| I have always loved the fall!! Last week we officially moved from summer to autumn with a very distinct change in the temperature. The fall also means moving closer to the ski season and more activities of the club. Over the last month or so, many of you have expressed your faith in HPSC by renewing your membership or joining for the first time. Thank you! We have also held a successful social pub night and there have been two very successful long trip sign-up nights – some spots are still available on a number of charter trips. SkiFit has resumed every Saturday morning in High Park with a good number of core participants as well as some new and potential members each week. We held our Annual General Meeting last week as a hybrid meeting with members attending both in person at the National Yacht Club and virtually on Zoom. Over the next couple of months, the long bus trips will open for registration (October 13), we will be releasing our day trips schedule (as they are finalized with the resorts), holding information nights for members and potential members (TBD), communicating what the procedures will be for day trips and for the first time in many years, we will have a booth at the Toronto Ski + Snowboard Show (October 28-30).Finally, since the next edition of SnoBiz will not be sent until after the holiday weekend, I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! Cheers! Justin Graham President |
Long Trips Still Available!
Our members want to travel! The August sign up night was a success. I am happy to say that within a few days of selling out the first trip to Club Med Serre Chevalier in France, we were able to add a new trip the week before the first trip. Members on the waitlist were given first choice on the trip and this trip is also now full. For the Whistler trip, our tour operator opened an online payment portal to simplify the payment process and keep your data secure. HPSC worked with the tour operator to test out this new process. Adding a new trip with Merit Travel and implementing a new payment portal for Skican trips would not have been possible without the close partnerships we have with our tour operators.
Don’t miss the upcoming dates for sign up:
Open now – Jackson Hole, Whistler, and Club Med Charlevoix, Quebec – some spots still available. Look on the website for the detailed descriptions of these awesome destinations.
Thursday, September 22 – 8 pm – Registration opens for charter trips to Banff, Sun Peaks and Jasper
Thursday, October 13 – 8 pm – Registration opens for bus trips to Tremblant (3 trips), Holiday Valley, Killington, Orford, and Jay Peak.
Once trips are open for registration, they will stay open until they are full or until the space must be released. Sign up early so you don’t miss your chance to enjoy your mountain adventure!
Reminder – to register for any trip you need to be a current member of the club. If you registered for one of the trips in the first sign up in August, if you have not done so yet you MUST renew your club membership by tomorrow, September 15, to retain your spot on the trip. After September 15 if you have not renewed your club membership your spot may be released and you will lose your deposit. Do You Have a Ski Pass?
The ski pass world that has evolved over the past few years has resulted in higher demand for some destinations and unfortunately high lift ticket prices. The good news is that requiring registration for some destinations and increasing the lift ticket prices, will result in a better experience on the slopes without huge crowds.
If you already have a ski pass that covers the destination, you do not have to pay for lift tickets. With the lift ticket component removed, below is a quick comparison of our remaining HPSC charter trips, all in CAD$ (including all taxes and fees).
Trip costs without lift tickets (Lift ticket costs and Land only options available)
Jackson Hole: $1,705 (Single supplement add $515)
Whistler: $2,060 (Single supplement add $1,160)
Sun Peaks: $1,920 (Single supplement add $615)
Banff: $1,555 (Single supplement add $749)
Jasper: $1,740 (Single supplement add $595)
Full prices including lifts tickets, and land only pricing are available on the website.
COVID update – If you sign up for a long trip (charter or bus) you will be required to meet the government guidelines in effect at the time of travel in Canada and at your destination country. This may mean providing proof of vaccination and booster status. Masks will be required on the bus portion of trips. HPSC recommends that you ensure you have adequate medical and cancellation insurance and carefully review the dates and limitations on refunds.
Kim Wiebe
Director of Long Trips
President’s Message – The season of renewal
 Dear HPSC friends, September has always been a time of renewal. When we were children, September was the beginning of the school year (and still is for many of our members who are teachers). It is also the time when our HPSC memberships come due. If you have not yet done so, please take advantage of our early bird rate of $150 until October 31. Over the last week, I was very happy to meet up with many of you at our first social event of the season on Thursday September 8 at The Swan, and at the first SkiFit of the year on Saturday. The turnout for both events clearly shows there is pent up demand for social connection and makes me very optimistic for the upcoming season. I was also pleased to meet so many new members. Thank you all for coming out. We are planning more socials for over the fall and winter. And of course, SkiFit happens every Saturday morning in High Park – registration opens each Tuesday prior to the session. One of the new members asked me what makes HPSC different, and I mentioned what I have said many times, that HPSC is a community. That people may join the club for a sport, but what keeps them returning is the friends they make, the community of fellow members. You should have also received the official notification regarding the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday September 20. We are once again holding a hybrid meeting with an in-person option (at the National Yacht Club) and a virtual option (via Zoom). The AGM is an important event for the running of the club at which we present the financial results of the previous season, as well as discussion of what the club accomplished. The AGM also is when changes to the by-laws are approved (or rejected). All those registered to attend will be able to vote (both in-person and on Zoom). If you have not yet done so please register to attend the AGM here. If you are not able to attend, please fill out a proxy and send to president@hpsc.ca. Justin Graham President, HPSC |
Club Med Serre Chevalier – New Trip Added!
Our early trip sign up night was popular with members. We’ve been able to add another trip to Serre Chevalier in France and have contacted the members on the waitlist first. Please check your email and respond before 7 pm on Sept 1 to confirm your spot if you were on the waitlist.
On Friday Sept 2 at 8 pm, any remaining spots will be offered to the rest of our members.
A reminder of the upcoming dates for the rest of our trips…
Now – spots still available for Jackson Hole, Whistler, and Club Med Charlevoix, Quebec. Look on the website for the detailed descriptions of these awesome destinations. Lift ticket prices will be going up for Whistler and Jackson Hole so lock in your pricing now.
Thursday, September 22 – 8 pm – Registration opens for charter trips to Banff, Sun Peaks and Jasper
Thursday, October 13 – 8 pm – Registration opens for bus trips to Tremblant (3 trips), Holiday Valley, Killington, Orford, and Jay Peak
Once trips are open for registration, they will stay open until they are full or until the space must be released back to the tour operator. Sign up early so you don’t miss your chance to enjoy your mountain adventure!
Reminder – you will be able to register if you are were a member this past season, but MUST enew your membership for the upcoming season by September 15 to hold your early registration spot on a long trip. After that date, your spot may be released after that, and you will lose your deposit.
COVID update – Unfortunately many of us have learned the hard way that we are still dealing with the realities of Covid. If you sign up for a long trip (charter or bus) you will be required to meet the government guidelines in effect at the time of travel in Canada and at your destination country. This may mean providing proof of vaccination and booster status. As always, HPSC recommends that you ensure you have adequate medical and cancellation insurance and carefully review the dates and limitations on refunds.
Last Call for the Ikon Pass!
Our Ikon Pass Group Sale is scheduled to wind up September 1. The club has organized trips to numerous Ikon Pass destinations such as Jackson Hole, Banff, Killington, and three trips to Tremblant. And of course, many day trips to Blue Mountain.
Our Group Sale not only gets you a better price, it also gets you a chance to win an Ikon Base Pass (or equivalent refund)!
The Ikon Pass provides access to 50 destinations, so if you wish to venture out on your own in addition to the club trips, there are many options. Plus, there are numerous discounts on food, beverages, and retail shops (10% for the Ikon Base Pass, and 15% with the Ikon Pass).
Adventure Assurance comes free this year with every 22/23 Ikon Pass. Designed to alleviate uncertainty while providing flexibility for Ikon Pass holders, Adventure Assurance gives pass holders credits in the case of COVID-related closures and the option to defer the purchase price of an unused pass by December 8, no questions asked.
Have you already purchased a Blue Mountain Pass? The 5×7 Pass is quite popular with our members. If you purchased this pass and are now realizing that the Ikon Pass would have worked better for you, I have good news. If you buy an Ikon Pass or Ikon Base Pass, you can get a refund for your 5×7 Pass! The Ikon Pass gives you unlimited access to Blue Mountain 7 days a week, with no blackouts.
If you have already purchased an Ikon Base Pass, you can still upgrade to the full Ikon Pass. Simply login to your Ikon Pass account, View Account, and look for the upgrade link near the top of the page. It is presently $400 to upgrade to the Ikon Pass, and $250 to upgrade to the Ikon Base Plus Pass ($CDN).
https://www.ikonpass.com/en/compare-passes
Contact Russ Harding at ikon@hpsc.ca for further details if you are interested or have questions.
Special note regarding Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is one of the greatest ski destinations in the western USA with one of the very best authentic western towns. There are many excellent dining experiences with local gourmet choices like elk, bison, local trout and of course beef. If you are a fan of the Yellowstone series, you will enjoy the fabulous scenery and proximity to the Elk Refuge and possible day trips to Yellowstone Park.
Our HPSC trip is in peak season, January 21-28, 2023 and the price without lifts is only $1,705. You’ll need to add lifts if you do not have an Ikon Base Plus pass. The cost of the 5-day lift pass from the tour operator is $1,125 (a sixth day for an additional $230).
If you have not yet purchased an Ikon Pass and are interested, please contact Russ Harding (ikon@hpsc.ca) to purchase an HPSC group Ikon Pass. The sale price for the Ikon Base Pass is $1,039 pass and then you will need to upgrade to the Ikon Base Plus for an additional $250. Note that the HPSC group sale is scheduled to end as of September 1, so sign up now!
If you have already purchased the Ikon Base pass and are interested in upgrading to the Ikon Base Plus pass for the Jackson Hole trip, the cost is an additional $250 or if you would like to upgrade to the Ikon Pass, the additional cost is $400. All passes also provide full access to Blue Mountain and Tremblant.
Reservations are required to guarantee access to the resort. This applies to all Ikon Pass holders as well as advanced ticket purchasers. Reservations are scheduled to open as of August 1. The LTC tracks major holidays, and there are none during our week in Jackson Hole. So, we do not expect any issue with trying to the desired dates for reservations, though we recommend making your reservations as soon as you can.
Announcing the New HPSC Ikon Group Pass Program!
And the chance to win back the cost of your pass!
High Park Ski Club is pleased to announce that our members can now purchase their Ikon pass through a group sales program.
All HPSC members who purchase a pass through the program, including those renewing their current pass, will have a chance to win a rebate of the cost of Ikon Base Pass*. Eligibility for the rebate program is not retroactive for passes already purchased or renewed.
For those purchasing a new Ikon pass there is a $50 discount off the list price. (Renewals are at the posted renewal rate.)
If you are interested in the program or would like more information, please contact long time HPSC member Russ Harding who is organizing the program for us, at Ikon@hpsc.ca.
Russ will add you to the list of HPSC members purchasing a pass which is shared with Ikon for verification. If you are purchasing a new pass, you will receive a unique discount code for you to use when ordering your pass directly on the Ikon website.
For those renewing a pass, to qualify for the rebate program draw, you must register with Russ prior to renewing your pass directly on the Ikon website.
The group sales program is only available until August 31, 2022. However, list price rates for new passes and for renewal will increase at different times throughout the spring and summer, so for the past price, purchase/renew as early as possible.
Again, if you are interested in a new Ikon pass or plan to renew your pass, please contact Russ Harding at Ikon@hpsc.ca.
*NOTE: The rebate offer is available only if at least 20 members purchase a pass through the HPSC Ikon Group sales program (including renewals). The number of rebate winners depends on the number of passes that are purchased. For example, for every 20 passes purchased through the program, we receive one rebated pass. The draw for rebate winner(s) will be held in November.
https://www.ikonpass.com/
QR Codes
Having trouble with your phone freezing while skiing and not being able to show your QR code? Get a pocket or wallet sized copy of your QR code printed and laminated at your local printing shop! Even though COVID restrictions are being slowly lifted, be aware that many of the ski hills we visit on day trips and long trips may still require you to show your QR code to enter any indoor dining establishment or other resort facilities, depending on the resort.
Welcome New Instructors to the Downhill Snow School!
Check out who they are and what their favourite things to do are. Keep your eyes out as we introduce you over the next several weeks. Today we welcome Jonathan Siegel…
Jonathan is a Level 2 ski instructor and taught children skiing at Mt. St. Louis for 4 years. He has benefitted so very much from the camaraderie and connection with other High Park skiers over the past 12 + years and is grateful for all the lessons he has been able to take over the years with instructors at High Park Ski Club. Skiers are souls with bodies who have experienced a glimpse of heaven on earth.
Most Memorable Ski Memory
There is no one “most” memorable ski memory as there are just so many wonderful memories and wild and wonderful experiences off and on the hill. There is a saying in Toastmasters which is equally applicable to skiing: “If you get out of skiing what you came to get of out skiing, you will never get out of skiing”! This picture is over 10 years old, but a reminder to always go back to Banff, Lake Louise, and run # 22!
From strength-to-strength! – Jonathan Siegel
Good News – We will start running buses as of February 12!
It has been a long wait, but we are happy to announce that starting February 12th we are finally able to offer members the opportunity to again take the bus to the resorts! Thank you so much for your patience during the last two years.
After the new public health restrictions were announced, the HPSC board met and came up with a plan to provide bus trips.
Based on the rules for indoor organized public gatherings, until February 21, we are able to run buses with a maximum of 25 members. After February 21, provided the reopening plan doesn’t change, capacity can increase.
We need time to get the trips organized, so we will launch our first trips on February 12. For the first two weeks, downhill will run five trips (February 12, 14, 16, 19, and 20); and cross-country two trips (February 12 and 20). After February 21, we will return to our normal schedules and capacity will increase. Please note that after February 21 for weekend downhill buses, capacity will be capped at 35 to allow room for getting ready on the bus.
Many of our operational procedures have changed, including registration deadlines. You can find downhill registration information here and cross-country registration information here and on the XC FAQ page. Please pay close attention to the registration modules. They will contain all the information you need about the particular trip.
Participation in all club activities is restricted to members who have provided their vaccination proof to the club. If you have not done so yet, please email it to vac@hpsc.ca.
Hope to see many of you on the slopes/trails in the coming weeks!
Cheers!
Justin Graham
President, High Park Ski Club