Diamant Skiing is committed to transforming the way skiers and snowboarders experience travel to and from the mountains. We are focused on innovative gear that streamlines and enhances the entire travel process. NSCF members receive 25% off anything in the Diamant Store. Simply enter the code at checkout.

Rediscover what it means to get to the mountains with The Weekend Warrior. We combined your boot bag and your travel bag into one so that you can experience frictionless travel no matter where your ski/snowboard adventure takes you. Pair it with the first ever packable On-Mountain Pack, which seamlessly integrates with The Weekend Warrior fitting neatly in its dedicated pocket. Make travel a positive part of the skiing experience with Diamant.

All NSCF members will receive 25% off upon checkout using the promo code shown on the Members Only page for this vendor. (You will need to login to the site to access the Members Only section.)

WOLFPACK is proud to partner with NSCF, and excited to offer members 20% off their first purchase. WOLFPACK is the ultimate family ski bag. Thoughtfully designed to organize and simplify every ski trip, helping families spend less time packing and more time enjoying the mountains together.

HOTEL LE MOTTARET – MÉRIBEL,  3 VALLEYS

Located in Méribel-Mottaret, Hotel Le Mottaret enjoys a true ski-in / ski-out position at the heart of Les Trois Vallées, the world’s largest connected ski area with over 370 miles of pistes.

Guests enjoy doorstep skiing, indoor pool and spa facilities, south-facing terraces and easy access to the legendary resorts of Méribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens.

HOTEL IBIZA – LES 2 ALPES – outstanding value for over 200km if slopes,  from 1420 € for 7 nights, with breakfast, dinner, 6 day lift pass AND airport transfer (round trip)

For clubs seeking outstanding value and high-altitude skiing, Hotel Ibiza offers access to one of France’s most exciting resorts.

Les 2 Alpes rises from 4,625 ft to almost 11,800 ft, delivering over 7,000 ft of vertical terrain, glacier skiing, lively après-ski and more than 200km of pistes.

Exclusive Ski Club packages can include accommodation, 6-day lift passes and return airport transfers, with the option for guests to add a memorable ski day in neighbouring Alpe d’Huez,  with helicopter transfer, for just 110 € !

DISCOVER MORE WITH MADAME VACANCES

Alongside Méribel and Les 2 Alpes, Ski Clubs can also discover our hotels in:

• Les Arcs – high altitude skiing with direct access to Paradiski
• Les Menuires – fantastic value in Les Trois Vallées
• Chamonix – one of the world’s most iconic mountain destinations

Contact the Madame Vacances team today to start planning your Winter 2027/28 Ski Club trip.  Groupes2@eurogroup-vacances.com

]]> https://skifederation.org/harmonix/ Sat, 06 Jun 2026 04:32:36 +0000 https://skifederation.org/?p=26713

Harmonix offers NSCF members exclusive pricing on smart audio eyewear, open-ear audio products, AI translation devices, and OTC hearing products. Enjoy music, calls, hands-free listening, broad translation support, photochromic lenses, blue light filtering, UV400 protection, and modern hearing support while staying aware during resort travel, outdoor activity, commuting, remote work, and everyday use.

Finding the perfect flight often feels like a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with an invisible algorithm. However, while airlines use complex data to hike prices, you can use the same logic to bring them down. By shifting your strategy from “buying a ticket” to “hacking the system,” you can save hundreds of dollars on your next adventure. Here are 10 essential tips for finding cheap flights.

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Posted from Wandertrivia

Below are 12 practical, travel-tested tips to help you pack less, stress less, and move more freely, whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or a long-haul adventure.

Before you even open your suitcase, write a list based on what you’ll actually do on the trip. Think in terms of activities and settings: walking all day, dinners out, beach time, chilly evenings; rather than vague categories like clothes or toiletries. This helps you avoid packing ‘just in case’ items that never leave the bag.

Once your list is done, trim it. Challenge each item with one simple question: Will I realistically use this? If the answer is “maybe,” it probably stays home. A shorter list upfront saves you from overpacking later.

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Reposted from Wandertrivia

GIBBON is the leader in dynamic balance training. Our slackline based training tools help athletes build balance, strength and mindfulness for better performance on and off the slopes.

NSCF members save 10% on all GIBBON balance training products including SlackBoards, slacklines and SlackRacks.

All NSCF members will receive this discount when checking out of your cart at the vendor site.  (You will need to login to our site to access the Members Only section to retrieve the discount code for this vendor.)

Most of us have that one little blue book tucked away in a “safe place”, the spot we swear we’ll remember but always seem to forget up until the last minute before heading to the airport. When we finally find it, we do the same thing every time: flip straight to the first two pages. Those opening pages do far more than just list your name and photo. They’re filled with codes, hidden symbols, and subtle markings that help verify your identity and prevent fraud. Here we’ll decode the secrets behind those official-looking details tucked inside your passport.

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SkyGOAT: High performance mid layers built for mountain adventures. Our Camp Hoodie, Jacket, and Half Zip are made with ultra soft GOATgrid microgrid fleece that is lightweight, warm, and breathable, making them perfect under a ski shell for long days on the mountain.

National Ski Council Federation members receive an exclusive 20% off SkyGOAT apparel.

Stay warm, move freely, and enjoy the mountain in comfort and style.

All NSCF members will receive this discount when checkin out of your cart at the vendor site.  (You will need to login to our site to access the Members Only section to retrieve the discount code for this vendor.)

QEJA (“kay-jah”) is a family run company based in Park City, Utah making the best socks for all the ways you move. Our top-selling ski socks mix the feel and quality of fine Italian craftsmanship QEJA extends a 20% discount to NSCF Members.

All NSCF members will receive this discount contacting the vendor directly. (You will need to login to the site to access the Members Only section.)

Jomees brings energy, visibility, and fun to every ski trip. Our bold helmet covers, standout accessories, and premium gear bags make members instantly recognizable on the mountain and unforgettable at après-ski. Stylish, functional, and photo-ready, Jomees helps clubs build community, create memories, and truly get In Line For Fun—on and off the slopes.  NSCF members receive a 10% discount.

All NSCF members will receive this discount contacting the vendor directly. (You will need to login to the site to access the Members Only section.)

By Jane Sandwood

Some things in life are fleeting: snow melts, kids grow, parents get gray hairs. But skiing isn’t one of those things. It’s a recurring family ritual where generations collide on slopes and in lodges, creating memories that outlast frostbite and overpriced hot cocoa alike. But why does this matter beyond the Instagram‑ready snow shots? Why does repeatedly dragging your increasingly uncooperative teenager onto a slope actually keep families more connected across decades? Here’s the heart of it: skiing creates shared challenges that forge stories, cultivates traditions that become emotional anchors, and invites every age to participate in the same adventure. If you’ve ever watched a grandfather cheer on his granddaughter’s first snowplough turn or seen siblings laughing mid‑après ski, you know: there’s meaning here.

Shared Challenges, Shared Stories

There’s something almost absurdly unifying about nearly freezing toes, confusing trail maps, and the universal humiliation of falling on your rear end in front of strangers. Yet these shared challenges bound families in a way that quiet Sunday dinners can’t. When you face something a little hard—say, learning the difference between a pizza and a French fry on skis, in blizzard conditions, at 8 a.m.—you also create stories that get retold. Later, at birthdays or holiday dinners, those stories become the currency of family lore. “Remember when Uncle Greg face‑planted into the snowman?” isn’t just a funny line; it’s shorthand for “we survived that together.” Each shared challenge adds another thread to the family tapestry. Importantly, that tapestry doesn’t unravel over time, it gains layers. Kids grow up hearing about “the trip when Dad got stuck upside-down on the ski lift and waved like a maniac for help,” and suddenly that lift story means something—it’s proof that even grown-ups can be a little ridiculous, and that laughter is a family tradition.

Keeping Everyone Involved

One of the sneakiest benefits of skiing culture is that it invites every age to stay active, more than just physically. Research on winter activities for older adults shows that engaging in seasonal pursuits—everything from gentle indoor snow experiences to festive outings and low‑impact winter movement—doesn’t just improve balance or cardio, but it actually boosts social interaction and psychological well‑being. When seniors have reasons to be part of a family’s vacation rhythm, they don’t sit back and watch, but participate. Grandparents helping with ski school routines, offering encouragement from the lodge, or taking part in alternative snow‑related fun feel valued, seen, useful.

Rituals, Continuity, and Emotional Anchors

If you think about traditions as emotional bookmarks, skiing offers remarkably durable ones. Early breakfasts, trail‑side lunches, that one restaurant you keep returning to because “it just feels like us” — these rituals morph into touchpoints that signal: this is our time. They provide continuity in lives that otherwise spin in rapid, disjointed circles of responsibilities. These rituals matter because human beings are wired to cling to meaning. When a kid who once couldn’t stand in skis becomes the one adjusting their parent’s bindings, that’s a passing of the torch—a moment of generational flip that feels significant. It’s not engineered; it’s organic, and it loops back into deeper familial trust and belonging. Skiing gives families a recurring rhythm, something to anticipate and remember. Whether it’s renting the same cabin, racing down the same bunny slope, or indulging in the same absurdly expensive mulled wine, these repeated acts become emotional anchors. They remind us that no matter how crowded life gets with work, school, or mundane chores, there are spaces where we come together, breathe together, and remember why we opened up our hearts to one another in the first place.

More Than Snow and Sport                                                                Skiing, with all its glory and ridiculousness, gives you shared challenges, meaningful activity for all ages, and traditions worth returning to. And yes, you might end up with sore muscles and questionable tan lines, but you’ll also walk away with something far warmer: connections that stretch across decades, generations, and maybe even grudging teenage smiles.

NSCF members receive 30% OFF our their selection of meal replacements.

All NSCF members will receive their discount upon checkout using the discount code shown on the Members Only page for this vendor. (You will need to login to the site to access the Members Only section.)

November 2025

 Will the Drought in the Northeast Curtail Snowmaking This Fall/Winter? Current drought conditions may affect the early season (November/early December). In a “normal” year, resorts might push snow guns aggressively or respond to brief cold snaps. In a drought year, they may have to ration water usage, being more selective about when and where to make snow. The timing of reservoir refill (from late summer and fall rains) is going to be critical. More. Seniors Skiing

Colorado Ski Industry Worried About Slowdown in J-1 Visas That Are ‘Essential’ for Resort Areas’ Workforce. The National Ski Areas Association, which represents over 300 alpine resorts throughout the U.S., said it has heard from ski areas, including in Colorado, that are worried about a potential shortage of seasonal foreign workers on J-1 visas this winter. More. Post Independent (Glenwood Springs and Garfield County, CO) via Google Alerts

Going Skiing in Europe This Winter? New Rules You Need to Know. Going skiing in Europe this winter? Italy now requires helmets for everyone, insurance is mandatory, and France is extending smoking bans to the slopes. Here’s what travelers need to know before hitting the mountains. More. Ski Racing Media

Timberline Prices to Rise Due to Oregon’s ‘Broken’ Liability System. As insurers exit Oregon and available insurance premiums skyrocket in response to the state’s legal climate, in which recreational liability waivers are unenforceable, outdoor recreation providers, including ski areas, are in a precarious position. Timberline, which operates on Mt. Hood, addressed this in a message to Oregonians, warning them that prices will be rising due to “unsustainable financial pressure.” More. SAM

Ikon Pass Expands Access in Asia with Nine New Destinations. The Ikon Pass will significantly expand its footprint in Asia for winter 2025-26, adding nine new ski destinations across Japan, China, and South Korea. More. SAM

Indy Pass Reports Jump in Sales, Redemptions. The number of Indy Pass products sold for 2025-26 grew 60 percent year-over-year, and pass holder redemptions at partner ski areas were up 40 percent for the 2024-25 season compared to 2023-24. With the addition of 50 new ski area partners on the pass, pass holders will have two days of access to each of more than 270 ski areas around the world.  More. SAM

Killington Plans $22M in Improvements for 2026. Killington Resort plans to invest $22 million in on-mountain infrastructure next year, including a new fixed-grip quad and an expanded on-hill restaurant facility. The Snowdon triple will be replaced by a fixed-grip quad chair, a $6.5 million project. An additional $6 million of funding will be used to construct a reimagined Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill.  More. SAM

FIS Bans Russian Athletes from Milan-Cortina Olympic Qualifiers. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has voted to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out of all qualification events for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, reaffirming its firm stance against participation by both nations amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. More. Ski Racing Media

Saddleback, Big Sky Tops in SKI Reader Survey. The results from the 2026 SKI Reader Resort Survey put Saddleback, Maine, ranked top in the East and Big Sky Resort, Mont., as the highest ranked resort in the West. Saddleback improved one place from its No. 2 ranking last year, while Big Sky jumped 23 spots. Rankings are based on responses from SKI’s annual reader survey, which is conducted every spring and asks respondents to rank each ski area in 18 different categories, such as grooming, family-friendliness, value, dining, and access. More. SAM

The 9 Most Outdoor-Obsessed States. To see which states in the nation are the most adventure-hungry, travel brand KÜHL dug into Google search data from August 2024 to August 2025, analyzing interest in 14 outdoor activities across all 50 states and adjusting the results per 100,000 residents. More. Snowbrains

Upcycling— How Fishing Nets Become Ski Jackets. What if we told you that the new ski jacket you just bought for this winter is actually made from a net that was once used for commercial fishing? Brands across the ski industry are utilizing new technology that takes old fishing nets and turns them into high-performance nylon suitable for technical outdoor apparel. More. Powder

Julia Schneemann | September 28, 2025 |

In a bid to keep one of Switzerland’s largest ski resorts in local hands, the municipalities of Flims, Laax and Falera announced plans on Wednesday, September 24, to jointly purchase the infrastructure of the Flims-Laax-Falera ski area for CHF 94.5 million ($118 million).

In a bid to keep one of Switzerland’s largest ski resorts in local hands, the municipalities of Flims, Laax and Falera announced plans on Wednesday, September 24, to jointly purchase the infrastructure of the Flims-Laax-Falera ski area for CHF 94.5 million ($118 million).

The proposal, shared by the three municipalities son Wednesday, outlines how the three villages intend to acquire the Weisse Arena Gruppe’s lifts, restaurants, avalanche barriers and other facilities through Finanz Infra AG, a company already responsible for financing of the area’s snowmaking operations. The “sell-and-lease-back” model would see the infrastructure sold to Finanz Infra AG and leased back to Weisse Arena Bergbahnen AG, which will continue to operate the lifts and manage day-to-day mountain operations.

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Reposted from SnowBrains

Julia Schneemann | September 26, 2025

The death of Italian ski racer Matteo Franzoso during a downhill training run in La Parva, Chile, has unleashed a wave of grief and a growing chorus of demands for change in how the sport—and specifically the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) manages risk. Franzoso, 25, died September 19 after a high-speed fall during downhill training—an accident that has sharpened scrutiny on training tracks, safety infrastructure, and the responsibilities of not just the Italian Ski Federation FISI, but also global organization FIS.

Earlier this week, the skier’s body was flown home to Italy and honored at a funeral in Sestriere, where he had grown up and first learned to ski. In the week since, athletes (past and present), coaches, and advocacy groups have spoken with unusual urgency about what must change if ski racing is to avoid more tragedies. It is the fourth death of a young athlete during training in the last 12 months and the third on the Italian team.

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Reposted from SnowBrains

Auust 21 – 24, 2025

Download the accompanying Power Point presentation here.

“This is going to change the way people see Sundance in more ways than one.” – Sundance COO Czar Johnson.