SAGA’S GRRREAT
SAGA has worked with over the years have been “absolutely fantastic.” “We’ve developed deep relationships from working together to plan trips for years and they always make sure our group feels welcomed and appreciated,” he maintains. Noting that the group’s trip director, Russ Fox, has been with them for the past 20 years, which supports SAGA in being able to offer a wide variety of trips for every budget size, with more competitive pricing for lodging and lift tickets. “There is a lot of built-in knowledge we can leverage during the careful trip planning process because Russ has been with us so long,” Phillips says. “The only challenges we have faced have been in dealing with Mother Nature, but she seems to be cooperating with us for the 2016 season.” Speaking of, Phillips says that this season is shap-
ing up to be another good one, with trips planned to not only the usual spots (Aspen, Telluride, Utah and Mammoth), but also new spots throughout New Mexico early this month and the upcoming Big Bear Snow ROMP weekend in March. “We always take advantage of the big, gay ski weekends in great locations, but for 2016, we definitely planned our trip schedule to take full advantage of the El Niño weather patterns. We have more trips to Big Bear and Mammoth than usual because both have already had an impressive amount of snow this year.”
While Phillips says he enjoys his time on the slopes, he says his favorite part of running SAGA is supporting the gay community in finding new ways to interact with each other. “I really like being part of an inclusive, active community where everyone feels welcome at events, but this is also a wonderful way to meet new friends with similar interests in a relaxed, comfortable setting away from the usual bar scene,” he posits. “It’s a way for people with a sense of adventure to experience new travel destinations as a group, and that always makes for a memorable and enjoyable experience.”
For more information on L.A.’s SAGA Ski Club and their Park City, Beaver Creek and Mammoth trips, go
tosagala.org.
For more information on San Diego’s SAGA Ski Club and their upcoming Big Bear, Park City, Telluride and Mammoth trips, go to
sagasd.com.
THE RAGE MONTHLYGETS THE SCOOP ON SAGA SKI CLUB’S UPCOMING OUTING,THE BIG BEAR SNOW ROMP
March will mark the first time that San Diego’s SAGA Ski Club will sponsor a winter event in Big Bear Lake and club President Rick Phillips says he couldn’t be more exited. “We’ve been going to other ski weekends
in other destinations for years, but have always wondered why there was no large group weekend in Big Bear considering that it’s such a great destination and so close to so many large gay communities,” Phillips says. “Who could ask for a more convenient getaway?” The upcoming Big Bear Snow ROMP weekend follows the club’s successful first outing in Big Bear last August, when hundreds of guys joined SAGA during the Big Bear ROMP. Phillips says that the winter-specific event will be similar, allowing community members the chance to get out of their gay ghettos and meet new people. “We’ve created a weekend where a broad range of guys can take a break from their regular routine for a fun adventure in the mountains,” he adds. “It may not be well-known, but there’s a growing gay community in Big Bear and this is another way to get to know each other and make everyone feel welcome in this unique natural setting.” With SAGA having secured the Wolf
Creek Resort as the weekend’s host hotel, Phillips says the stage is set for gays and
lesbians to take the joint over. “This is a centralized, close setting that makes it really easy to meet others without the need to go anywhere,” he says and points to events like a Craft Brew Teach And Taste, lunchtime slope meet ups, an après ski kickoff tasting held in the resort’s Wine Room and a Snow Plow dance event—as well as discounts on snow tubing and at local spas—as options for both snow bunnies and those who may want to love them. “The ROMP is meant for more than just
skiers and boarders,” Phillips says. “It’s really planned as a way for people who are seeking a sense of community, or have similar interests, to be able to enjoy the weekend experience with others who are like-minded.” If the weekend is a hit, Phillips says that
other similar outings are sure to follow. “Big Bear is so close and so beautiful and there’s so much to do even if you’re not a skier or a boarder,” he enthuses. “Ultimately, it’s our hope to keep the fun going for the gay community year-round in Big Bear and to introduce more people to the natural beauty and fantastic mountain resort scene just a short car ride away.”
SAGA’s Big Bear Snow ROMP will be heldThursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6 at the Wolf Creek Resort in Big Bear Lake. For tickets and more information, go
tosnowromp.com.
FEBRUARY 2016
FEBRUARY 2016 | | RAGE monthly
monthly
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