Member Led

Member Led Trips are very loose in their organization.

Every season a few of our more prominent and active members make their own trip plans to explore different parts of the world, and experience different special events.

Traveling with others is more fun, so they let us know about their travel plans so that others who may be interested in also going to these places won't have to travel alone.

We provide you with basic information on our site, once you register for the trip we'll put you in touch with the member leading the trip and together you can work out your own plans and itinerary.

As an OUTSLOPES member, you can participate in any of these trips that your membership level permits.

Find a trip

Navigating our online calendar of trips & events, find a trip or activity that interests you.

Registering for a trip

Register for the trip on our website.  We'll then connect you with the member leading the trip.

Registering for the trip on our website is free, however you will be responsible for your own costs associated with the trip (ie, travel, lift ticket, rentals, etc).

Additional Questions

During trip registration you will be asked a few additional questions, such as

• Do you have your own equipment, or will you be renting
• Will you be driving yourself? Do You have an extra seat? Will you be needing a ride?
• Where are you coming from? (helps trip-leaders connect people who are in the same area)
• Emergency Contact (who do we contact if something happens during the trip?)

It should be noted that in the event you are requesting a ride, your registration cannot be confirmed for the event until the trip leader can confirm there's a car-pooling seat available for you.  This is based solely on how many people register for any given trip who have vehicles with open seats.  If a shuttle is offered for a particular trip, that may be your best option, as your seat would then be guaranteed, and your registration confirmed.

Because these trips are organized by members, the information you provide will be shared with the member leading the trip.

Book Your Travel

You are responsible for your own travel arrangements

Road Trip

Many of the places we travel may be within driving distance, and you may choose to just drive to get to the resort.  If you choose to do this, consider carpooling, and making any available seats in your vehicle available to other members who may want to attend.  Members traveling together are expected to share in the costs of travel (i.e. give the driver some gas money), which in addition to being environmentally friendly, can also help reduce your costs.

Flights & Ground Transfers

Some trips will be too far to drive, or you may just not be interested in driving that far.  In these situations, on the event page we will list what the nearest destination airport is.  We may also make some information about ground transportation options once you land available.  You are responsible for booking your own flights and ground transportation once you arrive.  If you decide to just rent a car, consider joining up with other members traveling around the same time as you and share the cost.

You are responsible for your own accommodations

You can book wherever you wish, but we recommend working with the trip leader and deciding together where to stay.

Book With Confidence

We highly recommend booking directly with the property, service provider or with a legitimate and licensed travel broker.  If traveling from Ontario, Canada, you can search for TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) registered travel agency here.

Protect yourself

We highly recommend anytime you travel anywhere that you purchase travel insurance.  Generally there are two types of travel insurance;

• Trip Interruption/Cancellation; provides assistance in the event you run into travel issues, including canceled flights, missing luggage, booking errors by service providers, etc.  Some major credit cards already include this coverage as a cardholder benefit when you purchase your travel using that card.  Check your cardholder benefits to see if and how you're covered.
• Travel Medical; obviously we hope nothing happens while you're on a trip, but the sports of skiing/snowboarding do come with an increased risk of accident and injury, not to mention more typical things like getting sick.  Most personal/corporate health plans may not cover you while traveling, and many provincial/state medical plans may have restricted coverage, or not cover you at all when traveling out of province/state or country.  Don't get caught with an out-of-control hospital bill, insure yourself.

Pre-Trip Communication

Member Led trips are not organized by OUTSLOPES.  We provide the listings for your information only and connect you with the member leading the trip. Together with the trip leader you will make your own plans.  Stay in contact with each other.

Pack Smart / Travel Smart

Plan ahead.  Check weather forecasts, but also remember, weather, especially in mountain regions, can vary greatly from top to bottom, and also can change quickly from what's forecasted.  Bring options, and pack to dress in layers.

If you're traveling as part of a carpool; check with whoever you are traveling with about how much baggage space they have available for you.

If you're traveling by plane/train/bus; check with the transportation company about baggage allowances and costs.  Even though oversized, most Canadian airlines, and VIA rail consider ski equipment as a standard piece of baggage.  Consider packing other things (jacket, snow pants, sweatshirts, etc) in with your skis or snowboard to maximize space.  This can also help protect your equipment from rough handling by baggage staff in transit.  But be aware of weight limits.

If you're traveling cross border, be aware of restrictions of what you are and aren't allowed to bring into the country.  Things like many foods have sever limitations.  If you plan to cook your own meals while you travel, consider planning a grocery store stop into your travel plans AFTER you are across the border.  Also keep in mind food safety.  If it's a long trip, perishable items, and items that require refrigeration should be purchased closer to your destination to maintain food safety.  Even in a cooler, on long trips food can get too warm to be safe.

Remember your travel documents.  You always need to have government issued photo ID with you.  Also make sure you pack and bring any information you need for your travel arrangements, and your travel insurance information.  If you're crossing a border, make sure you have your passport, and any necessary VISAs or permits you require for entering the country.  If you think that you may have any issues with smooth clearance at a border, plan ahead, if possible apply for pre-clearance, let your travel partners know about potential delays, or consider traveling on your own so you don't hold others up.

Check your cellphone plans.  Especially if you're traveling out of country, be aware of roaming charges.  Most cellphone companies offer fantastic roaming packages when purchased in advance.  These come in handy when on a trip for a variety of reasons.  If you like being social on Facebook or Twitter, using tracking apps like SkiTracks or Tracer, or simply for apps like Google Maps for helping you get there.  These all use data, and while away from main hotel locations, wifi likely won't be available.  While in your hotel, make sure to check in advance about the availability of wifi, and any costs there may be to access it.

On the trip

BE COURTEOUS - BE ON-TIME

Before the trip, if you're traveling with others, don't keep them waiting.  Everyone is excited to get on the road and arrive at the destination.  BE READY ON-TIME.

During the trip, double check meetup times and locations.  Make sure you allow enough time to gear-up or get dressed, and arrive on-time to meet everyone else.

OUT on the Slopes

It's time to get out on the slopes and enjoy a morning of skiing or riding.

Most members choose to stick with the group and enjoy a social day while out on the slopes.  Using the time in lift lines and riding the lifts to visit and connect with friends new or old.

But you can ski or ride with whomever you want, or wander off for some self-exploration for a while.

Socials

Different organizations have different arrangements and plans for social activities.  Please check directly with the organizing partner regarding social activities that may be planned for the trip.

On your last day of a trip, or if you're staying off-site, please remember we have a few rules for enjoying aprés and socials:

• If you're driving - be responsible: DO NOT DRINK
• Enjoy responsibly, don't drink to excess and become obnoxious.  You have to share a ride home with someone, and everyone else doesn't deserve to put up with you being a dick.
• Don't hold the rest of your car-pool up.
• If you're on a shuttle, be to the pickup point ON-TIME.  Shuttles don't wait.

Whenever possible, we highly encourage booking your accommodations on site so that you can fully participate in and enjoy the social events associated with a trip without concern about making arrangements to get back to your room safely.

Code of Conduct

Remember, just because this isn't an OUTSLOPES organized trip, you are getting access to it because you are an OUTSLOPES member.  As such, you are representing us, and every other OUTSLOPES member while you are on the trip.  Behave accordingly, and follow the rules of both our Code of Conduct that you agreed to on sign-up.

Share your story...

During of after your trip, please share your experience with your social circles on facebook, twitter, or in person, etc.  Don't forget to tag us so we can share in your memories.