Downhill News

June 2000

Dear Member

This season is looking very promising, with only a week to go before Whakapapa and Turoa open. I trust that you have all been doing your exercises, and your skis are edged and waxed ready to go. The Friday before Queens Birthday, I called into RAL Customer Services to pick up my season pass (I hope that you all have made use of the very cheap offer), and it was chains or 4WD from Scoria Flat, with good ground cover from the Workshop carpark onwards. Since then, the upper base has risen to nearly a metre.

I look forward to seeing you at either lodge and on the slopes.

Both lodges are ready for use with the efforts of those who attended the working bee’s much appreciated. Remember that a days work entitles you to a free night’s accommodation for use at any time as a token of the Club’s appreciation for your help.

The firewood shed at National Park is full with wood that should be used in the following order. The row closest to the door is old and very dry and should be used first. The four rows at the far end (out of the weather) are the next driest, but be careful and take wood off the top else you might find yourself part of the stack. The four middle rows are still a bit damp, so use these last. The bags contain kindling and off cuts.

Please chop wood only in the shed.

Depending on how the season progresses and demand, the committee is proposing to employ a cook between 28 August and 8 October. If you would like to stay on the mountain during this period, could you please make some early bookings so that the committee can gauge demand.

Good use of the cook should be made during the school holidays between 22 September and 8 October.

If you know of someone who has the necessary cooking skills to cater breakfast, lunch and dinner for up to (hopefully) 38 people and are comfortable living in an alpine environment, then please contact me for more details. Full instruction will be given on how to operate the various systems in the lodge. It is possible that the Club may employ more than one cook over the period (but not at the same time) if necessary. The remuneration for this year will be a free pass during their time on the mountain, and free food and lodgings. The cook has to order food, which is delivered to the shelter at the Top of the Bruce. People staying on the mountain are expected to assist having the food transported to the lodge (via the chairlift) and to do chores as directed by the cook.

This year’s mid-winter Christmas party is planned for 19-20 August at the mountain lodge. Although last years party was held at National Park due to the conditions, the festive spirit was alive and well especially after suitable use was made of the wine provided as part of the presidential shout. Come along this year and enjoy the merriment and the wine. You are most welcome to bring your own alcohol and of course a suitable costume.

The race weekend is planned for 23-24 September. If last years races are anything to go by, this year’s competition will be close and once again may provide a few suprises.

There will be a few people wanting to defend their titles, with the main emphasis on having fun.

To encourage new members, there will be a draw for a $200 voucher from the Snow Centre open to all new members this year and the person who recruits them. The draw will be held at the race weekend dinner.

If you know of any ex-members who would like to rejoin, they can do so without having to pay any penalty costs or rejoining fees.

If you haven’t already done so, then please pay your subscriptions as soon as possible. The Club has on-going fixed costs throughout the year that are covered by the subscriptions, and so by this time of year, the bank account is getting a bit light.

These are available from the Club web page (http://www.iol.co.nz/dsc), but for those members who do not have internet access, copies are enclosed. Please note that the forms should be mailed or faxed to David Meek well ahead of when you wish to stay. As it will be a great season, don’t expect to fax a form in on Friday afternoon as you head to the Club and expect a bunk available when you arrive.

Mike Fitzmaurice has very kindly set up an internet discussion group for members to use. It allows anyone to send to the group name an email, and everyone who has subscribed to it will receive a copy of the email. It will be useful for people who have been to the mountain to report on snow conditions, arrange a ride with others, etc.

It will be unmoderated, anyone with an email address will able to join, and anyone can contribute. Mike will manage it, issue passwords, remove abusers of the group, etc.

If you wish to join see the link on the main dsc page.

Also, please make use of the Club’s web page (http://www.iol.co.nz/dsc).

It has lots of good links and information on it. Once again, lots of thanks to Mike for keeping it up to date.

Unfortunately, the Club Secretary Bruce Govenlock, has had to resign for personal reasons. Thanks for your assistance Bruce, and I hope we will see you back before too long. Until the AGM, I will also take on the role of Secretary. If there are any keen members who would like to serve on the committee, then please contact me.

We meet once a month at a central Auckland locality for about 1 to 1.5 hours, with the rewarding tasks shared out. Unfortunately, no special privileges or benefits come with the positions apart from the satisfaction of helping to run your Club and the thanks from its members.

If you have any suggestions or queries, please do not hesitate in contacting any Committee Member.

Grant McTavish

President.

Downhill Ski Club Incorporated.

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