Hoboken social club the Hoboken Ski Club has been organizing trips to mountains around the world since the early ’90s. Founded back in 1991 by Bob McDonald, the club has now become a staple in the Hoboken social scene.
Besides a wide range of domestic and international ski trips, the club also organizes ice-skating trips to Bryant Park, hiking and biking trips, wine tastings, and trips to Yankee and Mets games. A few years back, the club even organized a sky-diving excursion. It’s safe to say the Hoboken Ski Club is more than just a winter fling.
“It’s evolved over the years,” said club president Adam Weissman. “It’s all about the experience and getting to know people.” Weissman has been a member for seven years, and president for the past three.
With over 500 registered members per year, the club is quickly becoming one of Hoboken’s largest social networks.
“Sometimes, there’s a six- or seven-hour bus ride [to the mountain],” Weissman said. “With a little bit of effort, you can meet 40 or 50 people who live right in the area. The people who come on the trips usually come back.”
Most of the members are from Hoboken, according to a statistic on the club’s website. Forty-one percent hail from Hoboken, 40 percent from other parts of New Jersey, and 18 percent from New York. The ratio of male to female is 51 to 49 percent.
Almost all of the trips offered by the club are available with a year-long membership, costing $35.
“The people who come on the trips usually come back.” – Adam Weissman
________
The price to play
But getting to know people is not the only reason to sign up; membership in the club can save skiers a hefty penny on lift tickets. Discounted lift tickets are available through a voucher program with the New Jersey Ski Council.
According to Weissman, the club is one of approximately 45 clubs in the New Jersey Ski Council. Although Weissman was not allowed to give specific monetary amounts that members can save, the savings can be up to 40 percent off of the original lift ticket price.
“If the lift ticket cost $80, you’ll end up saving $25 or $30,” Weissman said. “With two lift tickets, the membership ends up paying for itself.”
Social skiing
In addition to the ski trips, the club has social get-togethers every week, with a club meeting in the back room of Willie McBride’s, 616 Grand St. in Hoboken, and a happy-hour night called “Thirsty Thursdays” at various bars around the Hudson County area. Members must be at least 21 years old to attend.
The meetings, held every Tuesday night, at 8:30 p.m. welcome both members and nonmembers to discuss ideas for upcoming trips.
Last December, the club held a Holiday Party at Willie McBride’s that raised over $1,000 for the Toys for Tots charity.
“I’ve always enjoyed the social aspect,” Weissman said. “People meet on the trips and get married through the trips. We’ve even had a few babies now.”
For more information, please visit: www.hobokenskiclub.com; or, head down to Willie McBride’s any Tuesday night – everyone is welcome.
UPCOMING TRIPS
Mt. Snow, Stratton VT, a weekend trip from Jan. 9 to Jan. 11, for $425
Steamboat, CO, a week-long trip from Jan. 17 to Jan. 24, for $1,475
Chamonix, France, a week-long trip from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7, for $1,879
Stowe, VT, a weekend trip from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16 for $495
Loon Mt. in Waterville, NH, a weekend trip from Feb. 20 to Feb. 22, for $390
Park City, UT, a week-long trip from Feb. 28 to March 7, for $1,695
Sugarloaf, ME, a long weekend trip from March 13 to March 16, for $530
Sugarbush, VT, a weekend trip from March 20 to March 22, for $455
Jay Peak, VT, a long weekend trip from March 27 to March 30, for $515