What Is the Chicago Friars Ski and Bike Club?
The Chicago Friars Ski and Bike Club is a social club for people who enjoy skiing, camping, canoeing, hiking, biking, and having fun all year long. It fits anyone in or around Chicago who wants an ongoing group to do outdoor activities with, rather than a one-time commercial tour or lesson. If you're looking for a membership-based community where the point is shared recreation and socializing across all four seasons, this is the kind of organization to look at.
Who the club is for
Based on the club's own description, membership is aimed at people who want to combine outdoor recreation with a social group. That means you don't need to be an expert skier or a competitive cyclist to fit in — the emphasis is on enjoying activities together and having fun throughout the year.
It tends to suit:
- People who want year-round outdoor activity, not just a winter ski season.
- Those who prefer a club or community format over booking individual trips.
- Anyone open to a mix of sports and social events rather than a single specialty.
What activities the club covers
The club describes itself around a broad set of outdoor pursuits, which is the main thing that distinguishes it from a single-sport group or a tour operator.
| Activity | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skiing | Winter | The activity the club is named for |
| Biking | Warmer months | Part of the "Bike" in the club's name |
| Camping | Year-round / seasonal | Listed as a core activity |
| Canoeing | Warmer months | Paddling trips |
| Hiking | Year-round / seasonal | Trail outings |
The through-line is that these are group recreational activities, and the club frames them as ways to "have fun all year long."
How it differs from a commercial tour or lesson provider
This is the key distinction if you're comparing options:
- A commercial provider sells you a specific trip, lesson, or guided experience. You pay per activity, and the relationship usually ends when the trip does.
- A social club like the Friars is built around membership and ongoing participation. The value is the recurring group, the social connections, and the ability to keep doing activities with the same community across seasons.
So if your goal is to learn a specific skill in a structured lesson, a school or guide service may be the better fit. If your goal is to have a standing group to ski, bike, camp, canoe, and hike with, a club format is the more natural match.
How to join or get involved
The club's site is the starting point for prospective members. The general path looks like this:
- Visit the club's website (chicagofriars.com) to see current activities and any membership information posted there.
- Look for a join or membership section, and check what's involved in signing up.
- Check upcoming events or trips to see what's scheduled and whether there's an easy first event for newcomers.
- Reach out through whatever contact method the site provides if you have questions before joining.
A practical tip for any club like this: try attending one event or meeting before committing, so you can gauge whether the group's pace, interests, and social vibe match what you're after.
What to expect from trips and events
Because the club is social and recreational rather than instructional, expect events to be organized around shared participation — group trips and outings where the point is doing the activity together and enjoying the company. The exact format, cost, and difficulty of any given trip aren't something to assume; those details are best confirmed directly with the club, since they can vary by activity and season.
If you want a year-round outdoor social group in Chicago that spans skiing, biking, camping, canoeing, and hiking, the Chicago Friars Ski and Bike Club is designed for exactly that. If you instead want a one-off guided experience or formal instruction, a commercial provider will serve you better.