Evolution of the Boys' Ski Trip to Kahler Mountain Club
By Alice Kirk-Sanchez
Published: 03/25/26
Topics: Interview, Kahler Mountain Club, Leavenworth WA
Comments: 0
John went to Kahler Mountain Club as a group of 3 different couples, to maintain a tradition that he has had for over 50 years, of visiting Leavenworth with his loved ones. He is an avid skier and loves visiting the beautiful town, near his home in Chelan.
This vacation rental is managed by Goldener, a member of the Staytions Group of VIP lodging managers, and we spoke to John, from Chelan, for an interview.
VIP: What stage of life are you in?
John: I’m a retiree!
VIP: What did you do before you retired?
John: I was a consulting engineer
VIP: For your most recent trip, did you bring anyone with you?
John: We had three couples that were getting together.
VIP: What made you guys choose this location?
John: We’ve been going over for a get together and skiing in the Leavenworth area for about 50 years.
VIP: Oh wow!
John: It started with me and some other single guys. It bounced all around Leavenworth. It was a bunch of guys, then it was guys with girlfriends, then guys with wives, then guys with wives and kids, and now the next generation come up with their kids.
We’re right now down to three couples. We do it every year! Lot less skiing now and much more eating and drinking.
VIP: What would you say is your favorite part of the Leavenworth area.
John: We’ve been losing snow, but it’s always been the cross-country skiing. Lots of spots for that at Kahler Glenn. It’s groomed almost right up to your room. Whenever you want to go to the trail, you just go out your door and pop over and get on the track.
VIP: What was your favorite part of the unit you were staying at?
John: That we could have all three of us couples there, you know, and a nice common area, and again, access to the trails.
VIP: Was your favorite part of your visit still skiing or something else?
John: Well, I’m 73. As we get older, we’re doing a lot less skiing and a lot more just enjoying each others’ company, and reading books, and sitting around!
VIP: Did you make it into the city at all?
John: Yeah, we always make at least one trip into Leavenworth.
VIP: Any specific recommendations?
John: Gustav’s has been there forever. A big fire burned up a portion of the building including the dome top, but they’re still hanging in there and rebuilt.
VIP: That’s really impressive!
John: We went up to 59er Diner, too!
VIP: That one also burned down and reopened.
John: Yeah, they had a fire too! We went over there this year because they’re a lot closer to Kahler Glenn than driving all the way into town.
VIP: It’s unfortunate they both had fires, but I’m glad they were able to rebuild so you can enjoy them both now.
John: Yeah, they had enough of a following that both of them were able to survive a disaster like that.
VIP: Did you leave the property feeling like you’d had a great vacation?
John: Yeah, I think all of us did.
VIP: Do you think you’d come back?
John: Yeah, we have been coming to Kahler Mountain Club for at least a decade, pushing two decades. We bounced around a lot.
We had four couples for a long time, so we’d get two units in the main buildings. With three couples, a townhouse is just really nice.
But that trail is right there, that’s pretty hard to top!
Author: Alice Kirk-Sanchez – Contributor, Kahler Mountain Club Lodging
Blog #: 1060 – 03/25/26