Snow report from Wednesday 6th January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Skiers + boarders today had the best of both worlds today with fantastic snow after nearly a foot of fresh powder and blue skies and sunshine - or so I am informed as some of us have a real job! Everywhere is skiable at the moment and all the gullies are filled with drifts. There are acres of off piste terrain but please note that only the pisted areas have been cleared of rocks and hidden dangers can lurk when off piste so you do so at your own peril. If you are new to the area it is advisable to venture off piste in a group and not on your own and preferably with someone who knows the area.

We are planning to open tomorrow - check the answerphone for details - 01388 527527.

Please note that due to the large numbers of people turning up in recent weeks we are reverting to only allowing members at weekends so as not to disadvantage those members who have supported us over the years through good and bad seasons. We will accept fully completed application forms on the slopes this weekend only (as long as the form is completed with SAE and correct fee) - after that only postal applications will be accepted. Will members please display their membership cards, especially at busy times.

Please note also that the access road is still very difficult with a mixture of icy patches, deep snow and the rutted area so 4WD or chains will be essential for the foreseeable future (chains and a shovel should always be packed even in better conditions as they can change on the day as we have seen already this season!).

Parking is likely to be at a premium this weekend so please share lifts if possible to minimise the number of cars and please park at a 45 degree angle to the fence on the left - we are still getting some people parking parallel to it and taking up the space of 2 or 3 cars. Also try and get as close as you safely can to the next car. If there are no places left in the carpark then dig in off road ensuring that you are not encroaching onto the road.

Finally Kevin Moore has posted a video of the conditions from recently which you are welcome to watch - the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqcJfirSAmk - there are also other videos of WSC on youtube if you search.

Steve