Snow update 14.12.12

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Snow is forecast tonight but currently it is falling as rain in Stanhope and I am not too optimistic. The ground however is very hard still so if we do get a decent coverage overnight there is a possibility of skiing tomorrow but pelase look at the webcam tomorrow and check the answerphone before setting off. Some of the local roads around here are extremely icy and I suspect the road up to the slopes will also be very icy so take care. Winter tyres make a huge difference and as well as dramatically improving your grip on ice they reduce your stopping distance by almost 50% - why not treat yourself for christmas?

For sale - Weardale House have asked me to mention they have some skis for sale details below. Many of you bought some of their old skis last year - if you are interested please look at their facebook site and direct any questions to www.weardalehouse.co.uk rather than me. Go Outdoors in Stockton are also offering a 20% discount betwen 13.12.12 and 17.12.12 using the voucher which is attached as a PDF to this email

Steve

·         12 pairs of un-used Rossignol downhill boots (£30/pair) – UK equivalent sizes 7.5 (x3), 9.5. 11.5 (x5), 12 and 12.5

·         25 sets of un-used ski bindings £10/set if picked up (they are mounted on a set of water damaged skis, but the bindings are in mint condition – they are super easy to detach)

·         11 pairs of cross country 3 pin ski boots in UK sizes Junior12, then adult 1, 3, 4, 5 (x4) and 8 (x4) - £10/pair.

·         We also have 2 shabby pairs of LOOK system UK size 9 boots - £5/pair.

 

I would be really grateful if you could send this round to any interested parties.

If they'd like to see images, there are lots on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/weardalehouse

Ski report Saturday 8th December

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A great days skiing was enjoyed by 30+ members today and despite little snow further down the valley there was a good covering at Swinhope. F1 was very good and F2 was skiable but with caution. The tow operators did a great job pisting the runs. There were a few stones on the M1 but these were cleared late on in the day. It is nice to report that all the equipment ran perfectly all day with no stoppages or breakdowns which shows what a good job everyone has done over the summer maintaining the equipment - thanks to all who have helped.

The road was terrible first thing this morning with sheet ice all the way up but fortunately everyone managed OK. The return was better as it had thawed a little but there's the rub. The thaw is forecast to carry on overnight and it is unlikely we will ski tomorrow unless the weathermen have grossly misjudged it!

The good news is that after a brief thaw tonight and tomorrow it is forecast to get a lot colder and heavy snow predicted for the middle of next week - lets hope we are included this time.

Steve

snow update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

There has been a fair bit of snow at Swinhope today and more is forecast overnight. Unfortunately it has been accompanied by strong winds which may have blown a lot off and strong winds are forecast tomorrow. At this time it looks unlikely that we will open for skiing tomorrow but we will review the situation tomorrow and hopefully we may get some skiing in this weekend. If the situation changes we will update the answer phone message. Yad Moss are in a similar situation but I gather Raise still has good coverage with excellent powder snow reported a day or two ago. However again gale force winds are predicted there tomorrow which is likely to hamper any chance of skiing.

Looking better all the time.

Steve

snow update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Sadly so far the heavy snow has managed to avoid Weardale although we have had very cold temperatures and several spells of light snow. There is a significant fall of snow forecast on Thursday this week so it is looking more promising for the weekend. Bill Wilson has emailed me to say that the snow in Scotland is great currently and reluctantly I agreed to pass the information on to you all!
Please keep an eye on the webcam and ignore the temperatures you see which do not reflect the temperature on the slopes and are affected by the heat produced from the cameras. We are experiencing a few hiccups with the webcams which seem to have the occasional moody day when they decide not to take a photo. We are working on them.

Great Warren Miller film the other day and nice to see a few WSC members at the Durham Gala.

Steve

Snow update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Snow is forecast tonight and also Monday but the amount varies depending on which report you read. We currently have a thin covering but insufficient for skiing, however the ground is very cold and the temperature well below freezing so any snow that falls is likely to hang around. There is an outside possibility of skiing tomorrow or later in the week so keep an eye on the webcam and if it looks good check the answerphone (01388 527527). I will try and get emails out if we do open but sometimes it is a last minute decision and if I am at work then I won't get a message out until the evening.So far this season, to my knowledge, there has been no skiing at Yad Moss or Weardale but the Lake District ski club have had at least 4 or 5 days so far and even managed to get 3 days skiing in before the Scottish resorts had opened - hopefully we will follow soon. The long range forecasts are for very low temperatures for at least the next month or so which looks very promising.

Message from the membership secretary - all the membership cards have been posted out with the exception of those who have joined in the last few days. There have been one or two that seem to have gone astray in the post so if you have not received yours then please contact Alison on ajlumb@hotmail.co.uk

Steve

Snow forecast + Warren Miller film

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The predicted heavy snow for the next few days seems to have been watered down by snow-forecast.com and although a few cm are predicted tonight heavy rain and winds are likely to clear it pretty quickly. Colder weather is however predicted for later in the week and is set to hang around for some time. In the meantime why not get into the swing of it with the latest Warren Miller film that is doing the rounds. This year it is being shown at the Rheged Centre in Penrith on Thursday 29th November and Durham Gala on Tuesday 4th December as well as many other venues throughout the country - see www.warrenmiller.co.uk and if you want to see a preview there is a short video following this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-nsKFSS8E If you have never been to one of these they are great fun with lots of prizes and this year every ticket holder gets a free ski lock worth £9 I am told.

Steve

WSC news

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A quick reminder that this next weekend (24 + 25 November) both Nevisport and LD Mountain centre in Newcastle are offering WSC members discount off the RRP of anything in their shops on production of a valid WSC membership card. Nevisport are offering 20% discount and LD 15%. On top of this both shops offer a 10% discount all year round to WSC members. Both shops have supported us over the years so if you do make use of the offer please mention WSC and show your card - you could save more than it costs to join inthe first place! Many other shops will offer discount if you produce the card and our membership secretary is liaising with North Face to offer us some discount - watch this space.

The WSC AGM was well attended last week with over 40 members watching and listening to a fascinating slide presentation by Stuart Gallagher on his trip to the Antarctic and also a short video by Kevin Moore on his recent skiing trip to the Arctic circle. Everyone seemed to like the new format so we hope to reproduce it at next years AGM - if any member is interested in giving a talk/slide show/film etc please contact me.

Membership is nearly full - we have approximately 100 places left before we close. I suspect that will be as soon as we get the first decent snowfall.

Have you got your snow tyres on and chains ready yet? The Lake District ski club has already had 3 days skiing so far before any official skiing has taken place in Scotland. We  nearly had enough to ski on but cover was deemed too thin. However if you believe the following Express article - forecasters are predicting the coldest winter for 100 years - they say that blizzards are expected in the North with temperatures down to -20 degrees and widespread disruption. The worst (or best depending on your view) weather is predicted in December and January but could start as early as this coming weekend - http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/358717

Finally for those snowboarders who fancy some early snow there is an attempt on a world record at the Chill Factor in Manchester next week (20 November). You have to be a competent snowboarder (able to do an ollie!) and details are in the link below -they are still after as many snowboarders as possible. If any of you do take part please email me with a report. All the relevant information is available here: http://www.chillfactore.com/events/world-record

Steve

WSC update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Winter has arrived and the fells of Weardale have already had a couple of light dustings of snow. Time perhaps to think about putting the winter tyres on and checking the snow chains still work? The slopes have been prepared for the season and everything is in order for when we get enough snow to get the skis out. More snow is forecast - my son's girlfriends sister has a friend in the Met Office which has forecast a significant dump of snow in the near future so there you have it!!

There are only 2 days left for existing members to rejoin without having to pay the late/joining fee and we are filling up fast with approximately 150 places left before we close membership. We will still allow day members through the week but weekends are reserved for members only. If you have procrastinated in rejoining now is the time, just follow the link to join online https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=812

AGM - a reminder that the WSC AGM is being held on Tuesday 13th November at 8pm in The Honest Lawyer, Croxdale, Durham DH1 3SP. All members are welcome to this and we have changed the format to make it more interesting. The AGM will be kept fairly brief and will be followed by an excellent slide show and talk by Stuart Gallagher on his recent trip to Antarctica, a slide show that has already received great acclaim.

Discount days Both Nevisport and LD Mountain Centre in Newcastle have agreed to offer members of WSC discount once again and we do really appreciate their support. They offer 10% discount all year round on production of a valid WSC membership card and on the weekend 24/25th November Nevisport will double this to 20% discount and LD to 15%. This can save a significant amount if you are planning to upgrade your equipment or clothing but to ensure they keep offering us this discount we must be seen to be using it so please go that weekend and wave your WSC card around.

Improvements You should all notice several improvements this season. Apart from repairing and maintaining all the equipment, snow fencing, cutting the grass etc we have installed a second webcam to give you a better idea of the snow conditions, have upgraded the website which I am sure you will find a great improvement, have fitted solar panels to try and keep all our batteries charged up and are in the process of installing a new composting toilet system in the lodge which has also had a "deep clean". Thanks to all those who have contributed hours of blood, sweat and occasionally tears to ensure this work has all been done.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe - If you are receiving this email and no longer wish to do so then please reply to me and insert "unsubscribe" in the subject header and I will remove you from the list.

Hopefully see more of you at the AGM in a couple of weeks.

Steve

Weardale Ski Club + VIP tickets to the ski and snowboard show

The Weardale Ski Club ltd

1. Membership

We have now opened membership to new members on a "first come first served" basis. We are nearly 2/3 full and will close membership once we reach our limit. Existing members have been sent instructions on how to renew online and new members can join online by following this link - http://www.skiweardale.com/membership.html The membership fee is £35 for an adult but for new members there is a "one off" joining fee of £20 per household in the first year. Existing members do not pay this £20 if they rejoin before the end on October but after the 31st October it becomes a late fee (assuming we have any places left).

2. Ski & Board Show Tickets Birmingham 2012 (26^th – 28^th October)

Snowsport England have free tickets for this which give access to the VIP lounge as well. These are available to any member but they will only allocate them to me on a named basis - if anyone is interested let me know your name and I will obtain a PDF document which acts as a ticket but only for the person named on the ticket. Snowsport England need to have names by 23 October. There will be a SSE stand at the show please encourage your members to come across and say hello – we are looking forward to seeing them.

On the Saturday afternoon of the show will be the annual club and volunteer awards. To nominate your club or one of your volunteers for one of the awards please go to:   http://www.snowsportengland.org.uk/news/2012/09/snowsport-england-club-and-volunteer-awards-2012 a great opportunity to celebrate the great work being done by our clubs and volunteers.

3.AGM - a reminder that the WSC AGM is being held on Tuesday 13th November at The Honest Lawyer, Croxdale, Durham DH1 3SP. All members are welcome to this and we have changed the format to make it more interesting. The AGM will kept fairly brief and will be followed by an excellent slide show and talk by Stuart Gallagher on his recent trip to Antarctica, a slide show that has already received great acclaim - more details nearer the time.

4. Shelving - We are wanting to kit out the new garage with heavy duty shelving (Dexion racking or similar) so if anyone has any old heavy duty shelving or knows where we can get some cheap then please let me know.

5. Fence boards - We are getting very low on fencing boards for the snow fencing - if anyone has any suitable - ie old pallet boards or similar that we could use then lease let me know.

6. Finally I am sad to report the recent death of Ray Dent who many of you will remember from the early days of WSC. He used to run Glenwhelt Farm that you pass on the right halfway up to the slopes and now run by his son Ian (some of you will have been towed out of snow drifts by Ian!). Ray was very supportive when WSC was first set up (and also interestingly involved in setting up the Teesdale and Weardale search and mountain rescue). Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Steve

WSC work party cancelled and renewal update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Another good work party again on Sunday attended by 10 people

 

Due to adverse weather and a waterlogged fell the planned workparty on Wednesday 26th September has been cancelled.

On Sunday the weather favoured us with sun and low winds all day

Simon Palmer, Roman Ivanec and Fiona and Philip Kramer got another layer of bricks laid around the perimeter of the "New" garage to stop the snow getting in

Hugh Bence has fixed faults on both the KB and the Polaris- fantastic

Mike Leatherland continued with the grass cutting on the Pistes after welding up the bracket on the back of the Flail machine

Shane Court created a new fence/barrier on the North side of the bridge below F2 engine- this will stop the Piste Basher sliding off and some skiers in icy conditions

Steve Luard. Graham Harrison and Daniel Hibell did the final preparations for the new composting toilet system

Also the area around the lodge was tidied up of the scrap and timber

A last mention to Steve Gallagher who did a stirling job last week on cutting further large areas of grass not withstanding recovering from a hernia operation

Thanks to everyone for the hard work- without the volunteers this club would struggle to operate.

The slopes are looking good and we could cope with a dump of snow tomorrow

 

We do plan to have a mini workparty in the coming weeks to give the lodge and the toilets a major deep clean in preparation for the new toilets arriving in November as well as some fencing to do and other small jobs.

So anyone interesting/prepared to help please let me know. We have no dates fixed yet until we know when the toilet will arrive.

Membership is filling up fast- Remember we will be opening membership to all comers from early October. Any current members who renew by then will be guaranteed a place but after then it is on a "first come first served" basis and we will close membership once we reach 750. Current members must apply the discount code sent to them to avoid paying the £20 new members fee - please read the instructions sent out. When we open to new members I will send out further details and also put instructions on our new website - if you have not seen it yet have a look at www.skiweardale.com - any feedback please let me know.

Membership cards will be sent out in the next week or two to those who have already joined - apologies for the delays caused by holidays!

Steve

WSC work party, special promotion and update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We had a successful work party today with about 15 of us there and managed to get all the hangars put on in preparation for winter, got the bulk of the pistes mown and a few other small jobs done. The weather was superb and the ground finally has dried out a little. There is still a lot to be done and the work planned for the next work party includes 1, Bricklaying around the base of the new garage 2, Rush cutting 3, More grass cutting 4, Snow fence repairs 5, Repairing the Rolba track 6, Preparing the lodge for the new toilets. There are many other jobs also needed to be done so if you feel that you can help out with any of the above please come and join us.


Sunderland snow sports centre at Silksworth have currently got some promotions on - 2 fliers for them attached for those interested. They also are doing a ski and board service for £10....grind,edge and wax - recommended by one of our members.

One of our members who wrote an article in our newsletter about skiing and boarding in Bulgaria has asked me to recommend this as a reasonably priced holiday and suggests looking at the link below. Could be an option for a cheapish main holiday or perhaps for that last minute second trip!
http://www.balkanholidays.co.uk/winter_ski_holidays/index.html?af=ms_400

Steve

WSC renewals and work parties

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

WSC membership has opened to existing members using the new online system and is proving very easy and quick using Sportident with approximately 100 members renewing in the last few days. When renewing please follow the instructions sent out to you and remember to  ensure that "noreply@sientries.co.uk" is on your safe sender list as all future communications will be to this address. We are currently only accepting renewals from existing members but early in October we will open to new members. I will send out instructions on how to join via this email for new members in October and we will also post details on the www.skiweardale.com website.

If any current members have not received instructions on how to renew please let me know but first check your junk/spam box to ensure it has not been sent there.

For those who have joined you will be receiving your membership cards through the post as in previous years but there will be a delay of a few weeks due to delays in getting the cards printed (we are awaiting confirmation whether Nevisport will sponsor them as in previous years but Peter's retirement has caused delays) and also due to the membership secretary going on holiday!

Work parties are planned for Sunday 9th September (Tomorrow), Sunday 23rd September and Wednesday 26th September and there is lots of work to be done (some semi-skilled and some simple manual work - fence repairs, drainage, stone-picking etc). Anyone with mechanical skills would be especially useful as there is work to be done repairing the tracked vehicle amongst other machinery. Carpentry skills will also be useful as we are preparing the lodge to install a new toilet system.

Hopefully see some of you tomorrow. Work parties start at 10am meeting in the carpark but if you turn up later we should be easy to find! There may be delays driving through Stanhope as the show is on this weekend.

Steve

Ski club renewals and work parties

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

September is looming and as the weather cools down and the first frost of the autumn has arrived what better time to turn our thoughts back to skiing!

WSC membership renewals are due from the first of September and this year we are moving over to "On-Line" renewal using a company called Sportident. For those of you who are involved in cycling, running, orienteering events etc you will know sportident who have been around for many years and are very experienced in this field. We haven't quite finalised the details yet but as soon as they are I will email out instructions which are very simple indeed and easier than the traditional way of renewing.Current members will be able to renew in September and will be guaranteed a place if they get their applications in by the end of September. From early in October we will open membership to all-comers on a first come first served basis. Membership will be limited to 750 as previously so once this number is reached we will close membership.

We are also holding 3 work parties in September where the bulk of the preparatory work will be done including fence repairs, drainage, putting the hangars back on etc. One of our main projects this year is to upgrade the toilets in the lodge and we have ordered a composting system and hope to make a start preparing the area before installing the new system. We will need help doing this and if any of you have carpentry or plumbing skills your help would be much appreciated. For those with no particular skills there is still much work to be done so please come along and join us. The dates we have are Sunday 9th September, Sunday 23rd September and Wednesday 26th September all starting at 10am. We may also need a further work party in October but if so I will email out details.

If you plan to attend a work party please will you email me so that we have an idea of numbers and also let me know if you have any particular skills that will be useful as we may be able to allocate specific jobs on the basis of available skills.

Hope to see as many of you as possible in September and details about renewal will be emailed in the near future and also available on the website.

Steve

Work party cancelled Sat 23rd June

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The above work party has been cancelled due to a number of reasons and will now be held in August prior to the traditional September work parties.
We have held 2 work parties so far and have managed to get a lot of work done despite a misereable turnout from members. Only 3 members joined the first work party, thanks John, Ann and Lyn for turning out and the only non-committee members this weekend were 2 of the committees children! Remember this is your club and if you want the machines to work, the fences repaired, the rushes cut and the slopes prepared, bridges fixed, boggy areas drained, club hut tidied and timber treated............... someone has to do it and the committee are all busy with full-time jobs as well as doing all the above so come on and help out now and then!

I will email out dates before the next work parties and hope attendances improve. I will also try and get the dates on the website which is currently being refreshed.

One of our members has a chalet in Morzine that he rents out and has asked if I can mention it in an email - this is the link to the company who oversees it - http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR4976.htm

Steve

Work party tomorrow (Sunday 17th June)

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Just a reminder that the work party tomorrow starts at 10am from the carpark and anyone welcome. The weather promises to be drier than today but the ground will be wet so remember to bring good footwear - wellies or boots and warm clothing as it can get cold up there even in the middle of summer (if that is what you call our current weather!).

Below is an opportunity for a couple to have a season skiing and catering if anyone is interested. I have no connection at all with the people offering the job having simply been emailed the offer so cannot vouch for it but it could be tempting to someone.

Steve

Dear ski club, I am contacting you to see whether you would be able to circulate or post up the following advert to your members? If so we would be very grateful and hope that it might be of interest to your members. Many thanks, Kate and Mark, St Martin Solutions.

 

Winter Season 2012/13, do you want to work in the Three Valleys ski area, France?

We are looking for a special couple or two friends to join our small personally-run property management business, taking care of luxury ski properties, providing a range of services to their owners and guests. Mid-November 2012- end April 2013.

 So what's stopping you spending a winter season in the Alps?

Do you have some experience in hospitality, housekeeping, hotel work, property caretaking or similar? Recent references, lots of enthusiasm, energy and commitment? Have you got an eye for detail and are you handy with a hoover? Can you see yourself living in a snowy village with access to the Three Valleys ski area a few minutes away? Have you got a car and can you drive in winter road conditions? Are you ready to work hard and play hard, speak some French, make some new friends, have an adventure? If so, we are offering a great package with quality accommodation and lots of benefits for the right people.

If you think this could be the job for you please contact us now for a job description and further details: enquiries@stmartinsolutions.com

WSC work parties and AGM

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Hi everyone, hope you are enjoying our glorious summer? It's hard to think we are near the summer solstice already and that of course means the WSC summer work parties. We are planning to hold 6 work parties this summer, 3 in June and 3 in September. The 3 in June take place on Wednesday 13th, Sunday 17th and Saturday 23rd and all commence at 10 am meeting at the car park. This is the opportunity for any members to help out in the preparation for the winter season, especially with heavy jobs and jobs where many hands are needed. We have tried to spread them out so that they are on different days to fit in with people's other committments. Skill level needed varies from pure manual labour to electrical and mechanical skills, so something to suit all.
If you plan to attend for all or part of the day, please can you reply to this email so we have some idea of numbers. No need to reply to apologise for absences of which there will be 100's!

The AGM this year is being held on Tuesday 13 November at the Honest Lawyer, Croxdale, Durham. This is advance notice for your diaries. This year we are planning to keep the AGM fairly short and give a slide show/talk on an expedition to the Antarctic by Stu Gallagher involving ski touring, ice climbing, sea kayaking etc. If this is successful then hopefully we will continue the format in future years so your feedback would be much appreciated. Please also note the day of the AGM is a Tuesday this year, not the normal Monday as the Honest Lawyer was already booked.

I will email the dates of the September work parties nearer the time but provisionally they are on 9th, 23rd and 26th September.

If you wish to be removed from this email list then please reply to this email with "remove from email" in the subject header.

Have a good summer

Steve

No skiing thursday

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Sadly the skiing did not live up to expectations today as a lot of the snow had blown off leaving thin areas which soon disappeared once the weather warmed up a little. This unfortunately means no skiing tomorrow unless we have further snow, which is not currently predicted. The snow can be pretty fickle this time of year and unless it comes in on a favourable wind a lot of it can get blown off despite our snow fencing if the wind direction is not right. Yad Moss has fared better and they are planning to open tomorrow if anyone fancies a trip - please check their website or answerphone before travelling though.

Happy Easter to everyone.

Steve

Skiing Wednesday 4 April

The Weardale Ski Cub Ltd

Well well, who expected snow in April after the glorious weather in March. Good old British weather. There is currently 5" of fresh snow in Stanhope and it is still falling and predicted to carry on through the night. We are planning to open tomorrow for some Spring skiing if you haven't packed away your skis and boards yet. If you have them packed away then get up in the loft and unpack them! We have no idea what it will be like as the ground is not exactly frozen but conditions could be very good, especially if the temperature drops overnight. The webcam has been turned back on and the answerphone will be updated in the morning. The current plan is to open at 9am tomorrow. The road status is unknown and chains may be required so please come prepared and if in doubt do not try and get up with 2WD and no chains (someone will always give you a lift if you park at the layby and hitch). Don't forget the shovel and park clear off the road and close to the fence at a 45 degree angle.
There is the possibility of skiing on Thursday also but we will update after tomorrow both by email and the answerphone (01388 527527).

We will be open to day members tomorrow - please download the form from the website and complete before travelling.

Happy Skiing

Steve

Skiing Wednasday 8th February

The Weardale Ski Club

We have had no more snow but the webcam shows that there is still a reasonable cover of snow and a very cold night is forecast so we plan to operate the lifts tomorrow from about 10am. The cover may be thin and there may be an early finish so please do not turn up late. Day members will be welcome but if possible please print off the day membership form from the website and complete it before attending.
Please note that there may be some filming around the lodge first thing in the morning so access may be limited for a brief period.  The road was fairly clear though there may be some ice especially towards the end so take care.

Steve

Snow report 5 February

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A great days skiing today with approximately 200 people attending - our best turnout this year by far. The weather was superb, the snow cover very good (apart from the M1 which was a bit rocky). The runs on F1 were fast with very good snow and F2 was skied by many but proved more challenging but great fun. It is nice to report a day with no stoppages, no incidents and everyone seeming to have a great time. Lets hope we get many more like it.The only minor incidents were a blockage on the road going up when somebodies chains snapped and caused a little delay.and a red Seat that blocked a car in at the end.
I am not sure whether we will open this week - a lot depends on how mild it gets tomorrow. We hope to open on Wednesday but I will keep you posted.

Lost property - baseball cap left outside the lodge and is now residing inside the lodge.

Steve

Skiing update

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We are planning to open the lifts tomorrow and hope the snow will be good. The skiing today was just about OK on F1 and we didn't open F2. There is however a very good base now and it was snowing heavily as we closed and there has been snow since so it should be a lot better and hopefully we will open both lifts tomorrow. We are planning to open from 10am to members only.

The road may be trickier tomorrow and it is likely chains will be required - please do not attempt to drive up unless you are confident that you can make it - 1 stuck car can be very frustrating for all. If you do not have chains or 4WD and the road looks difficult then if you park at the bottom you will usually be able to hitch a lift fairly easily. Please park responsibly and do not block any gates or obstruct the road and be thoughtful to the locals who we do not want to upset (they are the ones who often help tow us out!!).

Steve

Skiing 4/5th Feb

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We had a fell inspection today and F1 had a thin covering of snow which in fact proved excellent for skiing. F2 was not as good. We are planning to open over the weekend but it is hard to predict what the weather will be like as the weathermen don't seem to know where will get snow/sleet/rain and when. We plan to open tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am but may close early depending on conditions so please do not turn up late and check the answerphone prior to travelling. Currently the road is clear apart from the last 100 yards or so but if we get more snow things may change so come prepared.
I will update the message tomorrow evening

Steve

Skiing 1 February

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

20+ members skied today and conditions were reported as "OK" but really only F1 was much good and got a bit thin towards the end of the day. We definitely need some more and hope we may get some in the next few days if we are lucky. We are not planning to open until we get further snowfall. Watch this space!

For those of you on Facebook we do have an unofficial facebook site where you can leave comments, photos etc and is often used by people to share lifts, sell equipment etc. The site is not formally endorsed by Weardale Ski Club Ltd so please don't blame us if inaccuracies appear!!

Steve

Skiing Wednesday 1 February

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

There has been a little extra snowfall which has freshened up the slopes and we are currently planning to open up on Wednesday from 10am. The cover looks better than on Sunday when we opened for a few hours but is still fairly thin but hopefully will prove sufficient. Please however check the answerphoone before travelling (01388 527527).
Presently the road is clear so chains etc will probably not be needed unless there is significant snowfall but still come prepared as conditions can change quickly and remember the shovel just in case.

Hope you get some skiing.

Steve

Skiing Sunday 29th

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We have had a fell inspection today and have decided to open up for skiing. There is a covering of 2-3" but no hard base so it will be thin in places and may not last all day. We plan to open from 10am and will probably close at 2pm or earlier if the snow is not very good so do not turn up late.
The road this afternoon was clear so if there is no more snow overnight chains will not be needed.
The forecast is for a prolonged cold spell so hopefully we will get more skiing in February.

Steve

possible skiing this wekend

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

What a poor start to 2012! We have had some snow recently but not really enough to ski on but there has been more today and there is a faint possibility of skiing this weekend but it all depends on whether there is more snow overnight and on the temperature. More snow is predicted on sunday so collectively if we all cross our fingers then we may get some skiing! The answerphone will be updated in the morning as soon as we see the state of the snow - please check it before travelling to avoid disappointment.

I have heard that February is predicted to be colder than usual so hopefully we will get more opportunities in the next few weeks but I still recommend taking whatever opportunities you get - if you wait for better snow then sometimes it never comes! Despite a pretty poor season we have managed to open so far on 8 days when there hasnt appeared to be a lot of snow but conditions have been ok.

Steve

Lack of snow!

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope you all had a great time despite the lack of snow activities! It is unbelievably mild at the moment but the forecast is for colder weather in a few days time so hopefully that will improve the chance of snow. We have managed 8 days so far this season of varied quality so it is not all doom + gloom.

I have been contacted by Jennifer Phillips, a Tourism Management undergraduate from the University of Plymouth who is currently undertaking research for a dissertation project, studying the British winter sports market. She is seeking the views of bristish skiers and boarders and asks if some of you would like to enter her survey. It is totally anonymous but you can leave your contact details if you wish to be contacted. I have just completed it and it took 2 minutes so if you can spare the time please try and help her.The link is below

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/britishsnowsportsurvey

Hopefully won't be too long before we get going again.