The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
The snow apparently was great today and a lot faster than yesterday. Not quite as many people turned up but it was still very busy with someone driving up from Oxford and others from further afield as well - hows that for enthusiasm - hope you all enjoyed it would love some feedback from anyone who travelled that far. Whilst on the subject of travelling that far, when we recently applied for a grant to help with the purchase of the pistebasher we had to try and demonstrate that our ski club not only brings visitors into the area but also encourages use of local B+Bs etc. If anyone has travelled up for the purpose of skiing and stayed locally (Weardale or Teesdale) can you please drop me an email for our figures?
Although the snow is still very good we are getting very thin on tow operators and also the forecast for tomorrow is poor with strong winds and snow so we are NOT planning to open on Friday but hope to open on Saturday. I will be away for a week from tomorrow so no more emails until I return so please use the answerphone (01388 527527).
Steve
ps the parking was great today - thanks to everyone!
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
skiing report 23 Jan
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Approximately 250 people attended today and enjoyed the snow. I haven't heard first hand what conditions were like but there are plans to open up again tomorrow (Thursday) from 10am. The last mile of the road is still difficult and 4wd or chains will be essential. Do not attempt the road without either or you may just end up stuck and causing problems.
Can the idiot who blocked the fell gate please not park there again as this is the only access for emergency services if we have a seriously injured skier - remember it could be you. If the emergency services need to access the fell and a car is blocking the entrance it will be removed and and quite likely be damaged in the process but more seriously for others it could delay access to an injured skier. Please please please park sensibly and DO NOT BLOCK ANY ENTRANCES. I apologise to the 249 sensible skiers for sounding off like this and I do realise that sometimes there are not enough spaces to park but if that is the case you will simply have to drive back down the road, dig in somewhere safe and walk back. I am not just in a bad mood because I had to work today and tomorrow honestly!
Again we welcome day members tomorrow and once again can any day member please print off and complete the form from the website and bring it along with the correct payment.
Enjoy
Steve
Approximately 250 people attended today and enjoyed the snow. I haven't heard first hand what conditions were like but there are plans to open up again tomorrow (Thursday) from 10am. The last mile of the road is still difficult and 4wd or chains will be essential. Do not attempt the road without either or you may just end up stuck and causing problems.
Can the idiot who blocked the fell gate please not park there again as this is the only access for emergency services if we have a seriously injured skier - remember it could be you. If the emergency services need to access the fell and a car is blocking the entrance it will be removed and and quite likely be damaged in the process but more seriously for others it could delay access to an injured skier. Please please please park sensibly and DO NOT BLOCK ANY ENTRANCES. I apologise to the 249 sensible skiers for sounding off like this and I do realise that sometimes there are not enough spaces to park but if that is the case you will simply have to drive back down the road, dig in somewhere safe and walk back. I am not just in a bad mood because I had to work today and tomorrow honestly!
Again we welcome day members tomorrow and once again can any day member please print off and complete the form from the website and bring it along with the correct payment.
Enjoy
Steve
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Imortant message for skiers Wednesday 23 Jan
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
I have just been informed that the snow plough will be coming through late morning on Wednesday and will plough the top car park so PLEASE DO NOT PARK THERE until he has been and ploughed it. Please park in the lower car park and you will need to make sure you have left enough space for the snow plough to get through otherwise I am informed he will tow the offending car out! The plough will be travelling from Teesdale across to Weardale so has no option but to get through.
Mike has spent the day pisting the slopes and reports masses of snow on some runs. The M1 has 2 feet of compacted snow on now so no rocks showing through and the runs down F1 are said to be great especially the run immediately west of the F1 tow which had over 2 meters of snow on it!. Please take your cameras and if you get any good photos that you are happy for the Weardale Gazette to use then please can you send me a copy?
Steve
I have just been informed that the snow plough will be coming through late morning on Wednesday and will plough the top car park so PLEASE DO NOT PARK THERE until he has been and ploughed it. Please park in the lower car park and you will need to make sure you have left enough space for the snow plough to get through otherwise I am informed he will tow the offending car out! The plough will be travelling from Teesdale across to Weardale so has no option but to get through.
Mike has spent the day pisting the slopes and reports masses of snow on some runs. The M1 has 2 feet of compacted snow on now so no rocks showing through and the runs down F1 are said to be great especially the run immediately west of the F1 tow which had over 2 meters of snow on it!. Please take your cameras and if you get any good photos that you are happy for the Weardale Gazette to use then please can you send me a copy?
Steve
snow report 22 Jan
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
A fell and road inspection has taken place today and Mike has also pisted the runs and reports great conditions. The road has been ploughed but I am told that the last mile or so is comprised of packed snow so chains or 4WD will be essential tomorrow. Although the road has been ploughed the car parking area has not been ploughed so you will need to take a shovel and dig in to park. Please park facing forwards as close to the fence as you can get at a 45 degree angle and ensure you do not block the road. We are planning to open tomorrow (Wednesday) from 10am. Day members are welcome but please print off the day membership form from the skiweardale.com website and bring it along with the correct payment. Please find a tow operator (in bright dayglow jackets) and pay before skiing. There will be checks on tickets throughout the day so keep hold of your receipt. Members can make this process easier by displaying their membership cards - we have a supply of plastic arm bands to hold them if needed - just ask one of the tow operators if you want one.
Sharing cars tomorrow may be a good idea, especially if you don't have chains or don't know how to use them. Hitching from the bottom of the road is generally very easy and most skiers will offer you a lift if they have space. Another option is to use our facebook site for lift sharing (or twitter). Stuart Marlow from Whitley Bay is hoping to attend tomorrow and is keen to get a lift with someone (either from Whitley Bay or Daddry Shield) so if you can offer him a lif his email address is - stuart.marlow@btinternet.com
If you want to see what conditions are like take a look at todays webcam photo from F2 taken at 13:11. Unfortunately the other camera would not behave and take a picture.
Steve
A fell and road inspection has taken place today and Mike has also pisted the runs and reports great conditions. The road has been ploughed but I am told that the last mile or so is comprised of packed snow so chains or 4WD will be essential tomorrow. Although the road has been ploughed the car parking area has not been ploughed so you will need to take a shovel and dig in to park. Please park facing forwards as close to the fence as you can get at a 45 degree angle and ensure you do not block the road. We are planning to open tomorrow (Wednesday) from 10am. Day members are welcome but please print off the day membership form from the skiweardale.com website and bring it along with the correct payment. Please find a tow operator (in bright dayglow jackets) and pay before skiing. There will be checks on tickets throughout the day so keep hold of your receipt. Members can make this process easier by displaying their membership cards - we have a supply of plastic arm bands to hold them if needed - just ask one of the tow operators if you want one.
Sharing cars tomorrow may be a good idea, especially if you don't have chains or don't know how to use them. Hitching from the bottom of the road is generally very easy and most skiers will offer you a lift if they have space. Another option is to use our facebook site for lift sharing (or twitter). Stuart Marlow from Whitley Bay is hoping to attend tomorrow and is keen to get a lift with someone (either from Whitley Bay or Daddry Shield) so if you can offer him a lif his email address is - stuart.marlow@btinternet.com
If you want to see what conditions are like take a look at todays webcam photo from F2 taken at 13:11. Unfortunately the other camera would not behave and take a picture.
Steve
Monday, 21 January 2013
snow report 21 Jan
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Finally we have won the snow lottery. We have had heavy snow all day today in Weardale with about 12 inches in Stanhope. More snow is forecast tonight before drying up a bit. There have also been strong winds so there will be a lot of drifting snow and the access road is likely to be impassable for Tuesday so at this moment we are not planning to run tomorrow. If we can get acess to the slopes we may try and piste some of the snow for Wednseday when we are planning to open from 10am. However please check the answerphone before travelling as conditons can alter very quickly.
Due to the drifting snow it is quite likely that you will have to dig in to park so please ensure that you have a good shovel at least in your boot and if possible try and share lifts.
Happy skiing
Steve
Finally we have won the snow lottery. We have had heavy snow all day today in Weardale with about 12 inches in Stanhope. More snow is forecast tonight before drying up a bit. There have also been strong winds so there will be a lot of drifting snow and the access road is likely to be impassable for Tuesday so at this moment we are not planning to run tomorrow. If we can get acess to the slopes we may try and piste some of the snow for Wednseday when we are planning to open from 10am. However please check the answerphone before travelling as conditons can alter very quickly.
Due to the drifting snow it is quite likely that you will have to dig in to park so please ensure that you have a good shovel at least in your boot and if possible try and share lifts.
Happy skiing
Steve
Sunday, 20 January 2013
snow report 20 Jan
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Another great day was had today with approximately 100 skiers and boarders turning up and enjoying some extra snow to freshen up the runs. The extra snow meant that the M1 was skiable though still a bit rocky and we managed to piste more of F2 and over towards the gully to give more variety. It was certainly easier skiing today than yesterday. I am pleased to report the parking was excellent - thanks to all. The rules we have in place have been developed over the 49 year history of WSC and are not just arbitary. Reversing into a space can hold up cars on the hill who may then not be able to get traction to start going again and this can have a knock on effect. Also the road is usually clearer after a days skiing making it easier to do all the manouvering then at a time when others are usually around to help if you get stuck. One car getting stuck early in the day can be very frustrating for all those behind.
Anyway enough of that and onto the skiing. We are expecting heavy snow tomorrow and lighter snow on Tuesday. We will not be opening on Monday this week, Tuesday is a remote possibility but Wednesday is a near certainty and promises to be excellent.
Kevin has uploaded another video onto Youtube from todays skiing if you want to have a look and see what it was like - link below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNMoBQsbpPk&feature=youtu.be
Those of you who read the Guardian may have seen read this report below from the Saturday edition which talks about all the ski clubs in England, the ain photo coming from F1 just below our club house Here is a link to the online version:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/jan/19/skiing-snowbaording-england-pennines-lake-district#
Steve
Another great day was had today with approximately 100 skiers and boarders turning up and enjoying some extra snow to freshen up the runs. The extra snow meant that the M1 was skiable though still a bit rocky and we managed to piste more of F2 and over towards the gully to give more variety. It was certainly easier skiing today than yesterday. I am pleased to report the parking was excellent - thanks to all. The rules we have in place have been developed over the 49 year history of WSC and are not just arbitary. Reversing into a space can hold up cars on the hill who may then not be able to get traction to start going again and this can have a knock on effect. Also the road is usually clearer after a days skiing making it easier to do all the manouvering then at a time when others are usually around to help if you get stuck. One car getting stuck early in the day can be very frustrating for all those behind.
Anyway enough of that and onto the skiing. We are expecting heavy snow tomorrow and lighter snow on Tuesday. We will not be opening on Monday this week, Tuesday is a remote possibility but Wednesday is a near certainty and promises to be excellent.
Kevin has uploaded another video onto Youtube from todays skiing if you want to have a look and see what it was like - link below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNMoBQsbpPk&feature=youtu.be
Those of you who read the Guardian may have seen read this report below from the Saturday edition which talks about all the ski clubs in England, the ain photo coming from F1 just below our club house Here is a link to the online version:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2013/jan/19/skiing-snowbaording-england-pennines-lake-district#
Steve
Saturday, 19 January 2013
Fwd: snow update 19 Jan
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steve Lumb <steve.lumb@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 19, 2013 at 8:30 PM
Subject: snow update 19 Jan
To: Ski Weardale <skiweardale@googlemail.com>
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
I am pleased to report another good days skiing today. We missed most of the heavy snow that fell down the east coats but got enough to freshen the runs and about 150 people turned up and had a great day. Again the snow cover was thin but skied very well and was helped by the fact that we managed to piste some of F2 which made that a lot easier to ski on. If you want to have a look at what conditions were like then Kevin has added a short video to his Youtube account which can be seen at this link - http://youtu.be/czpMTGGL4MU
If anyone has any good photos from this week, Anita, from the Weardale Gazette is looking for some for an article - please send me any you think she may be able to use.
We are planning to open again tomorrow (Sunday) from 10am but may close a little early if the snow gets too thin - I don't think any is forecast overnight but there is heavy snow forecast early next week so we may be skiing Tuesday/Wednesday with luck.
The Road - the trip up to WSC is part of the adventure and the road has claimed many victims over the years. Today a Freelander got stuck in a ditch when he tried to pull over to allow someone to pass. Fortunately he was pulled out and Mark passes his thanks on to those who helped him.This is a not uncommon scenario and it is often the larger 4wd vehicles that pull over to allow another car past. The road is very narrow and has few passing points and the ditch is often hidden by snow so it is always sensible to reverse one of the cars until you find a gate or farm entrance where you are guaranteed solid ground. Even the local farmers wife, who knows the road as well as anyone, ended up with her quad bike in the ditch last year (with me on the back) much to her husbands amusement, purely because there was so much snow we could not see where the road was.
The parking - Sorry to harp on about this every year but the parking space is very limited, even though we extended the parking last year. There are a few rules to parking that you should have all received when you joined which should be followed by everyone please. Firstly park at an angle to the fence as close as possible to avoid blocking the road. DO NOT REVERSE in as this can cause chaos, especially if cars behind you have to stop and then can have great difficulty getting going again. Do not worry about getting stuck, we will not leave you there and there is always someone that will help you get out if you have problems. Secondly park close together to maximise the use of the limited space. Thirdly do not block the fell entrance gate as this is the emergency vehicles only way onto the fell, and for that matter do not block any other gates as the farmer needs access to them all. Finally please ensure you are prepared for the worst and have snow or winter tyres on as a minimum, snow chains can be bought for as little as £19 from Lidl I am told and always remember the shovel and a few old blankets. Unfortunately one person failed to park sensibly today and created a lot of hassle by blocking the road. This meant that several members could not get past and had to take long diversions and one car tried to squeeze past and ended up in a ditch and causing quite a bit of damage to his car. Attached is a photo of the offending car and there is a marker post showing the edge of the road. I am told there was plenty of space behind the car to reverse further. I don't know whose car it was but please try and be more thoughtful in future.
Finally - Reynolds outdoor have some good offers on for some ski equipment at very good prices - attached is a spreadsheet of skis and boots they have for sale - if interested please contact them directly.
Steve
From: Steve Lumb <steve.lumb@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 19, 2013 at 8:30 PM
Subject: snow update 19 Jan
To: Ski Weardale <skiweardale@googlemail.com>
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
I am pleased to report another good days skiing today. We missed most of the heavy snow that fell down the east coats but got enough to freshen the runs and about 150 people turned up and had a great day. Again the snow cover was thin but skied very well and was helped by the fact that we managed to piste some of F2 which made that a lot easier to ski on. If you want to have a look at what conditions were like then Kevin has added a short video to his Youtube account which can be seen at this link - http://youtu.be/czpMTGGL4MU
If anyone has any good photos from this week, Anita, from the Weardale Gazette is looking for some for an article - please send me any you think she may be able to use.
We are planning to open again tomorrow (Sunday) from 10am but may close a little early if the snow gets too thin - I don't think any is forecast overnight but there is heavy snow forecast early next week so we may be skiing Tuesday/Wednesday with luck.
The Road - the trip up to WSC is part of the adventure and the road has claimed many victims over the years. Today a Freelander got stuck in a ditch when he tried to pull over to allow someone to pass. Fortunately he was pulled out and Mark passes his thanks on to those who helped him.This is a not uncommon scenario and it is often the larger 4wd vehicles that pull over to allow another car past. The road is very narrow and has few passing points and the ditch is often hidden by snow so it is always sensible to reverse one of the cars until you find a gate or farm entrance where you are guaranteed solid ground. Even the local farmers wife, who knows the road as well as anyone, ended up with her quad bike in the ditch last year (with me on the back) much to her husbands amusement, purely because there was so much snow we could not see where the road was.
The parking - Sorry to harp on about this every year but the parking space is very limited, even though we extended the parking last year. There are a few rules to parking that you should have all received when you joined which should be followed by everyone please. Firstly park at an angle to the fence as close as possible to avoid blocking the road. DO NOT REVERSE in as this can cause chaos, especially if cars behind you have to stop and then can have great difficulty getting going again. Do not worry about getting stuck, we will not leave you there and there is always someone that will help you get out if you have problems. Secondly park close together to maximise the use of the limited space. Thirdly do not block the fell entrance gate as this is the emergency vehicles only way onto the fell, and for that matter do not block any other gates as the farmer needs access to them all. Finally please ensure you are prepared for the worst and have snow or winter tyres on as a minimum, snow chains can be bought for as little as £19 from Lidl I am told and always remember the shovel and a few old blankets. Unfortunately one person failed to park sensibly today and created a lot of hassle by blocking the road. This meant that several members could not get past and had to take long diversions and one car tried to squeeze past and ended up in a ditch and causing quite a bit of damage to his car. Attached is a photo of the offending car and there is a marker post showing the edge of the road. I am told there was plenty of space behind the car to reverse further. I don't know whose car it was but please try and be more thoughtful in future.
Finally - Reynolds outdoor have some good offers on for some ski equipment at very good prices - attached is a spreadsheet of skis and boots they have for sale - if interested please contact them directly.
Steve
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