Guys, if you haven't been to the mountain yet, you are missing out! There may not be meters and meters of snow, but there is plenty to ski on and the condition of it is fantastic.
It is great to see the club is incredibly busy this year. If you want to go, don't leave it to the last minute as you may be disappointed. Book well in advance and make sure you get your payment in early or better still have your account in credit.
NEWSFLASH: We are going to open the top club this weekend (Friday 6th & Saturday 7th Aug) if the weather is good and again next weekend (Friday 14th & Saturday 15th Aug).
Don't forget that the Mid Chrismas dinner is on at the top club on Saturday 21st August. Get your bookings in early. It is certain to be a popular event and bookings are coming in already.
NEWSFLASH NO. 2: I will be away for a week from the 20th August to the 29th August, so if you are going to book in for that week, please get it done before the 20th August. For bookings at the Whakapapa lodge you can contact Ross Sutherland (0274 or the top lodge 07 ) directly during the week I am away. For your information the National Park lodge is fully taken by group bookings Wednesday 25th August to Sunday afternoon 29th August. I will be monitoring my email once or twice during that week and my mobile once a day, so please make my life easy (and my holiday enjoyable and relaxing!) make any bookings before the 20th August or wait until I return on the 29th August.
We now have our own representative on the RMCA Council. Grant McTavish has joined the Council this year to look after the Clubs interests. Good on you Grant, we all appreciate your effort.
EVENT CALENDAR
Club Events/Dates
21/22 Aug Midwinter x-mas party at the Whakapapa lodge
18/19 Sep Downhill Ski Club Race weekend at the Whakapapa lodge
18 Sep-3rd Oct School Holidays
Other Events/Dates
7th Aug or 8th Aug: Christiania Derby 2004. You can enter at Knoll Ridge Cafe from 9-10.30 on race day. If you contact me I can fax through the info sheet and entry form or you can get in on their website www.skichristie.co.nz. All the information will be available on the National Park lodge notice board.
14th Aug Haensli Cup. Entry forms on www.rsc.org.nz. Entries can be done on the day. If you contact me I can fax through entry forms and information. All the information will available on the National Park lodge notice board.
16-19 Aug Lindauer Ladies Week & Deutz Mens Week. Info on Mt Ruapehu website
23-26 Aug Seniors Week. Info on Mt Ruapehu website
20-28 Aug Mt Ruapehu Deutz Masters Series. Info on Mt Ruapehu website I have information and entry forms for this. If you want it let me know and I can fax it to you. All the information will available on the National Park lodge notice board.
WARNING ABOUT CAR PARK SECURITY
This is an email received from the Mountain Clubs Association regarding carparking at the Top of the Bruce.
"the attached email from James McKenzie was received regarding cars being broken into at night in the carparks. This is of articular concern to all clubs with lodges at Iwikau. Council has considered the matter and is following up. Please discuss within your clubs and give us your feedback.
Some of the comments to date:
It was a matter raised some years back, was discussed with RAL, local police etc. My understanding was that a security system with cameras etc was proposed but at a cost. Response from clubs was limited, not sufficiently encouraging to take the matter further and was shelved to the too hard basket. Since the Chateau has provided night time security guards, the break in rate there has reduced considerably. perhaps there is a possibility of using the same security service.
If RMCA is to act this season, it would be possible to use some of our cash reserve but would need to be thoroughly costed and would require strong support from clubs first. For future years it may require an additional levy from clubs with lodges at Iwikau.
Theft from vehicles is not only a Winter phenomenon, it is not only a club issue but one for the general public. It is an issue faced by club members at all road ends for tramping as well as skiing.
There are reservations about the cost effectiveness of personal security chacks, CCTV cameras operating around the Loop Rd would be ideal but expensive. Assuming night checks, say hourly 6pm -7am, 7 days per week for 15 weeks at $12/hour, the cost is $16,380, perhaps RAL may meet part cost in some form. Erection of a warning sign at foot of Loop Rd and noting sensible precautions. Given that DoC would need to approve, perhaps they could provide and pay since it is for benefit of all public (and similar signs are evident in other parks).
Our incoming president and insurance expert, Peter Garrett advises that meantime clubs should advise all lodge visitors of the problems and:
1. Avoid leaving personal items in the car when parked for any length of time especially overnight.
2. Avoid leaving CD cases/CDs in the vehicle.No great drama for a few bewing stolen but 50 or 60 taken is a hassle.
3. Recommend that vehicles have a good quality car alarmand two stage immobiliser installed.
4. Stereos with removable face plates should be taken from the car.
In short it is up to vehicle owners to prevent thefts no matter where they park.
Feedback welcome. No feedback, no action."
If you have any comments to this please contact Grant McTavish secretary@skiclub.org.nz,
In short if you are going to stay at the top lodge be aware of what you leave in your vehicles.
BOOKINGS
As mentioned at the top of this newsletter the bookings are very strong this year. The last three weekends the National Park lodge has been fully booked. Make sure you book and pay early to avoid disappointment.
The top lodge will be operational this coming weekend (6th & 7th Aug) and the following weekend (14th & 15th Aug). This year Ross will be at the top lodge when we have bookings and Cindy at certain times. Members will be expected as normal to share and help with the cooking, dishes and other chores at the lodge.
We have now got another improved version of the booking form working on the web site. I would still really encourage you to use it if you have access to the internet (the club web site is www.skiclub.org.nz). Click here to go to the booking page. When you have filled in the booking form, you email it to the booking officer and a copy gets emailed to you as well. If you have any comments about how to improve the booking page please let me know. Make sure you fill in the correct accommodation fees.
Lastly I have a little gripe. Please leave the club in the condition you would like to find it. It is everybodies responsibility to keep both lodges clean and tidy. Don't treat them like hotels. Please clean after yourselves in your rooms, put breakfast stuff away, do dishes and if it looks like the bathrooms and lounge needs a clean please do your bit. It is even more important this year, with the club being so busy, and I am sure you all want to arrive at the club and see it clean and tidy.
These are our contact details.
Bernie Prendergast & Marie
Holmgaard
Phone/fax 09 838 9683
Booking mobile 025 223 1125
Email booking@skiclub.org.nz
Please post accommodation fees to:
Downhill Ski Club
c/o Marie Holmgaard
29 San Bernadino Dr
Henderson
Be careful on the mountain, we have already had a few members with injuries, thankfully only minor. Until next time; happy skiing and boarding.
Marie Holmgaard
Club Captain
email: clubcaptain@skiclub.org.nz