Ski lodge membership interest

There have been a few threads on this sort of thing in the past. Club lodges come in a huge number of different types, so it helps to have thought about just what you want.

If you don't have friends who are already in a club lodge, finding the right club involves defining precisely what you are looking for:

• Which mountain or mountains you want accommodation on.
• What standard of accommodation you want, there are club lodges ranging from backpacker hostel standard right through to 5+ star level. (Nicer clubs cost more.)
• What sort of 'personality' and atmosphere you are looking for. One where people look after themselves and are fairly self contained, or a lodge that is more family focused and interactive with people cooking for each other and babysitting each others kids. Many clubs are half way between those.
• Bookings. How long can you stay, how many guests can you take, etc.
• Background. Most clubs just accept new members who seem nice and get along with existing members, but some have their roots in a particular trade or profession, ethnic group, school, etc. Sometimes people not from that background can feel slightly left out.
• Member to bed ratio. Clubs with a high member to bed ratio usually have lower joining fees and annual membership fees but occasionally it can be hard to get a room when you want to stay there. Clubs with a lower member to bed ratio often cost more, but it's pretty easy to get a room when you want one.

No doubt people can add other characteristics of club lodges to this list. But once you've worked out what you want, start asking around and looking at club websites and it will be easier to reject or shortlist particular clubs.

 

Also check out the capital works the club may be required to do over the next few years. Not all clubs will have adequate funds put aside and may have to call on members at some point.

 

I assume you want on-snow
otherwise, if you’re not insisting on that there are lodges in Jindy too

 

Some more detailed considerations to add to @Bogong's excellent list

• Check out the booking rules and see if they give you the flexibility or certainty that you need and if there are restrictions that don't suit you, eg no children, no weekend bookings till the last minute
• In what circumstances would you be sharing rooms with strangers
  
• Do working bee arrangements suit you
• Are there rostered chores that you are obliged to do during your stay
• What are the annual fees even when you don't stay
• What are the rules about selling a membership? How much of the price is not recoverable? How long had it taken members to sell in the last few years?

 

I have one in Jindy for sale, PM me for details

 

Check out Schuss. Lodges at Thredbo, Falls Creek and Mt Buller. No annual fees. No working bees etc.