UPDATE - There's still time to register and pay!

Hi Everyone,

If you’ve found yourself of late thinking about the excitement of moving fast down the slopes on skis or a snowboard at one of the southeast’s many ski resorts, dream no longer. With winter-like temperatures and snow in the forecast, the UCG Atlanta Ski Trip—now in its 11th year—is officially slated this year for February 4-5, 2023.

While last year we had a solid showing of snowboarders and skiers at Sugar Mountain, NC, our recent ski-trip survey (polling those who skied and snowboarded last year) established that the majority of those polled wanted to return to Gatlinburg, TN in 2023. Whereas for many years we skied at Ober Gatlinburg, the resort has been recently purchased by a new ownership team and rebranded as Ober Mountain (Ober Mountain Ski Area in Gatlinburg / Smokies).

Details for this year’s trip, including payment details are listed below.  Block off the first weekend in February on your calendar, reserve a hotel room (see the options below), and get ready for another year of fun, fellowship, and enjoyable activities on the slopes in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.

Costs - The cost for this year’s activity is shown below.  These rates include equipment and lift ticket (and the added  cost to the church for handling the payment via PayPal).

   [ ]  $93 for skiers and

   [ ]  $98 for snowboarders

   [ ]  $62 for only lift ticket (without equipment)

Your Payment (IMPORTANT) - To participate in this year’s ski trip, two actions are needed -

First - Complete the Reservation Form - Download the form (it is located in the "Download" section in the upper right of this announcement).  Fill it out with the name and ski/snowboarding (or Lift ticket only) package for each individual.  Be sure to include contact information on the form.  The form should be submitted before you pay for the equipment rentals.  Then email the completed form to Bob McCurdy at - ram19@bellsouth.net  

Second - Make Your Payment - Pay for the costs for skiing and snowboarding via PayPal (they must be paid in advance). Be sure to take into account all your costs when paying for skiing or snowboarding using the prices shown above based on the type of equipment to be used (ski or snowboard).  Note - A small PayPal processing fee has been included to the ticket prices above.

Payments for this year’s ski trip will only be using PayPal.  The PayPal payment link is listed here

Note - 1) You will need to have a PayPal account and log into your account when you use the link;  2) The link will take you to our account labeled as "UCG Southeast Formal", but it is also used for our annual Ski activity.  Your payment will be credited to the 2023 Ski Activity in Gatlinburg.

                 https://paypal.me/UCGSoutheastFormal

Final Payment Deadline - The final deadline for payment is Thursday, February 2, 2023.

If you have additional questions about the Reservation Form or PayPal payments, you may email Bob McCurdy at ram19@bellsouth.net.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Warmly,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

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2023 Atlanta Ski Trip: Recommended Hotels

1. The Hampton Inn

967 Parkway, Gatlinburg TN 37738

(865) 436-4878

2. The Hampton Inn – Gatlinburg Historic Nature Trail

520 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

(865) 436-4933

3. Hilton Garden Inn

635 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

(865) 436-0048

4. Holiday Inn Express in Gatlinburg

322 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

(865) 868-6200

5. The Quality Inn Creekside

125 Leconte Creek Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

(865) 436-4865

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Schedule of Events  

Saturday, February 4, 2023 

• Sabbath Service in Knoxville, TN at UCG Knoxville at 3 PM ET. See https://www.ucg.org/congregations/knoxville-tn 
• Covered Dish Meal after services 
• Travel to Gatlinburg, TN. Check into your hotel.
• Get together with fellow skiers/snowboarders at Ole Smokey Moonshine Store in Gatlinburg and enjoy free (outdoor) live music. Form a group and explore some of the many sites Gatlinburg has to offer. 
• Get in bed at a decent hour for skiing and snowboarding the next morning. 

Sunday, February 5, 2023 

• Hotel check-out – Based on the policies of your hotel. 
• Skiers and snowboarders meet at the Ober Mountain Tramway Mall Office at 8 AM for processing. The address of the Ober Mountain Tramway Mall is 1001 Parkway #2, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. 
• Enjoy the day skiing and snowboarding. Partner up with others and enjoy your ski and snowboard adventure with one or more friends. 
• Stop for lunch and refuel (between 11:30-1:30 PM). The affordable dining spots? The Sidewalk Cafe and Daddy's Dogs: Gourmet All-Beef Hot Dogs (used to be The Snack Bar). 
• Most skiers and snowboarders head home around 3 - 4 PM. 

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Note: Since the Atlanta Ski Trip is predicated on ample snow, please do not book a non-refundable hotel room in Gatlinburg at this time. In rare cases, we've had to cancel the ski trip because of lack of snow. You would not be able to get your money back if we were forced to cancel this year's trip.