Skiing Friday 15 January

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We have inspected the slopes today and while there is snow it is rather thin and we seem to have missed the main dump. There is just about enough snow to operate and there is a narrow strip down F1, F2 doesnt look good enough to ski but if it freezes hard enough there may be some routes down and pockets of powder.

We are planning to open from 10am and expect to close by 1pm. Yad Moss seems to have more snow than us on this occasion and are also planning to open tomorrow I believe (check their site first before travelling).

The road had a thin covering of snow and there may be icy patches tomorrow but should be okay for all cars with care.

I have put a few photos on the WSC Facebook page for you to make your own judgement on whether it is worth a trip.

Steve

Skiing Sunday 13 December report

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

So much for Christmas shopping. We had a great turnout today with between 100-120 people there to enjoy the first snow of the season. The day started very bright with sunshine and powder snow but very rapidly turned heavy and wet, eventually turning to a mixture of snow and mud but still very skiable until the end of the day. It was nice to see so many new members and also many children today enjoying themselves. Photos can be seen on the "unofficial" WSC facebook site - please note that this is not actively monitored and may not reflect WSC views. Tonight the snow has turned to rain so I suspect that we will have to wait for another dump of snow before we open again but keep an eye on the webcam.

Lost Property - there must be 2 people with cold right hands so if you have lost a black Hestra mitt or a black Isodry glove or a white pair of (?childrens) Nevica goggles, then please let me know.

Steve

Skiing Sunday 13 December

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The good news is that we have had heavy snow all day in Weardale and at 3pm today had about 8" outside the lodge with snow still falling. We are therefore planning to open up tomorrow after 9:30am - Members only. The road was quite tricky tonight and we are not sure whether it will be ploughed tomorrow but either way snow tyres, 4WD or chains will be needed. If putting chains on, please do this at the lay-by before turning up towards the slopes. Please do not attempt to arrive before 9:30 which will give us chance to assess the road and get the route across sorted out.

The bad news is that Storm Desmond has left quite a bit of damage at Swinhope. A lot of fencing is down and the hut at the top of F2 has been completely destroyed and spread over the fells damaging some of the electrics which have been fixed today (thanks Kevin). However the main damage has been a massive landslide from below Black scar which has taken away several hundred metres of the hillside and completely covered Gilbert's bridge (the bridge immediately before you get to F1 tow lift) which means the usual route across is unpassable. To access the slopes please take the low level route which most of you won't know exists. Pass on the right hand side of the new garage and follow the tracks along that way which by 9:30 we should have managed to mark out.

Steve

Ski offers

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

The snow arrived and then went without any opportunity to ski (apart from one board member who bagged the first run of the season whilst up at a work party!) but at least it is a start and we don't often get any skiing in November.

A couple of ski offers are currently on in addition to the "lock in" at LD Mountain Centre tomorrow night (Wednesday 25th).

https://www.glisshop.co.uk/ - glisshop have 20% off until midnight 26th Nov - their prices are usually competitive and delivery prompt on the one occasion I have used them.

http://www.ekosport.co.uk/ - they are having a 20% discount until midnight on Friday 29th Nov. I haven't used ekosport but another board member has and found them efficient and cheap.

Steve

Snow forecast and a couple of events

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Hi everyone. Winter is finally on its way and we have already had a thin covering of snow at Swinhope with more predicted this weekend on Friday night and Saturday morning. A total of 4cm is predicted but accompanied by high winds and falling on very wet ground so it is unlikely we will be able to ski this weekend but keep an eye on the webcam and answerphone in case it is better than expected. For those prepared to travel, Cairngorm are expecting 20+ cm snow according to snow-forecast.com.

There are a couple of events coming up that might be of interest to members. LD Mountain centre in Newcastle are having a "lock in" next Wednesday 25th November from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. They will be offering mulled wine and food, ski/board maintenance demos, freebies, prizes and discounts on top of the usual 10% discount to WSC members (remember to take your card).

Also on Friday 27th November at Silksworth in Sunderland there is a ski testing event costing £7 from 6-9pm. Rossignol, Dynastar and Salomom will all be there with others possible and they will have a good variety of skis including all mountain skis which you will all be able to test. They will also have  one of the top boot fitters in the country, Keith Yeoman, present.

Steve

WSC AGM Monday 9th November

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Just a reminder that the WSC AGM is being held tomorrow in The Honest Lawyer, Croxdale, Durham at 8pm. The meeting hopefully will be fairly short and is followed by a presentation on The Appalachian Trail by Steve Dendle. All members welcome.

Steve

Outstanding jobs and discount afternoon/evening

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Hi Everyone,

Hope you have enjoyed the glorious weather over the last week or so - summer eventually did arrive 3 months late! Membership renewals are flying in and preparations are going well for the new season. There are however quite a few outstanding jobs that we would like to complete before the season starts and I have copied a list of them below. We are hoping to get at least one board member to oversee each job and gather a few volunteers to complete them. Depending on availability of volunteers these "mini work parties" may be mid week or weekends. If you feel that you are able to help with any of the tasks then can you please email me your preference and availability and I will try and coordinate the groups and forward your contact to the group leader.

1)      F1& F2  hangers to be fitted   Kevin/Kimberly +3 volunteers  (aprox 4hours)

2)      Complete grass cutting when mower is repaired ML +Ian Dowson or SG if available(approx 3 hours)

3)      Polaris- possible fuel issue +flat battery  1 volunteer (1 hour?)

4)      PB 200 fit/adjust squealing belts+check over. Hugh Bense?/1 volunteer

5)      Fit new safety hoops to F2 & some of F1 pylons 2 volunteers (aprox 4 hours)

6)      Change running gear wheels(flat spots) F2 Pylon 5 2 volunteers

7)      Concrete ramp for new shutter door 2 volunteers (aprox1hour)

8)      Demolish old generator hut /make concrete pad for new big generator 2/3 volunteers (3hours)

9)      Tidy lodge garage and remove rubbish                                                                             

10)   Fit restraining chain to F1 fuel cover to prevent entrapment of fuel feed pipe}

11)   Remove any old wood/ fencing etc off fell                         

  2 volunteers (3hours)

12)   Spread 10? Tons gravel around new garage entrance                                               

13)   Fit electric supply and power circuit from new generator to lodge and fit  high level heaters(to be discussed). KM/or electrician?+1?(aprox5 hours?)

Discount at Mountain Warehouse, Richmond

On Thursday 22nd October from 3pm - 8pm they are offering everyone who comes into Mountain Warehouse, Richmond store, an additional 20% off everything within the store.
The 20% offer can not be used in conjunction with any other discount, offered all year round by the company.

Steve