Alphorn Ski Association Takes on Snowmass

A December Ski Trip Filled With Good Runs, Great Company, and an Unforgettable Journey Home

Fourteen enthusiastic members of the Alphorn Ski Association kicked off the season with a December trip to Snowmass, Colorado — one of the crown jewels of the Rockies. While Mother Nature hadn’t delivered her full winter package yet, the group arrived ready to make the most of it.

Snowmass greeted them with lighter‑than‑usual early‑season snow, but the mountain crew had worked their magic. The main trails were open from top to bottom, offering long, satisfying runs. And as the days went on, more terrain opened up, giving the group fresh options and a sense that the mountain was waking up just for them.

One of the highlights of the trip was the group’s stay at the Mountain Chalet, a cozy ski‑in, ski‑out lodge that made life on the slopes effortless.Each morning, members simply stepped outside, clicked into their skis, and glided straight onto the mountain. No shuttles, no hauling gear — just pure alpine convenience. Evenings were spent relaxing fireside, swapping stories, and enjoying the camaraderie that makes Alphorn trips special.

Some other highlights included:

• Long, smooth top‑to‑bottom runs
• Bluebird skies that made for perfect photo ops
• Après‑ski gatherings that stretched into laughter‑filled nights
• The shared joy of watching the mountain open up more each day, It wasn’t just a ski trip — it was a reminder of why the Alphorn Ski Association thrives: community, resilience, and a love of the mountains.

Every great adventure needs a twist, and Snowmass delivered one on the way home. A bus breakdown threw the group’s travel plans into chaos, turning what should have been a straightforward trip into an unexpected overnight stay at the airport. But in true Alphorn fashion, spirits stayed high. Members made the best of the situation — chatting, laughing, and turning inconvenience into another shared memory. In the end, everyone made it home safely, tired but smiling, with a story they’ll be telling for years. The December Snowmass trip may not have had perfect powder, but it had something better: fourteen Alphorn members making the most of every moment. From ski‑in, ski‑out mornings to surprise airport sleepovers, the experience captured everything that makes the group special.

Here’s to more snow, more trails, and more adventures ahead.

Alphorn at Snowmass

Alphorners enjoyed an overnight ski trip to Elk and Blue Mountains on February 16 to 18^th.   Some of us drove to Clarks Summit on Monday and checked in at the Hampon Inn.   Per John Calarmara’s recommendation, we found this hotel to be a great choice – nice accommodations, pool, exercise room, very clean.  They had a very good free breakfast buffet which included a “make your own waffle maker”.  That evening we walked right next door to Tully’s which offered many excellent food choices.   On Tuesday we drove to Elk MT to join those who elected to drive to the mountain that morning.   Seven of us skied in the sunshine with excellent snow conditions.   Elk offers a $50 lift ticket every Tuesday to seniors!   After conquering the mountain, we drove to Kris and AR’s lake house on Lake Lorain.   We relived our ski day over Kris’s spaghetti and salad, and oh those delicious brownies.   Thank you, Kris and AR, for a very fun evening!    Then after dinner it was back to Clarks Summit to overnight, and then those delicious waffles on Wednesday morning.   Fog and light rain did not deter us as we drove to Blue Mountain.   Five of us enjoyed great conditions at Blue, no rain, no ice, no crowds.   Lunch at the upper restaurant was a satisfying ending for our fun overnight ski trip.    We all agreed we must do this trip again next year!

Alphorn at Sun Valley