Check out our social, outdoor and fitness activities. You'll see why you don't need to be a skier to enjoy the benefits that a Triple Cities Ski Club (TCSC) membership brings!

Adopt-A-Highway

Oct 14, 2007 at 2 p.m.
Clean up, dine, show and tell. You'll be donating your time--just a couple of hours--to help make our section of NYS Route 17, in the Greater Binghamton area, clean and free from debris. Afterwards, treat yourself to a tasty treat at Harry Tuft's Public House. Enjoy the laughs from "showing and telling" of the great finds along the highway!
Meeting Place: At the end of the Old Vestal Road exit ramp off of Route 17 Map
Sign Up: At the Club General Membership Meeting or by contacting our Adopt-A-Highway coordinator, Cindy Tokos at: AdoptAHighway@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com

Our "Adopted" section of Rt. 17 is located just east of the Rt. 26 interchange,
near the Vestal Road exit and entrance ramps. Learn more about the Adopt-A-Highway Program.

Bus Trips

Please see Ski Trips below

Club Meetings

First Thursday Night Of Every Month, Sept.-May,
7:30 p.m., Meeting Called To Order At 8 p.m.

Club meetings are where you'll:

· Find out the details about exciting social, outdoor and fitness activities
offered through the Club.

· Win door prizes or cash from our 50/50 raffle.

· Enjoy refreshments and a snack courtesy of our Welcoming committee.

· Meet new and rejoining members.

Where: Johnson City American Legion, 429 Main Street, next to NYPENN
Trade Center Map

    September 2006
    Through
    May 2007

· Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. Guest Speakers - Plattekill Mt. owners

· Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker Steve Craig of TV Channel 34

· Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. Topic - "How to become a better skier."

· Thursday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. Topic - Subject Telemark Skis and Alpine Touring Skis - Guest speaker from Ithaca ski shop

· Thursday, January 4 at 7:30 p.m.

· Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.

· Thursday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

· Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. - Guest speaker - Jim Signs of Power and Paddle

· Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. - Guest speaker - Roy Williams of Kopernik Observatory

"Ideafest"

Stay tuned for our spring Ideafest
It’s time to plan the TCSC activities for the coming months. That’s why we’re having a
Social Committee, “Ideafest.” Your ideas and enthusiasm are needed to ensure that TCSC continues to offer the kinds of social activities that both retain and attract members.

And whether you’re a new or rejoining member, you might just have the perfect idea for a fun-filled social event. Get involved and make TCSC your Club. We look forward to seeing you at our “Ideafest.” If you’d like more information or have an idea, but can’t attend the meeting, e-mail to Social@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com.

The club needs a social committee to be created and then conduct an "Ideafest" as described above. Once or twice a year is usually enough to arrive at a list of planned events. Details can be worked out later by the event coordinators. If you would like to help form a social committee, please contact our membership directors or the club president using the e-mail addresses found on the "Contact Us" page.

Meet-To-Eat

Please see calendar page for Meet-to-Eat events

Movie Night

TCSC members periodically meet to view a movie. There are no Movie Nights
currently scheduled. If you would like to organize a movie night for the club, please contact social committee chairperson, Ann Smith at Social@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com.

Parties

Holiday Party

Dec 1, 2007

Annual Christmas Party $20/person Music by Rich Wilson at the JC American Legion, Theme: Bring a re-gift - wrap up that item you got last year that you know you will never use (or want). An easy way to free up some closet space and let some other poor soul have that special item. Time and menu to be announced. Contacts: Cindy T at 743-9142 or email: cinders59123 (at) yahoo (dot) com; Darlene S at 770-8131 or email: liltucker37 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Outdoor & Fitness Activities

Biking

Bike and Dine 2007!

Saturday, October 6th

Bike and Dine 2007 will be an adventure to talk about the rest of the year. This year we are bringing out the mountain bikes (and hybrids) to bike the Catskill Region near Roxbury, NY. There will be two(2) biking options. One is on the Catskill Scenic Trail for breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountains on a relatively flat trail converted from a rail bed ([pdf]CST-Trailmap.)

The other opportunity is to bike Plattekill Mountain. Plattekill is less than 2 hours from Binghamton, but is known to the rest of the world as a mountainbiking Mecca. There are 60 miles of trails and lift service for you and your bike! You can choose from easy (not steep) trails to exciting downhills for the more adventurous (and bodyarmored) soles. In either case, strenuous pedaling is not required. When you reach the bottom, just jump on the chairlift again for another scenic ride to the top. Then choose another scenic route back down. Sounds a lot like skiing, doesn't it? One difference, though, is that if you want to take a super easy route, there are 4 and 6 mile routes to get to the bottom which average less than half as steep as Plattekill's long, green ski trails used in the winter. There is truly something for every level of rider here! ([pdf]PlattekillTrailmap.)

Plattekill Mountain will assign a guide to the TCSC group to show us the best routes and get us started. If you would like to rent a mountain bike, Plattekill rents them. There will be special, lower rates in effect for TCSC members for this trip for both lift tickets and bike rentals.

What about the dining part of Bike and Dine? This will be a "Breakfast, Bike and Dine" because we will stop in Oneonta at the Neptune Diner for breakfast. On the way home we will stop at nice restaurant to refuel. Remember to bring money for the meals and the biking and some cash if you want to divide travel costs.

Meeting Place: For the Binghamton crowd, meet at the old Chi-Chi's parking lot at 8 a.m. to caravan or carpool if you choose. People coming from the north or east can meet at the Neptune Diner at 9 a.m.
Terrain: Flat and smooth or steep and rough and anything in between based on your choice of trail.
Distance: Variable, based on your choice of trail.
Bring: Bike (or rent,) bike helmet (required,) water bottles, snack for mid-day and money for lift ticket, breakfast and dinner.
Sign-Up: September or October meeting or contact Tim Hanna at 656-7680 or send an e-mail to info (at) triplecitiesskiclub (dot) com

Photos from Bike and Dine 2006

For other biking opportunities, check out these links to area bike clubs:

Binghamton Mountain Bike E-group:
(Mountain biking - Off road)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bing-mtbike

Southern Tier Bike Club:
(Wide variety of biking opportunities)

http://www.southerntierbicycleclub.org

Tioga Velo Club:
(Wide variety of biking opportunities)

www.tiogavelo.com

Egroup for TVC
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tvc/

Bowling

There are no bowling events currently scheduled. If you would like to organize a bowling night for the club, please contact Social@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com.

Camping

Fall Campout 2006
(And Canoe Trip!)

Fall Campout and Canoe Trip, Sept 22-24, 2006

Come celebrate the Autumnal Equinox on a weekend canoe and camping trip with TCSC!

Don't put away that camping gear yet! To celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, we're hosting a weekend camping and canoe trip Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2006 at the Tall Pines River Front Campground in Bainbridge, NY. Cost per person of $95.00 includes: Friday and Saturday night camping (water & electric sites w/dump station), pizza party Friday night, "Deluxe" breakfast Saturday morning, 3-5 hour canoe trip down the Unadilla River on Saturday with lunch included, steak, chicken and/or shrimp dinner Saturday night and an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. The number of sights are limited, so please sign up at the September general membership meeting on Thursday, Septmber 7, 2006. Your spot needs to be reserved no later than September 14, 2006 5 p.m. See Terri and Rich Starnick (723-7018) to sign up.

P.S. You can see the campground online at www.tallpinescampground-ny.com

Cross Country Skiing

View TCSC's 2005-2006 Cross Country Skiing Schedule.

It's full of great XC outings!

For Cross Country Skiing associated with ski trips, see Skiing and Snowboarding activities offered.

Many local cross country events are organized via a 'Yahoo Groups' e-mail list
named groups.yahoo.com/group/TCSC-xcountry.To join this group, follow the
directions below:

1) Go to www.groups.yahoo.com.

2) Register with Yahoo! by clicking on 'register' and following the
directions. You will be creating a Yahoo! e-mail address during
this process, but you may have your TCSC-xcountry group e-mail
directed to any e-mail address.

3) Go to groups.yahoo.com/group/TCSC-xcountry

4) Click on 'Join This Group!'.

5) Select preferences and click on 'join'.

You may opt to be e-mailed when an event is organized or you may opt to
periodically check the board for messages.

Post message: TCSC-xcountry@yahoogroups.com

Subscribe: TCSC-xcountry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Unsubscribe: TCSC-xcountry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Fitness Night at Otsiningo Park

Wednesdays, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of Each Month , Meet at 6:30 p.m.

Meet at Otsiningo Park's North Entrance at 6:30 p.m. to Rollerblade, Rollerskate, Bike, Run and/or Walk! The North entrance to Otsiningo Park is located behind the Northgate Plaza on Upper Front St. Take exit 6 off of Route 81 north. Stay in the right lane on the exit ramp so that you can take a right turn onto Route 12 North and then another quick right turn into the Otsiningo Park's north entrance before getting to the Northgate Plaza. Follow the entry road down and around to the right to our meeting place in the parking lot. Food and beverage (and maybe even some Karaoke, right, Dave "Ramblin' Man" McKane?!!) options to follow based on group consensus!

Dorothy and Wayne Mathews.

AthleticDirectors@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com or 729-1874

Golf

See above in the "TGIF" section

Hiking and Snowshoeing

A Special Note About Sign Ups For Hikes and Snowshoeing Outings
While not required, advance notice to the Hiking and Snowshoeing coordinator(s) is recommended—you’ll get the details about departure time, the availability of carpooling for those who choose to carpool, and directions to the trailhead.

Tips And Other Information: (See other tips at the end of this section)

Bring plenty of water for the trail—about 10 oz. for each hour of hiking

Bring a lunch—we usually eat lunch at the summit

Refuel after the hike by having dinner with other TCSC hikers and snowshoers at a restaurant on the way home. (Remember to bring money for dinner.)

If the weather looks questionable, contact the Hiking and/or Snowshoeing coordinator(s).

2007 Hiking Schedule

Triple Cities Ski Club Hiking and Snowshoeing Schedule

2007

March 17th – Cornell/Wittenberg, Phoenicia, Catskills, NY. 8 miles, 2200’ vertical climb, six hours. Difficult effort. Some of the best views in the Catskills from Wittenberg’s summit. Optional extension to Cornell Mt. adds two miles, 300’ vertical climb and an hour to the hike.

April 28th – Bohen Run Falls, Blackwell, Pine Creek Gorge, PA. 8 miles, 1200’ vertical climb, 6 hours. Moderate effort. Beautiful trails, huge waterfall, nice views of the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.

May 12th – Storm King, Newburgh, Hudson Highlands, NY. 7 miles, 1200’ vertical climb, 6 hours. Moderate effort. Awesome summit views of the Hudson River and West Point.

May 25th through May 28th – the Presidential Range, North Conway, White Mountains, NH. Tuckerman Ravine, Mt. Washington, the Crawford Path, Mt. Lincoln, the Great Gulf, etc. – a true hiker’s paradise. Many shopping opportunities and nice restaurants in the Conway area. Participants will likely stay in reasonably priced rooms at a local ski resort.

June 10th – Dry Brook Ridge/Huckleberry Loop Trail, Margaretville, Catskills, NY. 8.5 miles, 2600’ vertical climb, 7 hours. Difficult effort. Nice roller coaster trail, great summit views from the Ridge.

June 30th through July 2nd – Adirondack back country trip, Newcomb, NY. Plan A (subject to change) is to backpack four miles on rough trails to Lake Colden from the Upper Works trailhead. Day trips from the Lake Colden basecamp to Marshall, Cliff, Redfield, possibly others (Grey, Skylight?) Difficult effort. Hiking will be on trails and herd paths, some of which are steep.

July 17th, Tuesday, at 6:30 pm, Danielle Hall will be gathering a group at the IBM Glen for a weekday hike. Looking for a short, late afternoon hike to celebrate the longer summer hours? Don’t want to travel for an hour plus to get the trail head? Please email your interest to her at dhall8 (at) stny (dot) rr (dot) com. Option to meet for dinner after the hike is (as always) open for discussion. Directions: From Hooper Road in Endwell go east on Country Club Road, after top of the hill turn left on Robinson Hill Road. Go 1.2 miles. Parking lot will be on the right. Look for Waterman Sign and yellow trail markers. Coming from Oakdale Mall, go west on Harry L Drive which becomes Watson Boulevard . Turn right on Country Club Road. Near the top of the hill turn right on Robinson Hill Road. Follow above directions.

August 18th through August 19th – Adirondack back country trip, Allen Mountain, Newcomb, NY. Plan A (subject to change) is to drive up on Saturday, backpack six miles to the base of the mountain from the Upper Works trailhead and set up camp. Climb Allen early on Sunday, pack up and go home. Difficult effort. Hiking will be on trails and herd paths, some of which are steep.

August 31st through September 3rd – Adirondack back country trip, Santanoni Mountains, Newcomb, NY. Plan A (subject to change) is to drive up on Friday night. On Saturday - backpack 4 miles to the Bradley Pond lean-to from the Upper Works trailhead (or to an alternate camping spot farther uphill, depending upon crowdedness at the lean-to). Possible climb of Panther Mt. on Saturday, time and weather permitting. Climb Little Santanoni and Couchsachraga on Sunday. Pack up and leave for home on Monday. Difficult effort. Hiking will be on trails and herd paths, some of which are steep.

September 29th – Mount Tremper, Phoenicia, Catskills, NY. 6 miles, 1400 vertical climb, 5 hours. Moderate effort. Awesome fall foliage views from the fire tower at the summit. Contact Ron Brink at 237-5299 or Hiking@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com

October 27th – Pine Trail/Hemlock Mountain, Slate Run, Pine Creek Gorge, PA. 10 miles, 1900’ vertical feet, 7 hours. Difficult effort. Waterfalls, great views of the gorge, nice woods trails. Tried this once, climbed Half Dome by mistake. This time, I’ll bring a map. If at first you don’t succeed ….

November 24th - Moonlight Hike, Binghamton Brickyard, Binghamton East Side

December 22nd - Thomas Cole and Blackdome, Catskills

2007 Hiking Schedule (Printable .pdf version)

In all cases, participants should check with the trip leader for details on the departure point, time of departure, the level of difficulty for each hike and suggestions on what to bring. Participants should be in reasonable physical shape. If the weather looks questionable, contact the trip leader the day before a hike to see if it will be postponed or not. See the TCSC Web site or newsletter for basic hiking suggestions and other “rules of the road”.

Notes: Trips are by carpooling as much as possible. Call the trip leader (Ron Brink in most cases, whose number is listed in the SNOWPLOW newsletter) for the location of the gathering point and the time of departure. Call Ron if the weather forecast looks questionable for the day of a hike. Hikers should be in reasonable physical shape and be properly equipped. Call Ron for equipment suggestions and for more details on the difficulty levels of individual hikes. Hikers who are not dressed appropriately for safety, are not properly equipped or do not have adequate experience may be turned away from the day’s hike at the hike leader’s discretion. Hiking involves certain inherent hazards, and persons participating do so at their own risk.

Meeting Place:
Call Ron Brink at the number is listed in the SNOWPLOW newsletter. Transportation is by carpooling. Be sure to bring money for dinner after the hike.

Hiking Gear:
Hikers should have sturdy boots, since trails can sometimes have rocks, tree roots and mud. Day hikers should bring a lunch to eat on the trail, snacks and lots of water. Mountain summits can be cooler and windier than surrounding valleys, so a jacket is a good thing to bring along, especially during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is more changeable. Other useful equipment includes a flashlight and/or headlight, whistle and emergency poncho or “space blanket”. Contact the trip leader if weather conditions on the day of the hike look questionable or if you would like more information on the hike itself (expected trail conditions, degree of difficulty, what to bring, etc.). Weekend hikes require motel reservations; contact the trip leader for more details.

Sign Up: Sign up at the General Membership Meeting, call Ron Brink at the number listed in the SNOWPLOW newsletter or send an e-mail message to Hiking@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com.

National Trails Day

TCSC is responsible for maintaining the trails at Oakley Corners and
Jenksville through an Adopt-a-Natural Resource program with the
Department of Environmental Conservation.

For more information, contact Al Snover at Trails@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com

Ski & Sports Sale

November 2006

Click Here to See if Your Items Were Sold
(Updated Saturday PM)

Sunday, November 19, 2006, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
It's our 26th annual Ski and Sports Sale.

Local ski shops will be attending – you’ll find great prices on a wide variety of items.

Meet ski area representatives—find out what’s happening this winter at many ski areas in central NY and the Catskills.

Ski Sale Poster (Acrobat Reader Required)

Where: Johnson City American Legion, 429 Main Street, next to
NYPENN Trade Center. Map

Contact: SkiSportsSale@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com for more information.

Drop off times: Saturday, 11/18, 4 - 7 p.m. and Sunday, 8 - 9:30 a.m.

Pick up unsold items times: Sunday and Monday 4 - 6 p.m.

View the Ski-Sale Sold-Item Report (****Updated Saturday 11/18/06****)

Sale Feedback form E-mail Reminder for this event

Skiing & Snowboarding Trips

January 2007

February 2007

Sign-up for a TCSC Ski trip. They're deluxe and they're a blast! All arrangements are made for you and no driving necessary on bus trips. Weekend trips are designed so you don't need to use any vacation days. Overnight accommodations always include a swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Ski downhill, cross country or just go shopping. (The trips are priced accordingly.) If you haven't been on a TCSC ski trip, you don't know what you're missing. What are you waiting for? Sign-up today!

Click here for information about our 2007 Ski Trips

Elk Mountain (Demo days!), Pennsylvania. More Details

Day Trip - Caravan, Carpool or meet at the mountain

Friday, Jan. 5, 2007: Purchase tickets at Berger's
Friday, Feb. 2, 2007: Purchase tickets at Berger's
Friday, Mar. 2, 2007: Purchase tickets at Cliff House

Meet 8 am at the old Chi-Chi's parking lot on Reynolds Road next to Raymour & Flannigan. We leave promptly at 8:15 to arrive at Elk by 9 am.

Off the mountain by 4, meet at the lounge area for a cocktail. Leave Elk at 5:30 for dinner at Bingham's Restaurant at 6 pm.

Skier is responsible for purchasing their tickets at Berger's (Jan 5th and Feb 2nd) or Cliff House (Mar 2nd). The tickets must be purchased in advance. Sign-up for dinner reservations at the general meeting

Contact: Don Polesnak or Cindy Tokos at ElkTrip [at] TripleCitiesSkiClub [Dot] com or by calling 743-9142

Meeting Place for Caravanning or Carpooling: Former Chi-Chi's Restaurant, Reynolds Rd., Johnson City

Time: Arrive at 8 a.m. for a 8:15 a.m. departure.
Or meet at Elk Mountain at 9 a.m.
Or if you arrive at a different time, use walkie-talkie channel 7.8 to locate the group.

Friday, Jan. 19, 2007: Day Trip
Ski Windham, New York. More Details

Contact: Craig Wakeley or Mary Ellen Wakeley at WindhamTrip [at] TripleCitiesSkiClub [Dot] com or by calling the number listed in the SNOWPLOW.

Meeting Place: A parking lot somewhere in Johnson City (TBD)

Time: Arrive at 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure. (Subject to change)

Friday, Jan. 26, 2007: Day Trip
Belleayre Mountain, New York. More Details

Contact: Don Polesnak by calling 625-3780.

Meeting Place: Chi-Chi in Johnson City (TBD)

Time: Arrive at 6:45 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure.

Map

Aerial View

Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007: Day Trip
Plattekill Mountain, New York. More Details

Contact: Tim Hanna at PlattekillTrip [at] TripleCitiesSkiClub [Dot] com or by calling 656-7680.

Meeting Place: Chi-Chi in Johnson City (TBD)

Time: Arrive at 6:45 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. departure.

Map

Aerial View

Friday, Feb. 9, 2007: Day Trip
Bristol Mountain, New York

We will be visiting Bristol Mountain this year. Trip includes continental breakfast, bag-lunch,8 hour lift ticket, wine tasting at arbor hill winery, gourmet dinner at The Naples Hotel where you can choose one of the following entrees: 12 oz. Prime rib smoked porkchop with soy barbeque sauce chicken Niagara (mushroom, artichokepepper and cream sauce) shrimp hyhy(sauteed with prosciuto and garlic lemon sherry cream sauce wasabi encrusted tuna with ponzu sauce as always trip include beer wine and soda for the day downhill $97.00 x-country $61.00

Contact: Bill McGowan at BristolTrip [at] TripleCitiesSkiClub [Dot] com or by calling the number listed in the SNOWPLOW.

Meeting Place: A parking lot somewhere in Johnson City (TBD) (Contact Bill McGowan)

Time: Arrive at 6:30 a.m. for a 7 a.m. departure. (Subject to change)

Sat - Sat, Feb 24 - Mar 3 - TCSC's Western Trip for 2007
Big Sky Montana Trip Details

We’re heading to Big Sky Montana February 24th – March 3rd. It’s been several years since the club has run a western trip. We will be skiing both Big Sky and Moonlight Basin Ski Areas. Big Sky has open trails and has 5,400 acres of terrain. Moonlight Basin is rare, a new and developing ski resort connected to Big Sky. Big Sky was very highly recommended by the dedicated 30 club members who have been there over the past few years.

You to can become addicted to western skiing with the Thrilling Alpine Vistas and Adrenaline Rush of Western Downhill. We know this will be a great experience for both newcomers and veterans. To insure your spot, sign up early. For more details follow the link on the ski club Web site. Hope to see you in Montana!

Stop by and see us for details on the trip at the club meetings.

Contact: Dave McKane at WesternTrip [at] TripleCitiesSkiClub [Dot] com or by calling 775-4489

Big Sky Resort Web site

Moonlight Basin Web site

Trip Web site by John Sykas

March 2007

Also check out trips offered through the New Jersey Ski Council (NJSC)

Friday Evening, Sat & Sun, Mar. 9 - 11 - Weekend Trip
Stowe Trip 2007 Trip Details

Contact: Brenda Nichols or Mark Brugger at StoweTrip [at] TripleCitiesSkiClub [Dot] com or by calling the numbers listed in the SNOWPLOW.

View pictures from the 2004 Stowe trip

Sign-up for trips at our Club Meetings.

General Trip Information & Trip Policy (Acrobat Reader Required)

Snowshoeing

See Hiking and Snowshoeing above.

Tennis

There are no Tennis events scheduled at this time.
If you would like to organize a tennis event, contact Tennis@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com

Volleyball

    September 2007
    Through
    May 2008

Wednesday Nights, From 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced intermediate player, the TCSC Wednesday Night Volleyball games are a great place to have fun and meet people. After our games, members head over to Harry Tuff's, a local pub, for refreshments and something to eat..
Where: Endicott Boy's & Girl's Club-Family Center, 1412 Riverview Drive, Endicott Map
Cost: $4 per person per night
Sign Up: E-mail to Volleyball@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com or just come to one of our games.

Wallyball & Fitness Night

Saturday, November 10, 2007, 5-8 p.m.

Join other TCSC members for an evening at the Court Jester. We will have use of the entire facility, plus "Wallyball." Meet afterwards at a local restaurant to refuel.
Where: Court Jester, 216 Reynolds Road, Johnson City Map
Cost: $(TBD) per person (Free for Court Jester members)
Sign Up: At the Club monthly meeting or e-mail to AthleticDirectors@TripleCitiesSkiClub.com.