It is hard to believe but we only have a few more weeks left of our season – and that is only if the weather holds out.
Your friends and family may complain that winter is “so long”, but you and I know that it is actually very short in Ontario. What they really mean is that it is a long time between being able to wear shorts and t-shirts – while to us winter is not really winter unless there is snow on the ground.
While this “winter” has not been exactly generous with snow, we have all done what we can to get out and enjoy our sports as best as we can. We still hope that we can squeeze out another 4 weeks of trips – and we will, so long as the resorts stay open and there are still enough members signing up for trips. Skiing in March can be some of the most enjoyable days with sunshine and longer days. Please remember that no snow on the ground in Toronto does NOT mean that there is no snow on the hills in Collingwood and Barrie.
During the past weekend, I was very happy to be able be on the extended day trip to Mount St. Louis for our last race day of the season. I was going to enter the race but was advised it was a bit icy so just watched. During our après, I was very pleased to be informed by one of our new instructors how much he is enjoying teaching with HPSC this season and how appreciative our members are.
Hope to see many of you during the rest of the season.
I am writing this while overlooking the majestic Rockies in lovely Banff.
As we move into the second half of our season, I reflect on how far we have come since I wrote my first President’s Message in May 2020. At that point, we didn’t know that Covid would wipe out one season and significantly impact the next two. Finally this season seems pretty much back to normal.
From all the pictures and feedback, our charter and long trips have been a great success. Both the downhill and cross-country teams have done the best with what they have been given. And there have been great accomplishments by members of our ski school.
And as noted in the last edition of SnoBiz, we have a recent record of new members. I personally have enjoyed meeting so many new members on the current trip to Banff.
On a different note, the club elections will be held on April 30th. We are only successful because of all of our volunteers. If you are interested in helping run the club and being involved in making the decisions, please reach out to me.
High Park Ski Club must operate in a space that is safe and welcoming to all members
Harassment and bullying will not be tolerated in HPSC
Next year marks 75 years that a dedicated cast of volunteers has organized activities that keep attracting a diverse membership who enjoy winter activities together. High Park Ski Club has a long history of and is dedicated to bringing people together to enjoy the winter. The Club is committed to the maintenance of an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination and the club will not tolerate, ignore or condone, among other things, comments that are sexist, racist, homophobic or anything that constitutes bullying.
It is important to understand that according to the Ontario Human Rights Code:
● Sexual harassment is conduct that is generally considered or might reasonably be known to be unwelcome. Some examples of sexual harassment include unwelcome comments on people’s appearance or unnecessary physical contact.
● Sexual harassment is not necessarily focused on the intention of the person committing the action, but rather on the impact of their behaviour on the other party.
We ask all members to be mindful while making comments and jokes at any Club activities.
Each year we require that all members read and acknowledge our Code of Conduct which includes the following in the very first paragraph:
“Club members are responsible for respecting the integrity and dignity of each and every club member, as well as our suppliers including tour operators, resort personnel, and bus drivers. Members maintain a companionable environment that is free of profane, sexist or sexually explicit language, threats, violence, or hurtful actions.”
HPSC encourages any member with concerns regarding Code of Conduct issues to contact the Club Ombudsperson, Kerry Kupecz, at ombudsperson@hpsc.ca. The Club takes all complaints seriously and fully investigates them.
The Club’s aim is for everyone to have fun and we appreciate the efforts of all members in making skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing enjoyable for all.
Can you believe that we are halfway through our season already! While the winter has been mild in the city, some of our long trip destinations have had so much snow that there have been travel disruptions. Thanks to your trip leaders for managing these situations with members’ best interests at heart. When a flight is cancelled within 24 hours of departure, the trip leader must stand in line and advise the airline to rebook the group so that they can travel together, and then advise the bus company and hotel. A large group may be split and sent on different flights. In the rare event that this happens, and you are already at the airport, please be patient and stay with the group until the trip leader updates you on the new flight. If you are booked on an upcoming HPSC, think SNOW and hope you have a wonderful time! If you are not on a trip, cancellations do occur for various reasons. Please watch for news on the website, SnoBiz and Facebook. Please be sure to respond quickly if you are on the waitlist and are contacted by the trip leader to fill a spot.
The One Day Mogul Masters clinics are back. The dates are Saturday, February 24 and March 2 at MSLM and Monday, February 26 and Sunday, March 10 at Blue Mountain. For more information visit the Downhill Ski School page. For registration go to the registration page on the HPSC website. *Important* Click the Mogul Masters option not your step level.
I can’t believe that we are already one-third through our season! Attendance has been great for downhill day trips with almost every Saturday being a two bus trip. As well, we have had strong turnouts for our Sunday@Blue Crew trips. In fact, we had the largest turnout for a Sunday Blue trip in years on January 21 with an almost full bus.
Our long trips and charters are now in full swing with multiple trips being away each week. On some weekends we have up to three trips away at the same time. The first week with just one trip out is not till mid-February and the first week without any overnight or charter trips is the last week of February. The photos posted from our travels to Japan, France and BC look amazing!
While alpine members have experienced a good start to the season (despite the up and down weather), our cross-country members have not been so lucky. However, when they have been able to get out all seem to have had a great experience. I have to congratulate our Director of Cross-Country and Snowshoeing, Heather Steel, for once again handling the difficult task of making the decisions if conditions at the resorts are good enough or safe enough to run a trip.
On the membership front, this season has also been very successful so far with the club just passing the 1,100 member level, with almost 400 new members, which is a modern record. Remember that you will receive a bus voucher when someone you referred to the club joins, so please continue to tell your family, friends, colleagues about the club!
On personal note, it has been fantastic to be back on the day trip buses. After two seasons where I could not ski it is great being able to rejoin our members on the buses and to actually ski (although I have to admit I am staying on the green runs for now – but each week my leg is getting stronger). It has been fun meeting new members and catching up with old friends.
Speaking of the buses, I just want to remind members about some HPSC bus etiquette:
(1) Boots are not to be placed in the storage bins above the seats. We would not want someone to get hit in the head when a bin is opened and your boot falls out.
(2) Please remove backpacks when walking through the bus – please carry in front of you. Again, this is to avoid hitting someone with your boots or bag.
(3) In general, your seat going to the resort is the same seat on the return trip. Please leave the front seat across from the driver vacant as this seat is reserved for the bus captain.
(4) Please be in your seat at least 5 minutes prior to departure time. This allows the bus captain to do a final count to make sure we are not missing anyone and for the bus to leave on time.
(5) The only people who should be talking to the driver when they are driving are the bus captain or a member of the club Executive. If you think the driver has made a mistake, please talk to the bus captain.
(6) And finally, please remember that everyone is a volunteer and a fellow member. They have volunteered their time to ensure that you have a great day.
Looking forward to seeing many of you on upcoming trips and at social events.
Your intrepid SnoBiz editor traded Blue Mountain for Red this past week and what a week it was! We arrived to a winter wonderland of extensive and varied terrain all the way from groomers to steep and deep tree skiing. Some of the group took advantage of an optional side trip to Whitewater in nearby Nelson as well as experiencing epic powder cat skiing in the surrounding mountains. Ski-in, ski-out accommodation was at the gorgeous 4-star Josie Hotel, with perks such as ski valets and saunas. Red Mountain was truly a bucket list trip!
If possible, HPSC trip leaders aways try to match you with someone who is in your age group, ski level, early riser, or nighthawk. On some trips, this is not possible if there are only a few singles to be matched. However, respectful communication and common courtesy will ensure that both parties have a great week, and may even form a long and lasting friendship.
Here are a few tips to help you:
Recommended quiet hours and lights out for a ski trip would be between 10 pm and 7am. You and your roommate can mutually agree to extend these hours and of course on travel days, they may have to change. This means no lights or sounds from mobile devices or computers. If you need to use these, please go to the lobby or find another spot in the hotel so that you do not disturb your roommate.
Beds/Storage – agree on which bed you take. Allocate separate and equal areas within the room to keep your bags stored, and split the closets and drawers evenly.
Temperature – leave the standard settings unless you and your roommate agree to a change.
Towels – allocate the standard towels provided in the room evenly. If you need more, order more for yourself, but use only your assigned towels. Agree on where you will each hang them.
Note that if you have been identified as a loud snorer, require a CPAP or white noise machine, you need to sign up for a single room, or sign up with a roommate who knows about these.
Registration for Killington closes on Feb 1. Quebec CityMarch break closes on Feb 9.
March 10-15 – stay 5 nights in Old Quebec City and Ski at Ski Mont St. Anne, Le Massif, Stoneham OR Cross-Country and Snowshoe, hot breakfast daily.
March 17-22 – stay 5 nights at the Killington Grand Hotel in either a suite (with cooking facilities) or hotel room. Enjoy the wonderful hot tubs with a view of the mountain and walking distance to the hill. Discount provided for Ikon pass holders.
Sign Up for these trips before Registration closes!!
