Second-Hand Skis, First-Time Turns
For those of you who are new here, welcome!
We are glad you found us (:
We are Ski Club Uganda – we keep the legendary skiing tradition in the Rwenzoris alive, and run a conservation project to give back to the local community of Kilembe, Uganda.
Within this project, we:
work alongside community members to:
plant trees & support their long-term growth and
raise awareness about environmental stewardship.
organize trips for students and volunteers to visit Kilembe and contribute to our conservation project.
For the brave few, they may extend their journey to include the 8-day trek to ski the glaciers atop Mt. Rwenzori (5109m).
In this newsletter, we share updates on milestones reached, past & upcoming trips, as well as stories from the field or those who have skied the glacier (the true members of Ski Club Uganda).
Feel free to check out our About page for the full story.
Since our feature in Outside's Ski Magazine, so many of you have reached out wanting to know more, and we couldn't be more excited to have you along for what's next.
Thanks for joining us on our journey – we hope you enjoy!
People Keep Showing Up For Us
One of our favorite parts of running SCU is watching strangers turn into supporters, and supporters turn into friends. This month gave us two great examples of that:
One Skier’s Gear, Everyones Gain
Steven Reynolds spent more than 20 years living in Uganda, and as he prepared to move on to his next chapter, he reached out to SCU with a generous idea: he wanted to donate his full ski setup - skis, hat, gloves, snowpants, and jacket - so future visitors could use it.
We connected him with our partners at RTS, who coordinated the handoff, and the gear officially made its way to RTS's office in Kilembe!
Now, when visitors show up without their own gear, or decide on a whim that they actually do want to ski a glacier while they're in Uganda (understandable), they'll have exactly what they need to make it happen.
Thank you, Steven, for thinking of us and for leaving something behind that will outlast your time here!
Calling All Glacier Skiers - We Want to Hear Your Story
One of our favorite projects right now is building a living history of skiing in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Our new "Who's Skied the Glacier?" page is now live and features a timeline of the skiers we know have made turns on the Rwenzori glaciers over the years.
The timeline is just the beginning. Behind the scenes, we're exploring ways to include personal stories, photos, trip reports, and memories without turning the page into a wall of text.
We know there are incredible adventures and stories out there, and we'd love to help preserve them.
In fact, one story recently landed in our inbox from Kurt Spiegel, who discovered Ski Club Uganda through our Ski Magazine feature and shared memories of skiing the glacier with his family. Reading it was a reminder of how many amazing connections and stories are tied to this special place.
So, if you've skied the glacier—or know someone who has—we'd love to hear from you! Reach out and share your story, photos, or memories, and help us continue documenting the history of skiing in the Rwenzoris.
Two Trips on the Horizon
We're gearing up for a busy stretch, with two trips now on the calendar.
November 2027: Laying the Groundwork
From November 14–21, Sarah, Ida, Florian, and Bob will be in Uganda, meeting with partners and preparing for our June 2027 expedition.
Before traveling to Kilembe, Sarah and Ida will meet with Bob and colleagues at Makerere University to continue shaping the Penn State course that will bring students to Uganda next summer. The team will be discussing logistics, research opportunities, and ways to strengthen collaboration between Penn State, Makerere University, and local partners.
This trip will also mark Ida's first visit to Kilembe. As the lead developer of our community surveys, she'll have the opportunity to meet many of the community members and partners whose insights have helped guide our work.
For Sarah and Florian, the visit will be a chance to reconnect in person with local partners and see firsthand the progress made by the Ugandan team over the past year.
Together, the group will revisit planting sites, check in on ongoing initiatives, and continue conversations about the research, conservation, and community engagement activities planned for June 2027.
June 2027: Dates Locked In
Mark your calendars: June 18–28, 2027!
Our June 2027 expedition is taking shape and will coincide with the inaugural offering of the Penn State course mentioned above.
If you—or someone you know—is a Penn State Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) student, be sure to check out the course details linked here. Applications close November 1, 2026.
We're still putting the finishing touches on the itinerary and participation details. If you're hoping to stay at the RTS Hostel, keep in mind that bed space is limited—but there's plenty of room for those who prefer to camp under the stars!
Stay tuned for more information.
There's a lot in motion right now, and none of it happens without people like you sticking around, sharing our story, and showing up when it counts. Thank you for being part of it.
Cheers,
Morgan
Ski Club Uganda
Want to support the expedition? You can help make it happen by donating directly to the project or rocking Ski Club Uganda merch.
