Read about all of the latest news and events from HPSC
After the extreme weather conditions, and day trips cancellations last weekend with safety of our members being the top priority for the club, we are announcing a new date for our Annual Tradition: Double Double with lessons in the morning and in the afternoon. New date is Saturday February 8 at MSLM. Register early, we will have double double buses and drive up spots available based on your interest.
Ski trip is the closest emotionally to the trip back to careless childhood, when we could spend the whole day in the snow and show up just for dinner – soaking wet, with sleds or skis, mittens or scarf lost & fond… although we were so happy, with the eyes sparkling and the cheeks blushing & shining like McIntosh Red apples. And after the dinner (that tasted the most delicious) always followed equally delicious deep sleep until alarm for the next snow play day.
This is how we felt during Jasper trip. Riding to the Marmot mountain in the yellow school bus, via narrow snowy roads among the tall trees and big mountains, that made us feel very small, playing in the fresh fluffy snow – it was a true joy. We were blessed with mild temperature for Alberta, with sunshine, stunning views of the mountains, people around us, with our friendship, with being in the club, living in Canada.
While we had 6 days lift tickets to ski, we also gave ourselves licence to chill, to take mindfulness walks in the mountains, on the trails, to connect with nature, with wilderness of the National Park. At some point we’ve counted over 30 elks, patiently waiting for the CN trail to pass. Mindfulness walks on the last and first days of the year and the decade were spiritual experience – to take our time reconnect with ourselves. We are adventures ready, bring them on – 2020!
Stella, HPSC Volunteer Jasper Trip Leader & Iuliana, HPSC Volunteer Social Director
Do you know that we have LinkedIn profile? Connect with us to share our love for winter. Volunteering for the club is also a great way to contribute, to learn and to grow. Linkedin has a special section in personal profiles for volunteering – this is where you can connect with the club’s profile. We’ll be looking for new volunteers for the Board’s position for the next election terms. Election night is planned for April 30. Join us also on Facebook, if you are not part of the group yet – for live updates, content sharing and connection with other members. Follow us on Instagram as well.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-park-ski-club/about
Let’s make a commitment and a goal to stay active for the entire winter and to finish the season strong! Join me and others for Members Appreciation Crossover day on January 25! I will be leading a group of downhill guests/ snowshoers.
Last year at Tremblant in March one of our members – snowboarder (a regular race winner) has challenged me to try snowboarding, as I’ve tried all club’s sports except snowboarding. I have promised in Snobiz that I will give it to try at our Double Double day. As Double Double lessons day was approaching I had to evaluate my promise before my registration for the day trip. Even though I found a perfect board with high hills in Jasper, in the spirit of New Year’s resolutions I have to stay true to myself… As I am in the big life challenge and change phase already right now – looking for the new job opportunities, I will stick to skiing and snowshoeing to keep the stress and risk levels under control.
I will continue to promote snowboarding with all available to me methods. We had 6! snowboarders in Jasper and we have higher than usual number of snowboarders signed up for Tremblant 3 trip. Ski or ride – let’s enjoy what we love doing, all together!
And Double Double day trip was cancelled due to the freezing rain – double confirmation of my intuition. The safety and positive experience of our members are the most important! Now we ask all members for help… please do the snow dance!
Stella, HPSC Volunteer President
Ani has joined our club last year at the members appreciation event with double double lessons of ground zero snowboarding. A year later at the same time Ani is sharing photos and videos of his accomplishments on the black diamonds in Jasper. Experts snowboarders, who are mastering the skills for years and took many big mountain trips over the years, are impressed. Ani has expressed the gratitude to HPSC instructors for spending time with him at MSLM , teaching him new skills, helping to do the drills and mastering the moves. Ani now has higher mountain dreams – Japan, Europe, more places in the West, maybe even moving closer to the mountains, if “working from home” can be stretched that far.
I’ve asked Ani: “How did you achieve such an amazing progress in the short period of time? ” Ani was very sincere and emotional: “I was there every single Saturday, man!” Ani means it, when we hit the dance floor on New Years eve – Ani was first to dance, when we share the notes of the day – Ani is fully engaged. Living life to the fullest, eh?
High Park Snow School is the team of our instructors , many of whom have professional certification from both CSIA and CSCF. As part of the Snow School, all instructors must attend mandatory technical training sessions, both on and off the hill, managed by our Technical Director Sandy Gardner. Sandy has spent his life dedicated to skiing, teaching and the industry. He is a CSIA Level 4 & CSIA Level 4 Course Conductor. Every year Snow School goes to Tremblant in December for the instructors training and as part of the tradition the picture is taken. Here is the latest picture from W1 Tremblant 1 2019 trip. Picture is organized and by Peter Simmerle and Don Williams. Snow School executives are in the front row, led by Snow School Directors Christine Bellerose and David Manning. After training in Tremblant HPSC is ready to serve in 2020 to help our members to have safe, fun lessons on the snow and to improve the skills continuously.
This season we mark the 70th Anniversary of our club, we look back on the remarkable achievements our club volunteers have made throughout our history. We recommitted ourselves to our shared values, and we celebrated the diversity that makes us strong. Thousands of people – of different background, origin and culture – have come together to enjoy winter snow sports in a fun, friendly and supportive community through seventy years of our history. All of us have bright memories about the club that will make us say: Those were the days, my friends…
In 2019, we made real progress toward our goals to grow our club, to attract new generations of members. Our Board of Directors and many volunteers took actions to improve our activities and processes to build a better future for our club. We’ve added few overnight trips based on the demand of our members that we coordinate via wait lists. Apres 70th Anniversary season Tremblant 3 second bus in now a go! Register! We’ve planned Apres Season Snow Ball and have invited outstanding hosts for the event and Awards Ceremony. It would be a fun celebration not to be missed!
Let’s continue to celebrate the values that unite us – openness, inclusion, commitment to the active & healthy life style, winter sports and travelling. Let’s move forward and work together to build a better future for all of us. Volunteer, participate and have fun! In January we will have two members appreciation days: Downhill Day trip Double double (lessons in the morning and in the afternoon) with pizza for Apres Ski and Cross over day trip organized by Cross Country team with Apres Wine & cheese party. Both trips traditionally have 2 buses with more pick ups. Looking forward to see you there!
On behalf of the Board Of Directors and the Jasper Trip group I wish you a wonderful New Years night and all the best in 2020. Let’s raise our champagne glasses: Shine and sparkle High Park Ski Club! Let it snow! Let it be champagne powder on all our trips!
Stella, HPSC Volunteer President
Based on a high interest we’ve added second bus for Tremblant 3 trip (March 27-29). Registration is now open, as you know the trip will sell fast. It’s a great trip for new members, new to sport, snowboarders, snowshoers and hikers, and just as a social trip. Great value, mega party! Apres ski in the mild spring conditions in Tremblant is the best! We’ll have a retro party on the bus to celebrate 7 decades of our club’s history and we’ll will dance in Le P’tit Caribou, considered one of the best après-ski bars in the world. Let’s plan to finish 70th Anniversary season spectacular strong! https://hpsc.ca/event-3507219
Fresh from the press… Sharon Stokes and Jason Agnew are officially set as stellar hosts for the Apres Season 70th Anniversary Snow Ball and HPSC Oscar & Snow Globe Volunteers Awards ceremony on April 25 2020. Sharon is producer at ET Canada & Life fulfillment coach, Jason is Television & Radio Host / Producer / Writer. Watch for more details about the event and tickets info in the future Snobiz newsletter and blog posts. It will the event spectacular! There will be trivia, presentations and prizes from our partners Skiis & Biikes. https://hpsc.ca/event-3489974
Excellent first overnight downhill bus trip of the season to Tremblant. Instructors and enthusiasts had the opportunity to break the ice of the season on a high note. Rain, fog, snow and a great time had by all! Tremblant – blizzard of activities, always inspiring… Join Tremblant 3 to end the season strong with the best Apres ski and spring riding.