Stay up to date with the latest news of our people and activities with the INSIDE EDGE, the monthly newsletter of the Duneland Ski Club!

March 2026 Newsletter

Warm weather got you thinking of Summer?
The DSC Annual Pine River Camping and Canoe Trip
is just the cure for your Mud Season Blues!
Registration is now open:
DSC Camping Canoe Trip 2026

Check out the Facebook page of the Duneland Ski Club!

DSC on Facebook

The 2026 Ski Season has been great for Duneland Ski Club!
Get a jump on these great trips in 2027!

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS for DSC MEMBERS for a LIMITED TIME

Sun Valley, Idaho, is a "bucket list" destination!
Exclusive registration and deposits for current DSC members NOW!

Base package includes:

* Airfare on United Airlines (RT O'Hare - Sun Valley) - ONLY 29 direct flight seats available
* Bus transfers (RT Sun Valley Airport - Lodging)
* 7 nights lodging at Sun Valley Lodge Apartments - LIMITED single accommodations (first come-first choice)

See the Trip Flyer for further information and links to Sun Valley amenities.

2027 Sun Valley Deposit Flyer

Online registration and payment of the deposit (refundable until June 30, 2026) will secure your spot on this trip. Full package pricing will be published after the airfare rates and schedule are confirmed.

Register Now!

CMSC Chicago Week is always a blast!
For 2027, DSC has booked spots for a favorite destination: Big Sky Montana!

Exclusive registration and deposits for current DSC Members NOW!

Base package includes airfare (RT from O'Hare), bus transfers (RT Bozeman Airport - Lodging), and 7 nights lodging at Big Sky. See the Trip Flyer for further information and links to Big Sky amenities.

CMSC Big Sky 2027

Online registration and payment of the deposit (refundable before June 30, 2026) will secure your spot on this trip. Full package pricing will be published after the airfare rates and schedule are confirmed.

This trip will sell out fast! Reserve your spot NOW! CMSC Chicago Week 2027 - Big Sky

Duneland Ski Club crushed the 2026 season with trips to
Granite Peaks, Wisconsin,
our Western Trip to Schweitzer Mountain,
Bus Trip to Boyne Highlands & Nub's Nob,
and CMSC Chicago Week 2026 at Snowmass!
Check out the photos in the Slide Shows below!

Six Dunelanders hit the Colorado slopes in December!

Matzats and Blocks at Granite Peak

Dawn and Chris Disher at the Viking Improvement Camp at Chestnut Mountain. Can you spot them?

2026 Duneland/Nomads Western Trip

January 30 - February 7

Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho

Winter travel has its own unique challenges - like ground conditions at O'Hare and missed connections. And luggage that decided it wanted to see Memphis on the way to Spokane. But once we get there, the focus turns to optimizing the ski opportunity and fun with our club friends!

We had 28 Dunelanders and Nomads - plus a few drive-up friends and family - for a week at Schweitzer Mountain in northern Idaho. Beautiful Lake Pend Oreille occasionally peeked out of the cloud inversion below, and various excursions into the town of Sandpoint gave us a taste of this little corner of the world.

In addition to nice shops, restaurants, and bars for après ski, we had an Idaho Potato Bar Welcome Dinner, Taco Trivia Night, and optional events, including Italian Dinner and Gourmandie Wine and Cheese Tasting. The sunny deck at Taps was favorite spot to hang out. The Idaho hospitality was definitely a plus!

While the ski conditions were not everything we had hoped for, the Mountain Tours gave us a good feel for the skiable areas, and everyone found some runs to enjoy.

Email your photos to jerry.mansell@att.net for inclusion in the slideshow!

Trippin' Back to the 70's!

Midwest Bus Trip to Boyne Highlands & Nub's Nob
February 21-23, 2026

Where did all the tie dyes, beads, bellbottoms, and headbands come from?!?!?

We should have warned Petoskey that the Duneland and Nomads Ski Clubs take their Bus Trip themes seriously!

Thanks to Heather Seger, Cheryl Wytovicz, and Jim Buchanan for putting together a great trip. After some last-minute logistical hiccups (read: near disasters!), the gang got on the bus and partied all the way to Petoskey, Michigan.

Boyne Highlands and Nub's Nob are among the best ski hills in the Midwest.

Good snow and good friends made for a great weekend ski trip!

Email your photos to Jerry Mansell for inclusion in the Slideshow!

CMSC Chicago Week 2026
February 28 - March 7
Snowmass, Colorado

For weeks, we heard about the snow drought holding the Rockies in its grip. So we were happy to hear about fresh snow the week before we arrived, and we were absolutely giddy to get a heavy dose of powder for our Friday finale!

CMSC put together a full itinerary, with a Welcome Party, two Après Ski parties, a Mountain Lunch, NASTAR races, and a Banquet with dinner, awards, and dancing!

When Duneland jumps on a big CMSC trip like this, we have an opportunity to meet like-minded ski-lovers from other clubs. We shared the transfer buses with great people from the Inland Ski Club and Fort Wayne Ski Club. And five of the people who joined DSC for this trip are members of the Thunderbirds Ski Club in suburban Detroit.

Thanks to CMSC Trip Leaders Vicki Schultz and Magda Szumiakowska, CMSC President Kevin Conlon, our own Duneland Trip Leader Henry Bottando, and all of the CMSC volunteers who made CW 2026 a memorable experience!

Email your photos to jerry.mansell@att.net for inclusion in the slideshow!

Next Hike - IDNP Heron Rookery Trail!

Wednesday, April 15 - file your taxes early
and come here to relax!

The Heron Rookery Trail follows along a portion of the Little Calumet River that once featured over 100 Great Blue Heron nests. After 60 years of nesting here, the herons have moved on to new nesting grounds. These woods remain alive with dozens of birds including kingfishers, woodpeckers, and a wide variety of migrating and nesting warblers.

In spring, before the trees leaf out, the woodlands along this trail are blanketed with the most extensive display of spring wildflowers in the Indiana Dunes National Park. Trillium, spring beauties, and Dutchman’s breeches are just a few of the flowers you’ll see along this trail. Most years, the wildflowers peak from late April through mid-May.

Please note there are two parking lots for the Heron Rookery Trail. We will meet at the Main (east) Lot: 1336 N County Road 600 East, Michigan City, IN 46360 at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

This trail is part of the Indiana Dunes National Park, so please bring your parking pass. Note: there are no toilet facilities at this location. Bring your camera! As always, dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring your own water.

Following the hike, we can adjourn to the Gastro 49 Pub & Eatery at 361 N. Calumet Road in Chesterton.

Come see the beautiful trilliums along the Heron Rookery Trail!

Duneland Ski Club is active all year round!
See what's coming next in our monthly newsletter or the menus above!

Celebrate a successful 2025-26 year for DSC!

We will celebrate with a Dine Around on Monday, May 18, 2026! Instead of our regular monthly meeting, we will gather at Gelsosomo‘s Pizzaria, 11319 Broadway in Crown Point, from at 6:30 to 9:00 PM.

For this Dine Around, we will enjoy an all-inclusive buffet of pizza, salad, soft drinks for $20 per person. A selection of wine and beer will be available at a cash bar. Unlike other Dine Arounds, attendees will be required to register in advance. Each member may register one non-member guest.

Register online through the link below, or RSVP by text to Mary Golding at 219-796-7011. Payment for this event must be made in advance, no later than May 6 - no walk-ups can be accommodated.

DSC Year-End Celebration!

Payments can be made by check at the April 20 General Meeting or by mail to:

Mary Golding

1104 Flagstone Drive

Dyer, IN 46311

Alternatively, payment can be made by Zelle to Duneland Ski Club, Inc. and email treasurer@skiduneland.com.

Duneland Ski Club and the Chicago Nomads enjoyed a great joint trip to Taos, New Mexico, in February 2025. Check out other great trip memories in the "Trips & Events" tab in the Main Menu at the top of this Home Page!

Our membership in the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council facilitates sharing activities with other clubs throughout the Midwest. Check out the CMSC website at www.skicmsc.com for more information.

The 2026 Western Trip took Duneland to Schweitzer Mountain in northern Idaho. Spring skiing conditions did not slow down the fun!

More information on the 2027 DSC Western Trip to Sun Valley, Idaho, is coming soon!

Living in the Indiana Dunes provides DSC opportunities for unique hiking experiences. NPS Ranger Bill provided fascinating insights about ecosystem and history of the Pinhook Bog.

Check out other great activities in the "Hikes & Bikes" tab in the Main Menu above.

Welcome to Duneland Ski Club

For over 75 years, we have been Northwest Indiana’s premier club for ski and snowboard enthusiasts of all skill levels! Founded on a passion for adventure and a love for winter sports, our club offers exciting trips, social events, and year-round activities tailored to bring together the local skiing and snowboarding community. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or new to the slopes, Duneland Ski Club provides opportunities to meet fellow outdoor lovers, participate in group trips to renowned ski resorts and enjoy a variety of social gatherings. Join us and experience the thrill of winter sports while making lifelong friends along the way!

We would like to meet you! Check out our Calendar for Meetings and Events!

Our March Dine Around at Tiny's in Miller Beach was a great success! Thanks again, Mary Golding. Our next Dine Around will be the End-of-Year Celebration on May 18.
The next Duneland Ski Club General Meeting will be at 7:30 PM on April 20, 2026 at the Gary Sportsmen Club, 10101 Madison Street, Crown Point, IN 46307.
We have regular social events that are open to everyone, including Dine-Around Dinners, bike rides, and hikes. More information in our Newsletter.
Special events include the Pine River Camping/Canoeing Trip, a Railcats Baseball game, Holiday Concert, Pool Party, and Chili Cookoff.

How's this for planning ahead?

CMSC is going to:

Big Sky for Chicago Week
February 27 to March 6, 2027

Copper Mountain for Spring Fling
April 4-9, 2027

Steamboat for Chicago Week
February 26 to March 4, 2028

for more information on these trips
check out your latest DSC Newsletter!

Join us for our next General Meeting on Monday, April 20. We will meet at the Gary Sportsmen Club at 7:30 PM.

Yes! DSC is going to Sun Valley
in 2027!

Here's the flyer: 2027 Sun Valley Deposit Flyer

And here is where you can reserve your spot:
DSC Western Trip - Sun Valley

Why Join Our Ski Club?

Our Club arranges trips each winter to snow-packed resorts near and far.
Past trips include: Taos, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Park City, Whistler, Aspen-Snowmass.
Have fun participating in many year-round social activities like Dine Arounds, bike rides, canoe and camping trips, hikes, baseball games, pool parties, chili cookoffs, and more.
Ski Clinics: Low cost ski clinics are available through association with ski resorts.
Bus trips and drive-ups to Midwest ski destinations.
Access to Western and International ski trips through CMSC.