Lutsen Mountains-4 miles new members, and had fun skiing, too. Can change every issue 57 km XC out our door returning on the 13th. Second, to Giants There were five Tuesday Wipe- Ridge February 22-25, another Outs at the MSC Winter Carnival “Gathering of the Goddesses”. Contact: December 11-13. Though there were A cross-country ski outing is Alice at 651-429-6606 only two runs open (and the warm planned for late February at Hyland or 612-221-8424 weather made the snow mushy), we Lake Park. After that, hopefully the [email protected] 800-435-3950 enjoyed the skiing, food, dancing, hot- snow will stick around for another 2 tubbing, and fellowship with skiers www.solbakkenresort.com months so we can have lots more from all the other clubs. Chris Tuesday skiing before spring arrives. Mickman and his helpers did a great We’ll see. For right now, WE NEED- SOUTH METRO job of planning the trip, and Giants SNOW!!!! Ridge had the runs groomed as well as Colleen Belgum

7+( welchvillage.com %$&. %2:/

ELAN VITAL INVITES YOU to Join us at Giants Ridge January 24-27, 2016 Florence Gleason 651-233-3181 Sally H. and Mike D. at the MSC Winter Carnival Wine & Cheese [email protected] party on the hill. Photo courtesy of John Olson.

CLUB NEWS Information Editor is Carol DeVore - 320-217-1321 You are to send your Club News to Carol at: [email protected]

SITZMARK SKI & SOCIAL CLUB Welcome to the New Year! with 3M Ski Club. The first one is Sitzmark has a great 2016 planned. Saturday, January 16th. Come to Madd Sunday afternoon tennis potlucks are Jaxx at Welch Village. It is the east held at Lakeville Lifetime. The dates chalet. Get discount lift tickets there are January 24th and February 28th. from 9 -11am. Hamburgers will be Contact [email protected], grilled near the bonfire ring at noon. to sign up. We have Wednesday night Please come down and join us. tennis at Public Indoor Tennis in Spring In March, we have our western ski Part of the human slalom at the MSC Winter Carnival. Lake Park, 6:30-8pm every Wednesday trip to Whistler, BC. Email Julie until mid-March. Please contact Bromley, [email protected] to Photo courtesy of John Olson. Chris Mickman at (763-434- see if there is still room to join 4678) chris.mickman@mick- us. FIRST CLASS SPORTSTER SUBSCRIPTION $8/YEAR man.com to reserve your spot. The other major trip will be Sunday evenings we play this summer, to Alaska, leaving Name ______indoor Pickleball at the Eden Prairie June 30th for Denali, Seward and Community Center, 5:15 -7:45pm Anchorage. The Early Bird price ends Address ______through March. To sign up, email March 1st. After that, the price increas- [email protected]. es by 100 dollars. City, State, Zip ______For Monthly Night Outs, in Contact John Olson, johnski- January we are going to the Bryant [email protected], for more information. Phone ______Lake Bowl and in February, we are Check out our website for more infor- Please enclose check to: MSC. headed to the Surly Brewing Co. mation: www.sitzmark.org. Mail to: MSC, 5115 Excelsior Blvd #447, St Louis Park MN 55416-2906 Sitzmark has three Meet and Ski John Olson events at Welch coming up, partnering 5.

No. 9 Ranked ninth resort overall by SKI Magazine readers. skiwhitefish.com

Book your Whitefish, Montana group getaway! WHITEFISH, MONTANA Kelly Medler, Groups Representative for Eastern US and Canada 406-862-1917 | [email protected] Partially Located on National Forest Lands Photo © GlacierWorld.com

giving an awesome view of the land GIANTS RIDGE - Guaranteed Snow! and forest. Guides give talks on the local ecosystem and point out flora and fauna of the area. Snow, Fun & Group Discounts Also overhead in the trees for ages 7 and up, the Aerial Adventure Park Groups of 15 or more get big discounts is an obstacle course on suspended on skiing, boarding, tubing, equipment bridges and walkways. Courses of ele- rentals & lessons! vations 10 to 50 feet above the ground, 35 Mountain Alpine Runs and four levels of difficulty involve Terrain Parks such elements as climbing on nets and Snow Tubing Park ladders, swinging on trapezes, zip lines 60K Groomed XC Trails and barrels. Prices last year were Adults Biwabik, [email protected] $46 and $34 up to age 12 GiantsRidge.com 800-688-7669, ext. 8008 Zip lines come in a plethora of lengths and elevations, from Easy Come, Easy Go at 100 feet long and 20 Whitefish Mountain Resort feet high to The Floater, 1300 feet long Not Just for Skiing Anymore! and 100 feet off the ground. A five zip In the previous Sportster, I wrote tour lasts about 2 ½ hours and the seven about the skiing at Whitefish (aka Big zip takes 2 hours. Mountain), but the fun doesn’t end Whitefish Resort lays claim to when the snow melts off the Big Montana’s only Alpine Slide, which Mountain. The warm weather months was installed in 2009. You can take one are filled with just as much outdoor fun ride for $8, four for $25 or if you have as in winter. There’s so much to do a group, spend $125 and get 25 rides. there in summer, you won’t know Kids under 48 inches ride free with an where to begin. Summer visitors can adult. enjoy mountain biking, zip line tours, For about $10 a day, the younger “walk in the treetops”, and more. set (age 4 and up) can test their psycho- Mountain biking was introduced motor and balancing skills on Spider on Big Mountain in 1996, when Monkey Mountain, finding their way Summit Trail, the first top-to-bottom up through a tower with four webbed mountain bike trail was built. In 2008, levels and exiting via a giant slide. Runaway Train, the first downhill- only For decades, people have been rid- bike trail opened. And they just keep ing the lifts to enjoy the scenery and adding trails. Today, there are 21bike hunt for huckleberries. It’s a 15-minute trails totaling over 30 miles, encom- ride to the summit, elevation 6,817 feet, passing skill levels from intermediate where you can drink in the view, visit and beginner cross-country trails to the Summit Nature Center in the expert downhill. Thirteen trails are lift- Summit house, have lunch and either MSC Winter Carnival human slalom in progress. ride back down or hike the Danny On served. Photo courtesy of John Olson. Kashmir Trail, one of five new Memorial Trail to the base. trails, is recognized as one of four The resort offers various “Stay and “Model Flow Trails” (the latest trend in Play” lodging and activity packages, mountain biking design). This two-and such as an “Eat, Bike, Sleep, Repeat” , –a-half- mile experts-only trail is said which includes double occupancy lodg- to be like riding a dirt roller coaster. ing, full day bike pass, hot breakfast Kashmir and Freebird, both top-to-bot- and hot tub access for around $65 (pre- tom trails, feature large berms and vious year’s prices). 2016 prices for all jumps and are designed to complement offerings will be posted later this the natural terrain of the mountain. spring. Members of `U.S. and Canadian Monthly summer biking clinics are military are eligible for a 50% discount offered, to introduce beginner and on some amenities. intermediate riders to mountain biking. Whitefish Mountain Resort is 8 One clinic is geared toward women rid- miles from the town of Whitefish, 35 ers. A seven-week Thursday night race miles from Glacier National Park and league, is fun for all ages and skill lev- sixty-six miles from our neighbor, els. Other biking competitions include Canada. If you’re an outdoor enthusi- a stop in the Montana Enduro series ast and are planning your next vacation, and the late season Double Dip take a look at the website, www.ski- Downhill. whitefish.com for all kinds of infor- Take a Walk in the Treetops on a mation to help you decide if maybe a 700-foot elevated boardwalk through summer trip to Whitefish Mountain the treetop canopy. This guided 2 ½ Resort would be the way to go. hour adventure goes as high as 70 feet, Carol DeVore

Next Sportster Deadline - April 1 Tuesday Wipeouts Colleen B., Carol G.,Karen F., enjoying the fresh snow at the MSC Winter Carnival. Photo courtesy of Colleen Belgum. 6. EQUIPMENT ELAN VITAL The Original Smoke-free Ski/Board & Social Club Ask us. We’ve been there. Élan Vital kicked off the winter day (February 29) skiing Monarch! XC SKIS (CLASSIC-SKATE-TELEMARK), season in October with a well-attended $1199 gets you round trip air, ground ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, SERVICE party featuring a slide show and talk by transportation, 2-bedroom/2-bath con- 612-339-3433 Sue M about the recent biking in dos walking distance to lift, 3 of 5 day Croatia trip that she led in September. lift ticket, and parties. The FUN is free! A Sunday-Wednesday trip to Contact Julie at 952-334-4995, email: Giants Ridge is being planned by [email protected]. Weekdays til 9, Sat. 10-6 Florence G. This January 24-27 We expect to have a sum- 309 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. trip is open to members of all mer planning get-together Park free across the street or behind store MSC clubs. Lodging will be in sometime in April, exact date three-bedroom villas. Nightly cost per TBD. All Élan Vital members are invit- villa is $324. Ski downhill, cross-coun- ed to come and bring ideas for summer try or snowshoe. Contact Florence by fun. To see what the club is doing, or phone: 651-233-3181 or e-mail: for membership information, go to the [email protected]. The slopes and MSC website www.midwestfun.org trails should be well-snowed in late and select Élan Vital under the “Join a January! Club option”. Have fun in the snow this 0LGZHVW5HWDLOHURIWKH

Next Sportster Deadline - April 1

Cross-country skiing NORTHG STAR Gis our passion, but we have fun all year. G XC skiing • hiking • bikingG • paddling SKI TOURING snowshoeing • socializing G CLUB GLearn more at www.north-stars.org G

3M SKI, SNOWBOARD & SOCIAL CLUB The 3M Ski Club had an exciting event is always very popular and we summer and fall. The Trip Sign-Up learned about wines from region of Night was a success. Due to the mem- Bordeaux, France. The food and wine bers’ involvement in a survey and the were outstanding and people had a experts on our ski club Board, we could great time. More Thirsty Thursdays again choose wonderful - and as we were at the Green Mill and the Tavern Some Tuesday Wipeouts enjoying the sun and snow at Afton Alps. saw - very popular locations. Our excit- Grill, both in Woodbury. We also had a ing trips are planned! Holiday Wacky Gift Exchange on Photo courtesy of Colleen Belgum. The Revelstoke, British Columbia December 5th - always a good time! trip is already full and we’ve started a We will start the Year 2016 with a waiting list. We are very close to filling Polar Ice Dive on New Year’s Day. www.mnski.org the Whitefish trip, also. Several people Ross participates again. He is already a www.midwestfun.org signed up for Winter Carnival at Giants Shark and a few others return to jump Ridge, so our members are ready for into the cold water. There are really winter. A big thanks to the Board and some brave people in our club. On the trip leaders for all their hard work. January 21st, we will have a Thirsty Our club not only skis Thursday at Afton Alps. People and snowboards together, but can hit the slopes for some runs enjoys spending time together or just come out to socialize. at fun club events - this fall we had sev- On January 23rd, we practice our eral! In October, we started with Happy sweeping skills as we go curling. Hour at Surly Brewing Company, fol- Before, in-between and after our ski lowed by Trip Sign-Up at Cowboy trips, there will be more Thirsty Jack’s in Woodbury. Attendance was Thursdays and other events. great and most people stayed to social- Then we are already in the month ize. Many lucky winners went home of February! We finally go to with door prizes including gift cards Revelstoke, Canada on February 18th, and membership cards for the Tavern, t- followed by Whitefish, Montana on shirts, hats, insulated water bottles and March 10th. Thanks to our trip leaders, other items. On October 24th, a group Char and Lorrie, who handle the of 20 people met at the Rock Bottom Revelstoke trip, and Felix and Ross, Brewery for some food before we all who manage the trip to Whitefish. went to the Warren Miller “Chasing Thanks also to Gary who is the MSC Shadows” movie event at the State Winter Carnival organizer for the 3M Theatre. Ski Club group. To start November, we went for a Every event and trip is posted on German Thirsty Thursday at the our website www.hootline.com. So, Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater. now “let it snow”. Have a Wonderful Part of the 3M gang at the MSC Winter Carnival. We also had a wonderful Wine Tasting Winter! Cheers, Photo courtesy of John Olson. Party which 43 people attended. This Silvia Fousters 7. FOUR SEASONS ADVENTURE CLUB UP MICHIGAN

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, country. but only on the ski slopes! In the Twins Cities, there are many THIS SPACE AVAILABLE Bessemer, MI This winter season includes a ski activities scheduled, with more to Windsong Lodging $120 per year trip to Giants Ridge, January 22-24 come. Ongoing, there are Al’s Eat Outs One Bedroom Condo Rentals for Skiers Can change every issue with rooms at The Lodge, plus trans- and Bill Barnhart’s Taproom Tours. ‡+RW7XE $80 - $135 Nightly portation and Saturday night dinner for A reminder - our winter meetings ‡:L)L Contact: a reasonable price. Luckily there are are being held at Billy’s on Grand, ‡.LWFKHQV openings. Please contact Vonnie, Grand Avenue and Victoria ‡3HW)ULHQGO\ Alice at 651-429-6606 [email protected], for Street in St. Paul, on the 1st and www.windsong-lodging.com or 612-221-8424 Ph: 920-427-6086 more information. 3rd Wednesdays of the month. E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Granite Peak is scheduled for The meetings begin at 8 pm, but February 8-10 with lodging at the come earlier to socialize and Quality Inn, lift tickets and a com- grab a bite to eat. OF plementary shuttle included. To learn For more information on any of 200+ INCHES more, contact Barb Epp, our activities, please email AVERAGE ANNUAL [email protected]. Jean_Braun@[email protected]. SNOWFALL Al Anderson (612-825-6110) is This is not the winter to cocoon. Come Stay in our planning a ski trip to the UP for March out and join us! Trailside Condos 4–6 with skiing at Blackjack, Jean Braun Ski Après Loggers Lounge BIG SNOW! Indianhead and Whitecap, or cross- LIVE MUSIC! Hill Info & Lodging BIG VALUE! SkiBlackjack.com GROUP OUTINGS UP Big Snow Country [email protected] BIG FUN! Bessemer, MI SKI HAWKS There is no such thing as too much nels to cart skiers 2.5 miles through the WISCONSIN snow. - Doug Coombs. So true for win- mountain to the slopes. The ride was ter sports, but there’s always some fun pitch black, cold and wet and lasted an to be had. The Ski Hawks celebrated hour. After the ride, skiers used a min- THIS SPACE AVAILABLE ing elevator that lifted them 1,750 feet Halloween in costume while touring $120 per year Nordeast. There were lots of laughs and to the base of the Thaynes Canyon ski some trick-or-treating between lift. There is still time to sign up for the Can change every issue stops. November night at Nye’s March 26-April 1, 2016 Park “Mountain Skiing in City/ Canyons Utah trip! Act was a fabulous turnout with 35+ the Heart of Wisconsin” Contact: members enjoying the nostalgia now and ski Utah for the trip Alice at 651-429-6606 price of $1,350. 700 ft. mountain - 74 runs of yesteryear. or 612-221-8424 Back to the 2015-16 ski/ snow- If you can’t wait until 715-845-2846 board season! Winter Carnival at March to ski or board the mountains, Lift & Lodging Specials [email protected] Giants Ridge was a great weekend. We the Jackson Hole trip January 30- www.SkiGranitePeak.com celebrated the beginning of the winter February 6, 2016 may still have a few season and we even had fresh snow! open spots. Check out the Ski Hawks Did you know? The Skiers on Meet-up.com – http://www.meet- Subway In 1963 Park City Mountain, up.com/MN-Ski-Hawks, or on the then known as Treasure Mountain, used web at http://www.mnskihawks.org. subway cars through old mining tun- Marcia Woodward

FIRST CLASS SPORTSTER SUBSCRIPTION $8/YEAR

Name ______Eau Claire, Wis. www.redeyeskiclub.org Address ______

City, State, Zip ______

Phone ______Next Sportster Deadline - April 1 Please enclose check to: MSC. Mail to: MSC, 5115 Excelsior Blvd #447, St Louis Park MN 55416-2906

ULLR SKI, BIKE & SOCIAL CLUB Winter has come, and outdoor two wintry sports. sports are thriving in the ULLR Ski, Our own downhill ski team skis Bike and Social Club. We had great fall weekly for seven weeks at Wild activities during the wonderful warm Mountain and Buck Hill and partici- weather, but now we have bundled up pates in the Ski Challenge. and our cheeks are rosy from the wintry Did you know we have our own weather. But lest you think we are all ULLR Foundation, where we raise “hardy” individuals, we have planned money to donate equipment to nonprof- fun social events including the- it organizations that encourage ater, happy hours at various athletic programs for those who restaurants, and museum visits. cannot afford it or who are physi- The singles contingent has their cally or mentally challenged? own Friday game nights and din- Check out our webpage ing out events. www.ullr.org for more informa- The ski outings this winter include tion on the club, or come to our meet- Afton Alps, Welch Village, several days ings held at the Marion Knights of at Granite Peak, WI in February, and Columbus Hall at 1114 W American our annual western trip this year is to Blvd. in Bloomington. Out next meet- Summit County, February 28 to March ing is January 21st; Cathy Schutt from 5. Lots of people no longer ski, but Walker Methodist will talk about their come along to these events as they therapeutic programs. Hope to see you snow shoe or cross-country ski. We there. Karen Voigt, Miss 2015 MSC Winter Carnival! even have special events for just those Sandra Shearer Photo courtesy of John Olson. 8. !

MSC Spring Fling Party! Ski Summit County

Open to all MSC members ULLR Ski Club Saturday, May 21, 2016 2/28 - 3/5 2016 Cost: $1,143 Phalen Golf Course Banquet Room Land Only: $843 1615 Phalen Drive ! St. Paul, MN 55106 !"#$%&$'($)#*+$,-./$-'$01+2"+31#,4+5$6+./'(3+5$7(&&+15$81-&-9($0-/#3$ 11:00 am Golf events ! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:;<=$7>!:$-?'--!@(>&#%! $88,8-!3,%0>(%8D!,%0!='-,7+,5&E! the mixer. Golf clubs will be available at the club house. ! F'-G?'()!F,'&H!,%0!I->2#C-!F,'&H! ! F'(/,&-!4$5!&#!1#))-'!,%0!J-H5&#%-!A#%-!0,H!-,23E!

! K'#$)!.(%%-'!,&!&3-!!L$,%0,'H!K'(>>-!(%!4'-27-%'(08-! Admission by Reservation Only. You must be pre-registered to ! attend. Subsidized by the Sitzmark Ski & Social Club. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$D($'($EEEF%GG1F(14$)(1$H(1+$,+'-#G/F$ ! Details and pricing to be determined in early 2016. Further information will be available from your club and on the MSC !!!!!!!!!!! ! website www.midwestfun.org $ ?'()!#)-%!&#!,>>!M91!M-C=-'5 !

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ALASKAALASKA Next Sportster Deadline - April 1 “The“The LastLast Frontier”Frontier” JuneJune 3300 - JJulyuly 10,201610,2016

Denali National Park (3 nights & 2 full days) Kantishna Wildnerness Experience Scenic River Trips Jet Boat Safari Mt. Denali Bus Tours Hiking/Rafting/ATV/Jeep Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park (4 nights & 3 full days) July 4 Mt. Marathon Race Kayaking Paddleboarding King Salmon/Halibut Fishing Whale Watching Glacier/Marine Wildlife Cruise Anchorage (3 nights & 2 full days) Alaska Railroad/Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise One Day Train/Hiking/Kayaking/Cruise Excursions Chugach State Park Air Tours Scenic Hiking/Biking Trails Vibrant Night Life Trip price: $2150.00 ($2250 after March 1) , limited to 36 $400 deposit required to hold your reservation Open to all includes non-stop RT airfare MSP/Anchorage, lodging, transfers, pre/post parties Trip Chairs: Dennis Sherwood 952-239-9954, [email protected] members Some Sitzmarkers at the MSC Winter Carnival. John Olson, 612-385-5646, [email protected] Photo courtesy of John Olson.