Ever since March 2020 we have been waiting for a rebound from the impacts of Covid and the pandemic. Last year should have been that season, but the lousy conditions interfered. This season finally feels like we have turned the corner and returned to our normal operations. In fact, we have almost reached our pre-Covid membership level (which had been a record number for at least the previous decade). We are only about 15 short of that number – and will likely surpass it if we count late joining members (after March 1). (We actually can’t officially count these new members in this year’s numbers since they will be included in next year’s membership.) In any case, it has been a successful year.
Speaking of late joining members, if you have any family, friends or colleagues who you have been trying to recruit to the club, please let them know if they join March 1 or later, they can take advantage of the rest of this season’s activities, in addition to being members for all of next year. The new member rate remains at $155 (+HST).
As I mentioned in the last SnoBiz, our annual election night is approaching in April with a large number of the board positions coming up for election, including the position of President. Since we are finally turning a corner to a more normal operation and since my time as President has mostly been sidelined by outside issues, and that do not feel that I have accomplished what I had set out to do as President, I have decided that I will stand once again for President of the club. However, anyone who is qualified according to the by-laws can run for the position if they so desire.
Our club offers so many opportunities to enjoy winter and create new connections with people. Over the last month, I personally have been on our special 75th Anniversary charter trip to Sun Valley, Idaho; did a downhill day trip to Blue Mountain; and went snowshoeing to Arrowhead Provincial Park with our fabulous cross-country members. We also have some upcoming social events in March, including a bowling night (“Don’t bowl alone, come bowling with HPSC”); and a special early St. Patrick’s Day pub night on March 15. Both are open for registration.
Please remember that you are part of a community. Which means that you need to understand that if you delay the bus you are inconveniencing many other members. Before you leave home, please make sure that you have everything you need for the day and that you have enough time to get to the stop early. Most of our pick-up locations do not allow the bus to sit and wait. The bus schedule allows just enough time, when the bus arrives, for members to load their equipment and get on and no longer. So please be prepared to load as soon as the bus arrives.
Just a reminder we have a lot of information available on the website to answer most of your questions, including trip status (under the Downhill Day Trips tab and Cross-Country tab). Once you log in, this page provides all of the updated information regarding day trips a day or two prior, including if it is a go or cancelled, if walk-ons are allowed, at what stops, and if there is a walk-on fee, as well as the scheduled pick up times and locations. Before sending a message to the Info box please check the website first. Please realize that we are all volunteers (not staff) and most of us have full-time jobs, so we cannot monitor the info box full time.
If you have any questions regarding any of the charter or overnight bus trips – please contact the trip leader instead of sending a message to the info box. All of the trip leaders are listed under the Long Trips tab on the website.
It is always surprising to me how short our actual season is. We plan for approximately 9 months of the year, so that we can ski, snowboard, or snowshoe for about 3 months. We are now about to enter our last month of snow activities. Enjoy it as much as possible – sign up for as many trips as possible. And remember that the conditions in Toronto do not usually reflect the conditions at the resorts. For example, Blue Mountain is reporting that they have a record base of snow this season which means that they should have enough snow to last to the end of the month at least.
Cheers!
Justin Graham
President, High Park Ski Club