The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Well there is certainly no shortage of snow at the moment. We have already had 14 days skiing this season and this current lot of snow should keep us going for a while. We have had over a foot of snow in Stanhope today and it is still snowing with a significant fall expected overnight. We are hoping to open tomorrow (tuesday) but access may be the biggest problem if the snow has drifted across the road. Hopefully the snow plough will visit tomorrow but we may need the snow blower. The earliest I can realistically see us getting open is 10:30 am and that depends on conditions so please check the answerphone before travelling. Wednesday looks promising as does the weekend!
If ever you need to pack a shovel and snow chains tomorrow is the day (though you should always carry them with you) - it may well be a challenge getting up there with chains - please drive sensibly, park sensibly not obstructing other cars or blocking farmers gates etc. When you arrive at the car park dig a space and "front in" at a 45 degree angle close up the the fence. If you are putting chains on the best place to do it is at the layby between the turn off from Daddry Shields and the sharp turn up to the slopes. A few people have tried reaching us directly from Teesdale over the gated road - DONT - you wont make it. Sat Nav says it is the quickest route but it is not gritted, ploughed or currently even visible!
Wilf Allinson has some ski equipment for sale - details below - please contact Wilf not me
Steve
Weardale Ski Club w/c 2 Feb 09
Moderator: Committee Member
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phil
- Committee Member
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 9:20 am
- How Did You Hear About the Club?: 0
- Location: Durham
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phil
- Committee Member
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 9:20 am
- How Did You Hear About the Club?: 0
- Location: Durham
Re: Weardale Ski Club 2 Feb 09
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd Tue 3 Feb for Wed 4Feb
Yet another great day boarding and skiing. The weather was a lot better than expected and got blue skies for part of the day as a bonus.
There is loads of snow on Swinhope fell with drifts 8 to 10 feet in places and covering the snow fence in parts. As predicted access proved rather difficult today but once the plough had been up the road improved though 4WD or chains (or both) were the order of the day. Having said that the gritter got stuck across the road this afternoon and caused havoc for some drivers. We have had quite a few cars going off the road this season or getting stuck so please take care. If you don't have 4WD I am told chains are only £40 in Halford's - well worth the price and may save a lot of embarassment and inconvenience.
We are opening tomorrow (wednesday) and tow operators will be present from about 10am.
A few people arrived today at 3pm to ski. They had a good hour or so but we do have to shut down the lifts and clear the fells from about 4pm in order to get everyone off the fell before it gets dark - we shut at 4:10 today and it was getting dark by the time everybody was off the hill. Please try and arrive early if possible otherwise you may not get a lot of skiing in - by the time you have parked and walked the "gentle" walk across time flies. Everyone was helpful today and once we shut the lifts down headed off the slopes, however in the past we have had people going to the lodge for a coffee etc after the lifts shut. Please remember that the tow operators have to ensure everyone is off safely and all the cars out of the car park before we can leave and be understanding even if it seems light when the lift operator puts up that "last run" sign!
Conditions today were good with a lot of fresh powder although there were some sections of ice where the snow had blown off and left patches of snow that has been through the melt/freeze cycle so take care. Hopefully with a bit more pistebashing tomorrow this should not be a problem.I am in the process of adding some more photos from today on my Flickr site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/23108073@N06/ which should be viewable later tonight. There are links to lots of other photos on the website which are well worth looking at. We also have a new "Links" page on the website with some useful contacts.
Hope a lot of you get up there tomorrow to enjoy our 16th day skiing this season
Happy skiing
Steve
Yet another great day boarding and skiing. The weather was a lot better than expected and got blue skies for part of the day as a bonus.
There is loads of snow on Swinhope fell with drifts 8 to 10 feet in places and covering the snow fence in parts. As predicted access proved rather difficult today but once the plough had been up the road improved though 4WD or chains (or both) were the order of the day. Having said that the gritter got stuck across the road this afternoon and caused havoc for some drivers. We have had quite a few cars going off the road this season or getting stuck so please take care. If you don't have 4WD I am told chains are only £40 in Halford's - well worth the price and may save a lot of embarassment and inconvenience.
We are opening tomorrow (wednesday) and tow operators will be present from about 10am.
A few people arrived today at 3pm to ski. They had a good hour or so but we do have to shut down the lifts and clear the fells from about 4pm in order to get everyone off the fell before it gets dark - we shut at 4:10 today and it was getting dark by the time everybody was off the hill. Please try and arrive early if possible otherwise you may not get a lot of skiing in - by the time you have parked and walked the "gentle" walk across time flies. Everyone was helpful today and once we shut the lifts down headed off the slopes, however in the past we have had people going to the lodge for a coffee etc after the lifts shut. Please remember that the tow operators have to ensure everyone is off safely and all the cars out of the car park before we can leave and be understanding even if it seems light when the lift operator puts up that "last run" sign!
Conditions today were good with a lot of fresh powder although there were some sections of ice where the snow had blown off and left patches of snow that has been through the melt/freeze cycle so take care. Hopefully with a bit more pistebashing tomorrow this should not be a problem.I am in the process of adding some more photos from today on my Flickr site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/23108073@N06/ which should be viewable later tonight. There are links to lots of other photos on the website which are well worth looking at. We also have a new "Links" page on the website with some useful contacts.
Hope a lot of you get up there tomorrow to enjoy our 16th day skiing this season
Happy skiing
Steve
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kateh
- Paid Member
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:12 pm
- How Did You Hear About the Club?: 2
- Location: Durham
Re: Weardale Ski Club w/c 2 Feb 09
Weardale
Another amazing day at Weardale today, the sun even shined!!!
Another amazing day at Weardale today, the sun even shined!!!
Kate H
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kateh
- Paid Member
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:12 pm
- How Did You Hear About the Club?: 2
- Location: Durham
Weardale 04/02/09
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Some of us have to work now and then but for those lucky enough to be unemployed, retired or able to throw a "sickie" I am told that today was a fantastic day skiing + boarding. There is snow by the proverbial shed load waiting to be skied out. Queues were seen at F1 resembling Meribel at half-term (nearly) and the whole of F1 area is skiable. The piste basher has spread out the snowdrifts and broken up the icy bits so I am told it is in great shape. F2 is still a bit icy but hopefully we can get the piste basher up there tomorrow and improve it as there are huge snowdrifts just waiting to be spread.
I am told that Black Scar has been skied out all day and hoards of snowboarders have created their own board park with jumps etc.
We are planning to open tomorrow from about 10am but there may be an early finish so don't turn up too late. Today there was a bit of chaos in the car park and the road was tricky in places. Please either use chains or 4WD (or both tomorrow). Otherwise think about car sharing or wait at the bottom and cadge a lift up (some people seem quite good at this mentioning no names!). We are also planning to open friday and at the weekend unless there is a dramatic change in the weather. Please monitor the webcam and answerphone.
When you arrive at the car park if all the places at the top are gone please park on the LEFT hand side next to the fence at a 45 degree angle. You MUST take a shovel and dig in as close to the fence as you can get. Today people were parked on the right hand side of the road which can narrow the road too much and makes it very tight.
I am sorry if I keep on about the parking, chains, shovel etc but we have a lot of day members know who perhaps don't know the rules and a single car stuck in the road can cause havoc.
If anyone is receiving these snow alerts that wants to be removed from the list please let me know - it is not always clear whether people want to be added to the alerts from the hundreds of emails I get.
Steve
Some of us have to work now and then but for those lucky enough to be unemployed, retired or able to throw a "sickie" I am told that today was a fantastic day skiing + boarding. There is snow by the proverbial shed load waiting to be skied out. Queues were seen at F1 resembling Meribel at half-term (nearly) and the whole of F1 area is skiable. The piste basher has spread out the snowdrifts and broken up the icy bits so I am told it is in great shape. F2 is still a bit icy but hopefully we can get the piste basher up there tomorrow and improve it as there are huge snowdrifts just waiting to be spread.
I am told that Black Scar has been skied out all day and hoards of snowboarders have created their own board park with jumps etc.
We are planning to open tomorrow from about 10am but there may be an early finish so don't turn up too late. Today there was a bit of chaos in the car park and the road was tricky in places. Please either use chains or 4WD (or both tomorrow). Otherwise think about car sharing or wait at the bottom and cadge a lift up (some people seem quite good at this mentioning no names!). We are also planning to open friday and at the weekend unless there is a dramatic change in the weather. Please monitor the webcam and answerphone.
When you arrive at the car park if all the places at the top are gone please park on the LEFT hand side next to the fence at a 45 degree angle. You MUST take a shovel and dig in as close to the fence as you can get. Today people were parked on the right hand side of the road which can narrow the road too much and makes it very tight.
I am sorry if I keep on about the parking, chains, shovel etc but we have a lot of day members know who perhaps don't know the rules and a single car stuck in the road can cause havoc.
If anyone is receiving these snow alerts that wants to be removed from the list please let me know - it is not always clear whether people want to be added to the alerts from the hundreds of emails I get.
Steve
Kate H
-
kateh
- Paid Member
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:12 pm
- How Did You Hear About the Club?: 2
- Location: Durham
Re: Weardale Ski Club w/c 2 Feb 09
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Another great day reported today with superb snow and the slopes have been nicely groomed. Unfortunately the belts that drive the lower tow need replacing and an accident with one of the buttons on the top tow has damaged the running gear. This means that we will not open on Friday as planned so that the repairs can be carried out and get everything ready for the weekend.
We do plan to run Saturday and Sunday from about 10am. Parking is expected to be tight if lots of people turn up so please park sensibly and car share if possible. Some of the carpark has been cleared of snow but once those places have filled you will need to dig in to park so remember a shovel. Please do not obstruct the road or any gates or entrances. Yesterday a car blocked the entrance to the fell at the top of the carpark which is the only route onto the fells for emergency services!
The road is still treacherous and with very cold weather predicted may remain so till the weekend so we would still recommend chains or 4WD.
Yad Moss is planning to open on Friday so if you are free and fancy a ski give them a visit say hello from the other side of the hill.
I have been asked to add the links below - nothing to do with me but if you fancy a T shirt to remember the weather here goes - I wonder if they do one saying "I survived the crap summer!"
Steve
Online clothing company Balcony Shirts have produced t-shirts in honour of the current weather - 'I survived the 2009 Blizzard'.
Available for Women and Men.
http://www.balconyshirts.co.uk/product/ ... uctID=3703
http://www.balconyshirts.co.uk/Mens-Ret ... c1298.aspx
Good way to remember a great ski season!
Another great day reported today with superb snow and the slopes have been nicely groomed. Unfortunately the belts that drive the lower tow need replacing and an accident with one of the buttons on the top tow has damaged the running gear. This means that we will not open on Friday as planned so that the repairs can be carried out and get everything ready for the weekend.
We do plan to run Saturday and Sunday from about 10am. Parking is expected to be tight if lots of people turn up so please park sensibly and car share if possible. Some of the carpark has been cleared of snow but once those places have filled you will need to dig in to park so remember a shovel. Please do not obstruct the road or any gates or entrances. Yesterday a car blocked the entrance to the fell at the top of the carpark which is the only route onto the fells for emergency services!
The road is still treacherous and with very cold weather predicted may remain so till the weekend so we would still recommend chains or 4WD.
Yad Moss is planning to open on Friday so if you are free and fancy a ski give them a visit say hello from the other side of the hill.
I have been asked to add the links below - nothing to do with me but if you fancy a T shirt to remember the weather here goes - I wonder if they do one saying "I survived the crap summer!"
Steve
Online clothing company Balcony Shirts have produced t-shirts in honour of the current weather - 'I survived the 2009 Blizzard'.
Available for Women and Men.
http://www.balconyshirts.co.uk/product/ ... uctID=3703
http://www.balconyshirts.co.uk/Mens-Ret ... c1298.aspx
Good way to remember a great ski season!
Kate H
-
kateh
- Paid Member
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:12 pm
- How Did You Hear About the Club?: 2
- Location: Durham
Re: Weardale Ski Club w/c 2 Feb 09
The Weardale Ski Club Ltd
Excellent news is that we have got both lifts fully functional and the pistes apparently beautifully groomed and most of the icy patches broken up. All set for a good weekend. The only downside is that the last half of the road is very tricky - compacted snow + ice.The first part is clear but we have had a few accidents and incidents recently due to very icy conditions further up (fortunately no injuries). Please don't attempt it without 4WD or chains. If you park and walk or hitch please respect locals and farmers by not blocking access or causing disruption to other road users. Those that get up to the car park please dig in at an angle close up to the fence on the left (sorry if I keep on about this but people seem to do their own thing and create havoc).
We plan to open from about 10am both Saturday and Sunday.
Steve
Excellent news is that we have got both lifts fully functional and the pistes apparently beautifully groomed and most of the icy patches broken up. All set for a good weekend. The only downside is that the last half of the road is very tricky - compacted snow + ice.The first part is clear but we have had a few accidents and incidents recently due to very icy conditions further up (fortunately no injuries). Please don't attempt it without 4WD or chains. If you park and walk or hitch please respect locals and farmers by not blocking access or causing disruption to other road users. Those that get up to the car park please dig in at an angle close up to the fence on the left (sorry if I keep on about this but people seem to do their own thing and create havoc).
We plan to open from about 10am both Saturday and Sunday.
Steve
Kate H