About 30 years ago I went to the mountains for the first time for a five day backpacking trip. I felt terrible for the first 3 or 4 days culminat-ing in a really bad migraine headache that put me on my back for about six hours. I contributed it to my inexperience with backpacking in general. I was told that the “proper” thing to do to prepare yourself was to get plenty of rest, stay away from alcohol and drink plenty of water. Ha! Not likely 30 years ago.

Through the years since, with more mountain hiking and later with skiing in the mountains, I continued to deal with the symptoms of what I now know as “altitude sickness”. Then I went on a ski trip to Breckenridge where one never gets below 9,500 ft. elevation, even to sleep. I came off the slopes on the second or third day with the worst migraine I’ve ever had. It was so bad that even my hair hurt. I couldn’t put my head down on a pillow that night. The next morning at the clinic, the doctor diagnosed cerebral edema from altitude sick-ness. Oxygen and drugs took care of this, and I missed only one day of skiing. My friend Warren Schmid suffered the next day except his symptoms were worse with pulmonary edema and fluids in the lungs.

Here are some conclusions I’ve gathered from my experiences:

1. Anyone can get altitude sickness. It doesn’t matter how great of shape you are in or are not in.

2. You can suffer from it at any age.

3. You can go for years without it being a problem and then suddenly get it.

4. You can suffer from “moderate” symptoms for years without knowing that it’s altitude sickness causing them.

5. If your skiing trip has you sleeping above 8,000 to 9,000 ft. so that you never get out of the high altitude, then the oc-

currence is more likely and/or the symptoms will be more severe.

I found some information from the “Mogul Medical Urgent Care” group in Taos Ski Valley that covers the subject well. Our recent Taos trip (sleeping at 9,300 ft.) had roughly six “moderate” sufferers out of 25 people on the trip. A drug (Diamox) can be prescribed to take

before and during your trip; it can go a long way towards making your trip a most enjoyable one. Check with your doctor first. But be sure to :

• Take it easy the first few days, stop skiing if short of breath

• Drink lots of water, back off the booze, no sleeping pills

• Get lots of carbohydrates

• Seek medical help if you feel really bad. Oxygen or Diamox may be prescribed.

Good Skiing with a good attitude!

March-April 2010 NEWS FOR SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS Volume 50, No. 2

www.indyskiclub.org

SPRING MELTDOWN

Thursday April 8, 630 PM Rathskeller (2nd floor), New Jersey & Michigan

Bring stories and pictures to share. Cash bar. (Also club elections)

Check your April E-Boomer or online at www.indyskiclub.org

YOUR PHOTOS NEEDED FOR APRIL MEETING If you haven’t already done so please send me a few of your best digital (jpg format) photos from this season’s trips. We prefer photos in the 100 to 500 KB size range. Be sure to note what trip each photo represents. And please limit the total e-mail size to less than 2 MB (send multiple e-mails if necessary). Thanks Mel kj9c@iquest.net

ATTITUDE AT ALTITUDE By: John Oberlies

Cortina, Italy $1740** 32 Spaces Mar 6 thru Mar 14 (Sat-Sun) (Delta to Venice)

- 7 nights Hotel Splendid Venezia, 2/room , - 7 breakfasts/dinners @ Splendid Venezia - Possible to ski 6 days. Lift tickets not included - Welcome party and parade. -**Plus fuel surcharge & departure taxes, current total = $415.83, but subject to change. Total trip at this time = $2155.83 - Several day tips in planning stage- possibly Venice, Innsbruck, Vipiteno, ski at Kronplatz

- Final payment due Contact: Randy Ridgway – 765-659-2075 (H) rridgway@accs.net

Whitefish, MT $1120 34 Spaces Mar 13 thru Mar 20(Sat-Sat) (NW to Kalispell)

- 7 nights Lodge at Whitefish - 2 & 3 bedroom condos - 5 day lift tickets, - Beer & chips reception party - Frequent shuttles to ski area and town - Final payment due

Contact: Priscilla Johnson – 545-7776 (H) johnsonteam@comcast.net

Beaver Creek $1330 32 Spaces (1 Space left) March 27 thru April 3 (Sat-Sat) (United to Denver)

- 7 nights Ridgepoint condos - 2 & 3 bedroom condos - 5 day lift ticket (good for 5 areas) - Frequent shuttles to ski area and entertainment - Pizza party,

- Final payment due Contact: Jean Ballinger – 696-2120 (C) skierjean@yahoo.com

Bariloche Argentina with OVSC 8/26-9/4 TBA - Pre-trips to Galapagos and Macchu Picchu

LATEST INFO IS ONLINE AT www.indyskiclub.org

RETURNED

RETURNED

LATEST INFO IS ONLINE AT

www.indyskiclub.org

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Indianapolis Ski Club 2009-2010 Trip Schedule

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WANTED—Kid’s skis, boots, poles (Ages 5-8). Contact Kay Anderson at kfsand43@gmail.com FOR SALE– Atomic R-11 shaped skis, 180 CM, great on groomers and bumps. $100 OBO Mel Crichton kj9c@iquest.net DID YOU KNOW? Ski club members can advertise ski gear, up to 2 lines, free.

RETURNED RETURNED

RETURNED

Vail (short) $885, 7 spaces Dec 10 thru Dec 14 (Thurs-Mon) (United to Denver) Dick Surber – 818-9293 (H) raskisy@sbcglobal.net Salt Lake Safari $1380, 26 spaces Dec 26 thru Jan 1 (Sat-Fri) (Delta to Salt Lake) Contact: Jim Robinson – 997-5267 (C) jimrobinson46077@earthlink.net Steamboat CO $970, 42 spaces Jan 16 thru Jan 23 (Sat-Sat) (AA to Hayden CO) Contact: Julie Snyder – 254-0609 (H) jasnyder7575@sbcglobal.net Learn to ski—Improve your skiing OPEN TO ALL January 30, Perfect North Slopes, Lawrenceburg IN raskisy@sbcglobal.net Taos NM $1440, 24 spaces Feb 6 thru Feb 13 (Sat-Sat) (AA to Albuquerque) Contact: Joan Naffziger –823-8192 (H) jenaff555@hotmail.com Keystone $1250, 28 spaces Feb 27 thru March 6 (Sat-Sat) (United to Denver) Contact: Dick Surber – 818-9293 (H) raskisy@sbcglobal.net Schuss Mountain (Indiana ski Council family/race weekend) $275** Feb 19, 20, 21 (Fri-Sun) Contact: Randy Ridgway – 765-659-2075 (H) rridgway@accs.net

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS & SNOW SHOERS

How about Roscommon/Higgins Lake area in Michigan for Cross Country & snow shoeing ? For a great calendar of weekend activities: http://www.cross-country-ski.com/blog/?cat=4 Anyone want to go up this season? Lola McIntyre lmcintyre@indy.rr.com

TRIP NEWS Dick Surber VP Trips

2010 As I write this article, 3 trips, Vail, Salt Lake and Steamboat, have already left and returned. None of the trips had travel issues, and everyone seemed to have a very good time. By the time you read this, Taos will have left and returned. It is snowing outside and they leave tomorrow.

The final 4 trips have no available space. If you are interested in Cortina, I think it highly probable that we could get you on. I think we could get air for you. Ground package should be no problem.

The remaining 3 western trips have full condos. I would need at least 4 people wanting to fill an additional condo to make it worthwhile to try to get more people on Keystone, Whitefish or Beaver Creek.

The “Learn to Ski Better” day at Perfect North went very well. Twenty one people attended and were taught by 3 of our Club’s PSIA certified ski Instructors. The emails from the participants had high praise for the event and the instructors. We will plan to do it again next year. Thanks to Suzie Carlson, Jerry Baker and Mel Crich-ton for taking time out from your schedules to teach for the benefit of our club. After teaching all day, Suzie took a few more runs and unfortunately injured her knee. We’re pulling for you Suzie, and thanks for your hard work making this event happen.

2011 The Ohio Valley Ski Council (OVSC) has made Breckenridge the “winter” trip from 1/29/2011 to 2/5/2011. This is a trip we may put into our schedule. Let Jean Ballinger know if you want us to consider this trip. (skierjean@yahoo.com)

The European trip next year will definitely be to France sometime in March. Brides Les Bains at 3 Valleys is the most likely site.

OVSC is considering three sites for the “spring” trip: Crested Butte, Mammoth and Sun Valley. Let me know if you are interested in any of these raskisy@sbcglobal.net. I do have one vote (out of 17) as to where OVCS goes. We always consider putting OVSC trips into our sched-ule, but don’t always participate due to schedule con-flicts, or sometimes (like this year) it may be due to price (Banff OVSC was very expensive).

Thanks for your support of your club this year.

Call for Candidates — By Joan Naffziger, President-elect

Imagine if there was no VP of Western Trips or Boomer Editor or Web Manager. You would not get to pick from all the great trips planned this year, read about the trips and other events or even read this article. The Indianapolis Ski Club is over 50 years old. It is a volunteer organization. That means it is run and managed by the members. Being an officer has evolved in that time from contested elections with cam-paigning, a Board of 20-24 people and 4 hour Board meetings to a small dedicated group who meet ap-proximately every other month for a couple hours. Much of the Club Management is handled electronically. I have been a member since 1993. For 10 of those years I served in various offices- VP of Western trips, VP of membership, Boomer Editor and as an at-large Board member. That is not uncommon among the terrific group of people who are serving the club now. We no longer have elections for many offices. We have Board appointments because filling the slate to hold elections became a challenge. I was asked to take over as President-Elect when Jennifer Rhamy moved to Chicago. I agreed to because I love to ski. I have made so many good friends through the Club and want to support it. I will finish her term and be President next year. Open positions include Secretary, VP-Trips Elect, and President Elect. You may also run for Membership VP or treasurer. Each job is for one year, but president-elect and trip VP-elect are two years commitments (you move up the sec-ond year and a new “job-elect” is elected. If you have never been an officer or it's been many years, please give it some thought and contact me or any current Board member. It doesn't pay but it is fun and it doesn't hurt to serve. Imagine if there was no President, Treasurer, Secretary...you get the picture. Thanks in advance for stepping up!

Salt Lake Ski Safari at New Year’s

BONUS PHOTO SECTION (for E-Mail subscribers, but not in the paper version be-cause the editor is too cheap to pay the extra printing and postage cost.)

Mike and Amanda, Jerry’s shiner, Moose drops by, and some mountain scenery at

Alta and Solitude.

Improve your skiing/Learn to ski day at Perfect North, January 30

BONUS PHOTO SECTION (for E-Mail subscribers, but not in the paper version be-cause the editor is too cheap to pay the extra printing and postage cost.)

MANY MORE PHOTOS ARE ONLINE AT www.indyskiclub.org

CARHARTT

The OFFICIAL Skiwear of the

Ohio Valley. Check us out at

www.carhartt.com

Find out more about skiing Perfect North at www.perfectnorth.com

You can look at more photos taken on January 30

Steamboat Colorado January 16-23

Broncos cheerleaders and some Colts fans

BONUS PHOTO SECTION (for E-Mail subscribers, but not in the paper version be-cause the editor is too cheap to pay the extra printing and postage cost.)

MANY MORE PHOTOS ARE ONLINE AT www.indyskiclub.org

Clockwise from left: Ron finds the martini tree; Celebrating a Colts TD; view of village from the mountain; sun decking at the Bavarian; part of the group at the bridge over the Rio Grande gorge; dinner at Roger and Diane’s; more sun decking; and Group skiing”

BONUS PHOTO SECTION (for E-Mail subscribers, but not in the paper version be-cause the editor is too cheap to pay the extra printing and postage cost.)

Taos New Mexico, February 6-13

Indy Ski Club Salt Lake Safari Ski Trip – Dec 26 thru Jan 1, 2010—by Jim Robinson

In a nutshell, all 23 trip participants had a wonderful time and the ski-ing, lodging, and camaraderie were superb!! Our adventure started with an early morning flight direct from Indy to Salt Lake the day after Christmas for 21 of our group members. We were joined later by Mike Robinson from San Francisco and by Amanda DeVuono, who was a day late after her flight from New York City was delayed due to bad weather. For the rest of our group our trip was uneventful ex-cept that a few of our members dealt with late luggage. Not to worry – it showed up in the middle of the night! After a 20 minute bus ride from the airport, we arrived at our hotel, the Salt Lake Hilton City

Center, centrally located in the downtown area and within walk-ing distance to a wide array of shopping, dining and entertain-ment choices. After an early check-in at the hotel, we were welcomed at a reception and got our lift tickets and other items for the week. With Saturday afternoon free, folks spent the bal-ance of the day renting equipment, shopping, touring the city, and relaxing at the hotel. A couple even spent one evening enjoying the ‘Nutcracker’ ballet just a few blocks away! The ‘Blue Iguana’ Mexican restraint seemed to be a favorite and the ‘Mole Experience’ was a hoot... except for some people who don’t like to experiment with food! The hot breakfast at the ho-tel each morning was fabulous and it was complementary – Vicki may have found a new career serving the morning coffee there!! We had 5 days of excellent skiing (and boarding for Alex, our lone snowboarder) at the four resorts (Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude). Each morning we boarded our bus for the 45 minute commute to the resorts and returned each day at 4 pm when the lifts closed. The week started out normally with all the lifts open and got incredibly better toward the end of the

week when 16 inches of new snow arrived within a 24 hour period. It was groomers early in the week ...and powder and tree skiing later in the week for our more advanced skiers. The lift lines weren’t too bad except for Dec 31st when the crowd swelled and traffic on the mountain was so congested that it took twice as long to get back to the hotel as normal. Lois, Shanny, Russ, and Will didn’t ski every day but had a wonderful time on the mountains by snowshoeing during the week. We were fortunate to have Jerry Baker as our instructor, and several of our members took advantage of the opportunity, keeping Jerry quite busy in lessons. Everyone agreed that Jerry did a fantastic job teaching – thanks Jerry!! He was so busy that his wife, Cindy Baker, was asked about Jerry’s whereabouts one afternoon and was overheard saying ‘they’ll find him in the Spring’! Cindy was nick-named the ‘Black Widow’ for leading her vic-tims up the ridge! Jerry sported a black eye – looked like he did a couple rounds with Mohamed Ali! Mel Crichton skied 5 days and came out of his skis four times before realizing that his bindings had been set at Zero for the summer and he forgot to reset them…guess that means he was skiing over his skis! Lola had such a great time that she updated her Facebook page each day. Amanda, a 2nd year law school student, got lots of advice from the two practicing lawyers on the trip, Shanny and Merryn. Macy, a 10 year old beginner, reluctantly learned to make turns – she thought it was more fun to just point ‘em downhill and let them go! Before we knew it, the week was over and it was time to head for home. We ended our stay in Salt Lake on New Year’s Eve with a great pizza party after which many of our members made the short walk to the Mormon temple, which was fabu-lously lit for Christmas with millions of Christmas lights, lots of music, and other fes-

tivities. Next morning we boarded our bus for the short ride to the airport and the flight back home. But not before the gals found a boutique selling ‘neon psychedelic boots’ which most purchased as a keepsake! (Or to wear to White-fish later in the season)

MEMBER DIRECTORIES HAVE BEEN MAILED

If you did not receive your copy (one per household) please contact Marilyn Rader

rm.rader@sbcglobal.net or phone 317-888-7168.

ISC at Steamboat Springs January 16-23, 2010

On Saturday 1/16 we left Indianapolis (almost short the Ridgways & Cristal) bound for Hayden Colorado. We arrived 52 strong with out missing people, luggage, or skis (just one boot bag failed to arrive). Once checked into the Ranch at Steamboat, people scattered to the grocery, ski rental, or to their rooms to settle in for the week and prepare for the football game. The Colts won the AFC Championship while we watched in condos or as a part of the ISC group (thanks Noli) at the Tap House in downtown Steamboat. Sunday was our first ski day. It could be described as “MLK crowded” and sunny, almost spring-like skiing. Monday on the slopes was more crowds with less sun. That evening we had our pizza party at the Ranch conference center, a space large enough to hold all of us. We had a LOT of pizza with plenty left over for breakfast. We acknowledged Randy, Noli, and Kent with Steamboat “Cowboy Downhill” caps for their January birthdays. Randy announced the NASTAR course had unlimited runs for $10. Many agreed to race on Tuesday. Racing returned to ISC in Steamboat with the following NASTAR results: Pacesetters: Shawn Ansari & Vivian Rich Platinum (First ever) : Randy Ridgway & Vivian Rich Gold (First time gold) : Eileen Ridgway & Susan Neves (first time racer) Randy says “It just goes to prove you CAN get faster & older at the same time”.

We finished our day at the slopes watching the Cowboy Downhill races and stampede, sitting on the deck at Bear River Bar & Grill. There was a lot of laughter, even among the cowboys (use the links below to view some of the action). Wednesday was a day off for some and a ski day for many. We had some snow flurries, but did not get powder. That evening we went out with the intention of dancing, but NOT when the band turned out to be heavy metal. Many moved on to the Boat House to play quarters. Thursday was another ski day or day off. A number of people bought helmets for some reason. After dinner the group lured me to condo 110 to surprise me for my birthday. It was very nice of all of you and we took a great picture of most of the group. Cristal & Heather, I already told you what I think of you both (that will remain between us). Friday was the last day to play before packing to go home. And we made it home without any problems. The week was full of things we shared: lunches on the mountain, après ski at Bear River, watching the Cowboy Downhill, shopping for belt buckles with Cristal, racing NASTAR , pizza-pizza-pizza, shuttle-shuttle-shuttle, good times (and Jell-O shots )in the hot tub after skiing hard, ski lessons with Shawn (many many thanks for that Shawn!!!), watching the Colts game. And a safe return home. Zoelle, I hope you are OK after taking that snowboarder hit. To all, ski hard and stay safe. Here are some “quips” from the participants. • Amazing! Shawn’s lessons and the number of people taking them. • Both Viv and I fell down the stairs in our condos… my only fall of the week.

• I stayed in the trees as much as possible (maybe the best tree skiing in the Rockies)

• Rotten snow but we made the best of it….very few rocks showing.

• Drinks at 8 in the morning. On the day we left we had many drinks to “finish off”.

• There was just too much fun! Could go on and on.

• Playing speed quarters. • Martha putting her ski boots on the wrong feet and not realizing it until half way done buckling them.

• Randy having a Caesar salad for lunch on the mountain and sprinkling “Parmesan cheese” on it (Hey Randy, how did the SUGAR really taste on salad ?)

• The club seems so well run and full of such

nice people. What a fantastic plus to have those instructors! Good club☺

Many thanks to all for a GREAT week of fun and friends. Julie (Harriet) Snyder

Fashion news: Bruce has a NEW jacket (and the IU sweatshirt is gone, as well !!! )

To see the Steamboat cowboy downhill visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0WN1FOWjH0&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxN5IapfRMA&NR=1&feature=fvwp

MOST of the trip participants

About 21 club members met early Saturday morning to rent skis, get discounted lift tickets, and stake out a table for the day (Thanks Deb-

bie for holding it down). A number of “never-evers” took their free into lesson from the Perfect North ski school while the more experienced newbies went off with Suzie, leaving the intermediates with Jerry and Mel. Needless to say that, on a Saturday, the crowds were huge and sometimes scary (right, Julia?). But we made it through the morning and enjoyed a typical low-cost Perfect North lunch, after which we reorganized our groups and had more instruction. Everyone had a

Learn To Ski (Better) at Perfect North January 30

President’s Report _ March 2010, by Jim Robinson

What a great year of skiing – with just a few more trips on the schedule! A big thanks to all our trip lead-ers, ski instructors, and everyone else involved in putting together a terrific season. Great trips, lots of fun, fantastic venues, and wonderful snow – how much better could it be!!! I’ve heard from the folks who par-ticipated in our recent ‘Learn to Ski (Better)’ event at Perfect North that it was a huge success – a big thanks to Suzie and all the others who arranged and conducted it! I can’t believe that as I write this re-port, our ski season is once again winding down. I’m looking forward to some spring skiing in March be-fore it’s time to put away the skis, and then looking forward to seeing everyone at the April Meltdown meeting at the Rathskeller – don’t be left out or you’ll be sorry you missed the fun. At the April meeting, we’ll have elections for the new Board that will take over management of the clubs affairs and arranging the schedule of next year’s trips. I’ve served on the Board these past four years and it’s been a very re-warding experience, so if you’re asked to serve, please accept. If you are willing to volunteer, please don’t hesitate to contact next year’s President Joan Naffziger and let her know of your interest. The club is man-aged by a small group of dedicated volunteers who devote only a small amount of time to the club to keep things running smoothly. The club is financially sound and our membership is stable, so there’s really not much time required as a Board member. Please speak with Joan or go to the club’s web-site for a descrip-tion of the Board positions. Hope to see you on the slopes in March and at our April Meltdown meeting!

Kurt Auzins 3/19 Donna Schmidlin 3/20 Michael Gossweiler 3/21 Melody Ingle 3/31 Ron Jacks 3/31 Heather Morr 4/2 Jim Robinson 4/4 Steven Hoover 4/5 Benjamin Maxwell 4/5 Elvi Mitchell 4/5 Laryn Peterson 4/6 Gayle Blumenberg 4/7 Neil Behrle 4/9 Kathy Sax 4/9

David Adair 4/12 Andrea Caperell-Grant 4/14 Jim Lower 4/15 Nobuyoshi Sato 4/15 Will McIntyre 4/17 Toby Hamilton 4/19 Paula Sacher 4/19 Chuck Heinrich 4/25 Richard Sexson 4/26 Bill Ihrer 4/27 Heiko Kaiser 4/28 James Eckman 4/29 Toni Price 4/29 David Harrison 4/30

March - April BIRTHDAYS

Elizabeth Craig 3/1 Marilyn Rader 3/1 Susan Johnson 3/2 Jeff Holland 3/3 Don Birt 3/7 Betty Krause 3/8 Philip Rothrock 3/9 Scott Molin 3/13 Rusty Stefanak 3/18 Steve Airo 3/19

Update - South America OVSC trip to Argentina, Machu Picchu and Galapagos on hold: Several members are interested in the trip to South America this summer, including skiing in Ar-

gentina and side trips to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. This trip is being organized thru Ohio

Valley Ski Council, with which our club is affiliated. However, the trip is on hold due to the

weather related problems in Peru’s famed Machu Picchu citadel after mudslides at the end of

January blocked a railway and killed several tourists. Several of the trails have been destroyed.

Heavy rains triggered up to 40 landslide avalanches, one of which blocked the railway between

Machu Picchu and Cuzco. The train to the city of Cuzco is the only means of transport to the ru-

ins, was heavily damaged, and

it’s unclear when it will be restored. Therefore the trip is currently on-hold until it’s sure that the Ma-

chu Picchu leg can be restored. If not, then it’s

likely the trip will be offered by OVSC in 2011.

Watch for updates on the web or in the Boomer or

contact Jim Robinson for more information.

Argentina ONLY Aug 26-Sept 4 (7 Nights)

Machu Picchu ONLY Aug 22-Aug 28 (4 Nights)

Galapagos & Machu Picchu Aug 17-Aug 28 (9 Nights)

Machu Picchu & Argentina Aug 22-Sep 4 (11 Nights)

Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Argentina Aug 17- Sep 4 (16 Nights)

The trip to Taos was a great success. Despite leaving on a snowy Saturday morning there were no weather delays, but the bus ride from Albuquerque took a looooong time. We left Indy at 8:15 AM and arrived at the hotel over 12 hours later after a grocery stop for essen-tials. The Snakedance threw a great wine & cheese reception, and after the long travel day the appetizers and drinks went pretty quick. Sunday was our first of 3 snowy days and all but 5 of our 24 started our 6 pack of 2 hour lessons. They were great for all levels including highly advanced, and Michael got “private” snowboard lessons and tried the terrain park.

Sunday evening we gathered at the Martini Tree Bar with front row tables in front of their 8 foot screen to watch our Colts in the Super Bowl. Decked out in Blue we yelled and screamed, but we all know the outcome. Ron bought us pizza, Sue brought face paints & “tattoos” and Randy led us in “First Down” cheers. By the end of the evening most of the bar seemed to be cheering for the Saints. We cheered to the bitter end and then stood and graciously applauded the Saints, an act that may have averted some “violence”.

We watched it snow outside throughout the Super Bowl and woke to LOTS of fresh powder on Monday, and by day’s end we had 24”. Most of our Monday lessons were powder lessons.

Monday evening we took a shuttle to the Rio Grande Gorge and then to our hotel manager’s home in the desert outside of Taos, where Roger & Diane hosted a wonderful dinner for us. They do this for each of the 31 groups staying at the Snakedance this year. Many of us were in awe of the wonderful wine cellar; we almost couldn’t get Lisa out. We learned their secret for delicious margaritas - Grand Marnier. While our visit was short, we felt welcome and never were rushed.

At Tuesday après ski at the St Bernard most of us enjoyed instructor/author Doug Decoursey give an entertaining and helpful (and a little windy) talk about skiing technique. After 3 days of snow and clouds the sun broke through on Wednesday and stayed the last three days. The temperature was 20 something, and it was absolutely beautiful when we finally got to see the scenery we’d been missing.

Many were surprised by the base altitude of 9200 feet, so altitude sickness took a number of victims - Kurt, Fred, Kathy, Christy, Eileen - and a few more. Some wound up with a $230 trip for meds & oxygen at the base area Med Center and an official diagnosis of Acute Mountain Sickness. Next trip Diamox should be on their packing list.

We learned Taos itself is not a late night town. A visit to the shops requires a shuttle trip in early afternoon. Those that went on the 5:00 pm shuttle found a ghost town with few shops and only a few restaurants still open. That’s one way to save money.

While breakfast was included, it was a little crowded and slow, so some chose to eat breakfast in their condos. Our ski in-ski out location and full kitchens also allowed dinner prep and lunches in the condos.

As skiing came to an end on Friday most went to the Bavarian for lunch on the sundeck. A few lunched with their class groups at the St B where Mel & Don got a 5 course German-style lunch, Joan got a beer (not worth missing the sun at the Bavarian). As the six days of lessons concluded, some were led to the “martini tree” to celebrate, and one instruc-tor even provided olives!

The skiing was great all week. Whether in lessons or not, all found the snow great and the terrain challenging. Lots of us were skiing tougher stuff than ever. Taos Ski School instructors said that their Blues are blacks elsewhere and their blacks are double blacks. (It felt like that … really challenging … Ed.)

There were a couple injuries, Joe came down from Colorado, made three turns and strained his knee. Paul bummed up an ankle near the end of the trip. He kept Bryan company, who wasn’t injured but did not ski this trip. He was probably the only person in the village and at lunch with a walker.

Friday night we had great pizza in the lobby of the hotel, listened to music, watched Kurt’s slide show, and then went off to finish packing. We left around 10:15 am for Albuquerque, and after what seemed like an even longer bus ride arrived

to find that American Airlines was trying to get 23 of us on an earlier flight so we could make our Dallas connection . We all got checked in and through security in less than a half hour. It was a good thing as our original flight didn’t get to Dallas until we were almost to Indy Saturday night.

Taos was a great trip, and the lessons were well worth the 99 dollar price.

Lessons, Powder & Sun made Taos 2010 a Great Trip - by Joan Naffziger

good day. Of particular note, Harriet’s nephew Wes had been on skis only once in his life when “friends” sent him careen-ing down a slope in the Alps…. Just one run was all he wanted. But by afternoon at Perfect he was linking parallel turns on the bunny slope, our first success in the new “direct to parallel” method of teaching never-ever skiers. The only thing that marred a nice sunny Indiana afternoon was AFTER lessons, when Suzie took a few runs with her nephews. They must have had it in for her, as she took a slow fall and tore her ACL. Hope you get better soon, Suzie, and thanks for organizing a successful outing. Most everyone asked when we would do it again (maybe during the week with fewer kids on the hill).

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Postmaster: If Undeliverable Please Return to: Marilyn Rader 7834 Valley Stream Dr Indianapolis IN 46237-8537

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LATEST INFO IS ONLINE AT www.indyskiclub.org

24 Board Meet-ing at Jim’s

8 Meltdown Party

Next Club meeting - April 8, Rathskeller, 630 pm

13 Whitefish leaves

President: Jim Robinson 997-5267 President-elect: Joan Naffziger 823-8192 Secretary: Kathy Sax 580-0779 Treasurer: Mike Karsas 297-1589

VP Trips: Dick Surber 818-9293

VP-elect trips: Jean Ballinger 696-2120 VP Member Services: Marilyn Rader 888-7168 Website www.indyskiclub.org

Articles for May-June Boomer to Mel Crichton kj9c@iquest.net by April 20, 2010

Indianapolis Ski Club Officers 2009-2010

20 Whitefish returns

27 Beaver Creek leaves

6 Keystone leaves

3 Beaver Creek returns