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Stay up to date with the latest news of our people and activities with the INSIDE EDGE, the monthly newsletter of the Duneland Ski Club!
February 2026 Newsletter

Duneland and Nomads Ski Clubs recently wrapped up their
Western Trip to Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho.
Check out the photos in the Slide Show below!

Check out the Facebook page of the Duneland Ski Club!
DSC on Facebook

Our new Ski Season has begun!
2026 will be a great year for Duneland Ski Club!

Keystone gang

Six Dunelanders hit the Colorado slopes in December!

Granite Peak 2026

Matzats and Blocks at Granite Peak

Viking 2026

Dawn and Chris Disher at the Viking Improvement Camp at Chestnut Mountain. Can you spot them?



2026 Duneland/Nomads Western Trip

January 30 - February 7

Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho


Winter travel has its own unique challenges - like ground conditions at O'Hare and missed connections. And luggage that decided it wanted to see Memphis on the way to Spokane. But once we get there, the focus turns to optimizing the ski opportunity and fun with our club friends!

We had 28 Dunelanders and Nomads - plus a few drive-up friends and family - for a week at Schweitzer Mountain in northern Idaho. Beautiful Lake Pend Oreille occasionally peeked out of the cloud inversion below, and various excursions into the town of Sandpoint gave us a taste of this little corner of the world.

In addition to nice shops, restaurants, and bars for après ski, we had an Idaho Potato Bar Welcome Dinner, Taco Trivia Night, and optional events, including Italian Dinner and Gourmandie Wine and Cheese Tasting. The sunny deck at Taps was favorite spot to hang out. The Idaho hospitality was definitely a plus!

While the ski conditions were not everything we had hoped for, the Mountain Tours gave us a good feel for the skiable areas, and everyone found some runs to enjoy.

Email your photos to jerry.mansell@att.net for inclusion in the slideshow!

Slideshow
2026 Schweitzer
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Tiny's in Miller Beach

Come in out of the cold!

Our March Dine Around is at Tiny's Coffee Bar, located at 555 S. Lake Street in the Miller Beach area of Gary, at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 11. 

Part of the revitalization of the Miller Beach commercial district, Tiny's is an upscale cafe in the historic Miller Bakery Cafe. Enjoy favorite comfort foods, delicious vegan options, artisan espresso drinks, and prohibition-era cocktails. Plenty of parking across Lake Street. Check out their menu! Tiny's Coffee Bar  

A Duneland Dine Around is always an opportunity to mix and mingle with our friends - and meet new friends! 

Please RSVP by text to Mary Golding at 219-796-7011 NO LATER THAN Thursday, March 5 at noon so she can make sure we have adequate space. 

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Tiny's Coffee Bar

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Recognize these magnificent birds?

You've got to HEAR the Sandhill Cranes!

  

Every fall thousands of people drive south to the Jasper-Pulaski Reserve to see - and hear - the Sandhill Cranes fly in for a night's rest on their fall migration south. But the Sandhill Cranes show up in your backyard every year on their northern migration. If you’ve never experienced the spectacle as they take off, spiral into the air, and gather into V-formations, you need to jump on this Bonus Hike on Thursday, March 12!


You must be there early to catch the action! We will meet at the Cowles Bog North Lot: 1450 North Mineral Springs Road, Dune Acres, IN 46304 at 8:30 AM. This lot is about 1/2 mile north of US Highway 12, just before you reach the Guard Shack for entry into Dune Acres.

This is not really about the hike, though the trails from here are great. This is bird-watching to an extreme! As always, dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes or boots, and bring your water. We will be standing and watching much of the time. Bring your binoculars!

 

Please contact Jerry Mansell at 331-777-0593 if you are interested in this event. If the weather conditions require cancellation, we will have a good call list.

National Park passes are required. (If you do not have a Park pass, let Jerry know and we can arrange carpooling.)

Tolleston Dunes is one of the most diverse habitats in the Indiana Dunes!

Named for the dune formations created by the receding Lake Michigan centuries ago, this rare black oak savannah habitat also includes wetlands and an amazing array of wildflowers through the seasons. This will be a 3.3-mile hike with moderate grades.

We will meet at the Main Lot: 5800 U.S. Highway 12 (Dunes Highway), Ogden Dunes, IN 46368 at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 26Sorry, no toilets available here - so plan ahead!

Tolleston Dunes Information

As always, dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes or boots, and bring your water. Trail conditions can vary, but these trails typically drain quickly after a rain.

Please contact Jerry Mansell at 331-777-0593 if you are interested in this hike. If the weather conditions require cancellation, we will have a good call list.

National Park passes are required. If you do not have a Park pass, let Jerry know and we can arrange carpooling from the Odgen Dunes South Shore lot.

Our après hike lunches have become a popular part of our hikes. This time, we will go to
Wagner's Ribs at 361 Wagner Road in Porter!
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Duneland Ski Club and the Chicago Nomads enjoyed a great joint trip to Taos, New Mexico, in February 2025. Check out other great trip memories in the "Trips & Events" tab in the Main Menu at the top of this Home Page!


Our membership in the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council facilitates sharing activities with other clubs throughout the Midwest. Check out the CMSC website at www.skicmsc.com for more information.

The 2026 Western Trip took Duneland to Schweitzer Mountain in northern Idaho. Spring skiing conditions did not slow down the fun!


More information on the 2027 DSC Western Trip to Sun Valley, Idaho, is coming soon!

Living in the Indiana Dunes provides DSC opportunities for unique hiking experiences. NPS Ranger Bill provided fascinating insights about ecosystem and history of the Pinhook Bog.


Check out other great activities in the "Hikes & Bikes" tab in the Main Menu above.

Welcome to Duneland Ski Club

For over 75 years, we have been Northwest Indiana’s premier club for ski and snowboard enthusiasts of all skill levels! Founded on a passion for adventure and a love for winter sports, our club offers exciting trips, social events, and year-round activities tailored to bring together the local skiing and snowboarding community. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or new to the slopes, Duneland Ski Club provides opportunities to meet fellow outdoor lovers, participate in group trips to renowned ski resorts and enjoy a variety of social gatherings. Join us and experience the thrill of winter sports while making lifelong friends along the way! 

We would like to meet you! Check out our Calendar for Meetings and Events!

  • Our December Dine Around and Holiday Gathering was a great success! Thanks again, Mary Golding. Our next Dine Around is set for March 11 at Tiny's in Miller Beach.
  • The next Duneland Ski Club General Meeting will be at 7:30 PM on March 16, 2026 at the Gary Sportsmen Club, 10101 Madison Street, Crown Point, IN 46307.
  • We have regular social events that are open to everyone, including Dine-Around Dinners, bike rides, and hikes. More information in our Newsletter.
  • Special events include the Pine River Camping/Canoeing Trip, a Railcats Baseball game, Holiday Concert, Pool Party, and Chili Cookoff.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events


How's this for planning ahead?


CMSC is going to:

Big Sky for Chicago Week
February 27 to March 6, 2027

Copper Mountain for Spring Fling
April 4-9, 2027

Steamboat for Chicago Week
February 26 to March 4, 2028

for more information on these trips
check out your latest DSC Newsletter!

Join us for our next General Meeting on Monday, March16. We will meet at the Gary Sportsmen Club at 7:30 PM.


The 2027 DSC Ski Trip Survey
Winner is . . .

Sun Valley, Idaho
Yes! DSC is going to Sun Valley in 2027!

For more information see
the INSIDE EDGE Newsletter!



Why Join Our Ski Club?

  • Our Club arranges trips each winter to snow-packed resorts near and far.
  • Past trips include: Taos, Breckenridge, Steamboat, Park City, Whistler, Aspen-Snowmass.
  • Have fun participating in many year-round social activities like Dine Arounds, bike rides, canoe and camping trips, hikes, baseball games, pool parties, chili cookoffs, and more.
  • Ski Clinics: Low cost ski clinics are available through association with ski resorts.  
  • Bus trips and drive-ups to Midwest ski destinations.
  • Access to Western and International ski trips through CMSC.