FLATIRONS SKI CLUB
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An Outdoor Multi Sports & Social Group
Who We Are|
The Club was originally formed in 1963 by a group of Lake Eldora Ski Area instructors who called it the Lake Eldora Ski club. The purpose was to involve more people in skiing thru social activity and parties. Eight years later in February 1971 the membership voted to change the name to Flatirons Ski Club to reflect that the club had acquired diversified interests and no longer wanted to be associated with a single local ski area. We are a not-for-profit organization formed to provide members with opportunities for the enjoyment of skiing and other recreational and social activities, and to encourage good sportsmanship and camaraderie in these activities. We are operated entirely by volunteers and we publish a monthly newsletter for members detailing all upcoming events. Currently the membership dues are: $25/year for individuals, $40/year for couples. The membership year runs from October 1st through September 30 th . After March 31st, the dues are cut in half for the remainder of the membership year. At the present time we have approximately 220 members mostly in the 40's, 50 and 60's age group. If you would like to join the Club, click on "waiver", print, fill out and send with check to the Post Office Box on form. We hold a monthly General Meeting from October thru May as follows: GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING BEST WESTERN-BOULDER INN The program presentations are given by guest speakers who have offered to share their particular area of expertise, and we have enjoyed such diverse topics as improvements in ski and snowshoe equipment, nutrition, local geology, wildflowers, meteorology, avalanche awareness, travel documentaries etc. Visitors and those interested in finding out more about the club are always welcome at these meetings.
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The club hosts a Membership party in September which includes a barbecue at a local venue; this is an excellent way for visitors to meet members and discuss the types of activities currently scheduled.
There is also a similar party known as the Spring Fling in early June, also open to visitors, at which we socialize and discuss the coming Sumer programs.
Over the past several years the club has operated weekend trips to Crested Butte, Snowmass, Steamboat, Wolf Creek and Monarch. We also rent a house in Fraser for 2-3 day trips from which members can ski downhill at Winter Park . Although most trips are weekend we occasionally run a mid-week trip.
Club volunteers also organize all-day Thursday ski trips involving carpooling to various areas depending on the passes held by those participating. Several Thursday skiers have Colorado passes so a range of destinations are possible.
The club offers several 2-3 day popular trips to Fraser from which cross country skiers enjoy Snow Mountain Ranch, Devil's Thumb Ranch, Rocky Mountain Park and various trails around the area.
As long as snow is plentiful volunteers lead cross country day outings on Sundays; participants car pool from the meeting place. Skiing is usually 3-4 hours on intermediate trails within an hour of Boulder . All abilities are welcome. Bring water, snacks or lunch, layers of clothing, and sunscreen.
Snowshoe day trips are run on Saturdays in January and February each winter. They are open to all levels of experience, and the trips generally last 3-4 hours. Destinations are typically within an hour's drive of Boulder and many are accessed from the Peak to Peak Highway. Carpools are formed at the meeting location and the day's destination is determined depending on snow/weather conditions or interests/abilities of the group. Bring layered clothing, water, snacks and/or lunch. Poles are useful. A carpool fee of $.10 a mile is payable to the driver.
Some members also choose to snowshoe on one of the popular 2-3 day trips to Fraser each year.
During the summer months popular Tuesday evening hikes begin at 6.00 p.m. at a designated local trailhead or meeting place. These hikes are open to visitors and are a pleasant introduction to club members; the hikes usually last about 1-1/2 hours and are followed by delicious pot luck dinners on returning to the trailhead; bring a dish to share, paper plate and plasticware.
A group of members enjoy Thursday hiking. Participants meet at a designated location to organize carpooling; suggested contribution to driver is $.10/mile. These hikes are rated for difficulty and vary in distance from about 8 miles to 14 miles.
Since 2007, the club has held summer wildflower rambles June-September throughout the Front Range , along with occasional winter and spring rambles. These outings are designed to take time to observe the bounty and diversity of Colorado 's flowers and identify unfamiliar plants. As such, they are shorter distances and are not hikes. The rambles are planned to experience all of the life zones during the summer season. The locations have included local Boulder trails, Brainard Lake Recreational Area, various trails in the national forest and wilderness area, Mt Goliath on the Mount Evans Road , and Trail Ridge Road . All levels of botanical experience are welcome.
Car pools are formed at the meeting location and a carpool fee of $.10 per mile is payable to the driver.
Members enjoy playing bridge on 2 nd and 4 th Thursday of the month. These events are typically hosted by a volunteering player at his or her home.
All members are welcome to join in a social evening once a month to play board or card games.
An enthusiastic group of readers meets once a month, on a Tuesday. The organizer will lead a discussion of the previous month's book choice. All members are welcome to participate.
Members gather to socialize every Friday from 5pm to 8 pm in the bar of the Boulder Outlook Inn, 800 28 th Street (North of Baseline on Frontage Road) , Boulder . Bargain price drinks, pizza etc. Visitors are welcome.
• A trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to watch elk bugling, followed by dinner in Estes
• A Fall soup party and social
• A weekend trip to Avalanche Ranch, near Carbondale , to see the fall colors and enjoy the local apple festival
• A trip to a 10 th mountain division hut for a weekend of hiking and socializing in the high country
• Canoe trips – previous outings have included the Niobrara River, Nebraska, the Green, Colorado and Gunnison Rivers in Colorado , and the North Platte in Wyoming .
• Weekend in Moab to hike Arches and Canyonlands National parks
• Outings to Shakespeare Festival and other theatrical events