WSC Newsletter

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Hi Everyone,

Winter is fast approaching and if you believe the weather predictions we are in for some snow next week. The good news is that at WSC we are ready for the snow - are you? The nature of snow skiing in England is such that when it arrives you have to grab it rather than wait until the next weekend when the likelyhood is it will have gone! So get your skis/boards ready, make sure you have your snow chains handy and can remember how to fit them, shovel in the back, make sure your boots still fit and most importantly keep your fingers crossed!

For those of you who need some more ski clothing/equipment the good news is that Nevisport in Newcastle have continued to support us and are offering members of WSC 20% discount off RRP on most products over the weekend 26/27th November. By using this discount weekend you are benefitting yourselves by saving significant amounts of hard earned cash, helping support WSC because Nevisport will only continue this discount offer if it is used and also benefitting one of our main supporters, Nevisport. But please remember to produce a valid wsc membership card to obtain the discount. There is a flyer attached to this email and a newsletter from Nevisport to all members. For those of you who receive this email that aren't members I apologise as this will be of no use to you - should have really joined shouldn't you!

For those wishing to join we have approximately 30 places left after which time we will close membership so do not delay any longer because once the first flakes arrive I guarantee those remaining places will go instantly.

If you want to get into the mood for skiing then no better way to do it than go and see the new Warren Miller film. Superb adventure skiing and boarding action from all over the world (may even include Weardale if you look hard enough through tinted glasses). The nearest showing is at the Rheged Centre, Penrith Thursday 24 Nov 7.30PM and tickets can be bought on line at www.warrenmiller.co.uk and I have atached a flyer to this email with more details. I am planning to go over next thursday.

If you want to get your legs into shape before the seson starts then Silksworth ski slope are offering special deals at the moment and attached to this email is a flyer from them about the discounts and recreational pass and also the Freestyle Demo night.

I have also received an email from the British Association of Ski Patrollers who offer First Aid training, Ski Rescue etc. Two of our members recently attended a course in the Lake District (I think) and say it was excellent and well worth it. Have a look at the BASP website www.basp.org.uk which also has more information on the benefits of becoming a member.

Finally how about avalanche training. Perhaps not an essential skill on the slopes at Weardale, though I have witnessed two small avalanches on Black Scar in the last couple of years.However for those of you who ski abroad, and especially if you ski backcountry, it could be a real life saver.  Below is an invitation to attend a one day course in Chamonix for a meagre £75 though I suspect that does not include travel! Who knows it could save your life.


Avalanche Academy is the first and only
specialist avalanche training organisation in the Chamonix region. We are
dedicated to making people safer in the off-piste and our Mountain Guides
are specialists in avalanche awareness.

Our courses are all just one day long and are only £75 per person. Private
Training is also available. Courses cater for all levels, and cover the
following as a minimum:
•        Information Finding.
•        Risk Evaluation on snow.
•        Route planning in hazardous conditions.
•        Safer skiing techniques on suspect slopes.
•        Snow profiling.
•        Rescue procedures including use of transceivers, shovels and
probes.

At Avalanche Academy we want to encourage people to get into the off-piste,
but we want to give them the required skills and judgement first.

Also worth a mention is that every Monday night at 7pm we will be hosting a
free Avalanche Awareness talk at La Terrasse in Chamonix town centre.
The talks will run from Mid December through until the end of March. Each
presentation will last around 30-40 minutes and will cover the basics of how
to avoid avalanches, and what to do if caught in one. Everyone is welcome to
attend - why not come along ?

For more information, or to book on-line, just visit
www.avalancheacademy.com .


Phew, that was a long email. See you on the slopes soon

Steve