Since 1984
THE BINDING RELEASE
Volume No. 52 Issue No. 10 February 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Prez Sez…..by Steve Sexsmith
Prez Sez……….Page 1 – 2
Executive List……...Page 2
Ski with Mike,
Birthdays, Other Info
………..…………….Page 3
Whistler 2 Legends
…………..………….Page 4
Good Friends …….Page 5
2014/15 Ski Trips …Page 6
GORGONZOLA …Page 7
Big White TELUS….Page 8
Sponsors ………….Page 9
Never been out to a
Ski Club event?
Come and meet us at our
monthly social and find
out what our club has to
offer. You may be
surprised to learn that we
do more than just skiing &
boarding!
We welcome new
members. Anyone 19
years or more may attend
one free meeting.
We look forward to seeing
you there!
I’m sitting at the laptop on the
last Sunday in January (wasn’t it
just New Year’s Eve?) and I’m
looking out the window at a very
wet day. The pineapple express
that has hit south west B.C. is
not great news for us skiers. It is
currently
raining
at
Mt.
Washington all the way to the
top of the mountain and they
have lost 20cm of base in the
past two days. Whistler is also
currently getting rain all the way
up to the Round House and they
have lost 10cm of base at mid
mountain. The good news for
the 32 of our club members
going on the Whistler 3 trip is
that the long term forecast calls
for mostly sun for next weekend
so a great time should be had by
all. This coming trip will see us
staying right in the Village at the
Delta Hotel, which will be the
first time the club has stayed in
the centre of town in my 14
years with VASC.
The club has already gone on
two Whistler trips so far into this
young season, and the Coast
Hotel in December and Legend’s
last weekend both turned out to
be great trips and a ton of fun.
The first trip to the Coast
oversubscribed with 31 of our
members joined by one person
form the Pacific Ski club and the
club made $500 profit. Trip two to
Legend’s last weekend was originally
estimated to be for 32 but was
scaled back to 28 beds of which we
sold 26 and we lost $300. This
coming weekend the executive had
originally estimated for 28 beds but
due to popular demand we booked
an additional room and we now have
32 beds sold. The final numbers
aren’t in yet but we should make a
profit of $600 to $700. This is great
news because based on only 14
members currently signed up for our
one club trip to Mt. Washington Feb.
13 - 15 we will lose $950. As we are a
non-profit club our intention is not to
make money, but we can’t operate
indefinitely if we continue to lose
money. The executive meet prior to
the start of every season to plan a
slate of ski trips that we believe will
offer something of interest for
everyone
in
the
club.
CLUB NIGHT SOCIAL!
Thursday, February 5th, 2015
7:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m.
Victoria Ski Club
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
February 2015
(Continued from page 1)
(Prez Sez)
The Victoria Alpine Ski Club
Is a registered non-profit
Society of VICTORIA, BC
Website:
www.VictoriaSkiClub.org
The Victoria Alpine Ski Club is a
non-profit organization, now in its
30th year. The purpose of the club
is multifaceted: to promote skiing,
boarding and snow sports by
organizing ski trips and activities,
organize social and sporting
activities, create an atmosphere
that promotes a sense of
community, and most importantly,
to have fun!
Your 2014 – 2015 Executive:
President
Vice President
Steve Sexsmith
Shelley Berg
Treasurer
Secretary
Donna Kerkhoven Barb Snyder
Directors
Maggie Burnham Terry Crockett
Past President
Paddy Bradley
Newsletter Editor
Maggie Burnham
Contact us at: [email protected]
We welcome your comments and
ideas!
This year we only have one club
trip planned for Mt. Washington
in February as well as the Winter
Games in March. In the past
three calendar years that I’ve
been on the executive every
single trip to Mt. Washington has
lost money. With the exception
of last weekend’s trip to
Legend’s, every Whistler trip has
made money. Unless we get
more interest in going to Mt.
Wash, I’m going to recommend
that next season we do 5
Whistler trips and a weeklong to
the interior and skip Mt.
Washington
entirely.
The
numbers speak for themselves 31 members at the Coast, 26 at
Legend’s, 32 at the Delta, 35 for
the Whistler week long (15
Inside Edge cabin and 20 at the
Delta), 14 at Mt. Wash. Foster’s
and 8 at Mt. Wash. Winter
games. We already have more
people signed up for Whistler 5
to Legend’s in April then on our
Mt. Washington trip. We still
have a couple of weeks until Mt.
Washington,
so
anyone
interested - your club needs you,
sign up ASAP. I will be thinking of
all of you on this on the trip
while Verena and I sip Mai Tai’s
on the beach in Maui, retirement
does have its privileges.
Standing at the ferry waiting to
board last Thursday Brian Money
came up with a great idea. With
the Canadian dollar sinking like a
stone, trips to the U.S. and
Europe don’t make financial
sense at this time, so we should
look at a weeklong trip to visit
the interior of B.C. I would love
to hear from the members with
your suggestions. We could do a
bus trip or a u-drive, we could go
to one mountain for a week or
visit several, and it’s up to you. I
personally would suggest a road
trip doing carpooling - 3 or 4 per
vehicle with stops at Apex, Red
Mountain, White Water and
Kimberley. I would also be
interested in 4 days at Big White
and 4 days at Silver Star. Or 2
days at Sun Peaks, 3 days at
Revelstoke and 3 days at Kicking
Horse. Or 2 days at Apex, 2 days
at Big White, 2 days at Silver Star
and 2 days at Sun Peaks. We
could go to Banff for a week or
Revelstoke for a week or? So
many great ski destinations and
amazing small interior towns to
explore, so little time.
Get off your wallets and sign up
for one or more of the great
trips we have left in the season. I
would also love to hear back
from each and every one of you
as to your preferences for next
season’s trips.
Thanks you all,
Steve Sexsmith
President
2
Victoria Ski Club
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
February 2015
Mike McPeek is a CSIA Level 3 Ski
Instructor and long-time Ski Club member.
Last month I talked about
turning and in particular the
importance of turning with our
legs, not our body.
While turning with our legs is
important, there is another
aspect of turning that we need
to talk about: edging.
By
edging I mean the ability to
put our skis on edge and the
skill to maintain grip on the
snow with our edge while
skiing. Without proper edging
we won’t change direction
when we try to steer our skis;
we will just skid sideways.
Watch a ski racer – notice
their minimal sideways skid?
Racers have awesome edging
skills. The good news is you
don’t need to be able to edge
as well as a racer does any
more than you need to be
able to weave your way
between gates on icy snow at
high speed. But if you have
ever wished you could ski
forward (the direction your
skis are pointing) instead of
skidding sideways – or even
just grip the snow better while
trying to turn – then better
edging is the answer! Ever
have your skis skid out from
below you? You need better
edging skills!
If you have never really felt –
or thought about – your
edges, then try this simple
drill. While wearing skis, stop
on a hill and slide sideways
slowly, then tilt your skis on edge
and feel them bite into the snow.
Or if you are more advanced, try
skiing at a moderately fast speed
and then stand on the inside edge
of one of your skis. Could you
feel the ski grip the snow? Did it
start turning all on its own? Does
your ski track look like a sharp
“pencil line” in the snow? That’s
feeling your edges!
One of the secrets to better
edging is a low stance.
Try
standing as tall as you can on
your skis and, while staying tall,
try tipping your skis on edge.
Now get lower with your skis
wider apart and try tipping onto
your edges. Works better, right?
Another secret is what we in the
ski instruction industry call
“angulation”. You can google “ski
angulation” if you want to watch
videos and see pictures, but what
we are talking about is bending
our upper body to counter the
lean in our lower body – that
lower body lean being how we tip
our skis on edge.
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS!!!
Andrea Clark Feb 7
Heather McArthur Feb 12
Next time you are out on the
slopes play around with feeling
your edges and being able to
balance against your outside skis
inside edge while turning. You
might just find you like skiing on
the edge!
Terry Viggers Feb 12
Steve Sexsmith Feb 16
Barb Snyder Feb 16
Dan Tosczak Feb 18
Need help improving your skiing
skills? Come take a lesson please request me as your
instructor – and I can help you
take your skiing to the next level.
See you on the slopes!
Send your questions and comments
to [email protected]
3
Victoria Ski Club
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
February 2015
WHISTER 2 - LEGENDS
The trip started off with 25 club members standing in the
entrance of Swartz Bay’s parking lot with their luggage ready to load onto the ferry luggage bins
and make their way to the departure lounge. Patrick Wilson was to have been the only new
member signed up for the trip but was unable to attend due to the flu – let’s hope we see him
again soon. We were well fed by White Spot on the crossing and the transition to the bus in
Tsawwassen was relatively painless - remembering that the less gear you have makes for an
easier loading of the bus.
We were entertained on our drive up to Whistler by Trevor on guitar and John on the banjo
accompanied by a group of vocalists and a number of adult beverages. We arrived in good time
and were able to unload the bus and be checked in before 10:00 p.m. to the always fabulous
Legend’s Creekside. Once settled into their rooms some club members decided to relax and
others roamed the hallways looking to do some socializing. Friday morning we were met with
overcast skies and despite the lack of new snow over the past few weeks and the temperatures
and snow conditions exceeded most of our expectations. This being said you still had to be
careful and watch for exposed rocks. Saturday we awoke to a dumping of big flakes and an
accumulation of new snow and long line ups as everyone wanted to take advantage of some
turns in the fresh snow. The visibility was poor all day but the new snow was welcome.
Après ski (perhaps one of the best parts of skiing) saw some club members hitting the great
outdoor deck at Dusty’s and enjoying a cold one (or two). While others headed straight for the
legendary hot tub which can squeeze in our entire club at once. Friday night’s potluck was held
in the Alpine room with a great variety of yummy food and dessert. Saturday evening about half
the people went in to the village for dinner and the other half used the hotel supplied BBQ’s
and had dinner in their rooms.
On Sunday a few of our brave members went out to endure the high winds and blowing snow
and rain - even Shelley and Tam took the day off. A large number took the bus from Creekside
to Whistler village for an afternoon brunch. Our great long weekend ended with our bus
arriving at 3:15 and we were on our way by 3:30 arriving in good time at 6:15 (despite heavy
traffic) for the 7:00 ferry.
This trip continues to be everything legends are made of including great snow, fine food and
good company. It’s no wonder the Legends trip has become a club favourite and routinely sells
out. Whistler/Blackcomb offers something for everyone from top-notch skiing, a relaxing
ambience, fine dining and quality shopping. If you manage your time right, you might just be
able to do it all! Thanks to everyone for making this an awesome trip!
4
Victoria Ski Club
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
February 2015
5
Victoria Ski Club
TRIP
Whistler 1
@ Coast
Blackcomb
U-Drive
Whistler 2
@ Legends
Bus trip
Big White
Brian’s TELUS
Bus Trip
Whistler 3
@ Delta Hotel
Bus trip
Mt.
Washington
Fosters Cabin
10 bedrooms,
2 kitchen
Bus trip
Breckenridge,
Colorado, USA
Whistler 4
@ Inside Edge
Cabin
U-Drive
Whistler 4
I.E. cabin
alternative @
Delta Hotel UDrive
Mt
Washington
Winter Games
U-Drive
Whistler 5
@ Legends
U-Drive
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
DATES
Dec 12 – 14
Jan. 15 – 18
NIGHTS
EARLY
BIRD
PRICE
# OF
SEATS
EARLY
BIRD
DATE
2
$165.00
20
Oct. 2 –
Nov. 5
3
$350.00
32
Oct. 2 –
Nov. 5
REGULAR
PRICE
$185.00
SOLD OUT!
Good time
had by all!
February 2015
CO-ORDINATOR
Steve Sexsmith
[email protected]
$375.00
Good Times!
Shelley Berg
[email protected]
$625.00 or
$585.00
seniors
Brian Money
[email protected]
Jan, 21 – 25
4
N/A
Jan. 30 –
Feb. 2
3
$365.00
28
Oct. 2 –
Nov. 5
$385.00
SOLD OUT!
Steve Sexsmith
[email protected]
Feb. 13 – 15
2
$280.00
20
Oct. 2 –
Dec. 3
$300.00
TBD
Sue Seagrave
Suz_seagrave@hotmail
.com
Feb. 21 –
March 1
8
N/A
16
SOLD OUT!
March 8 – 13
5
N/A
20
$220.00
Terry Crockett
[email protected]
$350.00
(min. of 8
people)
Steve Sexsmith
[email protected]
Destination
and prices
TBD
Terry Crockett
[email protected]
Est. price
$185.00
Shelley Berg
[email protected]
March 8 – 13
5
March 19 –
21
3
N/A
April 9 - 12
3
Est.
price
$150.00
Oct. 2 –
Jan. 7
6
Victoria Ski Club
December 2014
GORGONZOLA!
No, it's not blue cheese, but you might hear some cheesy blues.
th
sure to mark
February
on 21
your calendar for a great dance event at the
Vic Dove’s Bike Trip –Be
Crescent
LakeFriday
& The
Elwha20
JUNE
Gorge Legion at 411 Gorge Road East.
Our very own John Francis and Trevor Oram are putting on this event with their new
band whose name will be revealed shortly (actually, they are still reflecting on a suitable
name!) Maybe they need some suggestions? The band will do a couple of sets that you
are sure to enjoy. In addition, our own Terry Cocke also has a new band that includes
Maureen Ketcheson on keyboard and vocals. His band will open the event.
Two bands! Starting at 8 o'clock - Doors will open 7:30 p.m. There will be three or four
sets of Rock, Country, Blues, and maybe a little Ballroom thrown in too. Lots of
fun! The event will also be sold through other Meet up sites (Friends, Social Golfers,
Boomers Singles, and Victoria Wine-lovers).
Tickets are $10 per person; they will be on sale starting next week before and at the
Legend’s trip. Tickets will be available from John, Trevor, or Terry. Watch the VASC
Meet up site for more details!
SEE YOU THERE!!
At the SIX MILE PUB January 25
Page 7
Victoria Ski Club
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
February 2015
Five VASC ski clubbers joined the TELUS Ski Club’s annual trip to Big White from January 21st
to 25th.
Brian & Nancy and Albert (and old friend from the Alpine Club of Canada) were in one
room. Karri, Shahn and Donna were in another room. There were a total of 25 skiers in all.
The weather was typical for Big White, cloudy Friday, and foggy Saturday, a bit of rain
Saturday, and sun Sunday.
We had a group dinner at Snowshoe Sam’s on Friday evening.
Bill Myrtle has been the trip coordinator for 41 years!
8
Victoria Ski Club
You don’t grow too old to ski, you grow old because you stop skiing.
February 2015
15% off year round for Ski Club Members
A Note of appreciation for our sponsors:
Our sponsors have been supporting the Victoria Ski Club for many years with prizes, giveaways
and discounts. Did you now that Sports Traders offers ski tuning services and extends a 12%
discount to our members on all goods all year round? Or, that Sports Rent offers a 10% discount
on their services? Certified Athletic Therapist Stephanie Kruger has provided a very informative
presentation at our Club Night social. Lighthouse Brewing Company supplies us with T-shirts,
toques and various other items for door prizes and giveaways and happens to have some very
tasty product as well. Saanich Parks and Recreation has donated a rec center multi=pass as a
door prize at our Christmas social, and the Strath has in the pas accommodated our socials and
parties. Please, whenever you can, consider patronizing our sponsors – they are a great group
of folks.
9