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Skiing is some of the most fun you can have when temperatures begin to drop and the snow begins to fall. However, if you really want to make the most of your time, we highly recommend skiing with a ski club. If you haven’t done so before or aren’t quite sure why you’d want to, we are here to fill you in on all the details. Keep on reading for the top 5 benefits of taking your next ski trip with a ski club.
What Is a Ski Club?
A ski club is an local organization usually based out of a specific town, city, or ski resort that will provide helpful information like the best runs to ski, the best equipment to rent or purchase, and overall tips for how to have the best ski trip possible. With these clubs, you can also get together and ski with other club members. These clubs are comprised of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds.
Before you join any ski club, we recommend you first find out all the clubs that are offered in your area, as there’s likely to be more than one. If you’re a complete newbie then you may find a club that’s geared towards that beginner process of moving into intermediate runs and greater awareness.
If you’re used to skiing Alpine, but you’re interested in the backcountry, then try to join a club that suits that – there’s something for everyone.
1. Discounts
Who doesn’t love a good discount? I personally don’t know anyone who would willingly pay full price for something if they didn’t have to! With that being said, taking a ski trip with a ski club can help you score some great deals on ski insurance, rentals, and even free ski lift tickets and parking spots if you’re lucky!
Depending on the ski club and how large it is, some even offer discounts on lodging, bus transfers, airfare and ski schools.
For some people, that alone is a good enough reason to go skiing with a ski club. It also allows you to focus more on the sport of skiing instead of all the “hassle” that sometimes comes with ski trips.
2. Finding Your Style
As you’ll be skiing with people you normally wouldn’t be otherwise, you’ll be subjected to various types of skiing and skiers who have varied backgrounds and styles of their own. This can help you find your own style. If you were only taught one way, then you could be limiting yourself without even knowing it!
It seems like in every ski club there is at least one person who likes to take the lead and help direct new members to help find which style of skiing suits them best.
As I briefly mentioned up above, if you’re used to Alpine skiing but are interested in backcountry riding but don’t know where to find people who ski like this, ski clubs are the perfect opportunity for getting yourself acquainted.
If no one in your club is into it, you’re at least bound to find someone who knows a backcountry skier willing to point you in the right direction.
3. Activity Sharing
One of the biggest benefits of taking a ski trip with a ski club is sharing activities. It’s the norm for most clubs to include a type of pre-trip party or celebration of some kind which is thrown by the leader of the club. Oftentimes, the party will take place at the ski resort lodge or even a restaurant for a dinner or lunch every day.
In addition, people in the group will be making meetups at certain spots at the resort if you would like to ski with them. This offers the opportunity not only for camaraderie and for a chance to make some lifelong friends, but also to learn from others and improve your skills.
4. Making Friends
This is one of the best side effects for many from joining a ski club. The friends I’ve made from skiing for some reason tend to hold stronger than most others. Maybe it’s because we’ve been able to laugh at ourselves and each other wipe out so many times.
Once again, by taking a ski trip with a ski club you’re going to find people from different backgrounds, stories, and places in the world. This can give your next ski trip another aspect of fun, where you can go visit your new friends in their part of the world.
If they’re also locals, you can make trips up together, or even try something else. You may find that many people join clubs in couples, but there are also a lot of people who join on their own so if you’re feeling nervous not knowing anyone, that will quickly change.
5. Safety
Last but certainly not least, skiing in a club means safer skiing. This is because you’ll always have a buddy (or 10) to ski with. We all know that sports like skiing that are done somewhat-remotely should always be done with at least one other person. If you’re backcountry skiing, this rule goes triple because you have the added risk of avalanches.
Summary
Now that you’ve read the top 5 reasons why you should take your next ski trip with a ski club, have you made up your mind? We know that sometimes it’s nerve-wracking stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting up with new people, but I know that you are only going to regret not doing it sooner! I hope this guide has been able to help you out. Have fun on the slopes!
Ski Clubs of the United States
Be sure to see some of our articles if you are new to skiing:
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