SCWDCT Ski Club of Washington, DC l scwdc.wildapricot.org l October / November / December 2019 l Volume 86, Number 4 Great Sports for All Seasons! Featured Ski Trip� scwdc.wildapricot.org PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS Summer is now over, and Autumn has arrived. As usual, September has been a busy month. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ………………………… 2 Our second annual "Back to the Slopes Party" WESTERN / INTERNATIONAL SKIING …………… 3 and another dozen or so who registered at the door. was a fantastic success, with 130 advance registrants, SKIING ……………………………………… 4-12 their products and services, and who donated some We also had 13 great ski exhibitors who showcased SOCIAL …………………………………… 13, 14 and everyone had a good time.nice prizes for our raffle. Carol Finley was the lucky winner of our Grand Prize, a Club Med Getaway vacation! The weather was great, SPORTS ………………………………………… 15 Volunteer Party at TENNIS …………………………………………… 16 A week later our Board of Directors hosted our annual the Fairlington Villages Community Center in Arlington, VA. We host this event 2019 SCWDC AUDIT ………………… 17-19 order.to honor As our hard-workingmembers have volunteers gotten older, and fewer leaders seem who to makebe willing the Club’s to volunteer, many events possible, and who work behind the scenes to keep the Club’s affairs in appreciateso that means our more volunteers work musteven bemore! done So, by if fewerYOU are people. willing As to a result,volunteer we arein some now capacity, please contact me, any of our Board planning fewer events that require extensive volunteer effort. This makes us members, or any of our Program Chairs. We will find a way to put you to work! dreams, Early but sales don’t of ourwait 2020 too much ski flight longer. trips SIGN have UP done NOW! very well, with about 65% of our trips sold. However, recent registrations have slowed considerably, and we have had to cancel one trip already. There is still plenty of time to find the ski trip of your Our non-skiing events are also doing very well. In October, 36 lucky sun-lovers will travel to Club Med Turkoise in the Turks & Caicos islands, and a group of 20 will go on a Viking River Cruise to Provence, France. Our 2020 Viking River Cruise to GaryRussia is already almostRubens sold out, as well as a new Sailing Regatta to the British Virgin Islands Gary K. Rubens, SCWDC President Page 2 - scwdc.wildapricot.org WESTERN / INTERNATIONAL SKIING Many of our best trips will be commencing during the second half of the ski President: Gary Rubens season, and there is currently availability on the following trips listed below - so Vice President: Leo Boelhouwer sign up before they sell out! Board of Directors: Jelena Berberovic, Leo Boelhouwer, Donna Harris, Mary Kaye Hrivnak, Mary-Jo Swimmer, Hakuba, Japan René Thierry, David Toms, Cindy Wallace Lake Placid-Whiteface, NY Recording Secretary: Carole Howe General Counsel: Peter Hartogensis, Scott Sexauer Park City, Utah Member Services Chair: Gary Rubens Snowbird-Alta. Utah Administrative Manager: Pete Campbell Sun Peaks. BC Budget and Finance: Gary Rubens Financial Manager: Brian Chollar Web Administrator: Gary Rubens WebMaster: Ken Eng Web Editor: Frank Peñaranda Magazine Editor: Leo Boelhouwer SkiGram: Pete Campbell ProgramSCWDC Facebook: Chairpersons: Ken Eng, Mary-Jo Swinimer Eastern Skiing: Ron Rolfe Ski Flight Trips: Ken Eng, Joe Gilbert Ski School Director: Mike Cavallaro Travel: Trixi Bicknell Hiking: Bob Pickett Sailing: Mary Macaluso Sports and Recreation: Geoffrey Pennoyer Cultural: Bernie Joiner Social: Bernie Joiner Tennis Parties: Casey Tarr Tennis Instruction: Tammy Vetter, Jayne Lynch Tennis Trips: Vacant Committee Chairpersons: Elections: Bernie Joiner Activity Leader Evaluation (ALEC): Bernie Gilbert Historian: Kate Hayes Marketing: Vacant Meetings: Ken Eng Past Presidents Advisory: Howard Fisher Policy: Howard Fisher SCWDC (ISSN 0883-6817) is published quarterly, January/February/March, April/May/June, July/ August/September, October/November/December, and is published at the SCWDC office, 5309 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207 (Periodicals postage paid at Arlington, VA and at additional post offices). Subscription is limited to members of Ski Club of Washington, DC, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the SCWDC office, 5309 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207. Ski Club phone number: 703-532-7776. © 2019 SCWDC scwdc.wildapricot.org SKI CLUB OFFICE: 703-532-7776 [email protected] Page 3 - scwdc.wildapricot.org SKIING SCWDC presents Ski Hakuba Valley, Japan, BRSC AsiaFest, Feb. 21-29, 2019 TRIP PRICE: $3,555* BRSC SKI-CULTURAL TRIP, LOTS INCLUDED TRIP LEADER: RON ROLFE Hakuba Valley is at the heart of the spectacular Japanese Alps and just 5 hours from downtown Tokyo by private bus. Host to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, Hakuba is one of Japan’s largest and most renowned alpine resorts. The valley consists of 10 ski resorts, giving an incredible variety of alpine terrain, accommodating everyone from novice to expert. With this many ski resorts to choose from the slopes are relatively empty during the week and fresh tracks can be found for days. You’ll never be short of new areas to explore. You'll like the Hakuba Valley ski trip for its mix of skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snowshoeing, delicious food, rural and urban cultural experiences. All levels of skiers and snowboarders are welcome. You don't need to be an advanced or expert skier or snowboarder to have a good time on this ski trip. However, if you are an expert, you won't be disappointed because there is terrain for everyone. Ski the resort or if the conditions are right there are plentiful back-country options. Spend time with the group or do your own thing. Hakuba valley offers many restaurants and nightlife options. There are tons to explore. We are staying at the 5 Hotel Tokyu. It is a short walk to Happo-One ski resort, one of 10 ski resorts available on Hakuba Valley All Mountain Pass. Lift tickets are not included in the price, to accommodate Epic Pass holders, non-skiing/ cultural participants, and flexible ski days. One day, walk-up lift ticket prices are about $45 to $50. Ski everyday or mix and match ski days and cultural tour days. After a day of skiing/snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, or sight seeing, you can enjoy the hotel's Onsen (natural hot spring pool). No need for hot tubs. The hotel is also located a short distance from the Evergreen Outdoor Center, your source for ski/snowboard/park lessons Page 4 - scwdc.wildapricot.org SKIING and backcountry guides (back country tours from the alpine towering above Hakuba to some of the worlds best tree runs, snowshoe tours, evening snowshoe fondue tours and cross country tours on Olympic courses and forest trails). Optional daily excursions are available from the hotel or nearby transportation center. Excursion possibilities include Jigokudani Monkey Park (Snow Monkeys), local sake distillery and microbrewery tour, and exploring Zenkoji Temple, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in the country. Hakuba Valley spans 10 ski resorts: Happo One, Hakuba 47, Hakuba Goryu, Iwatake, Tsugaike, Hakuba Norikura, Hakuba Cortina, Jigatake, Kashimayari and Hakuba Sanosaka. ● Altitude between 2,300' to 6,010', 3,500'+ of vertical ● 50 ski-lifts, 315 snow canons, 2 snowparks ● 93 miles of ski-runs: 8 black, 17 red, 38 blue, 22 green ● Other features: boardercross, halfpipe What's Included (LOTS!): ● RT Air transportation between IAD and Tokyo via ANA nonstop flights. ● Meet & Greet at Tokyo Airport with local rep. ● Transfer between Tokyo Airport and Hakuba via private coach with English speaking assistant. ● Luggage truck between Narita Airport and Hakuba Hotel. ● Late Dinner at hotel the evening of arrival. ● 6 nights accommodations at the 5 Hotel Tokyu ● Welcome Reception and orientation at the hotel the second day after arrival including 2 hours of Open Bar (beer, wine, soda, and heavy Hors d’oeuvres along with local area reps. ● Full hot and cold breakfast buffet daily. ● 4-course dinner for 3 more evenings during the week at the Tokyu. ● Special Ezura Goryu Drumming and dinner Show, including transfers. ● Mid-week Après Ski Party with 1 drink ticket per person. ● Farewell Party at ThePub, located less than a 5 minute walk from either hotel. This will include: ● Buffet Style dinner at your hotel ● Local Pub DJ entertainment ● 2 hours open bar (Beer, wine, soft drinks). ● Cash bar after 2 hours. ● Complimentary Mountain Escort for 3 hours on the first day of skiing.(Max of 20 people per escort) ● Complimentary local guide at the hotel each evening for 1 hour to assist with day tours, and questions. ● Discounts on Rentals through Rhythm Sports. ● Luggage transfer between Hakuba Hotel and Tokyo hotel (or Airport) via Yamato Luggage transfer (2 bags pp) ● Transfer between Hakuba Hotel and Nagano Train Station via private coach with English speaking assistant. ● Transfer between Nagano and Tokyo via bullet Train. Page 5 - scwdc.wildapricot.org SKIING ● Meet Tokyo Rep on Platform upon arrival in Tokyo – Transfer to Tokyo Hotel ● 1 night accommodations at the 4 Grand Takanawa Hotel Tokyo. ● Breakfast daily. ● Transfer between Tokyo Hotel and Airport via private coach with English speaking assistant. ● All local taxes. ● All Air taxes ● All current fuel surcharges ● Medical Insurance coverage that includes all of the following: (This does not cover Cancellations) ● Trip Delay up to $750.00 ($150.00 per day) ● Baggage and personal effects up to $1,500.00 ● Baggage delay up to $400.00 ● Accident & Sickness Medical Expense of $50,000.00 ● Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation of $250,000.00 ● Accidental Death and dismemberment of $25,000.00 ● Worldwide Emergency assistance Services ● (Please note that this insurance does not cover refunds for cancellation or reimbursement for lost travel days due to trip interruption.) Trip Options: ● Hakuba Valley lift tickets, about $45/day at ticket window ● Optional day tour program available from Hakuba, including Matsumoto Castle, Nagano Temple and Olympic Village, Saki Brewery, Snow Monkeys and more.