* Membership with the RA is required when you join any RA Club. Membership in the RA is open to anyone.  Please contact the RA Centre at 733-5100 for information on member benefits and registration information or visit the RA's web site www.racentre.com

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is RASki?
2. Where does RASki go on ski trips?
3. What if I am new to skiing or boarding?
4. Is there more than just ski trips?
5. What are the benefits of joining RASki?
6. What does it cost to join?
7. How does RASki keep its members informed about club events?
8. Can anyone join the RA Ski Club?
9. How do I find out more?
10. Where do I find more information about the RA Centre?
11. Can you tell me more about membership into the RA Centre?

What is RASki?

RASki is the "RA Ski Club", one of several organized sports clubs within the RA Centre, is a non-profit adult ski club operating since 1967. RASki organizes a variety of activities and outings throughout the fall and winter months, and social events throughout the entire year. RASki is run and organized by an Executive Committee of volunteers who donate their time and effort to produce a quality ski program for downhillers, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers.

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Where does RASki go on ski trips?

The Downhill program consists of day trips, week-end trips and week-long trips. Day trip destinations, usually by highway coach, generally favour ski areas in the Laurentians. Weekend destinations are usually resorts, 4-7 hours away, in Quebec, New York, and Vermont. Week-long trips have travelled to destinations in Western Canada, USA, Europe or Chile.

The Cross-country program organizes day outings and week-end trips. Day trips regularly go to Gatineau Park, Petite Rouge and Montebello, and week-end trips generally go to areas in the Laurentians and Algonquin Park, usually by car pool.  Cross-country skiers join the downhill skiers at their week-end and week-long destinations whenever there are cross-country facilities available.

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What if I am new to skiing or boarding?

We welcome skiers of all levels of abilities.

If you want to improve your downhill skills, we recommend taking lessons at one of the local ski hills. Some hills offer a discount for RA Ski members. Instruction and clinics are also available for intermediate and advanced levels.

For cross-country outings, we generally split up into a faster and a slower group. To join us, our only requirement is that you are able to do a snowplow turn and a snowplow stop.  The City of Ottawa offers excellent cross-country ski lessons at Mooney's Bay, for both classic and skate skiing, at the beginner, novice, intermediate and advanced levels.

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Is there more than just ski trips?

You bet! In the Summer and Fall, there's a series of organized hikes in the Gatineaus, and bike outings . In the Fall and Winter, we organize Ski-Fit classes - fitness classes designed specifically to help skiers get and stay in shape for the winter ski season.

Social activities are organized all year long. We've had pub nights, pot luck parties, skating parties, curling, golf, and theatre nights. All Club "tournaments" expect and welcome novice through expert participants.

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What are the benefits of joining RASki?

Your RASki membership entitles you to:

• be kept informed with regular newsletters
• our low group rates for Club trips, lessons, and social events
• discounts at local ski resorts (your savings could pay for your membership!)
• special "members only nights" and discounts at sports stores
• meet friendly people with the same interests
• a copy of the Club telephone directory (to contact your new friends)

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What does it cost to join?

You must be an RA member and pay an annual Association fee. Membership in the RA is open to anyone. Your RA membership entitles you to join any of the many RA sports or activity clubs. Once an RA member, you join the RA Ski Club for $16.00  year. Contact the RA Centre for details: 613-733-5100. 

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How does RASki keep its members informed about club events?

Newsletters

• The club publishes several newsletters a year.
  

Snowphone

• 736-6235: our 24-hour infoline is updated frequently during the ski season.

Internet

• www.raski.ca: our web site is where you will find the latest information on the club as well as the latest updates on club events

Email

• Ski-Mail: the club sends out an e-mail newsletter weekly during the ski season, and periodically during the rest of the year.  Sign yourself up! Click here for more information.
• Send an email to events@raski.ca and receive an automated response with the month's scheduled events

Can anyone join the RA Ski Club?

In order to join the RA ski club, you must be a member of the RA. Membership in the RA is open to anyone. For more information on RA membership, please visit www.racentre.com

How do I find out more?

Trip Information Night

Our Trip Information Night, in November, officially marks the beginning of the RASki Club year. Each of the Club's programs will present information on what the Club has planned for the ski season. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the Executive and enroll in the Club. Local ski areas and sports stores participate - it's like a mini Ski Show. At this event you can register for ski trips and lessons, but don't wait for November, the Social program will already be underway before Trip Info Night!

Telephone

• 736-6235: our 24-hour SNOWphone, which gives you the latest information about Club events.
• 733-5100: the RA Centre staff, or our recreation supervisor, will answer all of your questions and take Club registrations

Internet

• www.raski.ca: our web site is where you will find the latest information on the club as well as the latest updates on club events

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Where do I find more information about the RA Centre?

You can visit the RA Centre's web site at www.racentre.com or phone them at (613) 733-5100.

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Can you tell me more about membership into the RA Centre

The RA Centre is an Association. As a member, you have a voice in your Association and we welcome your comments and suggestions. Your membership gives you access to a vast array of Clubs and activities, helps to maintain and develop outstanding facilities and services, offers you free parking while at the RA, allows you to take advantage of benefits such as the RA’s Group Home and Automobile Insurance Program and guarantees you home delivery of the RA’s Program Guide and the RA News. An Association Membership is required to join Clubs and leagues as well as most programs and activities offered at the RA Centre.

Association Membership Fees

The following membership fees apply to Federal employees, all employees of devolved federal organizations, and retired employees who receive a pension based on such employment or are entitled to a deferred pension based on such employment.

The following membership fees apply to all other persons interested in joining the Association.

 (1) Family members include spouses and dependant children who are in full time attendance at an educational institution. Family members do not have voting rights.

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