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For many folks, summer is the time to partake in fun outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, biking and barbecues. During the winter months, people can get wrapped up in spending their days bemoaning the cold and dreary winter months. However, wintertime doesn’t have to be this way — if you know where to look and where to go, the cold months in Europe can be just as recreational and exciting as summertime. Lucky for all of us, there are great ski and boarding clubs in the KMC that will help to ensure your winter is far from boring.
In the KMC, we are fortunate to have not one, but two ski clubs offering trips to some of the greatest ski areas in Europe. If you‘ve never skied or boarded before, you might at first write this opportunity off but before you do keep a couple of things in mind. First, many of our members join simply for the camaraderie and opportunity to meet and make new friends as well as the opportunity to travel to beautiful Alpine villages. Second, many ski club members are at the early stages of skiing and boarding and are beginners themselves so remember, it’s never too late to learn.
Kaiserslautern-West Pfalz Ski Club is a small club, generally geared toward families and people who enjoy a low-key, quieter crowd. But don’t let that fool you, this club is all about having a wonderful ski experience.
Tannenbaum Ski Club is a larger club. It is geared toward singles and couples of all ages who enjoy a very energetic crowd. The members like to have fun, and they have an infectious spirit that can make a ski trip an unforgettable experience.
Membership in both clubs is open to ID cardholders who have a desire to be a part of a fun club, make lasting friendships and to get out and enjoy Europe. Each club holds socials twice a month from September through May. The socials feature trip sign-ups, entertainment, refreshments and a chance to hobnob with fellow enthusiasts.
The beauty of ski clubs is the convenience they provide to their members. A Trip Captain is assigned to each trip. The TC is responsible for running and organizing all aspects of the trip from sign-ups to hotel and transportation arrangements. All you have to do is sign up, make your payment and drive to the departure point. After loading, you’ll settle in your seat and enjoy the ride. Both clubs provide food and drink on the bus. Depending on the location of the hotel, the TC may collect lift pass money and purchase the passes for you the first day. TCs will provide you with departure times, meal times and other needed assistance. Sometimes the lifts are within walking distance from the hotel; sometimes you’ll take public transportation; and sometimes the group will use their own bus to get to the lifts. It all depends on the location. When the weekend comes to an end, the bus will return you to the original parking area.
The cost of each trip varies. The price for most trips includes bus transportation, hotel room, breakfast and dinner, and food and drink on the bus. You’ll be responsible for paying for your lift tickets, lunch on the slopes and drinks at dinner. Bus trips usually depart on Friday afternoon and, depending on the weekend, will return Sunday or Monday evening. Trips can take anywhere from six to nine hours depending on the destination.
Both ski clubs provide its members not only with an opportunity to ski in Europe but to see and do other interesting things as a group. For example, the clubs also take trips to Oktoberfest, area wine fests and adventure trips. They foster positive relations among their members, the KMC and the European skiing communities through both skiing and social functions.
The Kaiserslautern-West Pfalz Ski Club meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Bistrorante Paradox in Ramstein Village. For more information, visit www.kwestpfalzskiclub.com or “like” them on Facebook.
The Tannenbaum Ski Club meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Belgian Club, Bldg. 308 on Ramstein. For more information, visit www.tannenbaumskiclub.org or “like” them on Facebook.
Skiing starts early in Germany and both clubs are already offering holiday ski trips. You owe it to yourself and your family to take advantage of the opportunities the area ski clubs offer.
