Skiing Sunday 28 December

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Approximately 20 people turned up today and enjoyed some good weather which unfortunately was not matched by the conditions which were marginal at best. There was a thin covering of snow but the temperatures were not as low as predicted which made the skiing harder. There was little snow on F2 so we spent the day on F1 which was skiable and at least it blew away the Christmas cobwebs.

Until we get more snow the tows will not be running. Happy New Year to everyone.

Steve

ps photo of the day will be put on Facebook later tonight!

Skiing Sunday 28 December

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

There has been a little new snow overnight giving a thin covering. Temperatures are predicted to be below zero all day so we may be able to ski on it but it won't be great conditions. We are planning to open from 10:30am though may well close early if conditions dictate.

The road may well be icy so be prepared on remember if using chains put them on before the steep climb.

Steve

Merry Christmas

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Weardale Ski Club and here's hoping that the forecast snow arrives. Keep your eyes on the weather forecast + webcam in between feasting on turkey.

Steve

Skiing this weekend

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

We had a great day today, especially the morning with beautiful weather and crisp fresh snow which although a bit thin in places was perfectly skiable. We had about 60 members today, several of them new members, and nearly everyone managed the road which was a bit tricky with sheet ice over large sections. Can I remind people to put chains on either at the bottom in the lay-by just before you turn up the road or at the top of the first long incline where you can pull in off the road and put the chains on. A couple of people blocked the road to put chains on today and once cars behind get stopped it can be tricky to get going again so please try and think of other road users.

Sadly it doesn't look as if we will get skiing tomorrow as the forecast is for milder temperatures, rain and stronger winds on Sunday but we will review the situation if the forecast changes.

Have a look on the WSC facebook site for a few photos from today.

Steve

Skiing Saturday 13 December

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

With the recent snow 2 board members have attended today and managed to get some pisting done. Snow cover is reasonable though a lot depends on how cold it gets tonight. The webcam looking up F2 is not working so the picture is old and conditions are better than they appear - F1 camera is working fine.

 We are planning to open on Saturday from 10am - please note members only so bring your membership cards. There were a few issues with F1 tow today not running smoothly - hopefully just the fuel filter needing a change so all being well will be running ok tomorrow. Don't expect fantastic conditions but at least we will get the first skiing of the season. The forecast is for milder wetter weather on Sunday so it is unlikely to last long! 

Steve 

1st snow report of the season

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Hi everyone and welcome to all the new members to the first snow alert of the season. If you have been looking at the webcams you will note that we have had a covering of snow over the last 24 hours with more predicted this week. Unfortunately very strong winds are also predicted, especially for Wednesday which means that even if the snow is good enough to ski the wind will probably prevent us from opening. It is however a very promising start and the forecast is for the cold weather to hang around for a while so keep an eye on the webcam and weather forecasts.

For those of you who have not rejoined I am afraid membership is now full though we will take day members on weekdays (other than bank holidays) but please remember weekends are strictly for members only. If you do plan to visit midweek, please check we are open before travelling and check the answerphone for road conditions (chains sometimes needed). Please book your day passes via the online booking system on the website (www.skiweardale.com) and present the printout to a tow operator when you arrive before skiing - we are pretty obvious with bright orange jackets with Tow Operator on the back! Here's hoping for a great season.

For those of you interested the new Warren Miller film is being shown at both Durham Gala and Newcastle Tyneside theatre this Thursday 11 December - http://warrenmiller.co.uk/tickets

Steve

WSC AGM Monday 10th November

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Hi Everyone,

You are all invited to this years WSC AGM which will be held on Monday 10th November at The Honest Lawyer, Croxdale, Durham DH1 3SP commencing at 8pm. The format for the evening will be a brief business meeting followed by a talk and slide show by Stuart Gallagher who many of you will know. Stu is an intrepid explorer with many expeditions, first summits etc to his name and the theme for the night is a medley of adventures include Climbing in Yosemite, Kayaking in Glacier Bay, Traverse of Mount Waddington Range (British Columbia) and the Dangers of the 'Road less travelled' (apparently meeting up with woolly bears etc.).

The agenda, minutes and accounts have all been sent out to to the registered email addresses of members but if anyone has not received them I am happy to forward them on.

Apart from a few small jobs outstanding we are ready for the season and can open as soon as we get any snow. To whet the appetite here are links to a couple of ski videos. One is from Kevin entitled "Weardale 2013"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlFwdNG1G4E and the other is an edited version of the early days of WSC from 1963 to 1971 which was shown at our 50th Anniversary meal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6t7__zkJq4

LD Mountain centre in Newcastle are also offering WSC members 20% off full priced winter clothing and equipment + free delivery by using the discount code SNOW15 at the checkout but hurry the offer ends 4th November.

Hope to see many of you at the AGM

Steve