Are you interested in hiking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing?
Skrastins Outdoor Club is focused on engaging mature adults in activities that challenge their fitness and support continued skill development while building friendships and enjoying nature to the fullest! We travel on weekly trips to areas such as Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, and more as we tackle challenging trails together.
Safety is our top priority!
We ask all participants to adhere to the following Hit the Trails: Skrastins' Best Practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.
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Hit the Trails: Skrastins’ Participant Best Practices |
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Before heading out: • Assess my hiking/snowshoeing/skiing ability. • Choose the group that best matches my current skill, fitness, and energy levels: route, distance, elevation and terrain. • Check weather forecasts, avalanche and trail reports. • Pack appropriate gear for the day: clothing and equipment (bear spray, icers, poles, pack), personal medical supplies, food and water. At the trailhead: • Gather gear and adjust layers for the trail. • Meet my group and leader. • Re-assess if the group’s distance and pace is appropriate for me. • Follow my leader to our specific trailhead. Wait for everyone before heading off. |
On the trail: • Communicate with the leader, if any issue arises during the hike. • Abide by the leader’s decisions. • Report accidents/incidents to the leader. • Look out for others. Keep them in sight. • Wait for the rest of the group at any trail junction. • Keep hydrated and snack as needed. • Tell someone when leaving the trail for a bio break. • Follow trail etiquette. Leave no trace. Back at the bus: • Rehydrate. • Return equipment to leader (radios, beacons, etc.). • Thank your leader. • High fives all around! |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for a Skrastins Bus Trip?
Guest waitlist registration opens at 6PM on Friday, seven days prior to the upcoming Friday trip. Registration closes at 4:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the trip. To register for the guest waitlist for a trip, please select the 'REGISTER HERE" button below, complete the Guest Registration Form and submit it online by Wednesday at 4:00 pm.
How do I know if my registration is successful?
Guest waitlists are prioritized based on the date and time when registered. Our Bus Director will contact you by email or phone on Wednesday after 4 PM to let you know if there are available seats on the bus. In situations where there are more registrations than available seats, club members will receive priority.
What does it cost to go on a Friday Bus Trip?
There is a fee of $25 for each Friday trip, payable in cash, on the bus, on the way home. There is an additional $10 fee if the trip goes into the National Parks (i.e. Banff, Yoho, etc.) if you do not have your own Parks Canada Pass. It is important to note that should a guest or member need to cancel after Wednesday at 4 PM, they are responsible for the $25 fee.
What are the benefits of becoming a member of Skrastins Outdoor Club?
Skrastins Members enjoy the knowledge that when they register for a weekly trip, they will get a seat on the bus. When there are more members registered than available seats on the bus, a fair and equitable bumping protocol is implemented. Normally a member is not bumped more than once in a year.
Becoming a member of Skrastins provides the opportunity to develop friendships with like-minded people, while enhancing fitness and developing new skills in the natural beauty of our spectacular mountain trails.
Skrastins is a volunteer run, non profit organization where members have many opportunities to contribute to keeping the club vibrant, progressive and fun!
How do I join Skrastins?
You are eligible to become a member of Skrastins Outdoor Club once you have completed three bus trips. You will then be invited to become a member in accordance with the Membership Director's discretion.
The annual membership fee is $25.
Questions or comments? Please reach us using our Contact Us Page.
On the first trip a guest will join the "B2" or "C" Group unless a current Skrastins member can confirm your competency at a higher level. After your first successful trip as a guest you are welcome to join the group of your choice for subsequent trips.
ONLY Click on the REGISTER HERE Button below if you are intending to register for the guest waitlist for the upcoming Friday's trip.
Safety Information
Safety is a critical component of our club activities.
All activities require a minimum of 4 people per group with each group carrying a club supplied radio; the club also has access to 2 emergency beacons. Each group has an assigned leader and the group is expected to follow their directions throughout the activity.
Preparing for the trip
A number of our members collaborated on the development of a comprehensive checklist for equipment and apparel which you may find to be a valuable resource.
1. Checklist for clothing and equipment HERE
2. Checklist for food, beverage, medicine and other considerations HERE
Please contact us for more information!