Month: October 2024

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Coming Soon to SkiFit:  Roller Skiing! 

HPSC Cross-Country skiing instructor / roller ski guru, Andrew M, will be offering intro to roller skiing workshops starting this Saturday, October 26. They will run through November.

How to sign up?  When you register for SkiFit (https://hpsc.ca/Social-Events) select the roller ski option. 

Note that it is mandatory that skiers bring their own protection gear (helmet, glasses, gloves, elbow and knee pads) and NNN boots. If you need to borrow roller skis or poles, make sure you choose that option on the registration form. 

Quick testimonial:  Andrew is a great teacher! He doesn’t let you leave the safety of the parking lot until you can demonstrate you are confident starting and stopping. 

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Overnight Bus Trip Sign-up is Tomorrow!

Bus trip sign-up night is coming on Thursday, October 24 at 8pm sharp for our final batch of trips…Family Day Eastern Townships (Sutton/Orford and XC) and four trips to Mont Tremblant. A few spots still remain for Lake Placid, NY as well. See the website for details on all trips.

One of the best kept secrets is south of Montreal in the Eastern Townships.  We’ll spend 3 nights at the luxurious Manoir des Sables and included in our package are 3 full breakfasts and two dinners. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and exercise room along with high-end spa facilities with Finnish sauna and Nordic baths. You may choose to skate at the on-site rink at our hotel or explore the skating path around the lake in the beautiful town of Magog.  Sutton is known for the “Best Glade Skiing in the East” and has a reputation for great snow. Mont Orford, with 3 peaks and its hybrid 6-pack/gondola lift makes for a great ski experience.

Cross-country skiers and snowshoers will be skiing at Parc Du Mont Orford Le Cerisier and if conditions permit, at Plein Air Sutton. 

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President’s Message – The season is getting closer and closer!

Dear Friends,

As the weather cools down, we are getting closer to the beginning of the season, with more and more club activities occurring. 

In all the years that I have been going to SkiFit, I do not recall a Saturday with heavy rain (OK maybe one). Most weeks, as was the case this past Saturday, are beautiful and sunny. In my view there is nothing more fantastic than to spend an autumn Saturday morning in High Park. After a smaller turnout over Thanksgiving weekend, more than 40 members participated this past Saturday.  Just as a reminder, registration opens each Tuesday for the following Saturday. The colours should be at their peak this coming week.

On Sunday afternoon, 18 HPSC members attended the Toronto Marlies game at Coca-Cola Coliseum witnessing up close future NHL players. We all had a fantastic time cheering on our future Maples Leafs to a 4-0 win over the New Utica Comets (NJ Devils farm team).

Also on Sunday was the first of six Sunday evening Cross-Fit sessions.  All of the sessions are open for registration now.  Each session is the discounted rate of $15 (plus tax). 

This coming week is our overnight bus trip sign-up night (see the article below); as well as the Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show starting on Friday afternoon at the Better Living Centre on the CNE grounds. As a reminder, you can receive a 30% discount on show tickets by purchasing online and using the promo code HighParkSkiClub. Please stop by our booth and say hello.  You will also be able to see our special 75th Anniversary logo – designed by our own very talented Director of Marketing, Rocco Romeo. 

On another note, I received a message this past week from our long-time bus driver, Wib Bach.  He cracked a rib last year which has been causing continued pain, as well as suffering from some other health issues. Wib has decided to retire from driving bus. He added “I honestly enjoyed driving for the club & know that the feeling was mutual.”  All of the trip leaders knew that if Wib was driving there would not be any issues, and if something did come up he would know how to handle it. Wib was hired by our current bus partner, Attridge, based on our suggestion, after having driven for our previous supplier Pacific Western until they shut down their Ontario operations. I know that we will all miss Wib.

And finally, I know the season is getting close – my Ikon pass arrived in the mail on Friday .

Cheers!

Justin Graham

President, High Park Ski Club

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Welcome New Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Director Jackie Flowers!

I am excited to be stepping into the Director role for 2024-2025. This season, I’m looking forward to some new après-ski activities, bringing back “fun races”, and trying some dress-up theme days (optional, of course … but I’m sure the team photos are going to be great!). As director, I am committed to ensuring the new and returning HPSC XC skiers and snowshoers have the best season possible! Let’s go! 
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Spots Available on Lake Placid Trip!

Trip sign up night on Sept 26 was a great success!  Almost all members were able to sign up for a spot on the trip of their choice. HPSC is the premier destination ski club with more spots to the ski areas that you want to go to.
 
One of the ski destinations that you may not know about is Lake Placid, New York. We will stay in the newly renovated Grand Adirondack Lodge on the main street of the lovely town of Lake Placid. Downhill skiers will ski at Whiteface Mountain located in the beautiful Adirondack mountain range. It has a vertical of 3,430 feet, making it the highest in the eastern USA. Cross-country skiers will ski the Olympic XC trails at Mount Van Hoevenberg which has recently built a new spacious lodge. Transportation to both sites will be provided by our HPSC luxury coach. Downhillers can also take the town shuttle if they wish to get up later or return earlier. This is a 4 night trip with 4 full buffet breakfasts.  Add on three days of downhill or cross-country skiing in peak snow season, February 23-27, 2025 and you have the makings of a great HPSC vacation trip!  Please see the details on the website and note that this trip is available for sign up now.

Finally, a reminder that our overnight bus trips to Mont Tremblant and the Eastern Townships will go on sale on Thursday, October 24 at 8pm sharp! Details on the website.

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President’s Message – Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have always loved the fall and Thanksgiving. It could be because I was born on Thanksgiving, but I think it is more than that. Thanksgiving is really a time to reflect on all that we have, including the incredible people in our lives.  For me that includes so many close friends that I have met through High Park Ski Club. In today’s world fewer and fewer people actually meet and socialize in person, which makes our club very special.

SkiFit is in full swing on Saturday mornings with more and more members coming out each week to get some exercise and socializing with others over brunch. Last Saturday we had the highest turnout so far this season with about 40 members and potential members exercising.  About 25 stayed for brunch.  Registration opens each Tuesday.  On Sunday, David Flowers led a successful walking tour of the East End, followed by lunch – Thank you David.  And a group of members joined me at the Toronto Oktoberfest on Friday September 27th, for some fun and entertainment.  

Speaking of exercise, if you want a more intense workout, we have once again arranged for a series of Sunday afternoon Crossfit sessions with professional trainers at a significant discount.  Please see the article below.

There are still a few tickets available for our group outing to the Toronto Marlies hockey game on the afternoon of Sunday, October 20th – puck drops at 4pm.  Tickets are just $30 each. We will be arranging to meet prior to the game somewhere in Liberty Village for food and/or drink before heading over to Coca Cola Coliseum. Please register here. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist – I can likely arrange for additional tickets in the same section.

While we are club that emphasizes winter sports, each of these social events also strengthens our club by expanding connections.

Just a reminder that the Early Bird rate of $155 (+HST) is available for membership renewal only until October 31st.  As of November 1st membership goes back to the full rate of $170 (+HST).  New members can join at the $155 (+HST) at any time during the season. 

Looking forward to seeing and speaking with many of you over the next few months before the season begins. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Justin Graham

President, High Park Ski Club