PVSC Ski Trips
PVSC TRIPS 2027:
The ski club is planning 4 trips for next winter. Reservations will be on a first come - first serve basis for current (2026) members only. If there are openings still available in October, we will open the reservations to new members.
West Branch Pond Camp Ski Trip
Dates: Friday Jan 29 to Sunday Feb 1, 2027 *With an Optional Overnight Stay at the Medawisla AMC Lodge on Thurs Jan 28, 2027
West Branch Pond Camps is a set of remote traditional Maine Sporting Camps which have been family owned and managed since 1910. The Camps are located 28 miles northeast of Greenville on the gravel Frenchtown Road deep in the Maine woods, well away from the rush and roar of modern life, off grid with no internet, no cell phone service and limited hours of camp generated electricity. They overlook West Branch Pond and are
surrounded by several small and larger mountains. Ten rental cabins with various bed arrangements are offered in the American Plan Tradition. Eric Sterling is the current owner and manager.
West Branch Pond Camps has 28 miles of groomed Nordic ski trails of varying difficulty which include several woodsy trails, mountain climbs and descents, and spectacular views.
WBPC is 8.5 miles from the Medawisla AMC Lodge and 9 miles from the Little Lyford AMC Lodge via groomed ski trails. The Camps are 19 miles from Medawisla via the gravel auto road.
WBPC Costs and Cancellation Policy for 2027:
Stays at WBPC can be for two or three nights from Friday Jan 29 to Sunday Feb 1,
2027.
$185 per night per person plus 9% lodging tax = $201.65.
Per person cost for 2 nights is $403.30.
Per person cost for 3 nights is $604.95.
Per couple cost for two nights is $806.60.
Per couple cost for 3 nights is $1,209.90.
Dogs- $50 per dog per stay.
Gear Transfer to Medawisla is $25 per overnight bag.
Cost includes lodging with breakfasts, suppers and bag lunches plus the use of the Hospitality Cabin, the heated Bath House with its showers & toilets and use of all WBPC and AMC groomed ski trails.
After you have been assigned to a cabin, you will be sent payment instructions.
Payments in full must be received by the Camps by Oct 15, 2026.
Cancellations made up to 60 days before the arrival date result in a full refund.
Cancellations made less than 60 days before the arrival date result in a full refund less $100. If the cancelling party can find a substitute, a full refund is issued.
How to make reservations for WBPC:
Last year’s trip participants will be given the opportunity to sign up first for this trip and reserve their favorite cabin. Other PVSC members interested in going on this trip, should place their names, as soon as possible, on the trip’s waiting list. Both these things must be done before September 1, 2026 by contacting Amy DiFrancesco: maineamyd@gmail.com. On Sept 1, 2026, if there are any remaining open spots on the trip, Amy will offer them to those members who are on the trip’s waiting list.
The Optional Overnight Stay at the Medawisla AMC Lodge on Thursday Jan 28, 2027
The Medawisla AMC Lodge is located on beautiful Second Roach Pond surrounded by mountains and situated in the AMC’s 100,000 acres of conserved forest land. It is off grid and located 26 miles northeast of Greenville’s Indian Hill Trading Post via Kokadjo. The main Lodge building includes a large dining room for guests, a sitting area with fireplace, a group meeting room, a wood fired sauna, and bathrooms with showers. Cabins of different sizes, a Bath House and a Bunk House surround the Lodge.
Guests have access to more than 30 miles of very scenic groomed AMC ski trails in the area and several miles of snowshoe trails. Complimentary snowshoes are available.
Medawisla Lodge & Cabins | Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)
Who is Eligible for this One Night Stay:
Only those members who have already booked their 2 or 3 night stay at WBPC are eligible to also book a cabin or bunk bed the at the Medawisla AMC Lodge for the night of Thursday Jan 28, 2027 directly with the AMC Group Sales Office.
How this One Night Stay at Medawisla would work:
PVSC members on this trip would either park their cars at WBPC on Thursday morning and ski 8.5 miles north up to Medawisla from there, then ski back the next day to WBPC and stay there for the next 2 or 3 nights
Or
Drive by car on Thursday morning directly to Medawisla, then the next day drive to WBPC and stay there for the next 2 or 3 nights.
For the skiers, Eric would transfer overnight bags from WBPC to Medawisla on Thursday morning for $25 per overnight bag. The AMC
would transfer overnight bags back to WBPC on Friday morning for free for their departing overnight guests.
Each PVSC member would provide their own bag lunch to eat when they arrive on Thursday at Medawisla either by skiing or by auto. Each would stay the night and be served dinner on Thursday evening and breakfast on Friday morning at which they would be given a bag lunch to eat when they arrive at WBPC later that day.
Pricing, Reservations and Cancellations for the One Night Stay at Medawisla:
Bunkhouse near central bath house for 1 night- Thursday Jan 28, 2027: The Bunkhouse has 4 separate co-ed Bunk Rooms with dividers and curtains with a common living room. Bunkhoouse capacity is 16. $104 per bunk bed. Dinner, Breakfast, and Bag Lunch included.
A Meadow Cabin without bathroom near central bath house for 1 night - Thurs. Jan. 28, 2027:
2 persons - $386
Each additional person - $90
Capacity - 5 (if one sleeps on futon)
Dinner, Breakfast and
Bag Lunch Included
A Hilltop Cabin with Bathroom - 1 night – Thurs. Jan. 28, 2027
2 person - $475
Each additional person - $90
Capacity - 5 (if one sleeps on futon)
Dinner, Breakfast and
Bagged Lunch included
The prices reflect a 20% group discount. The lodging tax of 9% is not included.
For Medawisla, be sure to bring a sleeping bag and/or your own sheets and linens.
Only after you have been assigned to a Cabin at WBPC by Amy, should you proceed to make your overnight reservation at Medawisla.
The full price must be paid at the time the reservation is made. Make one reservation and payment in full per cabin at Medawisla.
The person making this single payment collects from the others who share the cabin.
Each person calls and pays individually for each bunk bed reservation.
Find out about their current Cancellation/Refund policy when you make your reservation.
For reservations call the AMC Group Sales Office: 603-466-2727.
Give the arrival and departure dates: Thursday Jan 28 to Friday Jan 29, 2027.
Give our Group Name = Penobscot Valley Ski Club.
Give our Group Number= 759100.
Please email the trip leaders as soon as possible after you have made your reservation at Medawisla and tell them the names and email addresses of who are in your party and your cabin number or if you are staying in the bunkhouse. Also state who in your group are skiing or driving to Medawisla.
All members must sign the PVSC Waiver of Liability Form at the start of the trip and be current with their 2026/27 membership.
Your 2027 PVSC WPBC Ski Trip Leaders:
Bill Cunningham, docbillc@gmail.com
Meg Logan, meglog@yahoo.com
The Joe Dodge AMC Lodge Ski Trip: Monday Feb. 8 to Thursday Feb 11, 2027
Three nights starting Feb 8, 2027 at the Joe Dodge AMC Lodge in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire
The Lodge:
The Joe Dodge AMC Lodge offers comfortable, friendly, economical accommodation in the heart of the White Mountains near outstanding cross-country, alpine and backcountry ski areas.
Following a full buffet breakfast, drive to one of the nearby ski areas for a days worth of enjoyable skiing or snowshoeing in the shadow of the majestic snowcapped White Mountains. Bring along your self-prepared bag lunch to have during your lunchtime warm up break. Then return to the Lodge for a hot shower and a hearty home-cooked dinner. Afterwards, settle in for lively conversation, a game of Jenga, or reading book by the lodge’s stone fireplace. There are often free evening educational programs offered at the Lodge for guests to attend.
The AMC retail store at the Lodge offers outdoor books, maps, AMC apparel and gear and their friendly staff are always ready to assist with finding out the latest weather forecasts, trail conditions and other regional information. An AMC Membership Card will give you a discount on store purchases.
Classic and Skate XC Skiing:
Jackson XC: 9.5 miles south, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham, NH: 2.9 miles north, Bear Notch Ski Touring: 19.1 mile south.
Alpine Skiing:
Wildcat Mountain Ski Area across the street.
Backcountry Skiing:
The famous Wildcat Valley Trail, an ungroomed cross-country ski trail that leads downhill from the summit of Wildcat Mountain to the Jackson XC trails, dropping 3,240 ft (990 m) in 11.1 miles (17.9 km).
Reservations, Pricing and Cancellations:
ARRIVAL - Monday Feb. 8, 2027
DEPARTURE - Thursday Feb. 11, 2027
NUMBER OF NIGHTS - 3
25-30 PVSC members may go on this trip.
A block of rooms for this number of members will be held by the AMC until Nov. 8, 2026.
Make one reservation and payment in full per room.
The person making this single payment collects from the others who share the room.
For reservations call the AMC Group Sales Office: 603-466-2727. Ask for John.
Give the arrival and departure dates: Feb 8 to Feb 11, 2027.
Give our Group Name = Penobscot Valley Ski Club.
Give our Group Number= 757904.
The prices reflect a 20% discount. The lodging tax is not included.
The room price includes breakfast and dinner daily. No prepared bag lunches or lunchtime meals are offered at the Lodge.
The full price must be paid at the time the reservation is made.
There are no private bathrooms. However, the bathrooms on each floor are located close to all rooms.
A private room with four bunk beds that sleeps up to 4 people costs $194 per night for two people. Each additional person costs $50 more per night.
A private room with a queen bed or a double bed costs $242 per night for 2 people.
The cancellation fee is $25 per person up to 2 weeks before the start date. A cancellation made less than 2 weeks before the start date results in no refund.
Please email the trip leaders as soon as possible after you have made your reservation and tell them the names and email addresses of who are in your party and the room number of your assigned room at the Lodge. Also state how your group is dealing with carpooling.
Each member going on the trip must have a current 2026-27 PVSC Membership.
Each member upon arrival must sign a PVSC Liability Waiver Form.
The last date to make a reservation for a room is Nov. 7, 2026.
Please call the AMC Group Sales Office to make a reservation as soon as possible to get your first-choice room.
We are looking forward to having you on this great ski trip to NH!
Your Joe Dodge Trip Leaders,
Bill Cunningham (docbillc@gmail.com) and Meg Logan (meglog@yahoo.com)
NORWAY:
Dates: Saturday February 27 - March 9, 2027
The PVSC is returning to Norway for the 4th time! Why? Because Norway is the best place in the world to cross-country ski! This trip is being organized by Discover Norway: https://discover-norway.no/en.
Embark on a breathtaking cross-country ski tour through some of Norway's most scenic landscapes, from the majestic Rondane mountains to the Olympic town of Lillehammer.
Trip participants will purchase their own flights and arrive by 12:00 on February 27 (leave the USA on or before February 26) in order to take the bus to the first lodge. The bus transportation from the Oslo airport to the first lodge is included in the price of the trip. The most direct flights from Boston are on SAS and IcelandAir. We are offering two simultaneous trips to ski in Norway. The trips begin and end at the same lodges and both groups will see each other again at the Spitsbersetter.
The Troll Trail Backcountry (skiing from lodge to lodge every day), perfect for seasoned skiers. The ski route stretches from the open mountain landscapes in the north to the historic Olympic city of Lillehammer in the south. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the Rondane mountain range creating a breathtaking backdrop for your journey. This classic ski tour takes you through Oksendalen Valley past traditional mountain farms on Oyerfjellet, and continues via Nordseter and Sjusjoen before arriving in Lillehammer. You'll experience a mix of open highland terrain and peaceful woodland trails.
Price per person approximate (price may change and is dependent on the exchange rate) )
NOK 25 650,- per person in double room (S2,700 USD)
Including :
• Bus transfer from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Høvringen Day 1
• 8 nights accommodation in double rooms including dinner, breakfast and self – packed lunch, refill of thermos
• 1 night accommodation in DNT self – service cabin
• Luggage transport
• The price is based on 10 participants.
• Single room supplement: 5560 NOK
Optional additional nights in Lillehammer. Train back to Oslo airport is not included but can be easily arranged by Discover Norway.
Itinerary:
Note: To enlarge images below right click on image go to “more tools” then “magnify image” then left click (or use mouse scroll wheel) on image to enlarge.
Troll Trail (with transportation between three lodges) "From one destination to the other" for skiers who prefer groomed classic and skate trails. This is the ideal ski holiday for those seeking a blend of adventure, tranquility and authentic Norwegian mountain charm. Glide through peaceful forests on one side of the valley, and take in panoramic views of the Rondane National Park from the mountain plateau on the other. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier, you'll find trails perfectly suited to your level.
Price per person approx.
NOK 26 250 - per person in double room
Including :
• Bus transfer from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Høvringen Day 1
• 9 nights accommodation in double rooms including dinner, breakfast and self – packed lunch, refill of thermos
• Transfer by bus between the destinations
• The price is based on 20 participants.
• Single room supplement: 8050,-
Note: To enlarge images below right click on image go to “more tools” then “magnify image” then left click (or use mouse scroll wheel) on image to enlarge.
To register for the Norway trip, you must contact Amy DiFrancesco at maineamyd@gmail.com. You must tell her which Troll Trail trip you would like to do. You will need to send Amy a non-refundable trip registration fee of $50 by check made payable to PVSC. All trip participants will need to sign a waiver and have a current PVSC membership. This trip will fill quickly, so sign up as soon as possible. Payments for this trip (besides the registration fee) will be made directly to Discover Norway. Since this is a popular trip, and Norway has become a ski destination for skiers from all over the world, we will need to confirm our group participant numbers by June. Do not contact Discover Norway directly to register for the trip. All registrations must go through Amy, the group leader. There will be a Norway trip meeting in January to the discus logistics. If you have any questions, feel free to email Amy.
Gaspe' Quebec Backcountry trip:
North of the Maine / New Brunswick border lies Quebec's Gaspe' Peninsula. Stretching out to the St. Lawrence Seaway, this rugged piece of Quebec is home to the Chic Choc Mountains, and some of the deepest snow found in eastern North America. This winter, the Penobscot Valley Ski Club offers you the opportunity to tour this incredible region. We will ski along a backcountry hut system that brings us through the heard of the park.
Trip dates: Sometime in March. Sepaq does not open registration for hut-to-hut trips until August 22. Proposed itinerary: 4 nights skiing the Mount Logan and Cascopedia Circuits, followed by 3 nights in the roadside cabins for additional Alpine Touring or groomed cross-country skiing.
Food & Lodging: All meals and snacks on this trip will be provided, starting with dinner on the first day, and ending with lunch on the final day of the trip. Participants will be expected to help in the preparation of meals throughout the trip. We will stay in rustic cabins with bunkroom style sleeping arrangements and wood stoves. There will be no electricity or indoor plumbing!
Equipment: Participants are required to provide skis and personal gear, including a light-weight sleeping bag and day pack. Group camping equipment, including stoves and cookware will be provided. A complete gear list will be provided upon registration. A passport is required to cross the border into Canada.
Prerequisites: Previous backcountry skiing experience is recommended but not required. Participants should expect the trip to be moderately physically challenging, and be capable of skiing hilly, ungroomed terrain for at least 6 hours a day. The distance between the huts is 10-19 km. We will utilize the Park's gear transport service. This means that you will only need to carry a small pack with extra layers, food and water. Everything else will be moved from hut to hut via snowmobile.
Environment & Weather: The weather in the Gaspe can be highly unpredictable, especially during the winter months. Snow, sleet, ice, rain, high winds, sub-zero temps, and bitter wind-chill are all possibilities that we face when traveling into the winter woods. Only in the most extreme cases would we consider canceling the trip due to weather. We will simply adapt to deal with the challenges that Mother Nature provides. It will be important to be prepared and pack appropriately for the range of conditions, and we will be sure to give this due attention prior to leaving for the trip.
Pre-trip meeting: Prior to leaving for the trip, we will take the time to discuss proper preparation, including equipment, expectations, individual concerns and questions, and other final details. We will be in touch with participants after registration closes to go over these items with you.
Risk & Liability: It is important that you understand winter backcountry travel, as with any active outdoor pursuit, has inherent risks. These risks include, but are not limited to muscle sprains and strains, broken bones, could injuries, such as frostbite and hypothermia, fatigue, dehydration and exhaustion. You will be asked to fill out a liability waiver form and medical release form prior to leaving for the trip.
Cost of trip: To be determined.
Registration: email Amy DiFrancesco at maineamyd@gmail.com if you are interested in going. Group size is limited to 8 participants for each of the circuits.
All attendees on PVSC Trips must be PVSC members!
Trips Guidelines, 2025-26
Trip Committee Structure
The Trips Committee consists of a chair who does the overall management of the trips and oversees the Trips Committee. The committee, appointed by the chair, will ideally consist of 6 members with previous trip experience and trip leadership.
Trips Committee’s Charge
The Trips Committee shall coordinate the nature and timing of Trips, as well all logistical aspects of Trips operations.
Each trip shall have a trip leader, and possibly a co-leader.
Trip costs are meant to be covered by the participants without club financial subsidy, consistent with the Club’s responsibility as a 501c3 Public Charity.
For each trip, Trip leaders shall:
Develop an initial plan for each proposed trip that includes:
An itinerary, accommodation and transportation plans, brief description of the trip, specifically the type of skiing and other activities, the minimal technical skill and experience levels appropriate for participants, individual and group gear requirements.
Participant signatures for waivers required by Penobscot Valley Ski Club (PVSC) insurance carriers, and/or deemed appropriate for a particular trip.
Proposed Budget to cover expenses, including estimated overall costs, timing and methods of payment, possible need for deposits, etc
Coordinate Travel, Accommodation, Park/Resort passes, etc as may be necessary for each trip. Where possible, participants will be personally responsible for direct payment to the providers of accommodation, travel, and other services.
Coordinate participant registration for trips, maintain a cancellation wait-list and collect registration fees when appropriate.
Decide if registration fees will be required for trips when a greater guarantee of participation is needed as a good-faith intention, thus minimizing cancellations for trips that involve international flights and hotel reservations. The registration fee shall not exceed 20% of the cost of room and board.
Collect registration fees and deposit them in the PVSC bank account, and provide a financial record to the Club treasurer.
Indicate how the registration fees might be used, e.g. for activities during the trip, such as possible transportation costs, group gear, emergency equipment and supplies, such as the Garmin InReach.
Actively manage the trip, having the authority to amend any aspects of a trip (itinerary, travel plans, etc.), based on their judgment of existing circumstances. This might include the ability of particular participants to continue on a Trip or a specific activity during a trip.
Smoking and illegal substances are forbidden. Refrain from excessive use of alcohol. Political discussions are discouraged as well as any comments that have the potential to make other participants feel uncomfortable.
Submit a post-trip report summarizing the trip, with suggestions for future trips
Trip Participant Responsibilities:
Group participation, such as sharing kitchen and camp chores on a back country trip, contributing in ways to ensure group cohesiveness and trip satisfaction.
All Trip participants must be current PVSC members. Volunteering in Club activities, such as the ski sale fundraiser, trail work and committee participation, and making donations to the club in addition to dues, is highly encouraged.
Trip participants are expected to understand their own skill and physical capacities or limitations, as well as their health, as implications of risk to other participants and the group as a whole. Safety during trips, especially in the backcountry, is not just an individual concern.
Participants shall accept the Trip Leader’s authority to make trip decisions, though a group consensus is always the goal.
Information regarding any personal high risk conditions are to be confidentially shared with the Trip Leader (e.g. Insulin dependent diabetic, allergy history requiring Epipen treatment).
Since trips (e.g. back country Baxter, Gaspe) may require accommodations in constrained spaces, PVSC recommends trip participants update their vaccination status according to CDC recommendations which are current for the time of their trip and the area(s) in which the trip will occur. A Trip Leader may require certain precautions during a trip (e.g. masking and distancing for an active respiratory infection)
PVSC Trip participants shall be responsible for their own personal trip/travel insurance.