ow to plan your ski trip effectively

Tonya Lucas Ski Area in ~~ondale, Pa. The lodge is The age of the group and the type

The holiday season is a time for ~Ll.ii· 11g and gift giving. To skiers, r, it marks the beginning of gliding slopes while the cool, crisp wind across their faces, and the feeling of on top of the world as the ski lift es the top of mountains.

In order to experience the feeling arrangements need to be made mccessful and funfilled trip.

There are many ways to go about • a ski trip. Travel agencies are very for .tiding someone with the work. According to Michael sales representative of Eastern Ski they sell to groups only. 'We are lesaler for a ski trip," he said.

Ski Tours used to sell to couples, =-mged their policy last year.

When a person contacts Eastern, ir job to assist him in the planning.

Jessica Burcat, travel agent at t Travel, does the same for her

However, Bartlett Travel accomes to individuals as well as groups. explained that when clients come .xr office, they should have an idea of lind of trip they want. "Our travel elps people plan a trip and offers tion at no extra charge," she said.

Linda Panetta, senior, plans ski she doesn't use a travel

_ According to Panetta, William vice-president of Development, trip up for her. Panetta sponsors : for the entire student body. Last -:e trip was held near Elk Mountain

For a weekend trip, shelter has to o~ed by William Combs, college board of people also matters to agencies so that be considered. At some ski areas, like Big charrman. they can provide things that are most ap- Boulder, the accomodations are at the

P~etta a~d Battles both_ agree pealing to that age group. Gibson said that slope. Reservations can also be made at that the tnp~ provide ";.1other!'ooch?n, to January is more appealing to the younger hotels in the area. This factor in planning get st~d.ents mvo!v~d. The tnps build on crowd. "Mostcollegestudentsareonbreak can also affect the price. the spmt of Cabnru students to make them in January and decide to spend a weekend be_tterstudents and better alums," Battles skiing," he said. said.

According to Jeanette Blymer,

In planning a weekend ski trip, publicrelationsdirector ofBigBoulderSki many things must be taken into considera- Area, they try to appeal to families as well. tion. To encourage families to ski at Big Boul-

Publicizing the trip, the date of der, they have a special family package as travel, the age of the group, the budget, well as a free babysitting program. howmanypeoplearegoing, the rates of the In order to attract a crowd when hotel and skiing, transportation and acco- publicizing the trip, the price should be modations are all things that have to be reasonable. In figuring the price, the ski examined when planning a trip. and lift tickets may or may not be included

Many travel agencies willprovide in the base price. fliers to be posted or handed out with all According to Panetta, some of the necessary information stated on people who attend the trips only want to them. get away for the weekend and don't want

Transportation is another factor in planning a trip. Mary Ellen Herzog, director of development, used to plan trips. According to Herzog, she had to figure out a procedure of transporting people from their homes to the place of departure and then to the designated area. Accomodations also have to be planned to inform the skiers of the living conditions. "Brochures are really important. It will show them where they will be living, if meals are offered, and if there are places to cook or not," Herzog said.

Al though it is not hard in planning a trip, it can be time consuming. Gibson said that he starts booking trips as early as August.

Jay Rader, senior, tried to plan a trip during his freshman year, but because he didn't get enough people to attend, the trip didn't go over. Rader recalled that a deposit was needed 60 days in advance and he couldn't get enough people to make a commitment.

Brzezicki and Jenni Obrecht based on 40 people per bus. "If there are more than 40 people, it will affect the price and if there are less than 40, a group may be put together with another group," he said.

Once again, winter is nearing _ Along with the wondrous season shorter days, cooler nights and the stuff - snow. The arrival of snow the building of snowmen, an al day off, and plenty of skiing. It time of year when skiers begin getting and waxing their skis to, once hit their favorite slopes.

While skiing tends to be a very \ e sport, it continues to grow as one most popular sports in the United Though it might seem that its high uld discourage people from becom)lved, the air of excitement--which .:-:rt holds true to--attracts many.

Stephanie Cole, sophomore, who -xen skiing since the seventh grade ••I love skiing. It's an adventure every slope you ski on is different."

Linda Panetta, senior, also has a r the sport. "I enjoy skiing because c..~~engeto see how far you can push '-ilities," she said.

To some, skiing is also very "I like skiing because it's a ge, but it also helps to get your mind things," Len Strobel, sophomore, So where do these skiers go to -"citement and relaxation?

Fortunately, there is a wide of slopes and ski resorts scattered out the United States to accommolovers of all ages.

According to Christa Robinson, manager for Fugazy Travel in the most popular ski areas reare either out West or in the New states.

In the West, Aspen, Vail, Park Deer Valley, which are all located ado, are highlyrequested ski areas.

In New England, Vermont rs to be the most popular state. sporting slopes include Killington, Snow, Stratton Mountain and SugAlso, among the favorites are located in Canada and New York.

However, when Panetta and to ski, therefore, the price cannot include Bat~e~ plan their trips, they are usually the ski and lift tickets. publietzed by word of mouth. "Lori Pet- Because the Cabrini vans are used rozza is the one that helps organize people for the campus ski trips, Panetta said that to go," Battles said. the price is determined by calculating the According to Gibson, the sponsor mileage and gasoline used, the tolls and of the trip should come to them with an idea food (which was provided by the cafeteria of the date of travel and also the location of last year). the trip. However, if the location is based The amount of people attending on a budget, the agent will assist in finding the trip has to be determined in order to a place that is comfortable and economi- decide the means of transportation and cal. "We show booklets of different places other accomodations. and letthem pick outthe property," he said. According to Gibson, the price is Panetta said that the holiday and exam schedules are taken into consideration along with the dates that are offered to her when she plans her trips.

Though most trips aie weekend trips, there are slopes that offer day trips. According to Blymer, for a day tnp, a person can come to the area without calling to make reservations. The ski and lift tickets can be purchased upon arrival and equipment can be rented if necessary.