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Tampa Bay Snow Skiers Mission Statement

Mission Statement:

 The Tampa Bay Snow Skiers are committed to providing its members with the following:

• Quality trips to first-class destinations and 3-stars or above accommodations with rare exceptions
• A variety of trips each year; both in length, price, and location so our travelers have many options from which to choose
• Good value through use of aggressive purchasing strategies

 Goals:

• Sell 95% of our scheduled spaces
• Maintain our members and replace the members we lose with new members
• Provide quality trips for our members, so that our members come back year after year and ultimately bring their family and friends, thereby increasing our Club membership
• For all trips, score over 85% satisfaction rate

Strategies:

• Leadership commitment to improve Trip Leader preparation with technology and training
• Develop and motivate outstanding trip leaders
• Well-trained leaders and assistants who are educated using comprehensive training methods and are available to respond quickly to travelers’ questions and/or comments
• Infusion of technology which will help sell trips through our Club’s Web Page
• An easy, friendly way for our travelers to sign up for trips
• Develop an easier to use software program to help organize and run trips
• Provide good value through use of aggressive purchasing strategies
• Network with other ski clubs around the country to gather new ideas and incorporate a ‘Best Practices’ approach to leading trips
• Provide a fun, social atmosphere at all Club social events and trips
• Reduced rates for lift tickets and optional activities by utilizing the power of group rates wherever possible
• An ongoing pledge by the Board of Directors to be one of the best ski clubs in the state, as well as the country

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS . . .

• Not-for-profit social ski club run entirely by volunteers who are highly motivated and share a common bond of skiing/riding.

• Provide a large selection of low-cost ski packages, escorted by knowledgeable and experienced leaders.

• Largest independent ski club in the Tampa Bay area.

• A member of the Florida Ski Council (FSC) and offers reciprocal membership in all other Florida Ski Council member clubs which allows you to participate in other clubs’ trips without having to pay membership dues again.

• Monthly parties with giveaways of exciting prizes like ski packages, lift tickets, skis and other equipment. They are usually on the first Friday of the month from September through April (except February) and are open to the public.

• A club governed according to established "By-Laws" by officers and a board of directors, elected by the membership.

• Monthly newsletter, "The Sitzmark," mailed directly to your home upon request and an electronic newsletter called “First Tracks” for the latest Club information.
   

A 30+ YEAR HISTORY

In 1970, a small group of ski enthusiasts got together and mused over the possibility of a local ski club.  The first meeting was held in the garage/game room of Bob and Mary Sprinkles with about 25 people attending.  At the second meeting, each person contributed $1 so that Don Pleasants could write a club charter.  During the first three months, membership grew to 300! This was a sign that Tampa was going to have an active snow ski club.  Our first ski trip was to Vail with 20 skiers in December 1970.

The small number of skiers required the Club's affiliation with the Southeastern Ski Association in order to have enough people to charter a trip.  Tucker Marston was the president during the Club's first ski season.  Slowly but surely, new ski destinations were added to the already growing trip list...Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, and Lake Tahoe, to name a few.  The Club became known as the Suncoast Alpine Club, Inc. (in 1976 a name change added Ski to the name) -- complete with trip catalogs, officers, and a board of directors, plus a monthly newsletter!

By the 1984-85 ski season, 11 trips were available and the Club had 600 members.  In 1986, the Club began doing business as the Tampa Bay Snow Skiers.  As the years passed, the number of trips grew, and the Club needed to evolve to reflect the ever- changing world of winter sports.  In 2006, we added "Boarders" to our name, recognizing the growth of this aspect of winter snow sports, becoming the Tampa Bay Snow Skiers and Boarders.  

We have week-long trips leaving almost every weekend from December through April, multiple trips going over the New Year's holiday, and we round out the offerings with "long weekend" trips that give us the variety that is bound to satisfy every need.
The best kept secret is in Tampa Bay...the Tampa Bay Snow Skiers and Boarders...which boast a 3000+ membership that continues to sends nearly 1000+ skiers to the slopes annually.  And to think – it all started those many years ago in a couple's garage with 25 smart skiers.