SKI CHATTER. Ed Offstein - DDSC President. Ellen Locke, Membership THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUB NEWSLETTER. ISSUE 160 February Upcoming Activities

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1 NEWSLETTER SKI CHATTER ISSUE 160 February 2017 IS A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT These are the good old days. Yes, this is the ski season we ve dreamed of. Twenty feet of coverage at the top of the mountain, and powder to rival the Rocky Mountains slopes. Some of the credit probably goes to our Membership Chairwoman, who has been shaking her snow globe daily for the past year. We told this to a manager of the Mammoth snow cat crews, and he pleaded for her stop for a while. So great to see several longtime members who are recovering from various challenges sign up for the March trip. If you are reading this on February 1 and you want to join us, please contact Ellen now at to reserve a spot. The hotel will release our unclaimed allotment of rooms to the public by the end of the week, so prompt action is required. We hope to see you on the bus, at the Mill, at Tusks, and all over the Mountain. Ed Offstein - DDSC President Mammoth had an all time record snowfall in January. Over 20 feet!!! Here we see Mammoth employees trying to dig out poor Woolly Upcoming Activities The next Don Diego Ski Club meeting, Thursday, February 16 at Callahan s Pub & Brewery starting at 5:00 PM. See map on the last page for location. Feb Mammoth Midweek #2 ski trip See flier on page 6 for the details. March 5-10 Mammoth Midweek #3 ski trip See flier on page 6 for the details. FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN Please welcome our newest members, Marina Gulko and Mark & Winny Hoeppner. All three were on the January trip. Marina hikes, camps and does both downhill and cross country skiing. Mark & Winny live in Hawaii and were referred by Carolyn Blumenthal and John Gough. It is not too late to renew your membership in DDSC for 2016/2017. Please go to the membership page of our website ( and download the membership application. Please mail the completed form with your payment to my attention mailing information is on the application. By renewing your membership, you will be eligible to participate in our Mid Week ski trips to Mammoth. Remember our trips offer round trip travel in our deluxe coach, 5 nights at the Best Western High Sierra, 5 days of excellent skiing on uncrowded slopes, and most importantly the opportunity to ski with a warm and friendly group of skiers of all levels. All the trip dates and details can be found on the website under Ski Trips. Membership also includes access to other club activities such as weekly hikes, weekly bike rides, club parties, etc. See you on the slopes! Ellen Locke, Membership Nonmembers are always welcome at club meetings. Membership applications are available there and you may join and get your membership card right away. Membership applications also can be downloaded from the club web site: M E M B E R S H I P I N F O R M A T I O N Or if you desire, you may contact our new membership chairperson Ellen Locke ( ) who will mail a membership application to you. The yearly club dues are $30 for a single membership ($45 for a family membership) and you obtain the newsletter from our web site. For an additional $10.00, the newsletter will be mailed to you.

2 SKI CHATTER Page 2 TRAVEL/TRIP REPORTS Mammoth Midweek #1: The January Midweek trip was successfully completed during a record snowfall at Mammoth. Almost too much for some participants! Please read the three different trip reports by Don Diego himself, Gunter, and Sabine as seen from their perspective. Mammoth Midweek #2: The trip is full except for one female to share a room. If you want to come please call me ASAP! We are looking forward to a great trip on Mammoth's spectacular record setting snow. Keith Bowen, trip leader Mammoth Midweek #3: For the March trip, we need to get a final room count to the Best Western by next week. Any rooms we don't reserve by then will be released to the public... and they will go fast. So if you want join the fun, get your application to Ellen by Thursday February 2. You can call her at to let her know your application is in the mail. January 2017 Mammoth Trip Report by Don Diego What an exciting ski trip. It snowed every day at Mammoth with several feet of snow falling during the week. We were lucky coming in on Sunday because we didn t need chains, but as the snow became deeper, our driver and club members chained up the bus. On Monday the snow fell heavily and some skiers ventured out. Then we held our catered dinner on Monday night at the hotel. Good food and good company! Thanks, Carolyn for leading our trip. On Tuesday we picked up our skis from the lockers at the main lodge and our bus drove us to Eagle Lodge. The visibility was good with tall trees sheltering the runs, and the cold, fast powder snow over a firm base was perfect. Everyone looked good. Wednesday brought more snow and wind, and some skiers took the lifts over the hill to Eagle Lodge again. At night we enjoyed wine and cheese at our hotel. Thursday brought more snow, and after skiing we went to Rafters for happy hour food and beverages. Carolyn did a great job setting everything up. Friday brought out the sun and our happy skiers met at the Yodler after skiing before our drive home. How beautiful Mammoth Mountain is. The ride through the Owens Valley with snow covering the slopes and valley floor reminded us of why we love the mountains. Keith s Mammoth trip in February will certainly have lots of snow. Even the ride home was enjoyable as we ate our sandwiches, then dozed off as the highway flew by. Riding in a nice coach sure beats driving up on weekends. Good trip. Let s do it again! Ski Trip dates for Don Diego Ski Club for the 2017 Season: (See the fliers on page 6) Mammoth Midweek #1: Jan. 8 13, 2017 Trip Leader: Carolyn Blumenthal Mammoth Midweek #2: Feb. 5 10, 2017 Trip Leader: Keith Bowen Mammoth Midweek #3: March 5 10, 2017 Trip Leaders: Ed Offstein & Ellen Locke See the last page of this newsletter for CST/TCRC information Some Ski Industry News (reprinted from the FAR WEST NEWS FLASH) January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month: The unofficial kick-off to Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is Friday, January 6, This is when resorts across the U.S. and Canada host events to determine a Guinness record for the World s Largest Ski and World s Largest Snowboard Lessons. LSSM organizers focus on having beginners take lessons from professional instructors rather than encouraging newcomers to teach themselves or try to learn from a friend, family member or spouse. Since its inception in 2009, nearly 750,000 people have taken their first ski or snowboard lesson with the LSSM initiative. Several LSSM offers include those from the states of: New York, Utah, Vermont, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and Colorado. Learn to ski month continues through February 28, Backcountry Rescue May Cost You At Steamboat: Steamboat is believed to be the first resort to officially say it may impose a fine on skiers or snowboarders who venture beyond the ropes and subsequently need to be rescued by Steamboat ski patrollers. The proposed fine, which is now delineated on trail maps and on-mountain signs, is aimed at keeping inexperienced skiers and riders out of the backcountry. The fine could be as high as $500, although Steamboat officials say it may not apply to every case and none has been assessed so far. The situations vary from ski area by ski area because some have much greater backcountry access than others, but where this is an issue it s becoming a bigger and bigger one by the year, Colorado Ski Country USA s Chris Linsmayer told SnoCountry.com. It s an on going discussion within the industry and the rescues do really put strain on a ski areas who have to divert important resources and ski patrol staff to conduct them. If you don t know, don t go is the mantra issued by the Steamboat Ski Patrol that has already had to pull people out of dangerous situations in the backcountry this season. UberSKI Launched in Eagle and Summit Counties: People living or vacationing in Colorado s mountains who need a dependable ride to and from the many ski areas in the state, can now take an Uber ride to their hill of choice. To request an UberSKI ride, users only have to open the app and enter their ski destination. They must request the designated UberSKI ride, so that they will get a vehicle which will work for them. Drivers for UberSKI will have vehicles that can carry up to four passengers and their skiing or snowboarding gear. The UberSKI ride will cost an additional $6.

3 SKI CHATTER Page 3 SAN DIEGO COUNCIL of SKI CLUBS REPORT by Eileen Weiner Note from the editor: There was no Council meeting in January so Eileen won t have anything to report until next month. The original content of this section was deleted at the request of our DDSC president. Here s an appropriate quote for today: A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open. Frank Zappa On the way to the slopes at Mammoth this past January O f f i c e r s a n d D i r e c t o r s ( ) President Ed Offstein Past President Pete Michael Vice President Eileen Weiner Secretary Christine Kiffmann Treasurer Kathy Hendrickson Directors at Large Rose Emry Dan Henry Karl Cikste Leslie Pally Advertising Anne Heye Council Rep Eileen Weiner Sunshine Rep Anne Heye Historian Helen Harris Racing Carl Cobb Public Affairs Leslie Pally Publications Karl Cikste Programs Judy Porter Social Bonnie Fritts Webmaster Karl Cikste Membership Ellen Locke Club Founders Joe Harris Bruce Barr

4 SKI CHATTER Page 4 January 2017 Mammoth Trip Report by Gunter Schrecker We arrived at the Best Western late afternoon. Fortunately, the bus did not need chains to get up the hill. It was raining and windy. After checking into our room and unpacking, Christa and I walked over to Slocums. It must have rained hard during the day, since the puddles at the sides of the highway were deep and the water ran into my ankle-high boots. We were already fairly wet when we arrived at Slocums only to notice that it was closed. At the sporting goods store next door we asked for the nearest open restaurant. A staff member thought it was Moguls and he called to verify that they were open. So we walked up there in the rain that was pretty severe at times. When the concierge at Moguls saw us come in she called for towels so we could dry ourseves off as best as possible. She and the manager were very helpful, she even hung our jackets to dry. We had a nice dinner and, afterwards, they called a taxi cab for us. It promptly arrived and delivered us to the hotel less than half a mile away. The driver told us that Mammoth Lakes has a flat fee of $10 regardless of distance. We did not mind paying, we were still wet and by now, there was a mixture of snow and rain coming down. Monday morning was stormy and snowy. The previous night, our bus driver, Daniel, put chains on the bus with the help of two from our group, I don't know who, and I was told, with the help of a tow truck operator. The bus delivered us to the main lodge, where the lifts were on weather-hold. We were told that #8 out of Canyon was operating. Several of us took the Red Line down to the Village and the gondola up to Canyon Lodge. #8 was indeed operating, as was the Schoolyard Express. I skied every run available from #8 several times over until early afternoon when I returned to the main lodge by shuttle bus. It was a stormy, snowy and cold day. The light was flat and the visibility was barely acceptable. Skiing was good in two to four inches of new dry snow. On the lift the wind was in our face and the driving snow pierced any unprotected parts of the face. One time, after I got off the chair and started downhill, a gust hit me from behind with such a force that my upper body was pushed over the top of my skies and I thought I would crash. Apparently there were icy spots underneath the new snow from the rain the previous day. I could hear when I hit those spots but they were usually not a problem. The next day, Tuesday, was just as stormy, snowy and cold as the previous day. The only operating lift was #15 out of Eagle Lodge. Our bus brought us to the main lodge where we collected our skies, etc. Daniel, our bus driver, allowed us to get on the bus in ski boots. He then delivered us to the Eagle Lodge and he picked us up at 2pm and 4pm. I thought it would be pretty dull to ski the runs from the #15 lift all day. But, given the conditions, especially the marginal visibility and the flat light, these runs were quite interesting. Around four to six inches of new dry snow had accumulated. Skiing was enjoyable, especially on Bridges. The weather on Wednesday was pretty much the same as before. The wind speed may have been a little lower and visibility was often much better. The bus brought us again to Eagle Lodge. Lifts #15 and #8 were running, and possibly a few more. I went back and forth between these two lifts. The snow was dry and several more inches had accumulated. Skiing was fun. As during the previous days there was hardly anybody on the runs even though there were short lift lines. Then came Thursday. The wind had died down, it snowed hard all night and morning. It had become warmer and the snow was wet, wet, wet... The bus delivered us to the main lodge. As far as I could tell all lower lifts were operating. I went up on lift #6. The snow stuck to my skies so that, after dismounting, I could not get away and the chair hit me and knocked me down. Of course, the lift operator did not notice anything in his warm, cozy booth. My skies finally were free of sticking snow but I could not see anything, not even McCoy Station. I skied more or less blindly, very slowly and hesitantly. I estimated that between 18 to 24 inches of wet snow had accumulated and turning in it was a chore. I did not like the conditions and, after just two runs, I went back to the hotel and spent a nice afternoon with Christa. Friday's weather was nice. It was still snowing a little in the morning. Most lifts were operating, including #3 and #5. It was colder than on Thursday, the snow was drier and did not stick. On our last day on the mountain we enjoyed pretty much normal skiing. January 2017 Mammoth Trip Report by Sabine Alberti I drove up with Hans on Sunday (same time as bus, since we met them at Four Corners). It was raining all the way from the Ridgecrest turnoff. The first snow we saw on the side of the road was in Olancha. We arrived with rain in town, which turned to snow overnight and it kept snowing nonstop until Friday. The first two days there were only 2 lifts open, 11 and 15. Then 6 and 2. On Friday it snowed only slightly, but a big cloud of fog settled on the mountain. Several lifts opened on Friday. Since I had broken my wrist a few years back on Spook in a whiteout, I have decided not to ski in whiteouts anymore, so all my skiing was confined to the bunny-slopes. Chair 15 was best, but everybody was there! I have never skied Discovery before, but on this trip I skied it for many hours. My aim was for exercise, but also I was testing my ankle which had been diagnosed with "tendonitis", and found I could ski about 3 hours without too much pain (same as hiking). Driving home on Saturday with Paula and Jean, naturally we had perfect sunshine! Meanwhile my podiatrist has forbidden any activity and put my leg in a boot, which I resent, but I also realize it's serious, if I don't rest it now, it could become permanent.

5 SKI CHATTER Page 5 HIKING/FITNESS Here are some pics from recent hikes: Our Thursday Hikes are suspended for 8 weeks, because my doctor says so. I have some inflamed tendons around my ankle that do not want to heal. Tendons heal very slowly, so my doctor ordered complete rest. I get a black boot to wear whenever I walk. Since I do not want to become a couch potato, I have a plan: I can still swim (although I should not kick very hard and stop when I feel any pain). I also plan to do floor exercises and arm exercises, with or without bands. When you are injured and need to rest one part of your body, you need to find exercises for other parts of your body. If for example you hurt your shoulder or neck, you could still pedal on your stationary bike. Just don't sit still, unless you absolutely have to! Please look for details for our Thursday Hikes in your box and the Don Diego Meetup at Sabine, Your Hiking leader Some pics from the January Mammoth Midweek trip The January birthday kids The three wise(?) men Trip leader Carolyn

6 SKI CHATTER Page 6 Febru ary B irt hdays Some more pics from Mammoth Midweek #1 Finally some blue sky! But on the day of departure back to San Diego Magaly Schmid Jeannette Pease Adele West Holland Smith Martin Wascher Tom Boren 02/10 02/11 02/15 02/18 02/18 02/24 NEW MEMBERS Mark Hoeppner Winny Hoeppner WELCOME! Just a short note to let you know that the officers and members of the DON DIEGO SKI CLUB are delighted to see you as new members. We look forward to meeting you at the club meetings or one of the many other club activities.

7 February 2017 SUNDAY 5 MONDAY 6 TUESDAY 7 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Mammoth Midweek #2 ski trip Valentine s Day MEETING 5:00 Callahan s Pub & Brewery 22 Presidents Day DD SKI CLUB Deadline for BOARD MEETING Newsletter 6:00 PM s John giving Mark a helping hand during the January Midweek trip MARCH HEADS UP March 5-10 Mammoth Midweek #2 ski trip March 16 Club meeting at Callahan s Check out these websites for additional ski and club information: CST REFERENCE NUMBER The paragraph below explains what CST (California Seller of Travel) means. You will see the number referenced on every flyer. Please read this paragraph thoroughly. It is a required for all club trips to make this statement available to you. CST California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. This business has a trust account. All payments for transportation or travel service not provided to the passenger shall be promptly refunded, in accordance with the agreed-to-terms and conditions, unless the passenger otherwise instructs the seller of travel in writing. This business is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporations (TCRC). You, the passenger, may request reimbursement from TCRC if you are owed a refund of more than $50 for transportation or travel services which was not refunded in a timely manner by a seller of travel who was registered and participating in the TCRC at the time of sale. The maximum amount which may be paid by the TCRC to any one passenger is the total amount paid on behalf of the passenger to the seller of travel, not to exceed $15,000. A claim must be submitted to the TCRC within six months after the scheduled completion date of the travel. A claim must include sufficient information and documentation to prove your claim and $35 processing fee. You must agree to waive your right to other civil remedies against a registered participating seller of travel for matters arising out of a sale for which you file a claim with the TCRC, if your were located in California at the time of the sale. You may request a claim form by writing to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA ; or by faxing a request to: (415) (Our website) (San Diego Council) (Far West Ski Association) (National Ski Council Federation) UPCOMING TRAVEL EVENT Trip to China: depart May, 2017 (exact itinerary and price to be determined) For information and/or to sign up, call Carl Cobb (619) or (619) (NOTICE: This function is NOT a club sponsored event). is a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION and a MEMBER of the SAN DIEGO COUNCIL & FAR WEST SKI ASSOC.

8 PHONE: (619) * kcikste@cox.net * website * Don Diego is a member of the Far West Ski Association February 2017 SKI CHATTER DON DIEGO SKI CLUB NEWSLETTER 2001 Canta Lomas El Cajon, CA NEXT CLUB MEETING: Thursday, February 16, Callahan s Pub and Brewery (5:00 PM) 8111 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego Please note that this is the 3rd Thursday of the month, not the 1st as in past years See our club website for directions