Ski Activities
Sally Borchardt
Payment Options for all events (unless otherwise noted):
1. Online Registration with Credit Card payment
2. In person with completed Event Coupon and credit card or check
3. By mail, send completed Event Coupon with check to Event Leader
Questions? Contact Trip Leader Joyce Szulc, 262-902-3248 or jszulc@wi.rr.com
Being safe on the slopes is key to having a good time
Here are some tips for all skiers:
• Wear a helmet: The most important safety tip is to wear a certified helmet. Both the National Ski Patrol and the Professional Ski Instructors of America encourage wearing a helmet.
• Ski patrol number: Add the local ski patrol number to the contacts on your smart phone. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it, but if an emergency does occur, you will be glad it is there.
• Use proper ski equipment: Don’t borrow equipment. Rent from a ski shop. Make sure your ski boots are fitted properly and that your bindings are properly adjusted. Wear ski goggles that fit correctly around your helmet.
• Take a break: If you are tired, rest for a while and make sure you eat and drink enough. Skiing burns a lot of energy.
• Ski with a friend: It is always safer to ski with someone.
• Respect your limits: Stay in control and focus on the trail you are skiing. Distractions can cause accidents.
• Follow the rules: Obey posted trail closure and other warning signs. Remember that skiers in front of you and below you have the right-of-way.
• Prepare for the weather: Wear layers of clothes. Wear mittens or gloves.
• Get proper instruction: Even experienced skiers can polish up their skills with a lesson now and then, especially at the beginning of the season.
Ski trips
Both of our 2026 ski trips are full and have waitlists. You do not have to pay anything to be on the waitlist.
For those who made a down payment on the Big Sky trip ... we are still awaiting some of the $700 installment payments that were due Oct. 15. For anyone who can provide their own transportation to Montana ... Still available – Land Only option – $1,760 per person, double occupancy, with two beds per room. Bring a friend! Didn’t get an IKON Pass? No problem! Single lift tickets are available for $135 each, but you must order them immediately. Call Sally at (414) 349-9359.
Big Sky • Jan. 4–11 • $2,700
Space is still available on our first ski trip of 2026 – Jan. 4-11 to Big Sky. This is not just a ski trip, but a trip to Montana, where there are so many things to do aside from skiing. There is dog sledding, ice skating, winter fishing, hiking, sleigh rides, snow shoeing, retail therapy, and even bowling in the picturesque city.
The mountains alone are overwhelming, and there is a gondola that can take you to the top so you can see and feel the spectacular aura of the surroundings.
There are still a few full packages left for this lovely, seven-night stay at the great Huntley Lodge, a ski-in/ski-out hotel with great accommodations and a cozy fireplace near the lobby.
Trip Includes:
• Round-trip bus transfers, including tips, from the Bozeman airport to Huntley Lodge
• 7 nights’ lodging (two queen beds per room)
• Full daily breakfast buffet • Midweek dinner party
• Price: $2,700, double occupancy
• Flights: We are flying Delta; times will be posted in the November Life.
Payment schedule: $2,700, or a deposit of $2,000, with the remaining $700 due Oct. 15.
Or to register by mail: Send a deposit check, a trip coupon and a copy of the ID you will be using at the airport (if it is a driver’s license, it must be a REAL ID, with a star in the upper right corner) to:
Sally Borchardt • Vagabond Ski & Social Club W216N5531 Adamdale Drive • Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Lift tickets: use your IKON pass, or Adult (3+ days): $150/day; Seniors (3+ days): $130/day
Questions? Call Sally at (262) 349-9359.
Attention: Aspen/Snowmass trip participants
• The deadline to buy group lift tickets through the club (not the Ikon Pass) is Dec. 15. Go to VagabondSkiClub.com, click on Upcoming Events and find 2026 Aspen/Snowmass Group Lift Tickets. Pick the number of days and the type of ticket you wish to purchase and pay by credit card.
• If you are traveling with the group and have a United Airlines Mileage Plus number and/or a Known Traveler Number and haven’t done so already, please send that information to jszulc@wi.rr.com.
• If you paid a deposit for the trip, final payment is due Dec. 15. Invoices will be emailed to those with a balance. Please pay with your credit card.
• Questions? Contact Joyce Szulc at (262) 902-3248 or jszulc@wi.rr.com.
Join the wait list...
The club is still accepting waitlist registrations for the Feb. 7-14 ski trip to Aspen/Snowmass. No payment is required to sign up for the waitlist. All trip details are on the club website. Questions? Contact Joyce at jszulc@wi.rr.com or (262) 902-3248.
Oregon... April 8 – 13
The CMSC’s annual Spring Fling will be April 8-13 at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon. Price: $1,508. Contact Kevin Conlon at (708) 906-9517 or kconz1@aol.com.
Ski racing
The Vagabond Ski Team begins the race season Sunday, Jan. 4, at Sunburst. Spectators are encouraged to come out and watch the team in action, along with a trophy presentation after the race. Several people have joined our club after experiencing a race day.
Metropolitan Milwaukee Ski Council Senior Racing has 14 races scheduled over seven dates this winter. About 40 skiers compete in one of four non-gender classes based on skill level. Two different courses are run for each race, and the times are combined. Awards are presented in each class at each race. Awards are also given in each class at the end of the season. The Vagabonds will again compete against three other teams, with the fastest four men and two women counting for each team.
Prepare for next season by starting an exercise program focused on your legs. Make sure your equipment is up to date. Get your skis sharpened and your bindings checked.
We practice on Monday and Wednesday nights at Sunburst. We always have room on the team for new people of any age or ability. Every year, skiers as young as 21 join the club to compete on the race team. Please note: To race on the team, you need to be a current member of the Vagabonds; if you need to renew your membership, go to VagabondSkiClub.com. Once you have joined (or re-joined), you should receive information from the ski race team.
For more information, contact MMSCSR Chairman Al Lemke at (414) 688-2938 or aklemke2993@gmail.com or visit MMSCSR.com
MMSC Senior Race Schedule
Jan. 4 – Sunburst
Jan. 10 – Sunburst
Jan. 17 – Sunburst
Jan. 24 – Holy Hill
Jan. 31 – Holy Hill
Feb. 7 – Sunburst
Feb. 15 – Sunburst
Practices: 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Sunburst
CMSC Ski Trip to Italy • Jan. 24 – Feb. 5
Join other CMSC club members Jan. 24 to Feb. 5 on a trip to Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, with an extension to Venice. Price is $3,397 double occupancy.
Act now if interested: Contact Randy Baustert at (847) 254-9396 or SkiWithRandy@aol.com. The CMSC website is SkiCMSC.com.
CMSC Spring Fling • Mt. BachelorApril 8–13
The CMSC’s annual Spring Fling will be April 8-13 at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon. The package includes five nights’ lodging at Riverhouse Lodge in Bend, with daily breakfast buffet and shuttles to the ski area.
Price: $1,508, double occupancy. Contact Kevin Conlon at (708) 906-9517 or kconz1@aol.com.
Donation to disabled skiers
The Vagabonds are donating $500 toward a new equipment trailer for the Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program. The organization provides ski lessons at Alpine Valley for people with disabilities.
Is there a star on your license?
If you are flying within the U.S. after May 7, 2025, you will need a “Real ID” as an added security measure. Wisconsin began issuing Real ID driver licenses several years ago, so you may have received one the last time you renewed; it would have a star in the upper right corner.
If you aren't sure if you have a Real ID, check trust.dot.state.wi.us/ecdl/home.do. Your license will still be valid without Real ID even after the deadline. But you would need to use a passport at the airport.
The Vagabond Ski & Social Club is associated with the following organizations which promote skiing and snowboarding:
* Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council (CMSC), skicms.org
* National Ski Council Federation, skifederation.org
* Milwaukee Metropolitan Ski Council (MMSC), skimilwaukee.org
Visit their websites to learn more about these groups.
We are always looking for great photos of our members enjoying activities and you are our best source!
Send your photos to Joyce Szulc, jszulc@wi.rr.com, to post on the Vag Facebook page.