Caz Ski Club Newsletter

Cazenovia Ski Club
73 years of family skiing on the best hill in Central NY

On the heels of watching the latest Warren Miller movie and a fresh 30” of snow falling, my thoughts have officially changed from “Autumnal Mode” to “I cannot wait to get on my freaking ski’s mode”. With that, let’s get on about talking about another exciting year at YOUR Cazenovia Ski Club!!!

I would first like to mention some of the improvements that have been going on through the work of many helping hands, and volunteers, in striving to keep our humble hill to be the best little gem in Central New York. These improvements include:

· Several lighting and electrical facility upgrades for better nighttime skiing and a safer club

· Updated Ski Club Operations Manual for easier and broader response to club needs during operation times. Please let a Board member know if you would like a copy.

· Continued modifications to the snow making system for improved overall snowmaking in 2010-2011

· Refurbished engine and multiple hydraulic and track upgrades to the Pisten Bully to help keep up with the demands of our hill

On the social/fundraising side of the club, we again rented our facility to “Two Smiles One Hope” and the 4^th Annual Jam, benefitting Muscular Dystrophy, and featuring Donna the Buffalo and an amazing fireworks display. The Jam produced the following results.

· Over 200 mentions of the Cazenovia Ski Club on local and regional radio and print ad

· 800 folks had a great day with no issues at a family friendly event headlined by Donna the Buffalo at our club.

While our membership remains healthy, new member recruitment (and their membership dollars) is paramount to our continued mission to offer the best skiing in CNY. The allure of the Cazenovia Ski Club is its members, and their attitude toward a positive skiing experience. What differentiates our membership from other areas are: small lines, intimate setting, social gathering and good times, varying terrain, your kids are being watched and it may not be by you, you don’t mind pitching in to help the cause because the Cazenovia Ski Club experience is so unique that it needs to be preserved.

Do you know families or individuals who may appreciate this type of skiing experience?

Please forward our Ski Club application; found on the website, to anyone you feel will get bitten by the “Ski Club Bug”. If that individual or family joins with you as their sponsor, you will receive 20% off of your dues. If you get 2 families, 40% and so on!

Additional guest passes may be purchased in a package of five for $60 or you may purchase a single day guest pass for $20. When you use the guest passes, they should be completed with the name and address of your guest on the back and should be exchanged for a day pass from the lift attendant. Please remember to use the passes for their intended purpose – to show prospective members our Club.

We have several new families at the Club this year. If you see a new face, please take some time to introduce yourself and welcome these new families to the Club. Keep up the great marketing efforts – each new family you bring to the Club will provide you with a 20% discount for your 2010-2011 dues.

We would like thank everyone who participated in the spring or fall work parties. The slopes are in great shape. If you were unable to participate, perhaps there is a deck party you would like to host, or other volunteer efforts that you can make throughout the ski season. Volunteering can take on many forms. Some like to participate in outdoor activities and hill maintenance, some prefer inside projects , some enroll in Ski Patrol or teaching lessons, some host deck parties and clam bakes, others assist with snow making and lift operations, and some provide donations. The key is to find something that you like and can give back, and most of all to participate.

Please remember it is your club. We have minimal staff, and we provide the best skiing in Central New York, only through the hard work of its members.

As always, we will be open for extended hours during school holidays and are looking for volunteers over Holiday weeks. We will also be offering an Open/Close the Club class for those who are interested.

Please remember to always call the recording to confirm operating days and times (655-8368).

There’s nothing better, after a morning on the slopes, then spending a sunny Saturday afternoon on the Club deck surrounded by friends with a hot dog on the grill and a cold beverage in your hand. Our ‘social events’ are one of the things that set us apart from other ski facilities in CNY. Last year’s ski season included a deck party every weekend, including an 80’s Hot Dog Day, Club Olympics, Mardi Gras, a Chili Cook-off and so much more including our now famous Pond Skip and everyone’s favorite… The Dinosaur.

The 2010-2011 Social Season has officially started marked by our annual clambake. Let’s make it a repeat performance of last season. Here are the easy steps to hosting a deck party: choose a weekend, get your friends together or host it solo, and let the good times roll. If you’re interested in hosting a deck party please contact Liz Cobb (655-5533 or lizpinsmom@gmail.com ). We can’t do it without you.

Last year under the guidance of Rick Konvicka, The Ski Club Lesson Squad was able to advance a dozen kids from ages 4-14, from pizza slicers, to top to bottom skiers! For a small fee, The Ski Club is offering ski lessons on Saturday mornings. This is a tremendous value and will truly advance your beginners from the “bunny slope” to the “big slope”. The program will run 4 sessions on Saturday Mornings, in January/February. Please sign up by calling Rick at 632-4552 or cazskiambassador@gmail.com. Rick is also looking for volunteer instructors.

We are thrilled to have Annie Lapham back at the helm of the Cazenovia Gatebusting Race Team. This program has produced Olympic Skiers and Regional Champions throughout the years. This year we are looking forward to getting kids excited about racing, learn racing techniques and advanced skiing in a structured environment. This group meets Thursday nights 6-8 and Saturday mornings 10-12. If you are interested in the Cazenovia Competition Ski Team, please sign up using the enclosed form or contact Annie Lapham, annie@amesyr.com, as soon as possible.