I have to start this piece with an apology, I'm afraid, as the winter newsletter was very late in coming to you. We were just a little delayed in going to press, as Jean, (our compiler and Assistant Editor to Deryck nowadays), was on a longish holiday shortly after Club Week, then we hit a very big peak at the printer, which really delayed things. However, I hope memories had not dimmed too much when you finally got it, and as it happens, we end up with a reasonable schedule for this issue. This was normally mailed to you in time for the AGM, together with exhortations these last few years to book early for Club Week in Ellmau. This latter pressure is eased a bit for Schladming, as we have a month more before the booking deadline. (See details elsewhere in this for early booking discount cut-off, etc.). Consequently, you should read this in nice time to overwrite, in ink, that penciled note in your diary, that the Barbecue, Sat 14th August, is imminent.

Also, I can report that at the AGM in May, the committee was re-elected with little change. However, Acki saw no point in being officially on it any more, as she has been less able to do much to smooth our way through Munich recently, being retired. Also, Paul (Burton), who has been our Forum Rep attending BA Clubs' monthly meetings, has withdrawn, because that system has been cancelled. Also, he is about to get married. We expect, of course, to see you both on events as ever - thank you very much for everything you've done for us in the past, especially Acki who has been at it for many years, and very best wishes, Paul, for yours and Caroline's future together. Richard Horton was there, looking well after having been so unfortunately injured last November dry skiing, and Frank O'Leary made it along as well. And, may I mention, her indoors, Gerda - shortly after Ellmau, a chest cough led to a leaky heart valve diagnosis, which led to Francis Wells, the leading surgeon in UK, if not Europe, on repairing (rather than replacing) valves. Mid-April saw us up in Cambridge: op on a Monday, home again on Saturday, and now in mid-June, off all medication and gradually getting back to normal.

We had yet another heated discussion about ski school, and David Finch has produced some constructive ideas on getting groups classified, and then progressing them during the week on the slopes. It is the least likeable task in the club, for which I am unqualified - who is? - and if the ski instructors are not of very strong and imaginative character, sometimes leads to some dissatisfaction. As I said at the AGM, and repeat here, you are all intelligent adults, and should all take initiatives yourselves - be it to get what you want from the instructor, or to stop someone else 'hogging' the instruction - and, dare I say it, to not just put No. 1 first, but be considerate and co-operative, as you are members of a club. In Schladming, perhaps, we will get top class serious instructors who can bring everyone on, all the while making things interesting and fun. We'll see!

By the way, there was a recent convocation of resort managers representing Austrian, Swiss, Italian, and German ski areas (not French for some reason) which nominated Ellmau and the Ski Welt area as the best all-round ski holiday area (considering categories such as lift systems, slope design, piste maintenance, hotels, etc. Schladming comes out well in such competitions also, and I hope after next January, we will concur.

The pound has been holding up very well against the Euro recently, so although you will have to dig deeper to pay for Club Week, I hope we will find we have been conservative enough to be on the right side of the balance sheet, and perhaps put a few bob back in your pockets during the holidays. Please recruit friends to the club, and perhaps bring them to the barbecue in August. Looking forward to seeing you.

So you've got the jacket .. Now what?
aka other Ski Club Clothing

You may be aware that we have had some Ski Club clothing made up, at price levels below that of the jackets. The items are available in Navy with the BA Ski Club logo embroidered on them ( as per the ski jackets ).

Note that at the moment, as we are using the BA preferred supplier, these are the only items available however if there are enough sales we will investigate further items such as rollnecks etc.

If you are interested in any of the items or think these are a good ( or rubbish ) idea and that we should ( should not ) progress them then please let me know by post to the usual address or by email to: paul.j.turner@baski.org.uk

SIX GO TO WINTER PARK

Report by Rae Davidson.

The Team finalised at the airport as Paul Turner, Richard Leech, Rod Hoffman, Richard Gale, Howard Morgan and Rae Davidson. Confusion over keys meant that the luggage bearers arrived at T4 at the same time as the luggage-less runner (thanks slaves!) We met Richard G briefly at the gate, but everyone else had to proceed to the rear, from which moves were not engineered, or IM'd - despite all efforts.

Denver was extremely unwelcoming, with a two-hour queue for immigration. Thoughts of the Mary Jane awaiting (and the team support/baggage bearers) kept me conscious (just) during this ordeal.

Day 1: although everyone was up by 7.30 (and most were up much earlier), we only started out for the slopes on the 9.38 ski bus. We weren't actually on the lifts till nearly 11.00, due to delays in getting rental skis, etc, not to mention waiting for people to visit the gents.

After one or two comments over US ski slope grading, and a view (from some) that a US double black diamond equated to a decent European blue run, I led the troops for a nice warm up run down a single black diamond run. Comments from the rear weren't complementary, but views on US ski run grading had changed (and it soon became obvious that I wasn't going to be leading the team again). Blue/black runs (next grade down from single black diamond) then became the runs of choice, and a great day was had by all. Runs interconnected well, allowing people sneaky detours for bumps fixes, while others took the wider, flatter run down, to all meet at the bottom (if half the party haven't gone off to the gents.) There were lots of trees to ski between. Paul got a little too friendly with a pair of trees, much to the detriment of his finger.

Day 2 dawned with blue skies, sunshine, and a significant depth of powder snow. Only one person managed to get mobilised in time to catch the early bus, to be on the slopes for the lifts opening. The skiing was truly wonderful, and several exhilarating runs were fitted in before it was time to meet everyone else for coffee at the foot of the Mary Jane. A couple of Rod's running friends joined us for the day. Dinner was in the Mountain Lodge Brewery. Samples of their beers were served, to allow everyone to choose their preference. Dinner was excellent, but our table was in an extremely cold draught (not ale), and we froze.

Day 3 saw four on the early bus, with a mid-morning coffee stop rendezvous for stragglers. Paul was suffering from an overcooked suntan, despite factor 30 cream, and was quite pink. He thought that his sunscreen might have gone off. Efforts to lose people were slightly more successful, with Paul being lost amongst trees on an early run. Last run of the day saw us exploring the freestyle park and jumping off the side of the various kickers.

Richard Gale was an excellent chalet boy. He was always in the kitchen washing up, or brewing tea, not to mention taking charge of the food kitty, and doing the provisioning. Some interesting luxury items found their way into the provisions trolley, though.

Day 4 saw 5 on the early bus, and Paul on Immodium…….

Day 5 - unusually, everyone made the early bus for the first day's race training. Made the Velasquez Cirque after lunch (only just - ski patrol was just closing it as we got there). There was a long walk - 1 mile - to get to the top of the run. Ski patrol, on a skidoo, gave rope tows to stragglers. The steep run with lots of untracked powder was worth the walk. The NAASF Welcome party meant free beers and pizza in the evening.

Day 6 - Race training again in the morning, followed by our free BBQ lunch. Then a few bumps to relax upon, and Richard G lost his NAASF pass. Richard L managed to cut his ski pants and his leg with his newly sharpened skis. We joined Delta for their Team Mardi Gras dinner that evening. The Delta new members' initiation rites were "interesting," as was Father Mike's entertainment.

Day 7 - Four left to catch the early bus. Richard L whilst attempting to catch up, hurried out, without clipping up his boots and slipped on ice in the car park. Paul looked out of the bus and saw Richard lying comatose in the car park. Richard had a spiral fracture of the tibia - which looked very impressive on his X-rays - and was on crutches for the rest of the trip. Some people do take desperate measures to avoid racing, and ensure a Club seat on the way home.

BA had only 4 racers for the special slalom race, and 3 completed both courses, but way behind leaders. Paul crashed out on 2nd run. Howard chose not to race. Many racers seemed to be professional, and were to be seen sharpening edges and waxing skis at the top of the course. Racing was complete by two thirty, so we went skiing - amongst the trees. The evening entertainment was a Roaring Twenties fancy dress party with free beers, desserts, cheese and coffee. Most of the costumes were very professional, with loads of flappers and gangsters, and the odd early aviator, and baseball player. Disappointingly, none of our tickets won anything in the raffle.

Day 8 was giant slalom race day. It was very pleasant standing in sun waiting to race. Free skiing would have been better, but at least the weather was kind for hanging around. All four BA racers completed both runs. The racecourse was at least twice as long as the Ellmau course, with an "interesting" transition section. The race finished quite early in the afternoon, allowing us to get quite a lot of skiing afterwards. We attended the prize-giving party in the evening: many prize-winners didn't.

Unfortunately Day 9 was our last skiing day. Weather deteriorated rapidly in the afternoon, after a beautiful morning. 2 on early bus - The Drunken Frenchman slope called me, as did some of the Challenger area black and double black diamonds. Rod wanted some photographs. We toured most of the Winter Park restaurants in the evening, trying to find one to please Richard G. He rejected the German one, then the Mexican one, and we eventually went back to the Untamed Café, where we'd been earlier in the week.

Day 10 - We struggled to pack luggage and the broken leg into the minibus. The return flight was tight, and we were still at check in (without seats) 20 mins before departure. We did eventually all get on, but it didn't look very hopeful for a long time. Miraculously, all our bags got on board too.

BOOTIFUL BOOTS

We have heard rumours that even some BA Skiers sling their skis and boots (often unpacked!) into loft or back of the garage at the end of the season.

The following article is reprinted with acknowledgement to the Ski Club of Great Britain and gives some salutary advice on the subject.

Taking care of your boots during the closed season is far more important than you may first realise. Here is some advice that will help both your wallet and your comfort come next season.

First things first:
Dry your boots thoroughly. This means taking out your liners and letting them dry. Do not place them on hot radiators, as most liners are constructed using thermo-mouldable materials that have already adapted to the shape of your feet. A hot radiator will ruin this. If you suffer from stinky feet or are just hygienically minded, give them a squirt of anti-bacterial spray (the kind of stuff that mothers use to wipe down a baby's changing mat).

Now the shell. Use warm soapy water to remove all the sweat and grime from inside the shell. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry - again keeping away from hot radiators.

Once both parts of the boot are dry re-insert the liner, positioning the tongue correctly (as if you were skiing). Close the buckles to the same ratchet position that you would ski in - this is important in maintaining the correct shape of the boot.

Place your boots into your ski boot bag (or other similar holdall) and store them in a place that is cool and dry. Do not force your socks into the liners and do not leave them in the loft if it receives direct sunlight to the roof. During the height of the summer the heat will distort the shell and liner. This will be exaggerated if the boots have been stored wet, unbuckled and crushed.

Finally, avoid direct sunlight. This breaks down the composition of the shell's PU plastic making them brittle. Remember that ski boots are the most important piece of ski kit you own.
So look after them!

CLASS DISTINCTION!

Readers will note in the 'From the Chairlift ' article and the Booking Forms the club uses that Members will be encouraged to 'self select' their ski groups for Club Weeks. The classifications are straightforward and broad viz, Beginner, Learner, Intermediate and Advanced. Depending on group numbers, arrangements may have to be made for Beginners/Learners to join the local Ski School Classes.

Close this Newsleter to choose another from the News Page.