COLD FACTS
JOURNAL OF THE ILLAWARRA ALPINE CLUB
VOLUME 42 JULY 2002 NUMBER 3
COLD FACTS
| PRESIDENT | Stephen Ainge |
| SECRETARY | Jenny Charker |
| TREASURER | Michael Di Leva |
| BOOKING OFFICER | Margaret Fletcher |
| EDITOR | Ian Stuart |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear All,
Welcome to our winter edition of Cold Facts. So far we have been blessed with a great season with excellent early falls, most lifts operating throughout the resort from early July and some superb snow outside of the resort for our cross-country skiers. 'The Link' and 'Interceptor' were in operation for the school holidays, which allowed 'ski in' and 'ski out' and negated the need for the shuttle and ski tube that we had come to accept as a standard arrangement for that time of year. Bookings understandably have been very good, although there are still some empty beds. These can be accessed on the website or by contacting Margaret Fletcher.
Our new manager John Pihlman and his trusty offside, Adrian have settled in well and are providing great meals and company. On behalf of everyone I thank them for the efforts they have made to maintain the standards that we have at Illawarra. As we get to know them we find that they have a few hidden talents. John is a qualified ski instructor and does part time work for the ski school and so is a definite starter for the Bowl. Adrian, when he is not nursing a bad thumb juggles bottles, mixes a handy cocktail and is developing his snowboarding skills for the Bowl.
We have been approached by a couple of members with respect to sale and purchase of second hand ski gear. The concept is good insofar that many of us have clothing and gear that for one reason or another is unlikely to see another season and yet may be of good use to another member. However in practice, setting up a ski clothing/gear pool and managing it is difficult. One recent suggestion to advertise items wanted or items for sale on the website has good merit for those with Internet access. People wishing to sell or buy gear can now do this by contacting Phil Warren on 0402 280227.
The lodge chimney is in need of repair and is the suspected cause of water leaks into the area around the entrance foyer. The simpler solution appears to be remove it altogether, however there is a strong argument against this on the grounds that it will damage the aesthetic appearance of the lodge. We will compare the costs of removing the chimney against repairing it and maintaining it in its current form with the work planned to be carried out over summer. If you have an opinion or can help on this matter, please contact the committee.
Thanks to those members who have already contacted the committee with ideas on improvements to our club and best wishes to all for the balance of the season.
Stephen Ainge
FROM THE CLUB CAPTAIN
Race Update - July 2002
The great "ULLR" did hear us and has certainly done the right thing for 2002. The snow has come early and great quality as all those who have visited our lodge this season would know. The management team are good with great meals from John and super "cocktails" from Adrian.
Down to business: - As many of you would know a lot has changed in the mountains this season regarding racing. Perisher/Blue have introduced a lot of red tape in the form of an "Organisers agreement" and "Waivers" that must be signed by all racers and volunteers and which must be lodged with The Race Department 7 working days before an event. All Organisers must carry $10,000,000 worth of Liability insurance.
All this has made it extremely difficult for the clubs to sort out and come up with the requirements that Perisher/Blue ask for. We are all working together and hope to solve the problems and run our races as usual.
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The July holidays have come and gone with training for any IAC juniors in the lodge for the first week and our Advanced group going through their stuff with The Race Department during the second week. Our two coaches were Crystal and Narvena. August training will be cut slightly with only one group. Our new coach will be Heidi Ainge. Well done Heidi. You have done the full circle.
Anybody that wants to race this season and has not filled in a waiver for EACH event please contact me ASAP!! - NO WAIVER. NO RACE.
The last Saturday of the July Holidays saw the running of "The Perisher/Blue 2002 Mars Children's Cup". A number of our juniors competed in this event being :-
Gavan Fletcher, Tim Ainge, Karina Brown and Lucy Ainge.
A wonderful experience, especially for Karina and Gavan. The other two "Pros" have done it before!! The two day race was Slalom / Saturday and Giant Slalom / Sunday. The results for our juniors were :-
Slalom Lucy Ainge (Female U14) 2nd
Gavan Fletcher (Male / Open - 15 / 19yrs 6th
Tim Ainge (Male / Open - 15 / 19yrs 3rd
Karina Brown "BOMB JOB"
Giant Slalom Lucy Ainge (Female U14) 1st
Karina Brown (Female / Open - 15 / 19yrs) 5th
Tim Ainge (Male / Open - 15 / 19 yrs) 6th
Gavan Fletcher "BOMB JOB"
"WELL DONE, GUYS"
Don't forget: Interclub Race 17th August,
Club champs 24th August,
Smiggins Bowl 7th September,
Junior Interclub 14th September.
Tim Lee
FROM THE BOOKING OFFICER
On the first weekend in June many of the young-at-heart celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of our lodge at Smiggins. So many in fact, that the overflow stayed at Snow Country. Our Roy, 80 years young in July, trained it down from Ballina; he was one who had not seen the recent extensions and bathroom renovations. Dibbo was most impressed (with the extensions !). Cannot mention everyone, but I must comment on the Koshemakin/Enever/Ploss group. They all wore specially-made ruby (40th) satin outfits. Well done. Past Limbo champions found it a little more difficult to get under the bar, although some ended up there anyway ! Present were all the current Life Members. See the Web site for photos.
The vacancies page is working well, with members taking advantage of sudden cancellations. 18% of bookings have been by email or the web page. Over 3100 beds booked so far this winter, and that's a record for the Club. With great food and all that beautiful snow…..paradise !! There are still vacant beds in August and September, so, if you can, check the vacancies on the web, and get those bookings in soon.
RATES FOR 2002 PER PERSON PER NIGHT 2 PM - 2 PM
WINTER SEASON - OPENING - Friday June 7 CLOSING - Monday October 7
ALL RATES INCLUSIVE OF GST
| DATE | RATE $ |
Member Adult |
Member Child |
Guest Adult |
Guest Child |
| Sun July 21 Sat Sept 7 |
Peak Rate 3 |
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| Sun Sept 8 Sat Sept 21 |
Shoulder Rate 2 |
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| Sun Sept 22 Mon Oct 7 | Special Rate 1 |
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| * REMEMBER: No food or linen supplied during Summer Rate periods | |||||
| Thu Oct 10 Sun Dec 31 |
Summer Rate * |
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# N.B. : All children 4 years and under (members and guests) will pay a special rate of $12 per night during winter.
: Children under 3 years will only be permitted in the designated
Toddlers' Week Sunday Sept 8 to Thursday Sept 12 inclusive
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2002 (all dates inclusive)
SPRING: NSW, ACT, SA Saturday 28 Sept to Sunday 13 Oct
QLD, VIC: Saturday 21 Sept to Sunday 6 Oct
Labour Day Holiday in NSW: Monday 7 October 2002
Margaret Fletcher
CLUB PROGRAMME FOR 2002
AUGUST
14 KAC Cross Country Classic
17 Snowy Mountains Classic
17 Senior Interclub race (Host club - IMBAC)
19 - 23 IAC Advance group training (selected juniors only)
24 IAC Senior / Junior Championships.
2 week break between Champs and Bowl.
SEPTEMBER
7 SMIGGINS BOWL/SHIELD - (Host club - Muniong)
8 - 12 Toddlers week (#2)
14 Junior Interclub race (Host club - IMBAC)
OCTOBER
7 Lodge closes for winter season (Labour Day long weekend)
10 Lodge opens for summer Bookings
26 IAC End of season Party & Presentation
SUPER HEROES & VILLAINS theme (see poster above)
INTERNET and WEB NEWS
Cold Facts - via Regular Mail or Web/Email?
Apologies for this repeat question. This year we have merged database lists (previously held by myself and the booking officer). Since then I have had some difficulty determining who would prefer to receive Cold Facts via e-mail notification. We are posting this edition of Cold Facts and to ensure a copy is available to all, we are reverting to the original method, that via regular post. If you have responded recently that you prefer an electronic version - thank you.
If you have decided that you would prefer an electronic version from now on, please let me know by e-mail (treasurer@iacski.com). Apologies for labouring this issue but it often takes some time to sort out. PLEASE RESPOND if you have access to the website and you no longer require a paper copy. We will not e-mail you a copy. You will simply be sent a note when the issue is available telling that it is available on the web site. Please consider that this method of keeping up with news at the club will save time, money and resources. Hope to hear from more of you soon.
Mike Di Leva
OTHER NEWS
N.P.W.S. NEWS
Just a quick byline from the SMH, spotted by Jonathan Mandl, on our poor mates in NPWS who seem to not be able to get enough cash out of us all. We extend our sympathy...
Balance of nature (27/06/02)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has had all 300 of its government credit cards confiscated for incurring $663.64 in late fees to ANZ Bank.
The NSW Treasurer, Michael Egan, who presides over an annual Budget of $32 billion, took the drastic step of stopping the organisation's pocket money yesterday, six months after issuing a decree that no government agency was to be late in paying its bills. "I make no apologies for this action," he said sternly. "It is totally unacceptable for any government agency to run up late fees on these cards."
National Parks will be allowed to have its plastic back after three months.
NEWS FROM PERISHER BLUE - (from their web site)
Have-a-Go Pass
http://www.perisherblue.com.au/winter/info/new_improved2002.html
A lot of people consider a first time attempt at skiing or snowboarding then decide it all seems too hard to organise things like hiring gear, getting lessons, learning how to ride lifts. Plus, of course, you have to pay for something you're not sure you will like, or actually be able to do.
If that sounds like you, or one of your friends, the Have-A-Go pass is the answer. This special introductory ski or snowboard package gives you an all day Mountain Pass, valid for several* lifts at Smiggins or Blue Cow accessing some of Perisher Blue's more moderate terrain, and a two hour lesson. Plus you get 50% off ski or snowboard gear hire for the day. That adds up to the best value intro to skiing or boarding around, so don't die wondering why all those people on the slopes are having so much fun — have a go yourself this winter and find out how easy it is to join them.
$59 ADULT, YOUTH or CHILD.
$69 INCLUDING SKITUBE EX BULLOCKS.
* The Have-A-Go Pass is valid for the following lifts — Blue Cow: Early Starter double chair and Rope Tows. Smiggin Holes: Captain Cook, Scott J-Bars and Rope Tows.
PLUS 50% OFF HIRE:
Get Skis, Stocks & Boots @ $27.50 per Adult & $17.50 per Child, or Snowboard & boots @$32 per Adult & $25 per Child.
Have-A-Go Passes and hire are available at Smiggins or Bullocks Flat only.
Perisher Blue Ski Resort
Ski Slope Plan ('SSP')
Http://www.perisherblue.com.au/winter/ssp/index.html
The Perisher Blue Ski Resort Ski Slope Plan ('SSP') outlines the intentions of Perisher Blue Pty. Limited ('Perisher Blue'), which is responsible for the operation of alpine skiing at Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega, with respect to the provision and management of facilities on the ski slopes of these resorts for the foreseeable future (10 to 15 years).
The application of the SSP starts from the point at which alpine skiers leave their mode of transport or accommodation in the resort centres and enter the ski slopes for a days skiing. It addresses the provision of ski lifts and trails, buildings on the slopes (e.g. mountain restaurants, toilets) slope grooming operations including snowmaking and supporting infrastructure such as power, communications and hydraulic services. It also addresses the environmental management of the ski slopes, having regard to both winter and summer periods.
The development and management of the ski slopes are interdependent with that which occurs in the resort base areas, ensuring that access, accommodation and services complement skier numbers. It is necessary also to take account of the significant number of winter visitors who do not participate in alpine skiing but who utilise the resort base area facilities as well as, generally, the lower parts of the slopes.
The planning of accommodation, access, community service infrastructure and cross-country skiing facilities do not fall within the scope of the SSP. These are being addressed in other complementary plans being prepared by or for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and will appear on the Internet site in the future.
The development of the SSP, has been driven by five main goals which reflect both operational goals and environmental considerations, these are:
Each of these goals are covered in the comprehensive three volume set that makes up the SSP, of which Part B (being a summery "summary" of the SSP) and associated maps are available for download from the site (see URL at top of item).
Perisher Blue is sure that the Award Winning SSP will provide our guests with the latest in international class facilities and services and will lead the way in future ski and alpine resort development in Australia. We hope by reading the SSP, you will be able to share the vision.