How to sign-up for a trip
You must be a current member of the Vancouver Skiers to participate in any trips, (backcountry included).
**Note: full members of other clubs (such as the Nordic Racers or the Nordic Wrecks) which are registered with Cross-Country BC receive a $10.00 per person discount on membership fees with the Vancouver Skiers.
If you missed our sign-up night in October, you can download a membership form and send it with your membership fee to the address listed on the form. You may also fill out a membership form at one of our monthly meetings.
Please choose the trip(s) that you want to participate in and contact the respective trip leader. (Contact information is printed on the trip schedule). If there is space on your chosen trip, then send a cheque to the trip leader directly. The trip leader will give you the mailing address. Once the trip leader receives the cheque, your space is reserved. You may also sign-up at one of our club nights, as many of our trip leaders will be present and can take your requests in person.
Please let the trip leader know where you will be boarding the bus. Pick-up points are listed on the trip schedule.
Pick-up points
W16 --W16th between Courtenay & Discovery-- Please board the bus at the south side of W16th Ave.There is plenty of street parking.
BL --Boundary & Lougheed-- Please note that we are picking-up at Boundary & Lougheed again for the remainder of the ski season. The Bus will stop on the south bound lane on Boundary, (west side of road) between 4th and Lougheed. Park your car on 4th Ave. Please park on the north side as the south side of 4th has some parking restrictions.
SRY --Surrey-- Please park in the park and ride lot at 160 Street between 103 and 104 Ave. Please board the bus at the bus stop. (East bound on ramp to Hyw #1)
This pick up location is only for east bound trips.
WV --West Vancouver-- Please board the bus in the parking lot of St. Davids church. St. Davids is at the Upper Levels Highway and Taylor Way. Do not leave your car in the church parking lot.
This pick up location is for west bound trips only.
Bus Etiquette
You are all aware that skiing requires consideration for your fellow skiers in order to keep it safe and enjoyable for everyone.
In order to make our bus trips pleasant for all our members we also have a "Bus Etiquette" which you are requested to observe.
As we try to offer these trips at the lowest possible price, we have to fill the bus. The downside of this is that you are entitled to one seat only.
Your backpack, jacket, lunch or other belongings are NOT entitled to the seat beside you! Please put your belongings in the overhead bins
or under your seat as soon as you've decided where you'll sit.
To make seat choices more equitable for all skiers, members getting on at the West side stop are asked to sit on the left side of the bus behind the driver.
If there are too many skiers for the left side, please start filling up the right side seats starting at the back. If you travel as a single,
you are asked to sit beside another single. People getting on at the East side stop will then be able to start filling the bus on the right side.
This way, couples will be able to sit together and the boarding process will be faster because members won't have to search for empty seats.
The trip leader may also reserve a certain number of seats for those members who will be getting on in Surrey or West Van in order to make boarding easier for everyone.
The 2 front seats on the right side of the bus are reserved for the trip leader regardless of where he or she boards. Once the last group is seated and the trip is
underway, members may switch seats if they wish. Please keep the same seat for the duration of the trip. You cannot reserve yourself another seat by leaving
some of your belongings on it overnight. Hopefully every member will cooperate to make this system work and make the trip leader's job a little easier.
During our bus trips, sometimes members who wish to sleep, read, watch the movie or have a quiet conversation cannot do so because others around them
are speaking loudly. Remember that not everyone wants to hear your conversation..... please speak in quiet tones in consideration of the others around you.
That way everyone feels respected and the trip will be enjoyed by all. Thank you for your cooperation.
Guidelines for writing a cheque
- Make cheques payable to "The Vancouver Skiers"
- Indicate the name and date of the trip on your cheque
- Specify your name if you share a joint bank account
Cheques may be post-dated, but must be dated no later than 30 days before the trip departure date. If you cancel your reservation (by contacting the trip leader) more than 30 days before a trip, you will receive a full refund.
Room Allocation Policy
Most of our accommodations consist of standard hotel rooms with two double/queen sized beds. When signing-up as a "Shared Bed" (Quad) you will be sharing a room with 3 other people. When signing-up as an "Own Bed" (Double) every effort will be made to match you with another "Own Bed" (Double) and the two of you will be sharing a room. If no other "Own Bed" (Double) has signed-up you may have to share the room with two "shared beds" (Quads). As an "Own Bed" (Double) you will of course get a bed all to yourself.
Some accommodations consist of chalets with more than one room. Often these rooms are furnished with a double or two single beds. As a "shared bed" you will share a room. "Own will get their own room. The chalet may be filled with a combination of "shared and own beds".
Members can request room mates. If no request has been made, room mates will be allocated according to gender. "Shared bed" Couples will be paired with other "Shared Bed" couples.
If 3 "Shared bed" of the same gender request a room, a 4th person of same gender may be added. If 3 "Quads" of different gender request a room, one may be allocated to a different room in order to comply with our couples or same gender policy, unless one person in that group wishes to upgrade to an "Own Bed".
Cancellation Policy for Bus trips
- If you are unable to attend a trip, you may arrange for another member to take your place. Have that person pay you directly and notify the trip leader. If the substitute would like a different type of accommodation (i.e. Own Bed instead of Shared Bed) or of they are a different gender, then please contact the trip leader FIRST to confirm that the appropriate room type is available.
- If you cancel a bus trip less then 30 days prior to the departure date due to illness, injury or a family emergency, the Vancouver Skiers may refund 50% of the cost of the trip at the discretion of the Executive. You must apply in writing to the Executive for a refund.
- Please advise the trip leader if you are unable to attend a trip so the bus is not waiting for you at the departure point. If the trip is full and someone on the wait list is able to take your place, then you will receive a full refund.
- If the Executive decides to cancel a trip (insufficient sign-ups, snow conditions etc.) you will receive a full refund.