The 2008-2009 Ski Season

By Your Ski Trip Committee

Current economic conditions forewarned us . . . rising oil prices, inflation, currency fluctuations and airline cost-cutting efforts are affecting everyone including the KOPSC. Despite the VERY BEST EFFORTS of our Ski Trip Committee, the expense of our club’s 2008-09 ski trips has increased. The club has made every attempt to lock-in pricing but we may be hit with additional fuel surcharges and/or currency fluctuations between trip sign-up and departure. These expenses will be passed on directly to trip participants.

KOPSC week-long ski trips are limited to Taos, New Mexico; Vail, Colorado; Banff/Lake Louise Canada; Winter Park, Colorado and Snowbasin and Powder Mountain, Utah – we are unable to expand any of these trips so do not hesitate in signing up. The club is also offering a long weekend trip to Killington, Vermont for the EPSC Winter Carnival and other New England destinations which will be introduced in the September Mogul and available for sign-up at the September General Meeting.

Plans to offer a “two nations” ski trip visiting Big Mountain and Fernie have ended because of new airline routing changes; presently air service into northern Montana is extremely limited for groups desiring weekend travel. We will try again next season.

Surcharges for baggage fees - that is, “everything” except the one piece you are allowed to carry on the plane - are being implemented by the airlines. KOPSC trip prices DO NOT include luggage surcharges and you should be prepared to pay $15-25 per piece of checked luggage each way. As an additional caution, at this time we do not know if your boot and ski bags will be considered as 1 or 2 bags. Please note airline surcharges are subject to change.

By planning ahead, you may be able to limit excessive charges – a few ideas to consider are:

• Upgrade your boot bag – newer designs are backpacks and if not overstuffed, should
  fit nicely in the overhead compartment (mine did last year).
• Research the cost to rent and/or demo skis/snowboard instead of bringing them OR add $25+ each way to take them with you.
• Pack conservatively – hotels/condos have washers and dryers.

Looking for good news? Absolutely NO CHANGE as to how much FUN we always have on a KOPSC ski trip!