Weardale 20th Dec

[kateh]

The Weardale Ski Club Ltd

Global warming! Copenhagen summit! I think we should invite Barack Obama + friends over to Weardale. Not that I'm a sceptic at all but it didnt feel too much like global warmng this weekend which bodes well for Weardale Ski Club. We have had 3 successive days skiing and are planning to open up on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. 6 days before christmas is the best start to a season for many years and the cold spell is forecast to last a while longer yet with the possibility of more snow over the next few days.

The snow this weekend has been variable with some good areas and some patchy areas. The icy patches we saw on Saturday have disappeared with the fresh snow but the wind has blown some of the snow off the pisted areas. However there is still plenty of skiing to be had with deep drifts in places. On the downside both the Pistebasher and the Skidoo are temporarily out of order and we are having a few hiccoughs with the lifts which has caused a few delays today - please bear with us - we are a small club run by a small number of volunteers and we are doing our best. Anyone interested in helping out please feel free to contact me. We need help with mechanical repairs to machinery as well as taking money at the kiosk, shovelling snow and many other jobs both summer + winter.

The road was very tricky today and 4WD or Chains were used by most, though some front wheel drive cars got up. Please do not attempt driving over from Teesdale like some - it may look shorter on the map for some people but I can assure you it will not be shorter and is quite likely you will end up being towed out of a ditch like some already this season! You have been warned.

The parking today was excellent - thank you all. When a lot of cars turn up we run out of space and have to use the space effeciently which you all did today. Some parked in the layby at the bottom and got lifts up which is fine but please try not to block any entrances - 1 car today blocked a farm track which might cause problems somedays but I dont think was an issue today.

Skiing tomorrow will be from 10am and is likely to be the same on Tuesday and Wednesday but please use the answerphone for updates (01388 527527).