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.
Downhill daytrips registration dates
The downhill daytrips week consists of trips on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.
All of the trips open in the week prior to the week of the Saturday trip – for the Monday and Wednesday trip it is almost two weeks prior to the actual trip. The Saturday, Sunday, and Monday trips are open until Tuesday @ 6pm of the week of the Saturday trip.
The Wednesday trip is open until Thursday @ 6pm of that same week (6 days prior to the actual trip). You may ask why so many days prior to the trip. This year, resorts are asking for our list of names at least 3 business days prior to the trip – meaning that for the Wednesday trip they need the names on the Friday the week before.
Below is a chart of the remaining Downhill Daytrips with the dates of when they will be open to registration:
| Date | Day | Trip Code | Destination | Registration Opens |
| 26-Feb-22 | Saturday | A2017 | MSLM | 15-Feb-22 |
| 27-Feb-22 | Sunday | A2018 | Blue Mountain South | 15-Feb-22 |
| 28-Feb-22 | Monday | A20919 | Blue Mountain Inn | 15-Feb-22 |
| 02-Mar-22 | Wednesday | A20920 | Devil’s Glenn | 15-Feb-22 |
| 05-Mar-22 | Saturday | A2019 | MSLM | 22-Feb-22 |
| 06-Mar-22 | Sunday | A2020 | Blue Mountain South | 22-Feb-22 |
| 07-Mar-22 | Monday | A20921 | Blue Mountain Inn | 22-Feb-22 |
| 09-Mar-22 | Wednesday | A20922 | Alpine | 22-Feb-22 |
| 12-Mar-22 | Saturday | A2021 | MSLM | 01-Mar-22 |
| 13-Mar-22 | Sunday | A2022 | Blue Mountain South | 01-Mar-22 |
| 14-Mar-22 | Monday | A20923 | Blue Mountain Inn | 01-Mar-22 |
| 16-Mar-22 | Wednesday | A20924 | Blue Mountain Inn | 01-Mar-22 |
| 19-Mar-22 | Saturday | A2023 | MSLM | 08-Mar-22 |
| 20-Mar-22 | Sunday | A2024 | Blue Mountain South | 08-Mar-22 |
| 21-Mar-22 | Monday | A20925 | Blue Mountain Inn | 08-Mar-22 |
| 23-Mar-22 | Wednesday | A20926 | Blue Mountain Inn | 08-Mar-22 |
| 26-Mar-22 | Saturday | A2025 | MSLM | 15-Mar-22 |
| 27-Mar-22 | Sunday | A2026 | Blue Mountain South | 15-Mar-22 |
| 28-Mar-22 | Monday | A20927 | Blue Mountain Inn | 15-Mar-22 |
| 30-Mar-22 | Wednesday | A20928 | Blue Mountain Inn | 15-Mar-22 |
Information on Upcoming Downhill Daytrips
As you are now aware, we will be starting to run Downhill daytrip buses as of February 12th. We will be starting with a maximum of 25 members on the bus and will increase the numbers after February 21st when new provincial guidelines come into effect.
Until February 11th all of the scheduled trips will continue to be Drive-up ONLY.
For the first week we will have buses on February 12 (MSLM); February 14 (Blue Mountain Inn), and February 16 (Craigleith). Note that the Sunday February 13th trip to Blue Mountain remains as a Drive-up only, and the Monday February 14th trip to the Blue Mountain Inn is a Bus Only trip.
| TRIP NUMBER | DESTINATION | DAY | DATE | OPTIONS | BUS MAX | OPEN DATE | CLOSE DATE |
| A2013 | MSLM | Sat | 12-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 25 | Tue Feb 1 | Tue Feb 8 |
| A2014 | Blue Mountain South | Sun | 13-Feb-22 | Drive-up ONLY | N/A | Tue Feb 1 | Tue Feb 8 |
| A20915 | Blue Mountain Inn | Mon | 14-Feb-22 | BUS ONLY | 25 | Tue Feb 1 | Tue Feb 8 |
| A20916 | Craigleith | Wed | 16-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 25 | Tue Feb 1 | Thur Feb 10 |
During the second week the following three trips will be available:
| TRIP NUMBER | DESTINATION | DAY | DATE | OPTIONS | BUS MAX | OPEN DATE | CLOSE DATE |
| A2015 | MSLM | Sat | 19-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 25 | Tue Feb 8 | Tue Feb 15 |
| A2016 | Blue Mountain South | Sun | 20-Feb-22 | BUS ONLY | 20 | Tue Feb 8 | Tue Feb 15 |
| A20918 | Osler | Wed | 23-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 42 | Tue Feb 8 | Thurs Feb 17 |
Pleas note that the Sunday February 20th trip to Blue Mountain South is bus only and is limited to 20 members due to the number of instructors available for that day. There will be no Monday trip to Blue Mountain on February 21st since it is Family Day and there is a blackout in place for the 5×7 Pass, and the regular lift ticket price is in effect at approximately $100.
As of February 21st, if the current provincial re-opening plan remains in place, we will be able to increase the maximum number of members on the bus.
At that point we will return to our regular schedule of four buses per week on Saturday (MSLM), Sunday (Blue Mountain South Lodge), Monday (Blue Mountain Inn), and Wednesday (various private clubs and Blue Mountain later in the season. The full schedule is available here.
As communicated earlier, the MSLM Lodge and the Blue Mountain South Lodge, will not be open to change in. In order to accommodate changing on the bus, we have set a maximum of 35 members for Saturday and Sunday trips until further notice. Monday and Wednesday bus trips we have set a maximum of 42 members until further notice.
For the last week of February the scheduled trips are the following:
| TRIP NUMBER | DESTINATION | DAY | DATE | OPTIONS | BUS MAX | OPEN DATE | CLOSE DATE |
| A2017 | MSLM – Double Double | Sat | 26-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 35 | Tue Feb 15 | Tue Feb 22 |
| A2018 | Blue Mountain South | Sun | 27-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 35 | Tue Feb 15 | Tue Feb 22 |
| A20919 | Blue Mountain Inn | Mon | 28-Feb-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 42 | Tue Feb 15 | Tue Feb 22 |
| A20920 | Devil’s Glenn | Wed | 02-Mar-22 | BUS/Drive-up | 42 | Tues Feb 15 | Thurs Feb 24 |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS SEASON TO NOTE
- To book any trip – bus or drive-up – you need to have already provided your proof of vaccination to the club. If you have not done so, please email it to vac@hpsc.ca. Once our membership team has viewed the proof your membership status will change to include a ‘v’ meaning you are verified and can therefore register for trips.
- There are new registration deadlines for both bus and drive up downhill daytrips:
- Saturday, Sunday, Monday trips: Tuesday 6pm (cancellation is Monday 8pm)
- Wednesday trips: Thursday 6pm (cancellation is Wednesday 8pm)
- Trips will be open for registration on the Tuesday in the week prior to the registration deadline. This allows for greater flexibility in case there are changes to regulations or other reasons.
- You must wear a proper mask at all times on the bus and remain seated (except to go to the washroom). Quick sips of drink are allowed.
- As noted earlier, the Mount St. Louis lodge on Saturdays and Blue Mountain South Lodge on Sundays is not available to change in or leave your belongings. Therefore, you will need to prepare on the bus. We recommend bringing a towel that you can put on the floor when putting on your boots to reduce the impact on the bus floor.
- All daytrips will follow a reverse drop off schedule after the 400/7 stop – Bloor/Indian Rd.; Davenport & Yonge; Yonge & Eglinton; Yonge & York Mills.
- Members who wish to drive up AND take a lesson must register for the lesson on the Drive-up registration module. You must, however, arrange for your own lift ticket. As noted earlier due to the number of instructors available this year, there are a couple of trips where Drive-up is not being offered.
- As always if you register with a Bus Voucher you must bring the physical voucher with you on the trip.
COVID-19 policies and procedures:
- All HPSC members must show proof of full vaccination before registering for a club trip. Please see here for the full club vaccination policy.
- All day trip participants must be members. There will be no test drive or guest days this year.
- Members must comply with mask policies on the bus and at the resorts. Proper cloth or medical masks must be worn and cover the nose and mouth. Buffs and improper wearing of masks will not be tolerated.
- Please do not come on a trip if you are experiencing symptoms of illness, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. In these instances, we have a more flexible cancellation policy this year.
- If you test positive for or suspect you are sick from COVID-19, please inform us so that we can contact trace those on the bus or in your lesson.
- Failure to adhere to club or public health rules will be considered a breach of conduct and addressed accordingly.
- The full HPSC COVID Protocol document is available here.
Cancellation procedures
- The cancellation deadline is Monday at 8pm for Saturday , Sunday, and Monday day trips and Wednesday at 8pm for the following Wednesday day trip.
- You must email cancellations@hpsc.ca with the trip number (AXXXX) and the cancellation request. The cancellations team will email you a confirmation of receipt.
- If you do not follow this procedure before the deadline, you will be considered a “no show” and will be charged for the bus ($30).
- If you do not come because you are sick or have been in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you may email daytrips@hpsc.ca within 72 hours after the trip to get a full refund.
- Please do not come on the trip if you are sick! If we find our no-show rate is too high (costing us too much money and depriving others of seats on the bus), we will have to re-evaluate this policy. Please do not abuse it and use it only when you are genuinely not feeling well.
Is the trip running?
- An email will be sent to all registered participants by Friday at 12pm. Please do not email for information prior to this time.
- If you do not receive an email by Friday at 12pm, check your junk mail. Then check the trip status page on the website. You must log in to see the status page.
- This email/the status page will contain all the information you need for the day trip, plus a link to the COVID-19 screening form that will be used for that day.
- If we must cancel a trip, we will refund you in full. A bit of inclement weather doesn’t deter us (even rain), but if we deem it unsafe to be on the hills or roads, we may cancel. We appreciate your understanding; cancelling/changing trips is a very difficult decision for our team, and we do whatever possible to get you out skiing. In the past couple of years, we have only cancelled trips when there were extreme weather warnings for high amounts of rain/freezing rain and damaging winds.
- As in past seasons, if we cancel the bus, the entire trip including drive up is cancelled.
Tip for a successful COVID season
Patience. Everything is going to take longer. Our volunteers are learning new procedures. Please have patience!
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
President’s Message – Deju Vu All Over Again!
January 5, 2022
Dear HPSC Members
To quote the famous New York Yankee Yogi Berra – “It’s deju vu all over again!”
Last season we had to make the tough decision to cancel all daytrips and bus trips. This year, we were very optimistic that we would be able run a close to normal season – but then . . . . OMICRON!!!
The biggest difference this season, compared to last, is that the provincial government has not shut down Ontario downhill ski resorts. This means that we can still provide lessons and run drive-up only trips beginning on January 15th (signup open this coming Saturday). Cross-country trips are bus dependent and will only run when we start to run buses.
To make this clear: We have NOT cancelled running buses for the rest of the season. We will re-evaluate buses on a regular basis and will start bus trips as soon as we can.
We understand that there has been a bit of information overload regarding the upcoming season – but we are attempting to keep members informed of changes as they happen. As you can guess, this season has had a lot of changes requiring us to be very flexible.
I want to wish all of you a very happy New Year! And hope we can all soon get out on the hills and trails to enjoy the sports that we love!
Please stay safe.
Justin Graham
President, High Park Ski Club
President’s Message – Happy Holidays!!
December 22, 2021
HPSC Friends,
I would like to wish all of you the very best of the holidays!
As you know we have been planning very hard, as best we can, for what we had hoped to be a close facsimile of a normal season. But the one thing we have all learned over the last two years is the need to stay flexible. During the last three weeks we have gone from being fairly optimistic of starting the season, weather dependent, on time, to having to make the following announcement.
As we have stated repeatedly, the safety of our members is our top priority. Therefore, due to the rapid increase of COVID cases due to the Omicron variant we have made the decision to pause the beginning of the season. And to start, unfortunately, we will not be able to run any buses.
Downhill daytrips will begin on Saturday January 15th and continue as scheduled as drive-up only events. This means that we will offer lessons by our Snow School. To participate you will need to register via HPSC for lessons, but you will need to purchase your lift ticket directly from the resort. For the Wednesday trips we are still discussing with the clubs how tickets will be handled.
Due to the changing situation, registration for each week’s trip will also open one week prior to the first trip and continue on a weekly basis. Registration will close for the weekend and Monday trips as usual on Thursday at 6pm. Due to new requirements at the private clubs, we have had to move up the registration deadline as well to Thursday at 6pm. So all downhill trips will now close at the same time. Registration for the first week will open on January 8th.
On the cross-country side, all trips at this point are postponed until at least January 22nd, and will only run if we are able to run bus trips.
Our plan is to continuously monitor the situation and to start running buses when it is feasible, so please read all communications carefully from the club to stay informed.
Further, due to the revised regulations announced last week regarding the need for a PCR test for any trip outside of the country, even for less than 72 hours, the Long Trips Committee has made the decision to cancel our yearly trip to Holiday Valley for this season.
Never a dull moment!
Happy Holidays! Enjoy the season and please stay safe. And if you are able to, get your booster shot when you can.
Cheers!
Justin Graham
President, High Park Ski Club
What happens if you test positive after being on a HPSC trip?
As you may be aware, last year the Board of Directors prepared a detailed COVID Protocol document. The document has been updated for the 2021/22 season and is posted on our website.
One area that members should be aware of is what to do if they test positive for COVID after being on a HPSC trip/event.
If a member tests positive within 14 days of being on a trip/event, they MUST contact the appropriate Director (Downhill Day Trips, Director of Cross-Country and Snowshoeing, Long Trips, Social) ASAP. You should inform the Director if you were in a lesson and the name of their instructor if possible. The club will then contact all possible close contacts in a lesson or on the bus. You should contact any people you were with outside of the bus or lesson.
All impacted members are encouraged to get a PCR COVID test and to self-isolate as recommended by public health guidelines. All affected members are put on 14-day suspension (from the date of possible exposure) from all club activities. The suspension will be lifted earlier if they are able to provide the club with a negative PCR test result. If a member on the contact list subsequently tests positive during the 14-day period, they must inform the club. The original COVID positive member is suspended from all trips/club activities until official clearance is provided to the Director of Membership.
If the club experiences two or more cases of COVID-19 on a trip/event that are not from the same household, this is considered an outbreak. All trips/events in that portfolio of the club (Alpine or Cross-country, Social) will be immediately cancelled for 2 weeks.
If a second outbreak occurs, all trips for that portfolio of the club (Alpine or Cross-Country, Social) will be cancelled for the rest of the season.
Announcement regarding Downhill Daytrips
The season is fast approaching, and we are finally able to announce how things will run.
First off, we thank you all for your patience. It has been a very challenging year for planning. All of the resorts have and will be short staffed this coming season (as are many service industries), so we ask that you understand and be patient with our resort partners. They will be doing the best they can with fewer staff and much more work to do.
PLEASE READ THROUGH CAREFULLY SINCE THIS INCLUDES A LOT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Saturday trips to Mount St. Louis Moonstone (MSLM)
The good news is that the general procedure for our trips to MSLM will be fairly familiar, with a few alternations.
First off, due to contact tracing requirements, we need to send MSLM our list of members on the bus 3 days prior to each trip. We do not need to send the list of drive-up members (instructors excluded.) Therefore, the registration deadline will be changed to TUESDAYS by 6 pm instead of our traditional Thursdays.
As in past years, drive-ups are responsible for purchasing their own ticket and will need to register for HPSC lessons online (cut off is Tuesday by 6pm.)
Once we arrive, the Bus Captain will, as in the past, go in and pick-up the tickets and will distribute them at the bus. This year the tickets are actually RIF readable paper cards. The Bus Captain will also pick up wrist bands that identify you as being fully vaccinated. This will allow our members to enter the grounds without having to show vaccination proof at the ‘gates’ that will be set up. Since we have already verified your vaccination proof, MSLM has agreed to this protocol, so our members will not be required to show their proof. However, we still recommend that you carry your vaccination proof with you.
The biggest change to our normal procedure is that you will not be able to get dressed, put on your boots etc. within the lodge. The lower level will only available be as a warm-up area during the day. Therefore, members will need to get prepared on the bus (or at their car if driving up.) To ensure enough room on the bus to do this safely, we are reducing the number of available bus spots to 35 to start with. (We will be constantly reviewing processes during the season so we might be able to increase that number if we can do so safely).
Despite reduced bus capacity the bus fee will remain at $30.
Once members are on hill, you will scan the lift card at the RIF gate at each lift which will “activate” your ticket. You are then free to ski/snowboard/join lessons.
The cafeteria will be open to purchase lunch during the lunch period (11:30am-2:30pm) but will be limited to just 45 minutes. No bagged lunches will be allowed into the cafeteria or the lower-level warm-up areas; therefore, the bus will be available during the lunch period (12pm to 2pm) for members to eat their bagged lunch.
After 2:30pm the upstairs bar will be open for après without a time limit. Currently there is no capacity limit but that may change based on public health guidelines. When you are finished for the day, you can just stay at the bar in your gear or go to the bus and get changed and stay at the bus or change and head back to the lodge for Après. We ask that if you stay in your gear, that you give your self enough time to get back to the bus in time for departure. In all cases, we request that members be on the bus 10 minutes prior to departure time so that we can leave on time. Departure time is not when you need to get to the bus it is when we need to leave.
Sunday trips to Blue Mountain South
Much like MSLM, the Blue Mountain South lodge will not be open to get changed during the weekend. Therefore, you will need to get changed on the bus and make your way over to the lifts. And as with the Saturday trips we are restricting the number of bus seats to 35 to begin with.
Again despite reduced bus capacity the bus fee will remain at $30.
The Bullwheel pub on the upper level will be open from 11am to 7pm for lunch and après. However, as at MSLM you cannot bring bagged lunches into the Bullwheel. If you pack a lunch you will need to eat it on the bus which will be open from 12pm to 2pm.
To access the Bullwheel you will need to provide your vaccination proof and government ID.
For those who question why we don’t just go to the Inn lodge instead on Sundays, that lodge will be packed with the Snowhawks and other youth groups on Sundays.
Just as on Saturdays, when you are finished for the day you can head to the Bullwheel to après in your gear, or head to the bus to get changed, and if you want head back to the Bullwheel. Again, we ask that you allow enough time to get back and be on the bus 10 minutes prior to departure time. Departure time is not when you need to get to the bus it is when we need to leave.
Mondays to Blue Mountain Inn
On Mondays, we will be heading to the Inn as usual. Members will be allowed to get changed in the Lodge. However, you will need to go downstairs to get changed and prepare. As well, you will also need to use the lockers available. Any bags lefts upstairs will be removed.
Since you will not be required to get prepared on the bus, we will be running full buses on Mondays.
Midweek trips to the private clubs
Midweek trips will run pretty much as they have in the past. We will be able to change in the lodge and we will have designated rooms in most of the resorts.
Just a couple of things regarding the buses:
- Members must wear a mask while on the bus.
- Members must remain seated during the bus trip, except to go to the washroom. With the exception of the Bus Captain who will move around to check members in.
- Members will keep socializing to a minimum, and restricted to those seated beside them
- When using the washrooms members must wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before and after using the washroom.
- Members will limit food and drink intake to necessities – quick drinks of water and quick consumption of snacks while the bus is travelling.
- There will be no passing of food around the bus.
To read the full COVID Protocol document please click here.
As always, members will receive a trip status email a few days before the trip.
PLEASE read these emails carefully as they will include bus pick up times and locations, lesson start times and locations and other relevant information. These may change week over week, so members need to review every email they receive.
We want to reinforce that our resort partners are under extreme stress and pressure due to new (and changing) regulations, as well as severe staff shortages. We ask that you remain patient with line-ups, staff, or any hiccups that occur along the way. We also ask that you remember that all of these processes are also new to our Bus Captains, who are fellow members, and who have volunteered their time to make sure that you are able to get to the hill and enjoy your day. Please be kind.
Erika Clark
Director of Downhill Daytrips
Wednesdays to private hills are back!
We are returning to Alpine, Osler, Craigleith, Devil’s Glen and Mansfield this year. Bus and drive-up options will be available to members.
Wednesdays to Alpine, Osler, Craigleith and Devil’s Glen will include lessons for members in ski steps 4-9. Friday to Mansfield will be a beginner/back to basics trip with ski steps 1-6 offered. Snowboarders are welcome on all Wednesday downhill day trips but lessons are not available.
All bus members must be registered online for the bus and lift ticket options.
Anyone driving up and taking a lesson with HPSC must register online before the trip.Online trip registration will open approximately 2 weeks before the trip. Once the bus or drive-up spots or sold out, there will be no additional spots added.
We will have full outdoor and indoor access to get ready, store baggage, eat lunch and relax at the end of the day. All private hills have mandated anyone on property (inside or outside) must be fully vaccinated.
Lift tickets per trip are ranging between $50-$70 depending on the hill. Bus prices will remain at $30 for members. We are unfortunately not returning to Georgian Peaks this year as they are not open on Wednesdays.
An update on Mount St.Louis Moonstone and Blue Mountain will be posted in the next weeks, as we’re finalizing a few details about their operations.
President’s Message – A nip in the air!
November 10, 2021
Dear HPSC friends!
One of the great things about being a member of the club is that we are all lovers of winter. You are not viewed as strange for actually looking forward to colder weather and the winter. This was brought home to me when I was on a zoom call last week with a number of other ski clubs and ski schools from across the country (regarding insurance) when someone out west mentioned that it was getting colder, and we all agree that was fantastic news.
With the nip in the air and the return to Standard Time, we are coming closer to an actual ski season. Over the past weekend, the downhill daytrips schedule was posted. Our charter and long trips are available for registration if there are still spots available, but only for those who have provided their vaccination proof.
At SkiFit this past weekend we had the largest turnout all fall. It is interesting that the cooler it gets, and the closer we get to the season, the more people start to come out for SkiFit. As a reminder there are just two more weeks left for SkiFit. Registration opens each Tuesday. I would personally like to thank Karen Evans, who is now out west for the season, and John McHutchion, for their excellent help in leading the program this season.
I would also like to thank the two-thirds of our current members who have provided their vaccination proof. For the rest, please do so as soon as possible. As a further reminder, only those who have provided their proof for verification will be able to register for any in-person event (including drive-up for daytrips) or charter/long trips with the club this season.
SnoBiz is a one of the key ways to keep up with what is going on in the club, so I encourage all members to read all of the articles in the current edition. There are some important announcements.
Looking forward to the coming season and meeting up with as many members as possible!
Cheers!
Justin Graham
President, High Park Ski Club