Ski for Britain

YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN AN INTERNATIONAL SKI CLUB FOR JOURNALISTS… AND SKI FOR GREAT BRITAIN IN MARCH
You’re a journalist, hungry for the next story, always casting around for fresh ideas. You never fail to follow up a promising lead, you’ve got energy to burn. You enjoy the craic; meeting people, seeing new countries. But you may spend too much time square-eyed in front of a computer screen. Sure you have a varied and interesting job, you’ve got your own networks, hundreds of contacts - but they’re online. Sometimes you feel you should get out more.
Then, out of the blue, the chance of joining an international club of fellow journalists. Inquiring minds, people who want to meet colleagues from different media, different countries. They meet once a year in the mountains, perhaps off the beaten track, where they combine a dose of the outdoor life with plenty of time for socialising, face-to-face that is, not virtual.
They visit the surroundings, taste the cuisine, discuss international politics and anything else that comes into their head. Drink, dance, miss a lot of sleep.
Oh yes, and they ski.
That’s partly why the International Journalists’ Ski Club exists. The rest is to exchange ideas, ways of seeing the world, have a good time.
Founded in 1955 at the height of the Cold War as a means of bridging the East-West divide, our club has since expanded from 8 nations to more than 40, from Japan to Argentina, Russia to Australia. Not forgetting all the European nations. We hold an official meeting on the slopes once a year. We also hold races. But if you’ve never raced slalom or cross-country, don’t let it put you off. Though it’s true we’d like some competitive types, as long as you are willing to have a go, you’ll fit in. And find it surprisingly good fun.
One word of warning, stamina is required for the week – and that ‘s not just for the skiing. It’s for the rest of the 24 hours when you are not on skis. If you are a party animal, an outdoor type, an actual sportsperson or just someone who’s just like to be one, if you want to meet new people of all ages and many countries, you may be a future member of SCIJ. Will it suit you? Only one answer - you never know until you try!!
Over the years our annual ski meetings have taken us to many of the great ranges of the world and some of the best resorts, as well as some places you are unlikely to visit yourselves. This year's meeting is in Slovakia in March and there are a couple of places available on the team.
As well as the many other advantages, the international meeting can be seen as a cheap week's skiing in good company, with insights into the local history and visits of the area thrown in. We are always well looked after. It’s a very social trip and a great way to ski if you have nothing planned for this year. There are two websites you may be interested in looking at http://www.scij.org/NewFront06.html and http://www.scij.org.uk/ The UK site is out of date but gives an impression of what goes on. Minimum skiing ability would be no more than a reasonable intermediate. These trips are normally very oversubscribed but there have been a couple of drop outs this year as the dates have changed.
If anyone is interested contact Gill Martin: gillmartin@tedding.freeserve.co.uk or 020 8977 2104 who will forward your details to the UK organisers.