To all skiers, snowboarders, cross country skiers ,snowshoers and non skiers!
Since 2007, 400 people have enjoyed a total of 19 week long ski trips. People of all ages and abilities, from expert skiers to complete beginners, have taken part. At first, we went to hostels in Switzerland and then catered chalets in the French Alps as they offered good value, sociable space for the group to mix and resulted in holidays where GOC membership formed good friendships from across the UK and beyond. The GOC group is now the longest, continuous gay snow sports group in the U.K.!
In 2022 we hit the ski slopes in Samoens in France after a two-year absence as a result of Covid. For many of the party, it was also their first time overseas since before the pandemic and we enjoyed it so much we returned there in 2023. In January 2024 we went to Fieberbrunn in Austria. It is part of the huge Saalbach/Hintertglemm ski area. We stayed in an excellent 4 star excellent hotel with a spa, converted from a castle. 14 people including many non skiers gathered in the resort having travelled from all parts of Britain. All but one stayed in the same hotel. See events news for more information. Amazingly, 6 of the group were also on the very first trip in 2009! A DVD is available of that very first trip!
GOC skiers are generally experienced and able to ski on their own, in pairs or as part of a larger group. Ski/boarding/cross-country /snow shoeing lessons are always available. People can start and finish their skiing day at a variety of times to suit energy levels and the size of the previous night’s bar bill.
This year we were blessed with a lot of sunshine. People in the UK who have not visited the Alps in winter find this hard to believe, but plentiful sunscreen needed to be applied and hats worn sitting outside at lunchtime, not to keep warm but to stop those of us more follically challenged from burning. The hotel evening meals were of a high standard and combined with quality wine, and beer meant that falling asleep in the comfortable rooms was serenely easy. The ski area was surprisingly extensive, with even the busiest skiers able to find new runs each day. For the non skier and those seek to rest their legs the village offered a range of activities nearby including winter snow shoeing and easy train access Kitzbuhel, Innsbruck and even to Salzburg (home of the Sound of Music).
We organize the ski group differently from walking groups. At the moment the co-ordinator/s position is vacant and no trips are so far planned for the 24/25 season. Please use the form below to make yourself known if you are interested to help with the group and future events.
When skiing /boarding, there is no leader to take you round the slopes. We divide into groups according to ability and interest. Everybody must have appropriate clothing and equipment. It is essential that everyone has adequate insurance (taken out at the time of booking)and to be relevant to the type of snow sport undertaken (off-piste skiing for example).
Skiers, snowboarders, cross country skiers and non-skiers are all welcome, as with the type of skiing/boarding. Details of the insurance cover will be required beforehand and must be kept with you on the slopes.
No trip has yet been organised for the next season. If one is organised, it will be through a ski holiday company or booked independently (see GOC members events page for more details of any trip planned). You MUST be a full GOC member to come on a trip.
