Snowbound 2015 edition preview

SNOWBOUND SKI AND BOARD PLANNING GUIDE

2015 EDITION

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Ski the Alps The joys of winter in Austria, Switzerland and Germany

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Winter Frolics in Vermont Great skiing and the flavor of New England

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Virtual Site InSpections

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A Gold Mine of Planning Tips Valuable nuggets of inside advice for group trip organizers A Premier Travel Media publication • BoundForSnow.com

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top ski resorts in North and South America

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contents

SKI AND BOARD PLANNING GUIDE

SITE INSPECTIONS

VOL. 2, NO. 1, 2015 EDITION

FEATURES

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How Ski Clubs Attract and Retain New Members BY JO SIMPKINS Recruiting efforts focus on transfusions of young blood

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A Gold Mine of Planning Tips from the Pros BY LAUREN REINIGER Ski resort reps offer valuable nuggets of inside advice for group trip planners

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Winter Frolics in Vermont Great skiing and the flavor of New England lure groups to the Green Mountain State

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When Life Gives You Snow, Don’t Just Ski and Snowboard

BY JESS SHANAHAN

Snowmobile tours, snowshoe treks and other adventures round out a group ski trip

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Banff & Lake Louise Whistler Blackcomb Breckenridge Ski Resort Copper Mountain Resort Keystone Resort Steamboat Ski & Resort Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Mt. Bachelor, Oregon Mountain Lodge Telluride Kandahar Lodge Whitefish Mountain Resort Perfect North Slopes, Indiana Killington Resort Corralco Mountain and Ski Resort Valle Nevado

SPECIAL SECTION

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Ski the Alps Resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Germany attract ski groups with state-of-the-art facilities and European charm

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Guests at Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort enjoy some of the West’s best powder skiing.

Cover Photo/Whitefish Mountain Resort

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Members of ski and snowboard clubs across the U.S., bound by a common interest in winter sports, enjoy a special camaraderie on and off the slopes.

How Ski Clubs Attract and Retain New Members Recruiting efforts these days focus on transfusions of young blood

By Jo Simpson

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hen the Charlotte (North Carolina) Ski and Snowboard Club wanted to focus on attracting younger members, they moved their membership meetings to a local

brewery.

They scheduled activities attractive to younger prospective members, including a trampoline dodgeball event. They emphasized snowboarding as well as skiing in activity promotions.

Their efforts have resulted in a 60 percent increase in younger members. The president of the 350-member club is 29 years old, the vice president 25.

Ski clubs continually seek new members to avoid stagnating.

New members bring new ideas and fresh energy. Many clubs are experiencing an aging membership and looking for new blood.

The Connecticut Ski Council attracts families and introduces children to the sport by organizing an annual Kids Learn to Ski Day. The council and a local resort provide certified ski instructors and heavily discounted lift tickets for the kids and their family members.

Kids, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles come out to spread the joy of winter sports to the younger generation.

The SAGA Gay Men’s Ski and Snowboard Club in Los Angeles holds membership drives at a local fitness facility to reach potential members. On trips they offer members the opportunity to group up by ability and ski with a club member guide so that no one is left to ski alone.

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Racing is attractive to active adults. Many councils have racing programs that attract new members to join their clubs to participate in racing and subsequently become involved in other club activities.

Attracting new members is challenging. Making them feel welcome and valued is critical to keeping them.

Social media is essential in attracting younger members. Clubs are using Facebook, Meetup, Instagram and Twitter to reach out.

It’s where younger adults get much of their news and information.

Some clubs are Meetup clubs that operate largely through Meetup instead of membership meetings.

Websites are useful for reference information once a new member becomes interested. Information must be kept fresh and current.

Contact information should be easy to find on the website so that potential members can get more information from trip and activity leaders.

Many local newspaper and television station websites provide free online posting of meetings and activities. Newspapers often print the web-posted items and sometimes will highlight the event in a larger article.

Special events attract new members. Broadcast them on the club social media sites and email a news release to local media outlets.

Events to raise money for charities or club-sponsored community service projects can attract media attention. Include information on joining the club in all announcements and news releases, as well as

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Racing winners display vouchers for prizes provided by sponsors. Right: Gay groups converge on California’s Mammoth Mountain during Mammoth Gay Ski Week.

Ski club membership offers relief from a boring lifestyle.

Activities bond members together.

All Photos by National Ski Council Federation

a club contact and the website address.

Develop a club brochure to distribute through local ski shops and other businesses. Brochures can be inexpensively created using software such as Microsoft Word that’s probably already on most personal computers.

Publicize upcoming ski and adventure trips. While skiers can find bargain travel on the Internet, clubs offer a social experience with other active adults who enjoy outdoor activities. Clubs also offer convenience by taking care of most of the travel arrangements.

Many clubs organize a variety of nonskiing outdoor activities, such as hikes, picnics and camping trips in summer and snowshoeing in winter, that can attract new members.

And what would ski clubs be without parties? Parties provide opportunities for social interaction among new members and prospective members in a relaxed and fun environment.

Getting a prospective member to a meeting or activity is only the

Club members soothe sore muscles while sharing stories about their day on skis.

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first step. Make sure they feel welcome. Long-time club members tend to bunch with their friends at meetings and unwittingly keep newcomers from feeling part of the group.

One way to integrate new members is to assign long-time members to a different newer member “buddy” for each meeting. The veteran member is expected to call the buddy before the meeting and sit with her/him during the meeting. Identify new members and guests with a unique nametag so that current members can recognize and greet them before the meeting.

A poorly run meeting will turn off first-time attendees, as will sloppy organizational management. Follow good meeting management practices by starting meetings on time and maintaining control.

Tactfully deal with conflicts or disagreements promptly.

Involve members by distributing tasks and showing all members that they are valued. Keep in touch with members through social media, email blasts, newsletter and other communication methods.

Ski club membership offers relief from a boring lifestyle. Activities bond members together. Monthly or weekly happy hours, ski trips, travel to new places, camping trips, picnics, cultural events, charity events, opportunities to serve the community (and the club) while meeting, and making new friends creates for an exciting lifestyle.

The Birmingham (Alabama) Ski Club’s motto is “Some people dream of an exciting life. We make it happen.” Any ski club can use this approach by using a generic version: “Don’t just dream of having an exciting life. Join (fill in club name here) and make it happen!”

We have FUN! Get the word out in your community. ❉

Jo Simpson is public affairs chair for the National Ski Council Federation, www.skifederation.org. NSCF represents 30 councils with 640 clubs with more than 300,000 club members. NSCF thanks the National Ski Club Newsletter, Bay Area Snow Sports Council, Crescent Ski Council and Far West Ski Association Sports Leadership Academy for use of their information in this article.

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[ BANFF & LAKE LOUISE ] W

ith access to several resorts and mountain slopes as well as the natural beauty of Banff National Park, Banff & Lake Louise is where serious skiers come to ski. The beautiful mountain town of Banff, Alberta, with one of the longest ski seasons in North America, sits within 45 minutes of three ski resorts: Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort. A tri-area lift ticket, covering all three and including shuttle transfers, allows your group to decide where they want to ski each day.

Park, it offers complimentary shuttles to the ski slopes and access to Lake Louise and its charming shopping area. Caribou Lodge & Spa, in the heart of Banff, has a great steakhouse restaurant and fullservice spa. The iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, surrounded by soaring mountain peaks, majestic Victoria Glacier and a glistening emerald lake, is recognized globally for progressive environmental stewardship and responsible tourism.

HOW DO WE GET TO BANFF?

PLACES TO STAY IN BANFF & LAKE LOUISE

Numerous lodging options range from budget to luxury, with an efficient shuttle system serving the resorts. The world-famous Banff Springs Hotel, known as the "Castle of the Rockies," is a landmark in the town of Banff. Lake Louise Inn, with 247 rooms, can accommodate ski groups of almost any size. Located in Banff National 26

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Banff is only 90 minutes from Calgary International Airport, which has been voted one of the most “hassle-free” airports in the world. The Banff Airporter and Brewster Airport bus services offer daily connections to the town of Banff and Lake Louise. A rental car is not needed as the tri-area lift ticket includes shuttle transport from the hotel to each resort.

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ACTIVITIES IN BANFF & LAKE LOUISE

Whether you believe the mineral-rich waters are actually good for your health or not, there’s no doubt that soaking in Banff Upper Hot Springs on a bright, cold day with all the mountain’s beauty around you is almost as fun as skiing. Gondola sightseeing rides afford great views of the Canadian Rockies, and guided walks offer a historical perspective on the area.

Premier cross-country-skiing and snowshoeing are among Banff National Park’s best-kept secrets; rentals are available in Banff and Lake Louise. Several dogsledding companies offer a variety of excursions, including half-hour, half-day and full-day tours; some tours include a lunch of beef jerky, cheese, dried fruit and a hot beverage.

DINING OPTIONS IN BANFF

This travel destination has attracted some of the very best in Canadian and internationally inspired foods, known as Canadian Rocky Mountain Cuisine. Many restaurants invite you to sample the regional fare, bringing in organic and sustainably sourced Alberta beef and bison, fine cheeses and wines. If you’re in the mood for sushi, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Swiss fondue or pizza, you’ve got more than enough choices. After dark, kick up your heels at a dance club or relax with a beverage at a groovy lounge.

There are many restaurants and taverns in Banff itself, and the resorts also offer several options. Banff Ave Brew Pub, with a founding principle of creating the absolute highest quality beer experience possible, provides essential food classics and contemporary staples to create the perfect Canadian menu to be enjoyed with their beer. At Elk and Oarsman enjoy the tasty food, live entertainment and 12 draft beers while immersed in timber and river rock décor or sitting next to the beautiful stone fireplace.

The warm, friendly atmosphere and authenticity of the imported Irish woodwork and fantastic artifacts make St. James Gate one of the premier Irish pubs in the world. The Maple Leaf features Canadian cuisine in a lodge-style atmosphere, specializing in beef, bison, elk, and fresh fish and seafood.

SPECIAL OFFERS FOR GROUPS

Some hotels provide complimentary (or reduced-rate) receptions with appetizers, drinks and an overview of resorts and services in town. Prizes for social nights can be provided.

BANFF AREA: SLOPE TO SLOPE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

3 Resorts 1 Tri- Area Lift Ticket including shuttle transfer 8,000 acres 360 inches of annual snowfall 2 high-speed gondolas 26 lifts 290 trails—25% beginner, 42% intermediate, 33% advanced

Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine Steve Pampel Sales Manager – Group and Wholesale 1-403-760-7739 steve@skibig3.com www.skibig3.com

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