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
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
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
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
Sunday, 2 December 2012
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 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
Sunday, 25 November 2012
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
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
Sunday, 18 November 2012
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
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
Monday, 29 October 2012
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.
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Hopefully see more of you at the AGM in a couple of weeks.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
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 (26th – 28th 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
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