geoff's profileQB Newcomers Snow GroupPhotosBlogListsMore Tools Help

Blog


    February 21

    Where was everyone!

    We didn’t have many people out today which was too bad because it turned out to be a great snow day! Now it was a little foggy, and the wind was a touch strong at the top, and the snow was relentless, but it didn’t matter because the snow on the ground was great! Ed Hollington and I went up and spent the afternoon just cruising tons of snow in the glades. The conditions in the morning were a little difficult because there was a fair amount of ice patches under the snow. But with the amount of snow falling the afternoon was a lot of fun.It wasn't busy so it was easy to find new tracks if you got off the beaten path-especially in the glades. They are easy to ride because of the wide spacing of the trees and lots of untracked snow to slow you down.

    February 17

    Bob Evans' Feb 16th trip

    Here's a note from Bob on his trip on Friday:
     

    We skied today along with Ron Strothers who we bumped into on the hill. The day started off sunny but by lunch had deteriorated to fog and gray sky. There hasn’t been much, if any, new snow up there for a while but due to grooming (?) and working over of the snow available by boards and skis, conditions were quite good for the top 4/5 of the runs off the quad chair. Bottom 1/5 was scrapey but had a bit of powdered corn type snow on the surface  so you could stlll get an edge.

        The problem was people .. It is a PD day for teachers on the island so the place was packed solid with people of all sizes. So many that we quit early. The whole weekend should be like that..We didn’t go to any other runs but was told that ”Fantastic” off the sunshine chair was good and I heard that the six pack chair had some good skiing due to grooming.    Bob and kendra E

     

    February 15

    Feb 14th trip...not!!

    Well the weather was just too sloppy to venture up to the hill, so we called it off and I don't think anyone went. Let me know if you did.
    February 07

    Feb 7th trip of the diehards!

    Here's a note from Sandy. Six intrepid members made the trip despite the ominous weather.

    "We went up there. Unfortunately conditions weren't good and the attendant

    wasn't encouraging about the forecast. There were a few people on the hill

    but some of the lifts weren't even running. Quite foggy and rainy. We

    decided it would be better to go down to the Nordic Lodge and have brunch."

    February 06

    January 31st trip

    The weather looked rather uncompromising so I don't think anyone made it up to Washington. Sandy was at the parking lot but no other souls turned up.
    January 24

    January 24th trip

    What a great day today. We had tons of people out downhilling and a smaller group cross countrying and snowshoeing. The weather turned out to be just fine. A little socked in at the top at the beginning of the day, but it just got better and better as the day went on. Snow was a little heavy because it had rained on the hill yesterday, but it made the bumps nice and soft.
    Would like to see any XC or SS pictures Roger if you have any.
    January 22

    Snowshoe route

    Here are some comments from Roger Griffiths about snowshoeing:
     
    Last Wednesday my wife, Sally & I went back down the road for about 4km to where the road is plowed out wider on both sides.
     
    From here we did a circular snowshoe route that is quite pleasant. From one section of the route you can look down on Courtney and the ocean. The area appears to be quite popular with both nordic & snowshoeers as there is no fee to pay for using the area. The snowshoe trail fee with no rental is $7.50 for Mt.Washington.

    Snowshoeing on January 10th

    I just posted some pics of Roger Griffiths and Sally Topley snowshoeing 2 weeks ago.
    January 21

    Our next trip this Wednesday Jan 24th

    It looks as though the weather forecast is good for this Wednesday, with a sunny day promised. Don't forget your 2 for 1 tickets which can be used until the end of the month. I will have to check to see if they will be valid on the 31st when the promotion ends.
     
    Since the day lodge never seems to be crowded during the week, the downhillers can meet at 8.00am at the Ravensong parking lot or for lunch at 12.00 noon in the cafeteria on the second floor (i.e. we will not meet at 11.00am)
     
    The 10.00am meeting time for the XCers seems to be ok. I believe the food choices in their day lodge are limited and some of them have come up to the Alpine lodge and joined the downhillers for lunch.
     
    If you have any questions about arrangements, give me a call (250 951 9682).
     
    Does anyone whether there is a Snowshoe day rate if you don't need to rent equipment? (let me know with a comment).
    January 17

    Our trip today to Mt. Washington

    Hi:
     
    I think everyone had a good time today. We had about a dozen in the group split between DownHillers and XCountryers. The weather was pretty good in the morning but visibility closed down in the afternoon when it began to snow. It was the first chance for us to meet face to face with fellow members. 
     
    If you missed today try to join us next week.
     
    Any suggestions or questions, just post a comment on this blog.
    January 14

    Our trip this Wednesday Jan 17th

    Hello:
     
    We plan to go up to Mount Washington again this Wednesday January 17th. Once again we can meet at the large Ravensong Swimming Facility parking lot at 8.00am to car pool, or meet up at Mount Washington. Roger Griffiths has suggested that the Cross Country group meet at the lodge at 10.00am versus 11.00am for the DHers. It is easier for the latter group to take a couple of warm-up runs and then meet, compared to the XCers where this is not as practical.

     I shall be in the Cafeteria on the top floor of the Day Lodge with my name tag on my jacket looking for members at 11.00am. I will check to see if Roger Griffith and/or Don McIntosh will be in the XC Lodge.

     Be sure to check the Mt. Washington web cams and snow report to see what the local conditions are versus here in Qualicum/Parksville (it was totally different last week!).

     If you take your digital camera please send me your photographs as I am working on a way of archiving the Group’s activities.

     If you are planning to also go on another day, message the group to see if anyone else might like to join you.

     As usual, any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.