Category: Uncategorised

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Overnight Bus Trip Sign-up is Coming!

Detailed descriptions and pricing will be posted any day now on the web site in preparation for sign up on Thursday, October 13 at 8 pm sharp.

Members on last year’s cancelled mid-week Tremblant trip have been contacted by email and can sign up early (front of the line) for this specific trip, but they will need to confirm their FOTL spot by October 3. Remaining spots will be opened to the rest of our members on October 13.

Overnight Bus Trips – opening on Thursday October 13 at 8pm:

W1 Tremblant, QC – Dec 16-18, 2022

W2 Holiday Valley, NY – Jan 27-29, 2023

W3 Tremblant mid-week – Jan 29 – Feb 2, 2023 (downhill and cross country)

W4 Killington, VT – Feb 12-17, 2023

W5 Orford, QC – Feb 17-20, 2023 – Family Day (XC/Snowshoe)

W6 Jay Peak, VT – Mar 5-9, 2023

W7 Tremblant, QC – Mar 24-26, 2023 (Downhill, Snowboarding, XC)

Spaces are still available on the following charter trips:

C1 Jackson Hole WY, C3 Whistler BC, C7 Jasper AB

COVID update – If you sign up for a long trip (charter or bus) you will be required to be 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.

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A unique opportunity to try out roller skiing!

Looking for a way to get in shape for ski season or work on your technique in the off-season? Roller skiing is cross-country ski specific dryland training that will achieve both goals! It’s also a fun sport in its own right.In conjunction with Ski Fit, HPSC is offering members a chance to try it out in High Park. In small groups (we have four pairs of roller skis), we will cover safety, the basic manoeuvres, how to slow and stop, how to cross uneven pavement, and point out hazards and how to avoid them. We will also cover equipment and where to get it and good places in the city you could ski.

Lesson options:
October 1, 9:30 – 10:15 am
October 8, 9:30 – 10:15 am
October 22, 9:30 -10:15 am

Location: High Park. Meet at the Grenadier Cafe parking lot.

Equipment:
Bike helmet (mandatory)
Ski boots (mandatory – see below under booking)
Gloves (any kind, mandatory)
Optional, but highly recommended: knee and elbow pads. Spills on concrete can happen leading to scrapes. But we will be doing slow manoeuvres on flat pavement.

To book your spot: email crosscountry@hpsc.ca with the date you are interested and the type of ski boots you will bring (skate NNN, classic NNN or classic/skate SNS with the older Profil bindings that have one metal bar. If you have SNS bindings with two bars, we don’t have skis for you). If you have your own roller skis, you are welcome to attend. Heather will confirm your participation prior to the first session.

Heather SteelDirector,
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
crosscountry@hpsc.ca 
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HPSC Annual General Meeting 2022

The Annual General Meeting is an important and legally required event for the club. This is the chance to discuss the past year, review our financial position and find out plans for the upcoming year. There are a number of standard motions that are required to be passed for the club to function, as well as any proposed changes to our club By-laws. So I personally want to thank all of the members who took the time to attend our AGM on September 20 at the National Yacht Club in person or virtually. With those in-person, online, and with a number of proxy votes we were able to reach the required quorum and therefore proceed with the meeting.

Just some highlights . . .   

After two years of the pandemic, we are in very good shape financially, basically breaking even, due in part to cost containment, a shortened season, as well as windfall revenue from a couple of investments that came due this past year. For specific information, please read the AGM Report available on our website under About Us/Club Documents. You need to be logged into the site to access this file.

We were also able to pass a number of by-law changes regarding member meetings. The pandemic forced upon us the use of virtual meetings for our AGM and Election over the last two years. Now that things are opening up and we are able to resume in-person meetings, we wanted to update the By-laws to recognize the use of virtual or hybrid meetings and how voting during such meetings should be done. In addition, the definition of what constitutes quorum was made clearer; as well adding clarifications regarding the use of proxy votes. 

Justin Graham

President

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President’s Message – Welcome to Fall!

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
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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

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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President’s Message – The Dog Days of August

August 17, 2022

Growing up mid-August was always a bit exciting for me. The CNE was about to open, which meant visits to Toronto by my aunts, uncles and cousins; the weather would start to turn a little more comfortable (I really hate hot humid weather); and the last two weeks before Labour Day were always my Dad’s vacation period.  Labour Day has always represented a new year for me.  As a member of High Park Ski Club, mid-August also means we are starting to gear up for the upcoming season.  For example, this week’s edition begins our regular two-week cycle of SnoBiz until the end of next April.

Over the next few week’s, you will be receiving information on renewing your club membership for the upcoming season.  The good news is that we are keeping membership fees at the same level as last year  – early bird rate until October 31st of $150 (+tax); after November 1st the fee increases to $170 (+tax).  New member rate is $150 (+tax) for the entire season. 

As you will read below, something new this year, we have a number of our charter trips going on sale next week.  As long as you are a valid member for the 2021/22 season (or have renewed your membership early) you can sign up; however, you have up to September 15th to renew your membership to keep your spot.  Please read the Long Trip article in SnoBiz carefully.

Regarding our planned COVID protocols for the upcoming season. As mentioned in the last SnoBiz, the club will still require members to wear masks while on buses for all trips.  However, moving with current public health guidelines, we will no longer require proof of vaccination to participate in any club activity.   The caveat of course is that if public health rules change, HPSC will need to adjust protocols.  As well, as noted in the Long Trips article in SnoBiz, members will need to still follow all vaccination requirements and rules for the locations travelling to.  For example, vaccination proof is still currently needed for non-US citizens entering the United States.  While we are not requiring vaccination proofs this year we still encourage all members to do whatever they can to stay healthy. 

On a different topic, If you have ever thought of becoming an HPSC Ski or Snowboard instructor, now is the time.  The club is currently recruiting for new instructors.  If you are interested, please contact our Director of Snow School, David Manning at downhillsnowschool@hpsc.ca . Due to the planning required for the season, applications need to be received by August 28th.   

September also kicks off a number of club activities – SkiFit will begin as usual on the first Saturday after Labour Day (September 10th).  As in the past couple of years registration will open each week on the Tuesday prior to that week’s session.  This year we will also be able to revive our weekly brunch after SkiFit at The Grenadier Café.

We are planning a Social event in early September (details to come in the next SnoBiz). 

And finally, please mark September 20th on your calendars for the club’s Annual General Meeting.  The AGM will be held in person at the National Yacht Club with an online Zoom option as we did for the Election night last April.  The official announcement will be sent in the next couple of weeks.

I am really looking forward to chatting with as many members over the next coming months as we prepare for what we all hope will be a fantastic year on the snow!

Cheers!

Justin Graham, President

High Park Ski Club

President@HPSC.ca