Page Updated: April 6, 2006

 

Swiss Trip Comments to be posted once emails are received.

 

 

 

France – Rome 2002 Traveler Comment Page

GREAT FALLS SKI CLUB

2002 Europe Ski Trip Information Page

Serre Chevalier, France

March 1st through 9th Rome extension 9th – 12th

 

France Trip Picture Party 6:00 PM Friday, April 26th, Moose Lodge, Black Eagle MT. Call Marv Jordan @ 452-9301 for more information.

 


Serre Chevalier Link & Snow Report

If you would like to leave your comments, please email to address below to get them posted.

(Below, Marv Jordan’s Thank You Letter to all who attended)

Fellow Travelers:

 

I would like to thank each and every person that traveled to France and then on to Rome for his or her support in making this trip a success. We had a few hiccups along the way but overall an extremely great event. I have attempted to thank each person face-to-face but this letter is geared towards anyone I may have missed and expanding on what I truly want to say. I want to make it crystal clear that each and every person made this trip work, as we truly are only as strong as our weakest link. I also appreciate the book on Briancon and the time that went into making personal comments. I will always cherish this.

 

It is my wish that all of you took a little piece of heaven on earth, Briancon, France back home as memories like Sue and I did after our first visit in 2000. Even after having been there before we still found many new things to do and see including actually skiing. As a ski area we lucked out with the “Snow God” smiling upon us giving us some most excellent days to enjoy. I’m still struck by the words of Dick Dailey who thanked me “for the best ski day of his life” after participating in the off-Piste guided trip. Many similar comments were given to which I like getting the credit for but cannot take, as we all just happened to be in the right place at the right time with everything coming together. I just facilitated conveyance, you the group provided spirit and positive attitude, which is the true mark of who we are and what we ultimately get out of life!

 

As in the past it is customary for the group to get together and share/exchange/give copies of their photos with the group. I have scheduled the Moose Lodge in Black Eagle for 6:00PM, Friday April 26th for this event. We will have access to a no-host bar and will order in pizzas (everyone chip in for cost). The Moose Lodge has all the long tables that we can spread out the photos on and it does not cost us any money to use. Call me if you have any questions @ 452-9301.

 

Christiane of the Parc Hotel was truly moved by our group and how we conducted ourselves. Additionally, she was very surprised at our gratuity gesture for the hotel breakfast staff and others. I have made arrangements to keep in contact with her at the new hotel she is going to start at in April 2002 so if anyone is interested in contacting her let me know.

 

Davina did an extra special job for us after being brought in at the last minute by my vendor at my request. I felt it was important to have a local contact for me to work with during our visit to work out any issues that may arise. Davina went above and beyond by organizing ski excursions and for this I have publicly and privately thanked her, brother Darren and Husband Damien. I would like to clarify her compensation for those that expressed an interest. My vendor paid her very well and all the side trips she organized she received substantial compensation for as the group sizes far exceeded her expectations. She also receives a commission on all activities that took place to and including the trip to LaGrave. I will be working exclusively with Davina in the future setting up small groups of 20 people to stay in the small villages and enjoy the local atmosphere. If anyone has specific questions feel free to ask me.

 

As the trip leader it is my personal responsibility to provide gratuity all those that helped me. That is why is customary to tip the trip leader to help defray direct/indirect costs that are incurred like tipping the guides in Rome and all others in France that provided assistance. The money that Jerry Myhr gave me from the group helped but I still came up short in that department with out of pocket expenses. I will just have to come up with a better system in the future that will provide equity. I know that this was not intentional but an oversight as all in our group are very generous. Jerry did explain at the time of book presentation not all had the opportunity to contribute.

 

A great deal of work went into putting this trip together and I would like to thank my wife Susan and son Jon for supporting me as I spent all of my extra time making this trip happen. I would also like to thank those who stepped up along the way offering help when they saw I was overwhelmed or just having a bad day. I apologize that I did not give others more to do as I had the “big picture” in my mind and knew how I wanted it to turn out or I did not have the time to explain specifics especially in dealing with vendor issues.

 

Why did I do this? Running this trip was a personal test to see if I could make another happen four times larger than the last (New Zealand). It also reflects my philosophy of why I joined the club in the beginning being able to go places that my family or I would not be able to alone as we can reduce the cost with increased numbers. It is also great to go places with people you know and the prospect of meeting new ones. My wife (Sue) said it best; “you truly do not get to know someone until you go on a ski trip with him or her”. I have found this to be true in my brief time as a club member. So this is what I take away from the trip, new friends that I have helped and they have helped me enjoy a moment in time.

 

Looking to the future from an international perspective I have kicked around the notion of going back to New Zealand with Australia and possibly one of the small South Pacific Islands thrown in. Time frame for this trip would be around March 2004. The one thing to keep in mind is we will be going to the Southern Hemisphere and it will be their Summer/Fall. I would like to know how many might be interested in this type of trip or should I put together another winter ski trip? Lots of time to think about it but let me know so I can start looking at rates/location.

 

If there is anyone interested in going on ski trips around the world joining in with other ski clubs let me know what area you are interested in and I will see what I can do about getting you added on. There are over 2800 clubs in the USA with many running trips each month. There is usually room to for an add-on or a fill-in for a last minute cancellation.

 

I had sent out with an earlier letter a copy of everyone’s name and address & phone. If you need another copy pleas let me know and I will send it to you.

 

This letter is getting longer than planned so I will attempt to close by once again thanking all and look forward to seeing you at our club meetings or on the slopes.

 

Sincerely

 

Marv Jordan

meanmarv@mt.net

Return to Top of Page

Return to Home Page