Taupo Ski Club July 2018 Newsletter

We are right into the season now with the opening school holidays having had the most snow for quite a few years (and plenty of fine days over the last 2 weeks). It has been a busy couple of months for the club with quite a few new members joining (and being initiated). So, if you see new faces up at the lodge this season then please welcome them, show them around and sign them up for the social race teams (see item below).
We have our Hut Officers lined up for the season so please support them as they are club members volunteering their time (see item below).
As a club we have been battling increased costs over the last year and you will have all noticed a modest increase in night fees. For those interested we are just covering our costs with these charges. However, we will be in for more increases over the coming years with changes to the sewer scheme.
RAL have finalised timelines for the new Gondola and outlined new transport and roading initiatives (see items below).
Now that the season is underway don’t forget that we are looking for members who are prepared to lead an activity sometime over the season – so if you have skills that you can pass on or can run an event (quiz night, ski tuning, card evening etc) then let a committee member know and we can help get it rolling. (see item below).
To a minority of members out there – no subs, no stay. To the remainder, get those bookings in as the weekends are filling fast. Don’t forget about mid week and especially the Seniors week.
Keep those photos coming in for our annual photo competition - you could be staying for free next year (up to eight days).
And finally check out the Last Run item at the end of the newsletter.

SOCIAL EVENTS AND RACING
We still have 3 weeks to go before the first social race/event of the season (Christiana Derby, Saturday 4th August) and we are after expressions of interest from anyone who is interested in having a go (in previous years we have had members as young as 5 and as old as 70 race). There are a series of 4 club races over the season each being 2 weeks apart culminating in the Taupo Ski Club Champs on the 22nd September (Christiana Derby - 4 August, Haensli Trophy - 18 August, Rangatira Trophy - 1 September, and the Ngauruhoe Cup - 15 September). This allows plenty of practise for those who want to have a go at the Club Champs. With the exception of the Club Champs (individual based) these are all team events with 4 or 5 (with at least one female) skiers in a team and categories include Junior (under 16), Open and Masters (over 40). It doesn’t matter whether you have done it before, or how good you may think you are, it is a fun time. Best of all is that it is free (sponsored by the club). In addition there is a Juniors (under 18) only race event called the Tongariro Juniors to be held on the 8th September.
We would like to see as many teams as we can get entered into these events. We are particularly keen to get junior teams (under 16) and we need more Master (40+) and Open class women.
You get to wear a race bib, ski a race course, beat your Mum or Dad (or your kids) or your mates and then to cap it all off you can go to a party/prizegiving that has significant amounts of food, refreshment and best of all heaps of spot prizes (there have been helmets, goggles, ski’s, sweatshirts, jackets, phones, gloves and accommodation vouchers amongst others in previous years).
All you have to do is to let the Club Captain (Simone MacFarlane) know as soon as possible. She would like to build up a list of keen members so that she can pre-register for the events (last minute entries are not a problem).
The races are on the Saturday morning (weather dependent), usually about 10am in the Valley. Don’t forget, your skiing ability is irrelevant, other than being able to ride the Valley T-Bar and you get bragging rights if you beat your parents (or kids). So, let’s see you all at the start line for the Christie.

ACCESS ROAD
A reminder to all members about the access road conditions. Please drive to the conditions and always adhere to the warnings and advisories that RAL publish on their website and Facebook page. We also recommend that everyone has chains (even those with 4WD’s). If you don’t and the road looks dicey then you can make use of RAL’s new shuttle scheme which runs from National Park (not from Whakapapa Village as there is now a 90 min parking restriction). Details here.

Be cognisant of the new parking regime introduced by RAL last season. There is still overnight parking around the Lodge. Be up early if you can. Already this season they have been closing the road as early as 10am.
Here are a couple of tips if you are staying overnight or longer – park in backwards if possible, this allows easier exiting and allows access to your battery if it is flat. Leave your wiper blades down. With the wet snow/ice etc there is the possibility that the wiper arms freeze up, then get so heavy that they eventually break with the weight of ice and the wind. And finally ensure that the windows are all up and all the interior and exterior lights are off.

COOL INITIATIVES
Again this season RAL will be running “First Tracks” skiing (8:00am – 9:00am) and “Night Skiing” (depending on weather) on Fridays and Saturdays (5:00pm – 8:00pm) – check the RAL website after 1:30pm on the day. Both of these are ‘extras’ that you have to purchase. They can be added to your season pass and are free if you have a life pass.

LIFT UPDATE
In case you have missed RAL’s latest plans here is a quick precis.
•   Nothing new on Whakapapa this season other than extended snowmaking.
•   A new Gondola is planned to be operational by 1st of June 2019. This will run from the Top of the Bruce to the Knoll Ridge café. The existing Waterfall Express quad chair will be removed.
•   The 3 T-Bars will most probably be removed in the following years and will be replaced with a new express six seater chair running from the top of the waterfall to the top of the Knoll (exact route to be confirmed)
For further details check out their website and facebook pages. I recommend watching their short videos where RAL provide updates on activities.
A really cool video of the planned gondola route is here .

LODGE USE REFRESHERS
As you are aware all new and advancing members participate in a work party. The work party serves several purposes with meeting existing members, learning how the Lodge operates and contributing to the upkeep of our biggest asset amongst others. However, as this is only an entrance requirement, existing members don’t get the regular opportunity to open and close the lodge, understand the plumbing system, remember how the steriliser, header tank or wetbacks works.
The committee has noticed this decline in members knowledge and along with the current health and safety requirements, increasing electricity, heating and insurance costs we will be requiring all members who stay at the Lodge this coming season to complete a short ‘refresher’ with a committee member. We envisage this to be short and sweet (as in 10-15mins) and able to be completed at any mutually acceptable time either individually, as a group, or as a family. In addition to this will be regular Health and Safety briefings lead by the Hut Officer at least once a weekend. As we are in a mountain (and potentially dangerous) environment we need to ensure that we look after not only ourselves but other club members, guests and the Lodge.

LODGE USE REMINDERS
Our major heating source is the Fischer Fire in the lounge so please show restraint with the use of firewood. A comfortable heat in the lounge is 20-22 degrees so once at that level please turn the fire down.
Perishable food for the weekends and weeks are sourced by the Catering Officer in Taupo based on the booking numbers. This then has to be delivered so we require all members to make an effort to pick up these supplies when they are heading up the mountain. A quick phone call to Marty Staines on 0800 347 482 will confirm whether there is anything needed to be taken up.

LODGE BOOKINGS 2018
As there is a strong demand for beds could you please familiarise yourself with the payment and cancellation policies so that as many people can take advantage of any spare beds as they become available.

HUT OFFICERS 2018
We would like to welcome our two Hut Officers for this season. Until the end of July we have David Rankilor followed by Trish Mau for August and September. The Hut Officer will primarily be responsible for the midweek operation of the lodge. This includes potentially hosting non-members. The weekends will have a nominated Hut Officer from the members staying.

PHOTO CONTEST
Show us what the mountain means to you this winter. All you need to do is get out there and take a photo(s). We are after a range of images that the Club can use on its website and in newsletters.
Category
The category is broad in that we are after photos that portray member’s interaction with the mountain: