April snow and exciting new adventure talk

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Firstly there has been fresh snow at Swinhope leading to the possibility of skiing in the next few days. If forecasts are accurate then Sunday might be a possibility and also next week also - keep watching the webcams.

Hope you don't mind me adding in a promotion to an exciting adventure talk/exhibition coming up on Friday 20th April in Newcastle which is being organised by one of our members and also features one of our members plus Jenny Jones, Olympic snowboarder - details below and even a discount for WSC members.

Those who attended the WSC AGM at the Honest Lawyer a couple of years ago will have had the pleasure of seeing an amazing slideshow talk from long standing WSC member Anto Baird. Anto had recently returned from a trip to South Georgia with phenomenal photos from the same place as an episode of the BBC's Blue Planet was shot, but instead of just focusing on the wildlife Anto went there to go ski touring, and unlike Shackleton- he came back! One of our other members, James Cummings, has been organising an adventure talks series which will include Anto's work in exhibition format, but the event also has another star attraction (!) as the first person to win an Olympic medal in snowboarding, Jenny Jones, will be speaking. Coming fresh off the back of the BBC PyeongChang Olympics broadcast team, Jenny is a British snow-sports superstar. Those who came and saw fellow BBC broadcaster Graham Bell speak at our anniversary party will doubtless enjoy this event. In an extract from their website: 

"Last year a skier, a kite-surfer and a surfer got together to share a few stories with some old and some new friends under the stars in Northumberland. As they stood in front of the giant projector screen showing their journeys in to the unknown, the magic of the cinema combined with the power of storytelling and East Coast Visions was born. Someone got lucky and won a raffle prize- a brand new custom surfboard, others won more: and in doing so all helped raise £1200 for two notable charities: Surfers Against Sewage and Waves for Water. Afrobeat filled the air & heavy vibrations shook the ground. If tales of adventure get you excited then come and hear three new ones, help raise money for good causes, and see one very special story from Olympic Snowboard bronze medallist, Jenny Jones. 7pm till late, Tynebank Brewery, Newcastle Upon Tyne 20^th April 2018. Tickets online now!

www.eastcoastvisions.co.uk

For those who are interested, there are 50 Earlybird tickets for sale at only £7.50 (inc booking fee) but the good news is that there's a special discount code for WSC visitors past and present: InTheClub 

Use of this code will bring the price of the first 50 tickets down to only £6 inc booking fee.

Steve

Snow report day 22

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

About 15 members enjoyed a sunny warm day skiing with some surprisingly good snow especially in the main gully and Black Scar, England's finest black run, which was in tremendous condition. The snow got rather heavy midday but then started firming up again but by mid afternoon the towline was very bare. Thanks to those who shovelled snow onto the towline and also those who helped dig out the skidoo which sank into massive drifts on the M1 run.

Sadly we will now need to wait for more snow if we are going to open again this season but I have heard snow is forecast over Easter so don't put your skis away just yet.

Steve

Snow update Mon 19 March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We are planning to run the tows tomorrow from about 0930.

Skiing will be limited as a lot of snow has gone but hopefully the run west of F1 should still b good and we are hoping the gullies are stilled filled in. Do not expect alpine conditions and we may well close early after lunch unless it is a lot better than we think. There may be a bit of snow shovelling needed to keep the towline complete so volunteers may be sought. Avalanche risk tomorrow is low!

The road may still be tricky so snow tyres, chains or 4WD recommended.

Day members welcome but please print off the form and complete it and hand to a tow operator before skiing.

Steve

Snow report Sun 18 March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We had a reasonable day today - not the best of the season but not the worst. About 25 people managed to get up the road with mainly 4WD or chains as the road was not ploughed until late on with some deep drifts. Due to strong winds we only ran F1 but managed to make a good piste west of the towline and the lower half of the gully had a good foot of fine powder.

The weather doesn't look too great tomorrow so current plans are to open on Tuesday but I will update this Monday evening to confirm.

Steve

Snow update Sat 17 March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We are planning to run the tows tomorrow from about 0930am. We are not sure how much snow there is and how much has blown off. The run on the west of F1 hopefully will be good still and I hope the gullies will be filling up. However the forecast is for another very cold windy day so if conditions are not great we may close at lunchtime so do not turn up late.

The road might be tricky so ensure 4wd, or chains or a good 2WD with winter tyres and remember a shovel as you may need to dig in to park.

Members only at weekends.

Steve

Mini Beast from the East

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The fells have turned white again leading to the prospect of a few more days skiing. Saturday is forecast to snow on and off all day with strong winds so it doesn't look like we will be opening until Sunday when the snow reduces and the winds are due to lighten a bit and Monday and Tuesday are also looking promising though it is not likely to last much beyond then.

Hopefully we will open Sunday, Monday and Tuesday but I will update this tomorrow evening once we see what actually happens.

Steve

Snow update day 20

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Perhaps should be called The Weardale International Ski Club after our 2 Italian members joined us today. The mild weather has melted a lot of the snow so thanks to those who helped to connect the F1 towline by shovelling snow onto it. The reward for the 7 who attended was a great run down the west of F1 and all the F2 gullies still full and ski-able. The highlight was being able to ski all the way down from Dora's Seat, down the main gully, down Black Scar and down to the bottom of F1 on excellent snow. The higher return route via clay pit gully (aka telegraph gully) - route number 45 on the map - was also good. Photos and videos on Facebook.

We will now need further snow before we can open again but funny things are still going on at the North Pole still so don't pack away your skis yet. That's all for now folks.

Steve

Snow melt

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The webcam pictures show a significant overnight thaw and it looks unlikely we will be able to open today. We will still have a look and if possible run for a few hours but not promising and will close very early if we do run.

Steve

Skiing Sunday 11th March - day 20

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We are planning to run the tows tomorrow from about 0930. There doesn't appear to have been any fresh snow but the upper runs on F2 and the Gully should still be good as will the run on the west of F1. The only downside is that the F1 towline is bare in places so will need snow moving to keep it covered so if you have a spare good quality shovel then please bring it along.

Members only

Steve

Snow update Day 19

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The Beast from the East has lasted really well and provided another great day for 30-40 members with no obvious deterioration in the snow although it was hard and fast most of the day. It did soften up briefly for about 1/2 hour before freezing over again despite sunshine all day.

Looks like the weather tomorrow is not going to be good with snow/sleet/rain and very poor visibility so we are not planning to open on Saturday. Will see what it is like afterwards and decide whether we can open on Sunday.

Steve

Skiing Friday 9 March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We are planning to run the tows tomorrow from about 1030. Snow is thin on the F1 towline so you may be needed to shovel a bit of snow to fill in a few gaps but the run to the west of F1 still looks excellent and looks like there will still be plenty on F2 and hopefully the gully and black scar will still be in excellent condition. The road is clear.

Do not turn up early as the tow operator will not be there before 1030

Day members welcome - usual advice- fill in form, correct money and see tow operator BEFORE skiing

Steve

Snow report day 18

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

It was a really good day today apparently with excellent skiing especially in the gullies and black scar but most of the upper routes having excellent coverage - see photos from Steve Luard on the Facebook site.

Sadly due to a shortage of tow operators it looks like we will not open tomorrow but if we do find another tow operator I will update the snowline and facebook sites in the morning.

Steve

Snow update day 18

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The tows will operate on Wednesday hoping to run from 0930. 

Fresh snow has significantly improved conditions. The road has been dug out but you will need 4wd and winter tyres or chains and will need a shovel to dig in off the road and please ensure that you re not obstructing the road at all. We have had a few incidents where cars have protruded onto the road and stopped the snowplough getting through and you may well return to find your car shunted off the road if you are not careful!

Day members welcome but print off form in advance and hand to a tow operator BEFORE skiing.

Enjoy our 18th day of the season

Steve

Snow update day 17

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

About 40 people enjoyed a good day today with a limited selection of runs but apparently excellent conditions in the gully and Black scar. By the end of the day the snow was becoming a bit thin sono plans to open on Tuesday but possible later in the week if we get more snow.

Steve

Skiing Monday 5th March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We had a better day than expected today with some fresh snow overnight which really improved conditions and all runs were open and the gullies were in mint condition especially the main gully and Black Scar which were superb. 

The road has been dug out and by the end of the day it was drive-able with care. There is some snow on the road with some tarmac showing through but there is the risk of snow blowing in overnight so you will need to take care tomorrow. 4WD or chains may be needed and you will need a shovel as the parking is limited so you may need to dig in to park.

We are planning to run the tows from 10am. Day members welcome but please bring along a completed form and the correct money and speak to a tow operator before skiing.

Steve

Limited skiing Sunday 4 March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Mixed news I am afraid. It looks like the road will not be cleared tomorrow or at least not in time for any access other than by ski. A couple of tow operators have been up again today and have done some pisting but conditions are not great due to the damage the wind has done. There is a good piste down the west of F1 which is the only complete run and patches of snow elsewhere the rest has been blown away. Looks like the M1 has reasonable cover but it is bare leading back to the F2 lift, the main gully looks full with a huge cornice at the top but again access to it might be bare.

We are hoping to open tomorrow but the only access will be by skinning up from Westgate which is about 3.5 miles. The snow is too deep to walk up. There is no parking at Glenwhelt farm nor at the lay-by at the bottom as the locals are using this due to their drives being blocked so best option is to park in Westgate and walk over the bridge next to the ford. Please do not attempt the road at all as that might hinder attempts to clear it later. Hopefully we will have the lifts running by 1030. At least you will be nice and warm by the time you get there!

Steve

WSC road blocked

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Unfortunately due to other priorities the council have informed us that they will not be able to dig out the road today but are hopeful that they will be able to do so tomorrow but it may not be until late on meaning that chances of opening on Sunday are looking slim. As soon as anything is sorted we will update you. 

It looks like all the other ski clubs are having problems with Yad Moss and Allenheads access roads blocked and Raise problems with the tow but they are hopeful that will get sorted today. Yad and Allenheads hopeful they might open tomorrow.

Steve

Snow update Fri 2 March

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

A quick update about the road conditions which is basically so blocked that it cannot be ploughed clear and will have to be dug out. Unfortunately it looks like that wont get done until Saturday afternoon so hopefully we will open on Sunday. I will update this message as soon as we know and also update the snowline (01388 317767), Facebook site and you can also follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/SkiWeardaleSnow/status/969499382021283840

Please do not attempt the road before then as you will get stuck no matter what you are driving.

Steve

Beast from the east

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The beast has truly arrived and has brought carnage to the roads including the single track road up to the ski club. 2 of us went up today and the road was completely blocked with drifted snow 6 foot deep in places. We got up there on skis after a hard 2 hour struggle (getting to the South Pole would have been easier) and took the pistebasher up to the lodge and were a bit disappointed as the high winds have scoured a lot of the snow although the snow fencing has caught some of it. The main run down F1 looks good and the run down the west of F1 also looks excellent but the runs further out west were a bit bare. We didn't go up F2 but it looks like there is some good snow and in particular the gullies looked in pretty good condition and I suspect Black Scar will be well covered.

We now have to wait until the road is ploughed and not sure when that will be as it is a massive job. Hopefully it will be clear for Saturday but we will update as soon as we know. On Saturday there are moderate winds forecast so even if the road is clear it may quickly fill in with blown snow so 4wd and snow tyres likely to be a necessity. Today you wouldn't have even got up in a Chieftan tank!

Steve