European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 24, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Bargain ski by Mark wonders staff writer military outdoor recreation centers Are excellent places to obtain Winter sports sear but there is More to your local outdoor recreation Center than inexpensive rental skis. The outdoor recreation staff can also help plan your Winter activities. According to Ron Paoletti . Army Europe s outdoor recreation head there Are a number of Good reasons to visit your local Center. Quot first financial. I can guarantee they re cheaper than going on the Economy especially Long term rentals Quot says Paoletti who says the average savings Are Between 20 percent and 40 percent. Quot and then there s language. When selecting the right ski equipment it s especially important to explain How a particular ski and Boot feels on you. It would be difficult for those shopping on the Economy who Aren t comfortable with the  Paoletti stresses that there May also be a problem finding gear. Quot in some communities the farther away from the Mountain the More difficult it is to get the equipment Quot he explains. Searching for the perfect rental gear can consume a lot of time. Paoletti says skiers May run into hassles and inconveniences searching around town. Quot instead of driving to a ski area thinking you la rent them there you la drive for hours to find none available Quot warns Paoletti. He says people May miss a halfday of valuable ski time Hunting Down and getting fitted with the equipment and another half returning the same gear. The outdoor recreation centers provide convenient on base service. Customers who fill out personal equipment cards the first time they rent skis simplify their subsequent rentals. Quot when you come in the next time to Reserve equipment you can Call in ahead of time and say set me up the staff then pulls your card and fills your order Quot explains Paoletti. Quot and besides Quot he Points out Quot it s better to have your skis before you hit the  of course there is More to Winter activities than Cross country and downhill skiing. That is Why most outdoor recreation centers also offer snowboards and Mon skis which Cost about $8 per Day to rent. Toboggans and sleds Are also available for Between $1 and $2 a Day. Quot we Don t forget the non skier during the Winter Quot Paoletti Points out. The rec centers also sponsor indoor scuba diving Volkmar Chirigo hiking and Rock climbing during the Winter months. Your local rec Center can map out some Good Winter sports destinations near you. Some of the Best bets according to Paoletti Are the Taurus mountains located about 45 minutes North of Frankfurt the Hartz mountains near Giessen and the Rhon mountains near Wil Flecken. Rentals and outdoor recreation centers feature Bargan outdoor recreation centers also sponsor unit and platoon sized adventure training. Activities include ski orientation Cross country skiing Rock climbing or a combination of these. Programs Are set up in coordination with the unit s Chain of command Paoletti says. Paoletti says a variety of other tour packages Are available through the outdoor recreation centers. They Are aimed at different target groups ranging from families to singles and teens. Most of them Are usually two to three Day programs and Cost from $70 to $150. The packages usually include transportation lodging and equipment rental. Some also include some meals. But he warns it is important for the Community to explain what it needs and wants from the local outdoor recreation Center. Quot we try to remain flexible for the Community Quot says Paoletti. Quot it s important for the Community to Tell us what they  Paoletti says the outdoor recreation centers try to find individuals within the Community to assist in ski instruction. Quot we re always looking for individuals who possess these skills Quot he says. Also in need Are certified scuba instructors. More on rentals of ski equipment As Well As Here is a list of Sample prices for outdoor recreation Center rentals. Prices at your local Center May vary from these. Equipment army Force skis boots amp poles daily weekend weekly $6.00 $12.00 $30.00 $10.00 $15,00 $50.00 is amp poles daily weekend weekly $4.50 $9.00 $22,50 $5.00 $10.00 $25.00 boots daily weekend weekly $2.50 $5.00 $12.50 $5,00 $8.00 $15,00 poles daily weekend $1.00 $2.00 $1.50 $2.50 weekly $5.00 $5.00 sleds daily $1.00 $4.00 weekend $2.00 $6,00 a a weekly $5.00 a a $12.00 Complete ski $20.00 $25.00 servicing army prices were obtained from the Darmstadt Germany outdoor recreation Center. The air Force prices were obtained at the Zaragoza a Spain outdoor recreation Center a a file and servicing. October 24, 1990 27