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FIRST TRACKS WITH THE PRESIDENT
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Welcome to the July edition.
Well, it has finally happened. The Gondola (Sky Waka) opened to the public on Tuesday 2nd July. By all accounts it is an awesome trip. At the time of writing Happy Valley and the Rangatira Express are open for skiing which has been welcome for the school holidays although the weather hasn't been good so far.
DOC and RAL have been busy obviously with pre season planning and there are a couple of things that will affect us this season. The most pertinent one will be the fact that once the carparks are full to carpark 10, the Bruce Road will be closed (details below). Based on the fact that the parks were filling by as early as 8am on busy days last season this may become a regular occurrence this season. Day trippers beware!!
If you are generally nervous about riding a chair or the new Gondola then you need to see this video and images of the training that the Ski Patrol is going through in case of an emergency evacuation. Their methodology and the practice they are putting in instills a high level of confidence that we would be in safe hands should something untoward happen.
We have had a bit of trouble with our race course booking for the club champs but I wish to confirm that they are on Saturday 21st September (as originally scheduled).
Check out our new Committee profile section below.
We have a number of new members who have joined since last season so if you see a new face then introduce yourself, show them around, make a cup of coffee, get them to wax your skis but in general make them feel welcome. The Lodge is a social experience for all and we all need to be making it as enjoyable as possible. On that note I will leave my skis out and hopefully see many of you up there in the coming weeks.
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PARKING (Take note of #4)
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DOC (Department of Conservation) have reviewed the parking on the mountain and are introducing a few changes for this coming season:
- Iwikau Carpark 1 – Available for overnight parking
- Iwikau Carparks 2 to 10 – Available for day visitor parking. Where it is practical to do so, RAL will have gates at the entrances that are closed between the hours of 6.00 pm and 6.00 am. This is to minimise adhoc parking, maximise car parking opportunities and safe snow clearing in each carpark.
- RAL’s carparking activities will stop once carpark 10 is full on those bluebird days. No carparking below carpark 10 will occur this winter season.
- Once the carparks are full to carpark 10, the Bruce Road will be closed for safety reasons.
- Clubbies will be able to access the Bruce Road during the closure periods, only if they produce their RAL premium carpark pass to the traffic management contractors.
- There will be ‘No Drop Offs’.
Carpark 1 is just above Hawkes Bay Club (last carpark on the left before the barrier), Carpark 2 is immediately below the Lodge on the up road (looking west out the Dining Room window) and Carpark 10 is the first on the left coming up the road (just before RAL’s work shed)
RAL have also introduced a shuttle service using brand new 4WD buses. Tickets will cost $20 per person return and are available from the ticket machines at the Park and Ride locations in National Park and Ohakune and some bus pick up locations. Tickets can also be purchased on mountain or at the Mt Ruapehu Snow Depots in Taupō and Ohakune.
Check out NZTA’s brochure on safe winter driving here.
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| JULY 2019 |
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| 6 – 21 |
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School Holidays |
| 15 |
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Photo Comp Opens |
| AUGUST |
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| 3 |
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Christiana Derby Interclub Race |
| 17 |
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Haensli Cup Interclub Race |
| 19 |
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Hoodies Orders Close |
| 26 - 29 |
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NIPS - Week 1 |
| 31 |
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Rangatira Trophy Interclub Race |
| SEPTEMBER |
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| 2 - 5 |
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NIPS Week 2 |
| 7 |
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Tongariro Juniors Race |
| 14 |
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Ngauruhoe Trophy Interclub Race |
| 16 - 18 |
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NI Secondary School Ski Champs |
| 21 |
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Taupo Ski Club Champs |
| 23 - 25 |
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NI Secondary School SnowBoard Champs |
| OCTOBER |
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| 28 Sept – 13 |
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School Holidays |
| 28 |
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Photo Comp Closes |
| 28 |
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Whakapapa Closes |
| NOVEMBER |
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| 9,10 |
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Work Party |
| 12 |
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Photo Comp Winner Announced |
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CLUB CHAMPS DATE - 21st SEPTEMBER
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If you had made a pre-season booking for the Club Champs weekend you will have been advised that the date was changed to the following weekend. We have now sorted this all out with RAL and the Club Champs are on the original date of Saturday 21st September. The reason for the confusion was that RAL had double booked us as they are limiting the field to 4 race courses a day (as they impinge of the public skiing area). The Booking Officer is working through the bookings implications of this and will be in touch by email with the affected members.
For the rest of us please put the day/weekend aside as this is the event of the year for the club. The event does put pressure on the Lodge bookings so if you are in a position to day trip then please do so as we struggle to cater for all those who want to stay. We look forward to seeing you all up there.
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With the current thinking around being more environmentally friendly and the new parking regime being introduced this year we wish to remind everyone about the possibility of carpooling when coming up for the weekend (or even day trips). With only about half of the Senior membership residing in Taupo we have produced a heat map to give you an idea where most of our members live. If you wish to look into car pooling just give a committee member a call or email and we can put you on to interested members in your area. If you reside in Hamilton we have been approached by a non club member who has space or is prepared to share a ride most weekends. Again give a committee member a call for details.
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PRE SEASON LODGE REMINDERS
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As we are coming up on the start of the season please familiarise yourself with the operation of the Lodge (details on our website). We would also like to remind you that we have a finite amount of water (rainwater from the roof stored in a tank under the deck and a tank outside kitchen) along with a load of firewood which is to last the winter.
The Lodge is run by a Hut Officer each night. The Hut Officer is one of the Senior members present and he/she coordinates the running of the Lodge. This includes compiling the duty roster, monitoring consumables (food stores, firewood, water, filters etc), and being the Fire Warden. The Hut Officer will give a briefing to all members most nights at dinner time emphasising safety and the running of the Lodge.
This year (due to new regulations) we will be introducing some more structure around how we all operate in the Kitchen. None of this will be onerous as we should be doing this as a matter of course (even in your own home). Starting immediately all people in the kitchen handling food MUST wash their hands prior to starting. We will keep different types of food apart and we will be monitoring the Fridge and Freezer temperatures along with the cooked temperature of whole chickens. In addition when washing dishes the water must be changed regularly (this could mean as many as 3-4 times during dinner dishes). The final major change is that we will not allow cell phones in the kitchen (before you jump up and down, print out your recipe and here are some things that are cleaner than your phone – public toilet, soles of shoes, toilet seat, pets food bowl, door knobs, note money). The Club is required to keep a log and we will be checked by Ruapehu District Council on a regular basis.
To wrap up the biggest threat to all of us is fire so be prepared with warm clothes, gloves, hat, shoes, headlight, car keys by your bed each night in case we have to evacuate.
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We have just over a month to go before the first social race/event of the season (Christiana Derby, Saturday 3rd 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 Saturday the 21st September (Christiana Derby – 3rd August, Haensli Trophy – 17th August, Rangatira Trophy – 31st August, and the Ngauruhoe Trophy – 14th September). This allows plenty of practice 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 7th 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, ski jackets, phones, gloves and accommodation vouchers amongst others in previous years).
All you have to do is to let the Club Captain (Anthony Moss) know as soon as possible. He would like to build up a list of keen members so that where possible he can pre-register for the events (last minute entries are not a problem though).
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, mates or your kids. So, let’s see you all at the start line for the Christie.
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Win up to 8 nights accommodation up at the Lodge. Due to popular demand we are bringing back our annual photo contest with 2 categories that you can enter. This will run from the 15th of July through until 28th October. Details will follow next week in an email to all members. One of last year’s entries features as our main image above.
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The club has a workbench set up downstairs in the Lodge for members to work on their skis/boards. The club does not provide any tools, tuning gear, consumables or waxing irons. It is up to members to provide their own equipment. There are plenty of members who may be willing to lend gear or get in to see Hendon at GOE (Gordons Outdoor Equipment) and pick up one of his Vola tuning kits. Just remember that the edges are sharp and the irons are hot.
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The club has a Catering Officer who along with the Hut Officer organises the purchase of fresh and frozen foods (in Taupo). The delivery, however, is up to individual members. Prior to the season the Lodge is stocked with non-perishables (cans, condiments, bulk goods etc) but fresh and perishables are taken up on at least a weekly basis. Therefore if you are travelling up to the Lodge and are leaving from or travelling through Taupo please give the Catering Officer (Marty Staines) a call on 0800 347 482 to check whether there are supplies that need to be delivered to the Lodge. It is a quick 10 min diversion to pick the groceries up.
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Our hoodies and T-Shirts elicit a lot of comments from envious non-members. They will be available for purchase through our normal methods for a limited time this year. Orders will be opening in a couple of weeks and closing on the 19th August. Full details will be distributed by email in a couple of weeks. Check them out on existing members over the coming weeks – they are awesome (and make you a better skier).
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Logo on a blue background
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RUAPEHU ALPINE LIFTS MOUNTAIN UPDATE
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Further info is available on their website
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If there are other members of your family who want a copy of the newsletter (and other publications) emailed to them then get them to sign up here.
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FOR SALE
Nordica Cruise NFS ladies ski boots 275mm
3 or 4 season old hardly used and in great condition - $150 ono
Kids Ski Pants, Size 8 Columbia black, a few seasons old and in great condition - $50 ono
Call Nikki 021419032
FOR SALE
Snowsweat Diamond Snow Chains - $40
Red washer size range (came off 185/70/14 tyres) (check your sizing)
Email Greg
We are running this facility every month so if you want to be included just email the details to the newsletter editor.
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We need to bring to the attention of all members the impact of recent Health and Safety legislation. It is up to all of us to be responsible and this is even more important in our Lodge with the risks of fire, storms and eruptions (amongst other things). To help facilitate this we are holding nightly club safety sessions (approx 5 mins) during the winter season.
In addition there are new food preparation regulations which we will be introducing over the coming weeks. These are mostly common sense (like everyone in the kitchen washes their hands) and while not too onerous will require more discipline.
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We are still after ideas and volunteers so just email us.
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| Patron |
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Rod MacFarlane |
| President |
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Greg Bennett |
| Secretary |
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Maggie McCaughan |
| Treasurer |
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Marion Fournier |
| Bookings |
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Vicki Moss |
| Catering |
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Marty Staines |
| Works |
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Shaun Stock |
| Club Captain |
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Anthony Moss |
| General |
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Thomas Schwarz |
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David Rankilor |
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Matt Ryder |
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Simone MacFarlane |
| Past President |
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Marty Staines |
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This month we are starting a series on profiling the Committee for you. We will attempt to feature at least a couple in every newsletter as they come in. Enjoy …
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Thomas Schwarz – General Committee member
Joined the Club with family in September 2007. His kids were aged 5 and 7 at the time.
He became a committee member in December 2008
The reason he joined was to teach his kids to ski and enjoy family time together in the outdoors
Hopefully it will retain the great atmosphere that he has enjoyed over the last 11 years
Thomas has been skiing since he was 5 years old (last century), mixed in a couple of seasons boarding between 2013 and 2015 and went back to skis after buying some C6 all mountain skis the year after …
Favourite run on Whakapapa is Black Magic. Two of my best memories were out there, one when we took the kids the first time down there in un-tracked powder-like released snow and seeing their big smiles. Other one was a long descent from Paretetaitonga in magic snow conditions, all the way down to home run.
A final comment from Thomas – Enjoy the Club and mountain with immediate and/or club family. Every stay up there is like an exciting holiday, like a fuel station replenishing your tank with good vibes.
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Shaun Stock - Works Officer
Married to Rebecca with a 14 year old son and a daughter who is 12 yrs old.
Joined Taupo Ski Club 9 years ago because it was a sport the whole family can do together. Not anymore as the kids don’t wait like we had to for them.
I started boarding as a kid a few years ago (34 years ago to be exact, there were only ½ a dozen boarders on the mountain that season). 8 years ago I converted from the dark side to skiing and haven’t looked back since.
Over the years my favourite thing to do has been to hook up with different people in the club and exploring the mountain. Best way to learn new areas. Most people are more than welcoming and happy to oblige.
Respect. Love and live life to the fullest.
Chur
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Matt Ryder - General Committee Member.
I have been a Club member for about 7 years and in my second year as a committee member. I have been skiing since I was at primary school and learnt to ski at Rainbow Ski field, a club field in the Nelson Lakes area. I don’t think I have a specific favourite run on the Mountain, but any run with nice snow and not too many people is enjoyable. Over the next five years it would be nice to see the Club continue to provide the atmosphere and hospitality it has shown to me as both a new and now, not so new member. Some words of advice, try a day or two skiing with people who will push you a little outside your comfort zone but still ensure that you are safe, you will be surprised how quickly both your skiing and confidence improves.
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Finally a reminder for everyone to check their gear before arriving up for your first day of skiing. If you are unsure about what to check then take your boots and skis into Gordons Outdoor Equipment and get a pre season check. For the rest of you check that the bindings work freely, no rust, your boots soles are clean and not worn, they fit in the bindings with the correct pressure, the bindings have the correct DIN setting, your boot liners are clean and dry, your passes are sorted, music works fine in your helmet, googles aren’t scratched etc etc. One other thought – chains for the car.
Our lead photo comes from an entry in last years photo comp and features a potential future club champion up at the crater.
Until next month …
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