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Welcome to the North Star Ski
Touring Club (NSSTC)
The
primary mission of the NSSTC is to enjoy and
promote cross-country skiing in Minnesota and elsewhere. Over the
club's
long history (founded in 1967) it has
evolved into a year around club supporting all types of non-motorized
outdoor recreation
and social events. The following steps are a
good way to ease the transition from being the new kid on the block
to becoming
an
old-timer.
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Step One: Getting
Started
Becoming a
member of any new group can be intimidating. Talk with any long-time North
Star member and
they will assure you that there is
high value in taking the time to become comfortable with this group. But
be careful, you
may find a new 'family'.
- Participate in as many events before
the ski season
as possible to assure that
you'll see a familiar face on ski trips. Trail clearing
outings are especially good to get to know people and build a
core of friends.
- Introduce yourself
to as many people as possible as a
new member anxious to learn the ropes - North Stars love talking about the
club and how
to join in.
- Don't judge the club by a less than positive experience
during one or two
activities. The club is large,
membership is diverse, and activities are varied. Each trip has a
different leader, different
destination, different level of
physical activity and different overnight accommodations - from dorm
style for the budget
minded to luxury for a special
treat.
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| Week Long Adventure in Ontario |
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| Garden Bike Tour |
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Step Two: Get
Connected There are several ways to receive information regarding trips,
events, and other
news North Stars find
useful. - Members automatically receive
a printed newsletter, the
LOYPE, that is published monthly
during the ski season and bi-monthly the rest of the year. The LOYPE
always includes an activity
schedule.
- The web page provides a frequently updated schedule, information on meetings and other events, and current
news in the Hot News section of the Home Page.
- Members may subscribe to a weekly news e-mail, the
e-loype, to receive reminders about the week's upcoming activities,
updates to exisitng
trips, and weekly Singles Night Out
(SNO) events.
- An electronic message board is available
for members to post recreatiion and social activities that they plan
to do and would like to invite others
to join. Trips are posted
directly by members without going through the club trips
coordinator. These activities are
not club sponsored trips.
The message board is a member service.
- Midweek outings are
hosted by the Wednesday Wanderer
{WW} group. To get on their e-mail list nsstc@north-stars.org
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Step Three: Join
an Activity Club activities range from
local day recreation outings
to evening social events
to weekend ski, hike, bike trips to extended U.S. and
international trips. All recreation
activities have one thing in
common - a signed waiver is required. Waivers are available on the
inside cover of
the LOYPE or from the Trip
Leader page. If an overnight trip is full put your name on
the waiting list
and keep the weekend open. There is
a good chance you may be able to get on the trip to fill a last
minute cancellation
due to illness or
emergency.
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Trip Type
Designations
A: All club activities suitable for both singles
and couples
AK: Activities open to everyone but are suitable
for families with young children
S: Open to singles only
WW: Wednesday Wanderer outings are a go every
week - regardless of weather. These
outings are open to anyone
and always include an outdoor recreation. The specific recreation
varies depending on
weather; hiking, biking, skiing,
snowshoeing,
etc.
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| Wednesday Wanderers at Itasca State
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Ski Lessons/Beginner Skier
Activities
Saturday, Dec. 12,
2007 Beginner/Intermediate/”Rusty
Skier Needs Review” Ski
Lessons.
Guaranteed on-snow lessons at Trollhaugen Ski Resort
in Dresser, WI (about a
50-70 minute drive from the Twin
Cities). Traditional ski lessons especially recommended for new
members and those
who want to brush up on their
technique.
The class is all day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You will
be out twice on snow and
the class includes videotaping and
numerous handouts. There will also be a short introduction to equipment
and waxing techniques.
Teacher/student
ratio 1/8 or lower. Cost is $24
with space for 25-30 participants. You need to bring a lunch; beverages
and light snacks are
provided. You
must be pre-registered -- no
on-site registration! FFI:
nsstc@north-stars.org After Dec. 1, call for space
availability.
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Where to Ski & How to
Find Snow
The Twin Cities often experience marginal snow conditions. This
is one of the biggest advantages
of being a member of the North
Stars. Our experienced leaders are experts at finding the best snow
conditions - whether it
is early in the season to get in
shape, later in the season to avoid melt-down areas, or
finding that little known
pocket that holds snow.
To assure you'll
have a good ski season attend the
November trip sign-up meeting and talk with our leaders. They each will
have an information
table to answer questions and
take reservations - bring your checkbook! Weekend
trips generally go regardless of snow conditions. North Stars are
resourceful and particularly
adept at "making their
own fun". You are sure to have a good time regardless
of snow or weather conditions.
Click here for tips
on finding snow, checking trail conditions, and picking a place
to ski.
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