Taupo Ski Club August 2018 Newsletter

Well, the season has really started with a couple of unbelievable Whakapapa days – both in the last week or so. I am talking here of conditions as close to powder as we will get, all on either well groomed slopes or smooth off piste. This has been tempered of course with some lousy days and quite a few closed days. It has taken Whakapapa a while to get all facilities going with the Far West T-Bar finally opening last Saturday (and boy, was that that worth it as this was one of the days I mentioned above).
Turoa has experienced a range of circumstances ranging from some fantastic all mountain early season skiing then to be hit by the bus crash a couple of weeks ago which claimed the life of a young girl followed by the avalanche this week that damaged the High Noon chairlift.
Back on the Whakapapa side we have also seen unprecedented demand from non skiing tourists. There are not enough carparks to handle demand and RAL have had to close the road on many occasions sometimes as early as 10am. This has also impacted on the cafes with lines well over 30mins for coffees etc being experienced. The upside of this of course is that there is hopefully more money being spent which will be pumped back into the field. The carparking has been exacerbated by the new parking regime down at the Chateau (no long term parking) and the only bus transport starting at National Park Village. NZTA and DOC are putting up signs on the highway prior to the Chateau turnoff advising people but this is still not enough. As we have been saying for a while now, you need to be up at the Lodge by 8am to get a car park close by (or purchase a Platinum pass).

KEEP UP TO DATE
Are you keeping up to date on our Facebook page?
Make sure you follow our page and read how the weekends are going and see some of the awesome photos that have been taken.

PRIVACY REMINDER
As you are all aware we have a Facebook page which we have as a more immediate form of communication. Through this we can update members more quickly than our website and this newsletter. We are posting weekly weekend reports along with a range of topical items and photos (snow conditions, scenery, club racing, club events, lodge activities, RAL updates and so on). However as a club we are cognisant of member’s safety especially in the area of imagery being made available inappropriately. Whilst the great majority of images taken in good faith are appropriate, they can be misused and members (particularly children) can be put at risk if common sense procedures are not observed. To this end we will be monitoring the content that is put on our page and if any member has a concern then please contact a committee member as soon as possible.

RACING RESULTS
The club racing series has just started with the first race of the winter held last Saturday 4th August. This was the Christiana Derby and was held with brilliant snow conditions and mostly clear viz. We managed to put in 3 Junior and 2 Open teams. For the first time for at least ten years we were unable to field a Masters team.
The juniors saved the club from a down trou by winning the Junior title. The winning team was Caoilinn Gray, Cole Scott, Finn and Lachlan Powell. To give you an idea how strong this team is consider that Lachlan was 2nd overall and Cole was 5th overall. This is a great result. As far as the others went the 2nd Junior team placed pretty well but unfortunately neither of the Open teams finished. The most spectacular fall went to Rick Powell who “wowed” the Knoll Ridge Cafe 4 gates from the end.
The next race is in a weeks time on Saturday 18th August being the Haensli Trophy. We need more racers especially women to make up the teams. So, as a special call we really need masters women (over 40) as we don’t want to repeat a no show for this event.

CLUB CHAMPS WEEKEND
Currently we have over 60 people wanting beds for the club champs weekend. We are trying to find beds for everyone in other lodges.
If you think you may not be coming or are happy to day trip please let the Booking Officer know ASAP.
Confirmations for this weekend won’t be until early September.

END OF SEASON MATES RATES WEEK
With a little bit of forward planning you can make use of our end of season Mates Rate week. We are offering non-members (with a current financial member) the chance to stay for the same price as members. The offer is for the last week and weekend of the season and includes Labour Weekend. The normal booking procedure applies including not been able to book until less than 6 weeks out (3rd September).
So get a bunch of mates or family and enjoy some of the country’s best spring skiing (weather conditions dependent).
The dates are Monday 15th October to Monday 22nd October

QUIZ NIGHT & THEMED WEEKEND
Saturday 6th October
Book in for the middle weekend of the school holidays and take part in our Quiz night, put in a family team or take on the kids. The theme is still to be decided but will involve food, refreshments and dressing up (or down) and even some skiing. Stayed tuned on our Facebook channel and the next newsletter.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Less than a month to go to get your entries in. The theme is broad and all you need to capture is the spirit of being a club member and up the mountain. Details here to walk away with 8 nights free accommodation.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Marion Fournier (Club Treasurer) who has completed all 25 Taupo Half Marathons. She is one of only 4 who have achieved this and no, she did not ski it.

SENIORS WEEK
There is still time to make a booking for next week. Seniors week is actually only 3 days (as most can’t last a week) and runs from Sunday night 12th August to Wednesday 15th August. Come up for a couple of days of hard out skiing and experience things like bacon, Panadol, cream with your porridge, Deep Heat, fireball, shot skis, Tramadol, knee braces, long lunches, deep powder, bluebird days, lies and great company.

REMINDERS
We have a few housekeeping items that we want to reiterate for all members.
FIREWOOD - Take it easy on the firewood please as we are running low due to not all firewood being delivered pre season due to a trailer malfunction. We are looking at options to get more delivered in the coming month.
CARPARKING is at a premium again this season so arrive early (before 8:30 in the weekends if you want to park near the club) and if double parking in front of a club member then please leave your keys in the club in the usual place (the Hut Officer can tell you where if you have forgotten)
BOOKING - When making a booking please indicate an arrival time on the form. This helps with meal planning and is another safety feature should something happen. If there is a change in your arrival time then please advise the club as soon as practical. Call 07 892 3847.
FOOD PICKUP - Ever wondered how the food gets up the mountain? We need members who pass through or are from Taupo to check in with the catering officer (Marty Staines on 0800 347 482 ) to see whether there are any supplies that need to be taken up to the Lodge. Without members taking up the regular consumables and fresh veges we will be relegated to tinned food.
DUTIES. As you are all aware we are assigned a duty when we spend a night up at the Lodge. The duty is not onerous and as we are all ‘owners’ of the Lodge we have an obligation to keep it in good condition. So, especially with the cleaning type jobs could you all ensure that you do a good job – there is a difference between a cursory wipe and a decent scrub – we want the club to be around for another 50 years. In addition, how about adopting a 1+1 mentality – do something extra on top of your assigned duty (like wax the editors skis)

TAUPO DISTRICT SPORTS AWARDS
We have been advised that nominations are open for the 2018 Wairakei Resort Taupo District Sports Awards hosted by the Lake Taupo Sports Advisory Council and Sport Waikato. Nominations close on the 28th September and they are once again looking forward to celebrating the achievements of athletes, teams, officials and coaches. Click here to access the online nomination process.

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.

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS
As a result of a little confusion last season we want to clarify the Friday night dinner situation. Dinners may be held until 7pm on a Friday evening if confirmed with the Booking Officer at least 24hrs prior. After 7pm you are expected to self cater if you want a meal. Discounts are not applicable if you are not available for dinner (this applies to all nights).

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