Skiing Sunday + Monday 1+2 Feb

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Another good days skiing today only spoilt by the strong winds which forced us to close F2 after only a couple of hours. Hopefully the wind will be less troublesome tomorrow so we are planning to open from 10am and currently we are also planning to open on Monday. A lot of the snow has blown off the runs but the fences have done their job and retained plenty which has been spread out to provide some excellent alpine skiing on F1. Some work has been also been done on F2 so if that runs tomorrow the skiing should be good there as well.

Please note we do not accept day visitors at weekends so do not turn up unless you are a full member as you will be turned away. If you are lucky enough to be off work on Monday then day visitors will be accepted as long as you print off the day membership form from the website and hand it to a tow operator before skiing. If you are found skiing without having sought out a tow operator you risk being banned from WSC - we have had quite a few issues with people turning up and just skiing without seeking out a tow operator and no doubt a few have got away without paying but we are now taking a strong stance so be warned! No membership card = no skiing at weekends. Caught skiing as a day visitor without first paying = being banned from WSC.

Steve

Skiing Sat + Sun

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We have had lots of snow in Weardale accompanied by high winds which has not helped. This means a lot of snow has blown off the runs but there are big accumulations in the smaller gullies and along fence lines, some of which has been spread out and flattened. The other issue with the wind has been that the tow rope has come off several times today which has been a real nuisance and may be a problem over the weekend. This is not helped by people skiing or boarding away from the tow-line which puts additional strain on the rope so please try and stick as close to the tow-line as possible. I know this is hard for beginner snowboarders so I would strongly recommend beginners learn to use a tow lift before trying at Weardale which is not a board friendly tow for beginners.

 

We are planning to open both days this weekend from 10am. Please do not arrive too early as the road is quite tricky and also the lifts may need de-icing before we can run them. Chains will be necessary unless you have 4WD and snow tyres as there is a lot of compacted snow and ice on the road.

Only full members can ski at weekends so if you are not a member please do not turn up and be disappointed.

Steve

Skiing Friday 30 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

There has been significant snowfall in Weardale but accompanied by fairly brisk winds causing a lot of drifting. However the good news is that the snowplough has cleared the road making it passable with chains currently so we are planning to open on Friday if conditions don't deteriorate overnight. There is not much fresh snow predicted but strong winds can easily block the road as 2 cars found out today - a Range-rover and a Discovery got stuck today and took a lot of extracting apparently.

Tow operators will be going up in the morning so please do not arrive before 9:30am and suggest check the answer phone before travelling. 

4wd or chains essential tomorrow and remember to pack a shovel, blankets, food and drink and keep an eye on the weather situation. Drive straight forward at a 45 degree angle into parking rather than trying to reverse in. Day members welcome Friday as long as you download the form and complete it and hand it to a tow operator before skiing. Ignoring this might mean forfeiting the right to ski.

The internet has been down in Weardale for the last couple of days and the webcams are not working so apologies for lack of communication. The Yad Moss webcams are working so you can get an idea of what the snow is like.

Steve

Skiing possibility Saturday 24 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

There have been milder temperatures and rain today and a lot of the snow has started to disappear. However there is a possibility of snow overnight and an outside chance of skiing tomorrow. We have tow operators available and will make a decision in the morning once we see what the webcam looks like. Please check the answerphone before travelling (01388 317767) - hopefully it will be updated before 9am and also we should get a webcam picture on the site by then so you can see for yourselves what conditions are like.

If we open it is for full members only as we do not allow day members at weekends.

Skiing report Thursday 22 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A really good day skiing today and about 60 or more people there with some sunny weather and fast runs. The forecast is not so good tomorrow so we are not currently planning to open on Friday but there is a possibility for Saturday skiing though by the looks of it Sunday is bringing warmer weather.

The road was a bit better today but the last mile is still snow and ice so you do still need winter tyres or chains.

If the situation changes I will send an update out.

Congratulations to Colin May who came up from Oxford, skied Yad Moss yesterday, WSC today and hopefully Allenheads tomorrow.

Steve

Skiing Wednesday + Thursday this week

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We are planning to open on Wednesday and Thursday for skiing from 10am this week. Closing time depends on conditions and tow operators but if good conditions will usually be between 3-4pm so try not to turn up too late.

Please note

1, The road has been very tricky so use chains if you have them, snow/winter tyres are a minimum if you don't have chains. 

2, Day members welcome through the week - print off day membership form from the website, complete it and bring the correct money (£20 for an adult). Ensure you hand this over to a tow operator before skiing otherwise you may not be allowed to ski. Tow operators are fairly obvious in bright orange jackets.

3, Members please bring your passes and either wear them prominently or show them to a tow operator.

4, Enjoy the wonders of Swinhope Moor

Steve

Skiing report Mon 19 Jan

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A good day was had today apparently and the cold weather continues so we are hoping to open up again later in the week. We are not planning to open on Tuesday but hopefully will open on Wednesday or Thursday and I will send an email out once we decide. All the committee members are volunteers, most with full time jobs, so opening midweek depends on availability of enough operators.

 

Steve

Skiing this week beginning Monday 19 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A good day was had by approximately 100 people today with a little bit of extra snow to freshen it up. The forecast is for it to remain cold all week and perhaps a small amount of fresh snow so we are hoping to open up some days this week. Currently the plan is to open Monday 19 January and possibly Wednesday 21 January from 10am both days and probably closing at 3pm unless conditions are superb and we have enough tow operators. I will reconfirm Wednesday opening prior to then and remember to check the answerphone.

We will accept day visitors on weekdays so if you wish to come please print off a day membership form from the WSC website (skiweardale.com) and fill it in, bring it along with £20 and hand it to a tow operator before skiing.

The road was tricky again today and needs extreme caution. 2 cars (both 4WD) had to be pulled out of ditches today by kind person in a fully winterised land-rover  - thank you whoever you are! Please remember even having 4WD on ice is not much good and snow or winter tyres make a huge difference and snow chains even more so. Also if putting on snow chains do so before starting up the troad preferably in the lay by before turning up to the slope. I know I keep harping on about this but if the road is icy the only way to get up is by keeping a steady slow speed and once you have to stop (for a car putting on chains etc) it can be impossible to get started again. This is also the reason we encourage you to park facing forwards at a 45 degree angle as close to the fence as possible. Trying to reverse in holds up others coming up who then can get into difficulty. Preaching over (for the time being!)

Have a great week if you can get up there.

Steve

Skiing Sun 18 Jan

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Just a follow on from earlier message. Skiing will finish tomorrow at 4pm at the latest and more likely 3pm unless conditions are great so please don't arrive at 3pm like one unfortunate member did today. Later in the season when the days lengthen we can ski later but we have to clear the fell before darkness sets in and it can take quite a while some days to get everybody off.

Steve

Snow report Sat 17 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A good day skiing was had by 30 or so members today in better than expected conditions. There has been some pisting and some more fresh snow and it is currently snowing quite heavily in Stanhope. We are planning to open tomorrow from 10am. 

Please note that the road is very slippery in places so winter tyres will be essential and chains may be needed for 2WD. The cold weather is forecast to last until the end of the week but there is not much more snowfall predicted so I would suggest make the most of it tomorrow! There is a possibility of skiing next week depending on conditions and availability of tow operators. On weekdays we will accept day visitors but please firstly check that we are open before travelling and download the day membership form and bring it along to the slopes with the £20 day fee and present to a tow operator before skiing - they are pretty obvious in their orange day-glo jackets!

Steve

Ski update Sat 17 Jan 9am

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Tow operators have assessed the slopes today and there is an extra 2 inches of fresh snow which hopefully will make a big difference so we are opening today and all being well should do so tomorrow as well but I will update later tonight. The road is very icy so ensure you have snow or winter tyres and if fitting chains do this at the lay by at the bottom rather than half way up please. Please remember only current members can ski at weekends though we will accept day visitors on weekdays - see the website for details and day membership forms. Enjoy your day.

Steve

Skiing this weekend 17/18 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

There has been some snow today and some more light snow tonight so we are planning to open the tows on Saturday from 10am.

 On checking the runs today it was noted that the road was sheet ice in places so please ensure that you have winter tyres at least and chains if not and please fit the chains in the lay by at the bottom and not half way up. The snow cover wasn't great today with hard packed snow in places but hopefully with some pisting and a bit more fresh snow predicted overnight things will improve. If in doubt check the answerphone before travelling (01388 317767) or look at the webcams - updated 3 times a day.

With the cold spell expected to last we are hoping to open on Sunday as well but a further email will be sent out tomorrow and the answerphone updated.

Please note weekends are for members only so you will need to bring and show your membership card to a tow operator before skiing.

Hope you have a good day

Steve