www.snowdrifters.net Ski Club Officers & Committee Chairpersons PRESIDENT: Tom Quetsch 630-761-1985 quetsch@sbcglobal.net VICE PRESIDENT Leo Ahasic 630-309-8885 bahasic@sbcglobal.net TREASURER & WEBSITE: Chuck Salisbury 630-584-7680 c.salisbury@computer.org SECRETARY: Pam Murray pammurray54@comcast.net TRIPS: Michele Kinzler 630-513-1987 gbmkinz@gmail.com & Frank Hodowal 630-584-0868 fthod@aol.com SOCIAL: Pat Quetsch 630-761-1985 quetsch@sbcglobal.net The Flakey News A Publication of the Fox Valley Snowdrifters Ski Club A Note from Tom February 2016 1 st edition Hello my fellow Snowdrifters, Well, I am a happy man. After all those months of preparation, I finally got my ski on. If you weren't one of those lucky enough to go on our trip to Italy - Man, let me tell you, it was fun!! We didn't have the perfect snow conditions but we did have the perfect views. There's nothing like the fellowship of our group getting their fun on. I only wish I could go on the other trips we have planned. I want to thank Frank and Joe for leading this wonderful trip. This month we have Eric and Pam leading 28 of us to Red Mountain. That promises to be a nice quick trip. Please make sure to post some trip pictures on Facebook. People have been posting their pictures and it's so fun to see them. We will resume our regular meeting schedule this month so I hope to see everyone there. Stay Fabulous, Tom Tom Quetsch CMSC & RACING: Mike Baurle 630-406-0217 mbaurle@comcast.net MEMBERSHIP: Sue Stanciu skstanciu314@gmail.com Gwenn Bosshardt Geboss2001@yahoo.com PUBLICITY & HISTORIAN: Sarah Richardson sricha10@yahoo.com NEWSLETTER & PAST PRES Joe Hopp 630-896-4320 Jhopp23@hotmail.com REG. AGENT: Frank Hodowal 630-584-0868 fthod@aol.com 1
TRIPS Ski Trip Updates The trip to Red Mountain leaves Thursday, February 4th. Please try to make it to the meeting on Monday, February 1st. Eric and Pam will be passing out luggage tags from Winter Ski & Sport and they will have useful last minute information on the trip. Michele Kinzler Trip Coordinator Cortina d' Ampezzo and Florence, Italy The 47 Snowdrifters that traveled to Italy had an experience that made lifelong memories and friends. The Snowdrifters on the trip came from Colorado, Washington, New Mexico, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and, of course, Illinois. It was a ten day ski trip to Cortina d Ampezzo with an extension to Florence, Italy. We flew via O'Hare airport to Venice s Marco Polo airport. Cortina is north of Venice and is two hours away by bus. Cortina was a wonderful destination with the beauty of the mountains surrounding the village and the charm of the town itself made this truly a pleasurable place. We stayed at the Hotel Concordia Parc which is centrally located and our hotel package included breakfasts and dinners. Cortina is small enough that you can walk about anywhere, or you can ride the free skier shuttle around town. We arrived Saturday evening and some of us explored the town, rented skis and bought our ski passes. Sunday broke with clear blue skies, windy and cold temperatures. Most of us skied at Faloria our first day. The cable car to Faloria starts near the bus station and is easy and quick walk to get to from our hotel. We were surprised that so few skiers were out but it may have been due to the weather conditions! Monday many of us skied on Tofana. It was a great skiing day, until Leo Ahasic exceeded Mach II and had a Prima Facie (face first ) crash on our run down the expert slope next to the Cortina Womens World Cup downhill course. Leo was rescued on the mountain, got a trip to hospital, and sustained a broken shoulder and bruised ribs (we all wish him a speedy recovery). Nonetheless we still enjoyed a nice leisurely lunch on the mountain, even in Leo's absence. Great friends, eh? With guides, 25 of us (10 on Tuesday and another 10 on Thursday) skied the famous Sella Ronda, a 25 mile ski route around the Sella Massif (a huge complex of mountains) via four interconnected mountain passes and four valleys. We all enjoyed the journey and have good memories of this ski excursion. Wednesday we took a day trip to Venice and had a great two hour walking tour with a visit to a glass blowing demonstration. Our stay in Venice was wonderful! Venice, in the bright sunshine and with seasonally warm temperatures of the upper 40 s, exceeded our expectations. There s really too much to say about Venice, it s really a place to be seen and experienced. 2
The last couple of days, Thursday and Friday, some of us skied while others hiked and shopped around Cortina. Friday evening we attended the Cortina Womens World Cup downhill preliminary race event and had an opportunity to see Lindsey Vonn (she won both the Cortina downhill and Super G race). Thursday night a group attended the Cortina Squirrels hockey game at the 1956 Olympic stadium. The game was exciting with a shootout finish. The Squirrels won! While in Cortina, we were fortunate to have sunny daytime temperatures, which ranged between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Cortina was an enjoyable, memorable destination with a vast network of ski slopes offering everything from beginner to expert terrain and was just so unique and memorable to all. The non-skiers enjoyed a variety of activities. There was a walking group that walked over 10,000 steps daily and usually finished their walk with a coffee or hot chocolate at one of the many quaint cafes. There was also a knitting group that met daily to relax, share stories and knitting techniques. Several of the group also went on a prosecco tour organized by Nancy Higdon. They visited a vineyard and the owner shared the history of the vineyard as well as giving samples of the different Proseccos he makes and providing some snacks. Saturday morning we were off to Florence, and after a few stops for a break and lunch we arrived Saturday afternoon. We checked into our comfortable rooms at the Hotel Orto De Medici located within walking distance of virtually all the sights in this historic city. Over the next few days, after a breakfast buffet, most of us took off for a walking tour of the Florence sights. We took time to view Michelangelo s masterpiece David (and other minor assorted works) at the Galleria dell'accademia. Also, many of us toured the Uffizi Gallery or the Pitti Palace (or both for those who had the stamina) neither of which could be seen thoroughly in a day. Others simply wandered the streets of historic Florence, soaking up the architecture, the squares, churches or shops (not neglecting to stop to eat or drink at the numerous coffee shops, pizzerias, and patisseries). Additionally, some toured the city with a guide by bicycle. There was also a Fiat driving tour of the countryside of Florence that was enjoyed by a few in our group. Some intrepid souls climbed the 463 steps leading to the top of the Duomo for a magnificent view of Florence. Several in the group attended an Italian cooking class and learned how to make noodles and tiramisu. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed whatever activity they participated in. The restaurants in Florence were numerous, varied and virtually all provided great dining at all price levels. In the evening seeing the magnificent Duomo with its marble glowing and the surrounding square lit up with the moon flitting between the clouds provided a sight not to be forgotten. To wrap up our trip, there was a Disco on the Deck party where the Snowdrifters partied and danced to celebrate the great time we all had. Tuesday morning, our group assembled for the flights back to O'Hare. One memorable experience on the flight home was when Peggy Schmidt was talking about burros and started to imitate their sound effects! A flight attendant rushed over to see if Peggy was having a "medical condition" - we had a great laugh! Like so many European ski trips, it helps to bring along equal amounts of flexibility and adventurism. When you have both, you can truly enjoy a different culture, language, and cuisine not found in the U.S. Join us next year, the adventure continues.. Joe & Frank 3
Red Mountain, BC, Canada February 4-9, 2016 Here we go!!! The trip will include air/ground transportation, 5 nights lodging, 4 days of skiing (3 days at Red and 1 day at Whitewater), club party, and great skiing. We will be staying at Redstone Chalets, Red Mountain s largest and most spacious condos in the village. The remarkably designed three level chalets all share views of Red and Granite Mountain. Enjoy four spacious private decks and hot tub in each condo. These are ski in and walk to units, just a 4 minute walk to the lift or hop on the free shuttle. Enjoy cross country skiing, just two minutes away. We will ski one day at nearby Whitewater Resort. With groomed runs, open bowls, glades, chutes, terrain park and free skiing, everyone will be able to find their kind of run. We will stop in the town of Nelson on the way home. Known as the Queen City for over 100 years, Nelson has more restored heritage buildings per capita than anywhere else in the province. It is nestled in the Selkirk Mountains along the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, with more restaurants per capita than Manhattan. Our plan is to fly into Spokane via Denver, on United Airlines, on Thursday 2/4/2016 at 6:57 am. and return to Chicago on 2/9/2016 by 11:23 pm. TRIP LEADER: Eric Brendel: Pam Murray ericbrendel@hotmail.com pammurray54@comcast.net 4
The New Park City Utah.. Here we come! March 3-8, 2016 Sold out waiting list Announcing the largest Resort Improvement Project in the History of American Skiing! 5 nights in condos 4 days skiing.. 3 days Park City/Canyons, 1 day Deer Valley Group Dinner--FUN! No Baggage Fee!! Snowboarders have option to board 4 days at Park City/Canyon We will be staying in Park Avenue of Identity condos which are located along the shuttle bus route and a large grocery store is nearby. With 100+ restaurants and bars in Park City, there s something for every taste and every mood and since everything s so close, they re all within walking distance or accessible by a short ride on the free city bus. We will leave Chicago on Southwest airlines # 2366 departing Thursday 3/3/2016 at 8:40 am and returning from Salt Lake City on Tuesday 3/8 at 8:25 pm. TRIP LEADER: Michele Kinzler Gwenn Bossardt gbmkinz@gmail.com geboss2001@yahoo.com 5
LET S WARM UP 6
Social News Ski Season is officially open so there may be limited social activities so come on out to our regularly scheduled meeting to get-together with your Snowdrifter friends. If you have a suggestion for fun activity please email me at quetsch@sbcglobal.net Pat, Social Chairperson Snowdrifters Calendar February 1st Cortina trip review with best photo contest February 4 th 9 th Red Mountain, BC, Canada February 15 th Board Meeting 6:45 PM Red Mountain trip review with best photo contest March 3 rd 8 th Park City, Utah March 7 th March 21 st Board Meeting at 6:45 PM If you have some news to share with your Snowdrifter friends be sure to email Joe at jhopp23@hotmail.com 7