Frequently Asked Questions
Day Trips
Q. How do I sign up for a day trip?
A. You can sign up one of two ways, by phone on Thursday night
at (416) 481-5268 prior to the week day skiing between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
We have volunteers waiting to take your call, or via our on-line sign-up on our
website at www.northtorontoskiclub.com. It's that simple!
Q. What is the cost and what does it include?
A. The cost of an alpine day trip is usually about $60-75
depending on our destination. The price includes your bus cost and lift fee.
(or for cross-country, the bus cost and trail fee.)
Q. What do I get for my day trip fee?
A. The bus trip includes your bus and tow (or trail) fee and a
group lesson (approx. 2 hours).
(Just a thought: Your day trip costs of approx $60 covers your bus and lift fee. In comparison, average lift ticket $50, group lesson (1 hour) $35, and a return bus fare from Toronto $41.00 (Barrie) and $67.00 (Collingwood) and you haven't even had lunch yet!.... Membership does have it's advantages!)
If you drive up, you'd probably be looking at $20-25 for gas and facing that long drive home when your're tired!! There are benefits to being a Member!
Q. How do I sign up and what do I need?
A. You will first need your membership number. When you phone
on Thursday nights between 7:00 and 9:00, the volunteers will ask you for your
number and then if you'd like to downhill, snowboard or cross country. The
operators will tell you the cost of the trip. When paying by cash, we ask
everyone to try to bring exact change. Note: On the day of skiing, try to be at
your pick up spot about 10-15 minutes early. Warning... they wait for no-one!
We have three pick-up points - Merton Street (Davisville & Yonge area),
York Mills/Yonge (NE corner) or Hwy7/Hwy400 (Commuter Parking Lot).
Q. What is an Après?
A. Have you ever had a perfect day of skiing, so perfect that
you don't want to leave the hill? Us too! So, every month at a minimum, we hold
an Après Ski Party at the hill, where we stay over for dinner, dance to tunes
spun by our own DJ, and the buses don't leave the hill 'till 10:00 p.m. The
Après are identified on the schedule. One piece of advice - remember to bring
along a change of clothes and your dancing shoes. Jeans and casual wear are the
norm, but sometimes there's a theme party too!.
Q. Now that I've booked, what is next?
A. The fun begins! Once on the bus, introductions and any
announcements such as where to meet for ski school will be made on-route.
Before you get to the hill, the bus captain and assistant will come around and
collect the fee for the day (cash). When the bus pulls up at the hill, and
while you are getting your boots, bags and skiis together, the bus captain(s)
will get the lift tickets for everyone and return to the bus. That's it! You
are ready for your lesson!
Q. What do I wear on the bus in the morning?
A. Most members just wear their ski apparel to the hill, then
change into their boots in the resort's chalet. There are on-hill lockers if
you want to bring a lunch or store extra gloves, socks, scarves and cold
weather gear such as face masks or goggles.
Q. Are lessons included?
A. Yes, your membership allows you to take downhill, boarding
and/or cross-country lessons on any scheduled day trip. We have over 50
qualified instructors just waiting to introduce you to some great
skiing/boarding techniques. When you phone-in to book your day trip, just let
us know which one you'd like to take (downhill, boarding or xc). Lessons
generally last from 10:00 a.m. until noon time when you then break for lunch.
Your instructor will evaluate you after your class and make any comments on an
evaluation card. You even get to evaluate our instructors on the ride home!
Q. Do I have to take a lesson?
A. No. If you wish to just come out and ski with us, please
do. Mileage is one of the best ways to improve your skiing.
Q. What happens after skiing?
A. The buses usually leave the hill about 1/2 hour after the
lifts close. Lifts close around 4:30 p.m. and most of the time, this will be a
5:00 p.m. departure (unless stated). When you have collected your skiis you can
store them back under the bus for the ride home and put your boots under your
seat. Sit back and relax. In between the music, refreshments and excitement of
the days skiing, next thing you know, you'll be back at the departure point and
you can head on home. Sometimes there will be announcements made to meet at a
local wateringhole!
Q. I signed up but unable to go, what do I do?
A. You can also cancel on-line if you signed up on-line, but
only until 7 p.m. of the phone-in night (Thursday night). You can also call on
Thursday night and speak to our volunteers and let them know you'd like to
cancel. (Up to 9pm). This is the ONLY way you can cancel a day trip.
Note: If you cancel after Thursday's phone-in, you will be charged a 'no-show'
fee, usually $20. This cost covers the bus fee only. Because we have already
booked the buses according to the number of member phone-ins, this is a
necessary charge.
Q. I missed sign-up but REALLY want to ski/board this weekend?
A. Relax, listen to the Information Line on Friday morning and
it will indicate if there is still room for 'show-ups'. Note: There will be a
'show-up' fee of $10.00, but believe me if there is a chance to ski, it is
worth it, I know! The 'show-up' fee is charged to discourage people from
getting into the 'bad habit' of 'not registering', but if there is a couple of
spots left on the bus, the more the merrier!. If the bus fills up and you are a
show-up, you could be bumped! NOTE: The only location "show ups" can board the
bus is at the AMC parking lot location at 400 and 7.
Q. I want to drive up but still want to take a lesson, do I have to
register?
A. Yes! Because we need to know the number of instructors to
accommodate the students, you should still register before the weekend. Simply
phone-in on our Thursday night phone-in or sign up On Line and let us know you
are a 'drive-up' but still would like to take a lesson. Note: you are
responsible for your own lift ticket when you drive up.
Don't forget your membership card to show the NTSC ski instructor when you take the lesson.