Dear Fellow Diamond Dogs,

As the “dog days” of summer wane, so begins the best time of the year, the “(Diamond) Dog days” of winter. To our returning members, we’re excited to have you back for the Club’s eighth season. To our new members, welcome to the Club, and we and look forward to seeing you on the slopes and at our many events this season.

As many of you may know, our Club’s founder, Andy Jorgensen has departed for steeper and deeper pastures, but with his guidance and your continued support, the Diamond Dogs Ski Club is now bigger and stronger than ever. On behalf of all Diamond Dogs, we’d like to extend our appreciation to Andy for his seven years of club leadership, the collective memories of over fifty Club trips, and his organization of countless happy hours. For the upcoming season, Andy remains with the Club in an advisory capacity, with the Club’s Advisory Board nominating Rich Grasso as Club President. Rob Seelos returns in his role as Vice President, with Rich Weiss and Brett Wolfe as the Club’s new Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.

Of course, with this leadership change comes an inevitable fear from members that the club might not be the same. While Andy will be missed in his day-to-day capacity, a ski club is only as strong as its membership. With your help and continued participation, we have every expectation that this will be the best season ever. You may have already noticed our newly redesigned web site, club logo, and new site content such as our “Fresh Tracks” blog. In addition, the club will shortly announce new members-only discounts, shopping events, and presentations by top ski and snowboard athletes, plus an exciting program of NYC activities throughout the season.

Based upon member feedback, the club will continue to offer discounted lift ticket vouchers to participating northeast resorts, and as always, membership in the Diamond Dogs Ski Club will continue to be free. However, the economy and financial demands of our travel partners force us to increase all trip deposits to $500 for the upcoming season, with $25 of that deposit as a non-refundable portion.

Of course, the Diamond Dogs Ski Club has always been about the trips; we have planned a record number of trips for the upcoming season, incorporating past favorites with some emerging locales, including the following:

  • Bariloche, Argentina: The ultimate snowchaser.
  • Snowchaser: If anyone can tell us where the deepest snowpack will be in mid-December, please get in touch; otherwise, we’ll let you know our choice in late November.
  • Taos, NM: A reprise of the club’s 2006 visit to the majestic mountains of the southwest.
  • Whistler, BC: Experience the Olympic Village and the mountain just before the world’s best athletes do the same.
  • Vail, CO: Vail is Vail and is always a great time – on the mountain and off.
  • Revelstoke, BC: Combines heli-skiing, cat-skiing, backcountry touring, and white-knuckle resort skiing at North America’s newest and steepest resort in North America. Bring a beacon.
  • Telluride, CO: Another reprise of a southern Colorado favorite.
  • Lake Tahoe, CA/NV: Gamble at the casinos or on the steeps of KT-22, your choice.
  • End-of-Season: The season has to end sometime, but we’ll be sure to send it out in style.

As previously mentioned, a ski club is only as strong as its membership, and, therefore, we encourage all suggestions to improve the club; better yet, become involved today by contacting any one of us.

Think Snow,
Rich Grasso, Rob Seelos, Rich Weiss, & Brett Wolfe