Category: Uncategorised

Posted on

Long Trips Sign-up

It’s almost here!  Sign-up will open at 8pm sharp on Thursday, September 26 for the following trips: Sun Peaks 1 & 2, Banff 1 & 2, Jasper, Lake Placid Combo trip and Killington. Sign-up for the 4 Mont Tremblant trips and the Family Day Eastern Townships Downhill trip will open at 8pm on Thursday, October 24. We’ve worked hard to put together another interesting line up of trips with more spaces on HPSC’s favourite Ikon pass destinations, like Sun Peaks, Banff and Mont Tremblant but also return to other HPSC favourites, like Lake Placid and Eastern Townships.

If you are signing up for yourself and a roommate, be sure to complete both parts of Stage 1 on sign-up night to indicate that you are signing up for a double room with a roommate and that you are paying the $100 deposit x 2 for both you and your roommate. Some members did not complete both questions and unfortunately only registered themselves and we want to help you avoid this mistake. Note that it will be up to you to settle up with your roommate for their initial $100 deposit. You will provide your roommate’s name by email to the trip leader, after you have finished the registration. Alternatively, you can each register and pay separately, but there is no guarantee using this process that you will both be successful in getting onto the trip.

It’s a great time to review the list of helpful tips for roommates before signing up for a trip.

Helpful Tips for Roommates 

If possible, HPSC trip leaders will 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 will have a great ski trip, and may even form a long and lasting friendship.

Here are a few tips to help you.

1.      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 modify these hours which may also have to change on travel days. To be clear, 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.

2.      Beds / Storage – Agree on which beds you will take. Allocate separate and equal areas within the room to keep your bags stored, and split the closet and drawer space evenly.

3.      Temperature – Leave the standard settings unless you and your roommate agree to a change.

4.      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 is aware of them in advance and has agreed to room with you despite these conditions.

Posted on

President’s Message – And Away We Go!!

As the calendar flips to September, High Park Ski Club gears up for our fall activities and ultimately the ski season. 

First of all, if you have not already done so, I would encourage you to take advantage of our Early Bird renewal rate of $155 (plus tax). If you are planning on registering for any of the trips that open up on September 26th (at 8pm sharp) you will need to be a current member. As a reminder for those who have already registered for a charter trip, you will need to renew your membership ASAP. 

The second item I would like to mention is that we are having our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday September 24th.  According to our By-laws and required under the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporation Act (ONCA), we must hold an annual meeting. This must be held by the end of September each year. Without achieving our required quorum, we cannot officially hold the meeting.  Please register online for either the in-person option (at the National Yacht Club) or the Zoom virtual option. Click here to register. If you can’t attend either way, please fill out a proxy form here 

Tomorrow night (Thursday September 12) we are hosting our kick-off pub night at The Swan in the Bloor/Runnymede area.  There is no cost, but we would like you to register online so we have a sense of how many people will be attending.

Just a couple of other upcoming social events, the Toronto Oktoberfest on Friday September 27 (check out the information on our Social Schedule), Historic walk of the East End on Sunday October 6 (check out the information on our Social Schedule), and our attendance at the Toronto Marlies game on Sunday October 20 (register and pay online on our Social Schedule). We are continuing to organize additional social events for the fall and during the season, and a 75th Anniversary Gala. 

Lastly, it was fantastic to see so many members at the first SkiFit and Brunch of the season in High Park last Saturday morning. Despite the threat of rain, it turned out to be another sunny Saturday morning. Registration opens each Tuesday for the following Saturday. This is a great way to get in shape for the season and to meet fellow members.

I look forward to seeing and talking to many of you at our upcoming events.   

Cheers!

Justin Graham

President, High Park Ski Club

Posted on

Ikon Group Sale Pass continues…but not for long!!

Our Group Sale for Ikon Passes will be coming to an end on September 6 at 5pm. Lots of info here.

We have had a great response, and are poised to award a refund equivalent to an Ikon Base Pass to SIX lucky members!

The Ikon Pass can be used for unlimited skiing at Blue Mountain and Tremblant, with no blackouts.

If you have already purchased a 5×7 Pass for Blue, but are thinking maybe you would have been better off getting the Ikon Pass, note that you can get a full refund for the 5×7 by telling Blue the order number for your Ikon Pass. It’s easy!

The pass can be used on our trips as follows:

Blue Mountain Ikon Base Pass (unlimited)
save $69-$159 per day

Tremblant Ikon Base Pass (unlimited)
save $170-$365*

Killington Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $270**

Panorama Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $405

Japan Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $455

Val Gardena Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $680

Sun Valley Ikon Base PLUS (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $925***

Sun Peaks 1 Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $500

Sun Peaks 2 Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $455

Banff 1 Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $485

Banff 2 Ikon Base Pass (5 days), Ikon Pass (7 days)
save $515

*Tremblant prices are not yet published. Savings shown are from last season.

**Killington prices are not yet published. Savings shown are from last season.

***The Ikon Base Pass is not accepted at Sun Valley. You can purchase the Ikon Base Pass through our Group Sale, and then upgrade to the Ikon Base Plus through your Ikon Pass online account. Or, you can buy the full Ikon Pass through our Group Sale.

Contact me with any questions

Russ Harding

ikon@hpsc.ca

Posted on

Long Trips News

We were all heartbroken to see such devastation to such a beloved and iconic destination as Jasper, Alberta. Although many residents very sadly lost their homes, our tour operator has confirmed that there was no damage to the Crimson Hotel or the Marmot Basin ski resort. We firmly believe that it will help the town recover if tourism continues, and at this point plan to do our part by continuing with our trip to Jasper in March 2025. 

Spots have been added on the Panorama early start trip and optional Ski With the Pros course. Sign-up for the added spots and the rest of our Western Canada trips will be held on Thursday, September 26 at 8 pm sharp. Sign up for overnight bus trips on Thursday, October 24, also at 8 pm sharp. Check out our website for more information. Full details available later in the summer. You can’t beat the wide variety of HPSC trips. There truly is something for everyone! 

A person skiing down a mountain Description automatically generated
Posted on

President’s Message – The Excitement Builds!

I don’t know about you, but this time of the year for me has always been one of building excitement. When I was child, this was the CNE time and everything that offered, as well as looking forward to the beginning of school. I still get that sense of excitement as we count down to the beginning of September. 

September 1 marks the beginning of our membership year. The good news is that we are not raising membership fees this year. The early bird renewal rate till October 31 remains at $155 (plus HST). This is also the new member rate for the entire year. As of November 1 the renewal rate is $170 (plus HST). 

September also marks the beginning of our SkiFit and Brunch program on Saturday mornings in High Park. This is a great opportunity to get moving prior to the ski season, to meet up with old friends or to make new ski club friends.  All are welcome and we have programs for all levels of fitness.    

The fall also kicks off our social events season – we are planning some fun socials for our club’s 75th anniversary year.  Please continue to read SnoBiz and checking the website for information. 

As we prepare for the season we are also reaching out to our members to gain feedback about the club. If you have not done so yet, please participate in our membership survey that was emailed out this past weekend.  You can also click on this link  to access the survey. 

This is the last of our summer editions of SnoBiz.  The next edition will be on August 28th which will then begin our schedule of bi-weekly editions until the end of April. 

I am sincerely looking forward to meeting and chatting with as many of you as possible over the next few months. 

Cheers!

Justin Graham

President, High Park Ski Club

Posted on

Call for Instructors!

Hi everyone! Our Downhill Snow School is looking for enthusiastic snowboard and ski instructors for next season.

You will make friends for life, have a chance to help other members of the club to improve, and get access to a whole new world of development. Volunteer instructors also get some perks that help defray the cost of teaching, including:

Lift ticket or pass reimbursementTransportation to/from the hill
Cost offset on long trips when you teach/guide
Access to our great afternoon sessions,
Tremblant training with level 4s, and instructor training reimbursement
Small stipend

….plus, we have a TON of fun on snow and off snow!

Qualifications to teach with us include one of the following: CSIA level 2+, OR CSIA level 1 + HPSC Instructor Training, OR CASI level 1+.

If you are keen to help your fellow members, have a good attitude, and have met these requirements, please reach out to me  at downhillsnowschool@hpsc.ca to express interest and to get access to our application form. We are recruiting until August 30, 2024. 

Christine Bellerose
Director, Skiing and Snowboarding
Posted on

Long Trips Update

We were blown away by the response to our early sign-up for five of our long trips on June 20 with several trips selling out within minutes and waitlists forming.

We’ve been able to extend the deadline to sign up for Japan until July 15. For Japan, we have a terrific trip leader who has travelled to Japan numerous times. Don’t miss this unforgettable opportunity to travel to this bucket list destination and experience the legendary Japow snow! 

We were also able to add space on the Panorama early start trip and optional Ski WithThe Pros course. Unfortunately the Val Gardena, Club Med France, and Newfoundland trips are full and no further spots can be added.

Sign up nights for the rest of our amazing trips will be held on Thursday, September 26 for charters and Thursday, October 24 for overnight bus trips. Again this year, there will be two trips to HPSC favourites Sun Peaks (both to the popular Sun Peaks Grand Hotel), and two to the Banff Aspen Lodge, along with a March break trip to Jasper, Alberta.

Also not to be missed are four trips to our most popular destination, Mont Tremblant. Along with the usual December and March weekend Tremblant trips, there are two mid-week trips, one in February and one in March. HPSC returns this year to the Eastern Townships, Quebec Family Day, Lake Placid Combo trip (cross country / downhill) and the always popular Killington, Vermont. Check out our website for more information, full details available later in the summer. You can’t beat the wide variety of HPSC trips across a spectrum of price points. There truly is something for everyone!
Posted on

President’s Message – Less than 40 days

Dear friends,

Hope you are all having a fantastic summer so far!

In less than 40 days your membership renewals will be sent out – it seems just like yesterday that we were celebrating the end of last season. 

However, since then we have opened up most of next season’s charter trips for registration (the remaining charters will open in September) and have been running our successful Ikon pass group sales program (which closes around the end of August), which has resulted in at least 6 pass refunds which we will draw for at the AGM in September (date is TBD).  As well, we are working on plans for our special 75th anniversary season.

One thing that I can confirm right now is that we will once again have a booth at this year’s Toronto Ski & Snowboard Show. I am happy to report that the show has returned to the far more accessible Exhibition grounds. It will be in the Better Living Building, October 25 to 27. Plan to attend.

We are currently working on a survey that will go out to all members in the next couple of weeks – please take a few minutes to participate. The results will guide development of plans for next season

SnoBiz is our primary communications vehicle regarding club activities. I encourage you to read all of the articles in each edition to learn about what is going on in the club and important upcoming events. 

Cheers!

Justin Graham

President, High Park Ski Club 

Posted on

Ski Newfoundland!

An information session on the charter trip to Corner Brook will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 7 – 9pm. See the website for the Zoom link.Trip Highlights

Skiing and snowshoeing at four Nordic centresTrail passes not included, but group rates will be arranged
Accommodation – 6 nights, Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook, based upon double occupancy
Daily breakfast off menu using $18 voucher (5 days)
Screech-In to become an honourable Newfoundlander
Air Canada direct flight to Deer Lake
Private coach transfer to and from airport/hotel and to Nordic centres

Although billed as a cross-country and snowshoe trip, downhill skiers are welcome to sign up, with skiing available at renowned East Coast ski resort Marble Mountain! Lift tickets are not included in the base price. 

Check the website for the full trip description.
Posted on

Long Trips Early Sign-Ups!

It’s coming… more early sign-ups for long trips will be happening at 8pm sharp on Thursday, June 20, 2024.  Available for early sign up will be Niseko JAPAN, Club Med FRANCE, Val Gardena ITALY, Newfoundland and one more trip that has just been announced: SKI WITH THE PROS in Panorama the first week of December.  With the exception of the newest trip, details are already available on the website for you to review.
  
You’ll need to be a current member to sign up on that night and will need to renew your membership for 2024/25 in September. If you were not a 2023/24 season member, sign up now and your membership will carry through for the full 2024/25 season. Many members have asked for earlier trip sign-ups and we have been able to arrange it. You can guarantee your spot on these trips that night by signing up and paying the HPSC $100 deposit. Aside from Japan, the rest of the tour operator deposits will be required later in the summer and final balances in the fall. Regular sign-up nights will happen in the fall for Sun Peaks, Banff and the overnight bus trips. Stay tuned for more details on these in SnoBiz.

As usual, the Club Med trip is all inclusive with all meals, drinks, flights, guides, and instruction. The Val Gardena trip to the Italian Dolomites also includes 3 nights in Munich, and during the 7 nights at the ski resort, half board (breakfast, appetizers, dinner). An information session will be held by Zoom for the Europe trips on Monday, June 17 at 8pm.  Please send an email to longtrips@hpsc.ca if you want to attend the call and the link will be sent to you. Details on Japan and NFLD are shown in the trip descriptions on the website and information calls were announced or have been held.  

Don’t miss your chance to guarantee a spot on these very special 75th anniversary destination trips!  Read the instructions on how to sign up and trip descriptions on the website and be logged onto the HPSC website at 8pm sharp, on Thursday, June 20, 2024 and sign up for the trip of your dreams!