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Greetings HISC Members,
Hope everyone had a great Halloween and that you’re not regretting the fact that you nibbled on some of those treats you purchased for the trick or treaters.
November. Wow! It’s time to get serious about this ski/snowboard business. In addition to highlighting trip status in this newsletter, I’ll touch on several pre-season checks and services you’ll want to consider.
Our social theme for 11 November is Patriotic Pride and Bring a Friend. The 11th is a Federal Holiday so there can’t be “I’m too busy” excuses not to come. Besides, if you miss this social, you may miss the opportunity to participate on the Martin Luther King Weekend Portes du Soleil and Kitzbuhel trips – both opening at this meeting and often an opening night sellout.
We encourage you to salute our veterans and show your patriotic pride by wearing red, white, and blue to the social. Additionally, bring a non-member friend(s) to the event. That non-member friend(s) will be treated as a special guest for the evening and be offered a complimentary beverage. This is a great hassle free way to introduce friends to the club.
I mentioned pre-season checks and services. Here are some things to consider:
The Ski Doctor is in. Our affiliated Heidelberg Ski Patrollers will be open for business at this social. They will be fully equipped to service your skis or boards at unbeatable prices. The price ranges from 5 to 15 euros, depending on servicing desires. These experienced maintainers are prepared to provide edging, hot wax, and/or p-tex services. This is a good deal. Take advantage of it. All servicing is done while you’re socializing. Get ready for Obergurgl. The Patrollers will be prepared to nurse your skis back to health on these additional dates: 2 Dec, 6 Jan, 3 Feb, 3 Mar and 14 April. Note, the Ski Doctor will not service at every meeting as in the past. They’ll provide the service once a month.
Your place of duty on the 11th is ADAC to check out their winter season offerings. Chains, ski books, insurance, and good looking clothing are all available. I encourage you to consider the Winter Sport Insurance program ADAC offers and you may want to inquire about the travel health insurance, as well. Here are some highlights:
Winter Sport Insurance – This insurance has been specifically created for recreational skiers and boarders. Its components include:
- Winter sports equipment protection – Equipment is insured in route to/from and at the ski resort. Skis, boards, bindings, poles, boots and helmets are protected in case of theft, damage, or breakage for an amount not to exceed 800 euro for skis and boards, 300 euros for boots, and 100 euros for helmets. Reimbursement is graduated in 20% increments based on the age of the equipment. No reimbursement is granted if the equipment is six years or more old.
- Personal Accident Insurance which includes disability (15,000E age 13 and under/20,000E age 14 and over), death (5,000E), or evacuation (2,500E). The evacuation component of this insurance is particularly appealing and, in the past, some of our members have been most thankful they purchased the insurance.
- Third party liability for personal injury and damage to property up to 500,000 euro.
- Legal protection – Bail up to 25,000 euro and legal fees up to 50,000 euros.
The insurance package is good for one year from the date of purchase. This is a change as it used to be a fall to spring package. Now we can ski Europe in the winter and South America in the summer. By now you’re probably asking how much this will set you back…well certainly not as much as it would cost you to replace equipment or get evacuated from the slopes. In my view, the cost makes this a no brainer. A season policy for skiers is 27 euro single, 55 euro family; for ski/boarders 55 euro single, 112 euro family. That sure says something about snowboarding…quite a cost differential. There is a special 12 day policy, as well, for those one week trippers among you; ideal for the visiting college student. The 12 day policy costs: 12E single/24E family for skiers and 28E single/56E family for boarders.
ADAC Travel Health Insurance (17euro) – This insurance provides world-wide assistance outside Germany, 24 hrs a day, in the event of sudden illness or injury, for example following an accident. ADAC organizes the required assistance where necessary. You receive reimbursement for in-patient, out-patient and dental emergency treatment outside of Germany. Search and rescue operations will be paid up to a maximum of 2,600 euro per person. In the event of sudden severe illness, ADAC will repatriate you to your place of residence in Germany, if required by ambulance jet. This policy may be of interest to those of you that enjoy frequent recreational travel outside of Germany. Since this policy is a little more involved, but still a very reasonable rate, it is best that you inquiry at ADAC if you think you may be interested.
Enough on insurance, on to more pleasant things. Englehorn and SkiMax are now open for winter ski gear business – rental and purchase. You may want to pay them a visit as the season ramps up. SkiMax has 50% sales ongoing for last year apparel. I also noted a limited number of mark-downs on some equipment at both SkiMax and Englehorn. Both establishments take the VAT form but SkiMax only takes cash or the EC card. Most HISC members know where Englehorn and SkiMax are located if you are new and unfamiliar with their locations. Simply consult with an old HISC member. Also, visit MWR outdoor rec if you want to preview rental equipment. MWR rental prices are reasonable. For instance:
- Adult downhill ski package – skis, boots, poles - $20
- Child downhill ski package – skis, boots, poles - $15
- Downhill Skis - $15
- Downhill Boots - $5
- Downhill Poles - $5
- Full Snowboard Package – boots, board - $25
- Snowboard - $15
- Snowboard Boots - $5
- Snowboard Bindings - $5
For those new skiers among you, proper fitting boots are the single most important component of your ski ensemble. They will most influence your ski ability and enjoyment. Spend some time getting the right boots.
On to trips…
Please note we have a minor date mix-up for several trips in the Ski Guide. The Trip Schedule matrix on pages 14 and 15 of the Ski Guide is correct. The trip descriptions for PDS, Kitzbuehl, Zell, Ski Safari, and Ischgl, however, reflex last year’s dates…they are misaligned by one calendar day. Whoops, sorry about that.
Arabba and Oburgurgl close at this social. Please ensure you have paid in full and that, in the case of Oburgurgl, you have selected your bus seat. Any opportunity to get on one of these trips after the 11th will be solely based on space available and contractual commitments made to the hotel on the date you inquire. Obergurgl has 5 cm (town) - 40 cm (mountain top) of snow with 23 cm more forecasted between Monday and Sunday.
Stuben still has room vacancies. Take advantage of this early season price and most desirable destination that is ideally situated in the middle of the Arlberg.
St. Veit also has trip vacancies. This is a best value trip and is the perfect vacation to develop your skiing ability. No previous ski experience is necessary. Skiers are divided into one of six ski ability groups ranging from the non-skier to those that simply want to explore the area on a guided ski safari. The area contains 267 ski lifts covering 860 km of prepared ski runs. Traditional Austrian activities are planned every evening after dinner. An alternative spa package can be arranged. Babysitting service by hour, day or week can also be arranged. Parents can buy lunch coupons for young children taking lessons and the instructor will ensure the child is properly fed. Adult and child beginner classes are kept separate.
Our big openings on the 11th are Portes du Soleil and Kitzbuhel; both over Martin Luther King Weekend , 15-18 Jan. Because of their popularity, we will issue customer service sequence numbers at the reception table beginning at 1815. Dave and Mag will begin servicing interested trip participants in customer service numerical sequence beginning at 1900. Such a procedure will allow you an opportunity to mingle while those ahead of you are serviced. This helps eliminate standing in a time consuming line.
Both trips probably need no introduction, but let me do so for our new members.
Portes du Soleil – The largest international ski resort in the world straddling Switzerland and France. The runs are great for keen intermediates who like to travel long distances and through different resorts. The area has some great rustic mountain restaurants, serving delicious food in pleasant, sunny settings. This is a destination where you can ski until your legs are on fire or simply cruise absorbing the scenery and enjoying the slope side restaurants. For those concerned about missing football play-off games, not to worry. Some members have staked out a local sports bar and cheered their team on to the wee hours of the morning…and still skied the next morning.
Kitbuhel – This trip is all about ambiance, rustic, mountain ski-in/out, family camaraderie, the adventure in a perfect Tyrolean setting. It’s a trip that produces fond memories and many a tale. Friday the 15th is a training holiday so participants depart PHV bright and early in the morning to catch some time on the slopes in the afternoon. Upon arrival at the base of the mountain, people and gear are transported up the mountain. Upon exiting the lift, the gear is loaded onto snowmobiles and transported to a rustic hutte. Participants ski to the hutte or rejoin their gear at the hutte latter in the day. Accommodations are bunk house like with triples and quads which the youngsters love as they play games and watch videos while adults lounge around the charming bar and chat or play games. Pass Thurn, the area for our base of operations, is the most snow sure area of Kitbuhel. Last year, those going to Kitbuhel enjoyed beautiful powder while those going to Portes du Soleil experienced some rather funky weather.
Our social after 11 Nov is 2 Dec. Given Thanksgiving, we’re stretching our time between meetings to three weeks. Andermatt will open on 2 Dec and Stuben and St. Veit will close.
Look forward to seeing you on the 11th. Bring a friend. No excuses…no work on Wednesday. And don’t forget to visit ADAC.
Visit www.heidelbergski.com for up to date postings, resort information and associated links, and club policies and procedures. Please share your website ideas with Nanci McGonigal if you have recommended improvements.
Regards,
Al Rasper
09-10 HISC President