Ski Trip - Optional Event
REGISTRATION: Fill out THIS FORM to let us know that you will attend. We must have a good count of the people attending ahead of time. The last day to sign up is Thursday, January 19, 2012.
WHAT: Join us for a day of skiing, snowboarding, or just hanging out at Mt. Hood’s historic Timberline Lodge and Ski Area the Sunday after Mid-Year Orientation! Bring all of your gear to the orientation on Saturday, January 21st, and we will have a sleepover at the adjacent Wilcox House (owned by the church where we're having the orientation). We will walk to a nearby restaurant for a pasta and salad dinner, then spend the rest of the evening hanging out with other AFS students, playing games and Foosball, and watching a movie if we have time. It will be an early night though since the bus, arrives at 6:00 AM on Sunday to take us to Timberline. A "grab-and-go" breakfast of fruit, rolls, yogurt and juice will be provided. We will eat on the bus (some of you will sleep!) and be on the slopes by 9:00 or in a lesson by 10:00. Bring money for lunch at the lodge, ski in the afternoon, and load up on the bus at 3:30 PM to go back to church for pick-up around 5:00 PM.
WHO: This overnight and bus trip are for exchange students only. However, Host Siblings 11 years old or older, Host Parents, and Volunteers are welcome to join us at the mountain on Sunday to ski at our discounted group rate (For liability reasons, host families cannot stay overnight or ride the bus with the students). Please email Greg Kott at gkott@q.com if you are a Host Family member or Volunteer and want to ski.
WHEN: Overnight Saturday, January 21, 2012 and all day Sunday, January 22, 2012.
DROP-OFF TIME: Most of you will already be at Orientation, so you just have to stay afterwards for the fun. If you are making up the orientation because of an important Host Family or School event but still going on the ski trip, you should email Greg Kott at gkott@q.com to let him know if you will be at the church at 5:00 PM Saturday, at 6:00 AM Sunday, or sometime between those times.
PICK-UP TIME: The bus departs from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood at 3:30 PM and should be back to the church around 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM.
DROP-OFF/PICK-UP LOCATION: Central Bible Church, 8815 NE Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon 97220 [MAP]
COST: The cost varies depending on your activities and whether you choose a package. The cost for dinner, breakfast, and the bus ride is $20. Ski or snowboard rental is $25. Lift tickets are $45 ($55 if you're 18 or older). There are also some packages that include ski rentals, lift tickets, and lessons ($42.00 or $76.00). Instead, you can choose to snowshoe ($30 for the lift ticket and showshoe rental. $18 if you have your own snowshoes). Lunch is on your own, or you can sign up for the group lunch for $9. You will decide on your activities and costs during the sign-up process. BRING A CHECK WITH YOU ON THE MORNING OF ORIENTATION. Checks should be made payable to "AFS Columbia Pacific", and the student's name should be written on the memo line of the check. We will not be able to accept cash, so be sure to bring a check!
WHAT TO BRING: See this checklist for ideas. Sleeping bag (you will be on the floor), pillow, Timberline Release Form signed by your natural parents (if you are 18 or older, you can sign the form yourself), a check for your ski costs, lunch money, ski clothes. NO JEANS for skiing/snowboarding! It is a bad idea to ski in jeans as they get wet and cold. If you need help finding the proper cloting for skiing, work with your Host Family or your Liaison.
NOTES ON THE TIMBERLINE RELEASE FORM: Timberline will not let you ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or ride a ski lift if you do not have a signed form. If you are just hanging out at the lodge and not participating in any of the above activities, you do not need a signed form. Again, if you are going to be 18 years old or older on the day of the ski trip, you can sign the form yourself. Otherwise, you have to have your Natural Parents in your home country sign the form for you. AFS USA does not allow Host Families to sign this type of form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm a first-time skier (or snowboarder). What should I choose?
Don’t worry. Sign up for the Discover Lesson Package. It includes all your ski rentals, a Bruno Lift Ticket (the beginner hill) and a 2 hour lesson. The instructors at Timberline are all great.
I've skied a couple times before, but still want a lesson. Is that possible?
Sign up for the Next Step Lesson Package. It includes your equipment, 2 hour lesson based on your ability and an All Mountain Lift Ticket.
What if I don't want to ski?
That’s okay. Come build a snowman or rent snowshoes and take in the views. And if you haven’t been to Timberline Lodge yet, come tour the mini-museum and learn about Oregon History. The Lodge is on the National Register of Historic Places.
What about Lunch?
Bring money to buy lunch on the mountain. The Black Iron Grill in the Wy’ East Lodge offers a Lunch Special for $9 (choice of chicken strips, slice of pizza, hamburger, or garden burger, plus fries and a drink) or if you want nicer food for a little more money, you can eat in Timberline Lodge. Or you can bring your own lunch to save money.
You can visit their web site at www.timberlinelodge.com to see conditions and ski trail maps as well as just about anything you could want to know about Timberline.
I'm a YES (or FLEX) student. Does my program pay for any of the costs?
Yes, YES/FLEX will pay for up to $70 of your trip costs. If your total costs add up to more than $70, you will have to pay the extra amount by check the day of orientation. If you have any questions, please contact Rustam Kocher.
QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact the Trip Coordinator, Greg Kott, at gkott@q.com or 971-344-0187.