On the field

Despite being the beginning of spring we had the best snow of the season this week. Fortunately no avalanches at all were triggered by the earthquake and we heard whoops of joy from the day lodge deck as clubbies swooped down middle basin in the soft squeaky snow.

In Koroheke

This week the lodge had a more subdued crowd and the bar actually closed before 10pm (unheard of). Undeterred by the earthquake, several members escaped from the carnage to ski and take advantage of our hot showers and electricity. ‘What earthquake’ said some (Sophie) who slept through the mild tremors felt on the hill.

Head up this coming weekend for women’s pamper package and Acoustic Solution will entertain us in the bar – bring a $5 note for cover charge plus don your dancing shoes!

Two weeks till Hot Dog day (18^th Sept) – come up and try out for a prize in individual and team events for best hot dog run and best nude runs. Chill in the bar after with DJ entertainment.

Still plenty of accommodation for the school hols.

On the field

Club Champs went well – the snow fell around competitors with great Slalom and GS courses followed by big air comp. Older FEMALE members wowed the youngsters by landing big jumps (go Julie Morris and Sue McLeod). For a full report see this months towline. Thanks and goodbye to Owen Braddock for helping out and welcome to Ben our new volunteer fresh from Rainbow skifield . Congratulations to Matt Cotterrell and Jack Morrison who passed their level one instructors under the tuition of our Sophie. Snow is accumulating again should be good skiing this week.

In Koroheke

Overflowing lodge for the party with food, colours galore and dancing, plus the odd drink or two! For pictures and report see this months towline. Ski lessons were cancelled due to the inclement weather…..yeah right. The snow is falling as the week commences – looking forward to lodge entertainment over the next few weeks with womens pamper and Acoustic Solution in the bar w/e 11/12 Sept.

On the field

Warm sunny days but still good snow as we head into club champs week. Sophie spotted eyeing up the GS course while Kevin and the boys dug the jump (and some folk already practising big air!). Thanks to Owen Braddock for stepping up to fill Erin’s shoes as volunteer for a couple of weeks. The Chill K2 big mountain event began on a warm sunny Wednesday – with over 50 competitors getting some great lines thru the chutes (including our Tom). Watch TV1 and TV3 news on Monday 30th for likely screening of event.

In Koroheke

Food planning for Club Champs and more yummy meals from Lucie. A good buzz in the lodge this week. New paper towel dispensers in the toilets – “just as we had all learned how to load the towel rolls properly”

On the field

Variable conditions this week with no two days the same. At the beginning of the week knee deep snow for the Powder Hounds, then some closures due to rain, then warm spring-like conditions. Plenty of turns still to be had as we move into the coming week.

In Koroheke

We said goodbye to Erin in style as he heads back to Canada. Old and new friends met for ski weeks (welcome back Al, Dinah and the boys) – the buzz is how great it is to catch up each year with like minded folk. Some sneaky bottom bunk grabbing behaviour from some (nothing like an advance attack the day before your party is due to arrive to ensure your possy!). Last minute frenzied costume planning for club champs in evidence.

ON SATURDAY – Ski/arrive as you wish, if weather poor or field closed just meet at 3 in Koroheke

Optional Extra – ten minute Sports massage 3 till 4 pm book at ticket office (limited slots available both days) – $8

3pm – Meet at the Pamper Snow Bar outside Koroheke (weather permitting) for nibbles and free pamper cocktail (choice of Brandy Alexander, Strawberry Daquiri or Manhattan – or non alcoholic version) and view exclusive brand clothing FLYLOW (http://www.flylowgear.com) and purchase/order (cash only sorry)

4pm ish – Après ski belly dancing class in the dining room

6.30pm – Tea in Lodge as usual

8pm till late Cover charge is waived for live band ‘acoustic solution’ in the bar

ON SUNDAY

Early – Pilates class in the bar – time to be confirmed – please let us know the areas you would like to work on before hand

PM – Ski Tuning/Repair Workshop from field staff – time to be confirmed

More optional sports massage times from 3pm

On the field

What can we say! Well over 40cm over 24 hrs and its still snowing. Falling asleep to heavy snow, no wind, waking on Sunday morning to the sound of bombs, and skiing by 10am in POWDER – the field staff worked hard to give us an amazing beginning to the week (Apart form Amanda who manned the ticket office with gritted teeth!). Come on up this week – only bottom two tows were open today so there is a whole mountain out there to be had. Best skiing of the season!! Kevin and Ewoi had their first boys night out in the day lodge on Saturday. Welcome to Aaron – our new staff member for the day lodge, Logan finally got to see the weather! Oh and Soph had a day off!

In Koroheke

It’s the busy season, and Tom has a great range of ‘Chuters’ now in the bar – all personally sampled by him. He is trying for a record time to make all of them at once. Lucie is still cooking up a treat in the kitchen and sadly Erin leaves next Sunday to go back to varsity – he will be missed by all of us.
Three weeks to club champs party!
Girls pamper weekend – 11/12 Sept with acoustic solution on the Saturday in the bar, info will be posted up on web this week

Click here for registration and payment options with Chill

On the field

First closures but BEST snow!
Comments from the Freeride Programme Guys – are how awesome Sophie is and how she builds on skill acquisition and tailors their individual needs. Jack, Mark and Robbie tell me they are all loving it!
See the notice on website for this weekends up and coming Femmes Clinic (7/8 Aug)

In Koroheke

What a brilliant night on Saturday 31st and what a treat to be entertained by ‘Acoustic Solution’ in the bar. All the lodge guests were there and some even cut some groove moves! These guys really rock and loved meeting us all PLUS we are lucky they will be returning on Sat 11th Sept. Talk to staff and anyone who was there and book in that weekend to secure your bunk – we expect a packed lodge!
Its now countdown to Club champs so sort out your colours for the Rubik’s cube party and entertainment from ‘Shiver’ on 28th August. Rumour has it some folk are practising their jumps.
Watch this space for more band news – ‘Duchess Swift’ jazz/blues covers originals in September.
Girls come up on w/e 11 Sept for a pamper weekend – massage, pilates, belly dancing and treats (plus ski of course) – more in next blog.

Schedule

Saturday – 10am at the daylodge

A day to fine tune your technique

• Personal improvement clinic with your own goals as the focus. Learn to cruise gracefully or charge like the boys!
• Includes video analysis.
• End of day Apres wine and cheese in the Koroheke bar.

Sunday – 10am at the daylodge

Skiing the ‘Big Mountain.

• Tactics to deal with different off piste conditions.
• Skiing the steeps! (Optional)
• Intro to avalanche safety. How to use tranciever, probe, shovel. Safe ways to travel in the backcountry.

$125 for the clinic ($65) per day. Email ski@craigieburn.co.nz for reservation. Usual lift ticket and accommodation rates apply.

On the field

Am writing this for Sophie – she will update next week.
The week began with good tracks off Ham Peak and Middle Basin after the snow last week then more snow on Monday night which improved our base cover. The Junior Freeride programme is well underway – we anticipate a comment in the blog from a participant next week.

In Koroheke

Welcome back to Juerg and Marcita for 2 months.
Lucie has stepped up with some amazing meals after we lost our chef – thanks for the Czech touch and the baking……….long may it last.
Remember this weekends entertainment in the bar after dinner on Saturday night (31 Jul) with ‘Acoustic Solution’ (from the snowball) who will play a range of great covers including NZ classics from Dave Dobbyn, Exponents etc – there will be a small cover charge in the bar to recoup some of the cost of the band. There is still room to stay, eat and groove (OFF PEAK RATES) so get in quick. Next band is ‘Shiver’ at club champs on 28th August for party dancing.

On the field

Our ski weekers have enjoyed a classic ‘mixed bag’ of weather and snow conditions this week starting with beautiful days before Tuesday night’s snowfall. With just a few in the lodge there’s been freshies for everyone all day long, and more is expected.

The mountain’s looking much fresher after our top ups, try to remember where the big rocks were before the storm! This coming weekend is the OFF PISTE clinic (see Off Piste Blog), FEMMES CLINIC weekend is now postponed to 7/8 Aug.

In Koroheke

After the mayhem of last week it was quieter this weekend but there was still fun to be had. Movie night on Saturday was akin to paying to go to the cloisters at the arts centre (we have a huge library to suit all tastes). Girls outnumbered the boys on and off field (about time). Nick learnt something but I am not allowed to say what. Logan’s catch phrase = FUNKY.
Entertainment in the bar on Saturday night 31 Jul c/o Acoustic Solution (from the snowball) so book yr accommodation for a fun night – remember still off peak rates so good value.

On the Field

It’s been a busy start to the week with kids running loose all over the mountain. Watch out for the booters they’ve been building unless you like getting launched half way through your run!

There’s still plenty of fun to be had before the end of the holidays come on up and check it out.

In Koroheke

The lodges were packed for the beginning of week 2, only one spare room for those who needed to escape from snores! Old and new friends met and welcomed first time rope tow users without incident. The teenage members outnumbered the adults four to one and took over the bar for a movie, unaware of the plotting adults downstairs who organised games night. Curtains upstairs and ceiling fan have created a very warm atmosphere in the lodge. New staff members have been demonstrating their extra talents in Baking (Lucie), Poker (Doug) and Art (Tom), and Kevin even allowed his beanie to be washed.

Look out for the weekly blog which will be sent out each week and will summarise the past weeks events and news, plus wet your appetite for the following week. We welcome any fun photos or info from the week from you to include in the blog – see Sophie up the mountain or Club Captain Sue Mcleod  if she is up there or send to events@craigieburn.co.nz

Staff Introduction for CVSC

Amanda Barg – Ticket Office

This is my first season at Craigieburn Ski Area and my first time in New Zealand .  I am from Seattle , Washington in the United States .  My university education background is in Biology and Chemistry and I worked at the University of Washington in Seattle as a researcher until last March.  I have worked in customer service in ski industry in Seattle for a retail shop called evo, as well as been a beginning ski instructor for children at Snoqualmie Pass.  I look forward to a great season and getting to know all the club members!

Kevin Thomas- Field Staff

Hello everyone, yes I have returned and yes I still like long walks in the forest or on the beach.  I had a great summer frolicking around New Zealand a few tramps here and there good surf and awesome pies.  I reckon JB’s in Bulls has the best kebabs in the country.  Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Logan Cookler – Snow Safety

After only a few days here in the valley I must say that I have fallen in love with your ski area.  I am originally from Colorado , but have lived and worked in the mountains of Utah for the last 6 years.  My background includes mountain guiding, river guiding, and avalanche forecasting.  It was great meeting some of you at the snow safety weekend, and I am excited about the winter and looking forward to some great skiing with you all.

Lucie Bernardova – Day Lodge

I am originally from Czech Republic ; however I have been living in a variety of countries for last 12 years. I love New Zealand and Craigieburn; whereby Craigieburn and its character remind me on my childhood. Due to many interests, I have studied 3 different studies – agriculture, police academy and tourism and lately worked as an environmental educator. Learning about different cultures, photography, outdoor sport activities, animals and sustainability count between my hobbies. I can’t wait to meet you all up in the day lodge.

Tom Horne – Bar Man / Ski Instructor

Hi Guys, I’m your Bar Man for the season, so I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot of you all this season, especially with the renovations to make it nice and toasty up there.

I’m originally from Cornwall England , but have spent the last 6 years hoping over to Canada working as a Ski Instructor with the likes of Sophie, Colleen, Jen, Krissi and Caroline(my predecessor). It’s great to be back up here at Craigieburn after a 6 year absence (last time I was here training with Sophie) and I look forward to a great season and lots of fun times.

Sophie Norton – Ski Instructor

Hi everyone I’m back again, and as ever will be running our ski week lessons, kids programs, etc… Sadly with Caroline’s departure music lesson will be on hold for the season. Look forward to seeing everyone up here.

Iwao Yokoyama – Field Staff

Konichiwa everyone! This is my 3^rdseason. I hope Craigieburn gets lots of snow for my pretty shovel. See you soon.

Erin Crockett – Assistant

Growing up in Newfoundland , Canada , I first learned to ski on an old rickety rope two.  I have been living and skiing in Canada ’s west coast for the last several years, but have been hanging out at the University of Otago in Dunedin for the last few months on a university exchange. As a first-timer this season at Craigieburn, I am looking forward seeing what the season brings, the deep powder, and cheerful company. See you on the mountain!

Douglas Coffen – Cookie 

I was born and raised in Adelaide and learnt to ski at Mt Hotham on the “Big Island.” and currently vacationing from the North Island ’s Mt. Ruapehu , Whakapapa Ski Field.

 I look forward to mastering the rope tows and experiencing your world famous South Island “cold smoke”.  How nice not to hit a black volcanic rock, or hear a Lahar siren, I love all the trees you have planted. and my new pet I have called Kea.  She likes my food too! 

On the Field:

 
It’s been a solid opening week in the valley with some good skiing on upper mountain and beautifull weather on the day lodge deck. The pre season crust is chopped up and good to go, and our clubbies and guests have been getting great turns off of Ham Peak. Come on up amd say hi to the 2010 team.

In Koroheke:

Bring a guitar, chill, or groove to the music – new setlist courtesy of our new bar manager Tom (he’s the dark one with the funky T-shirt). Also checkout the new big flatscreen TV and soundsystem which will be playing snow movies and music DVDs plus shots of the day from up the hill – our roving camera will be catching your best lines, jumps or comedy rope tow behaviour. Future bar entertainment: bands booked for 31 jul, 28^th Aug (club champs), 11 Sept, with more to come. Watch this space for weekday quiz nights from the end of CV3.

Yeah sure it’s early season conditions but hey we had some damn fine skiing on Hamilton Face and the Middle Basin Chutes today. The fine nights have really improved the conditions on the hill. There are plenty of good turns to be had. Check out the new photos from Hamilton Face this afternoon!

A sobering video of a man caught and buried in an avalanche was then shown, giving us a real-life reminder of why avalanches are best avoided! The afternoon was spent on the mountain practicing transceiver searches and search strategies. Everyone was catered for, from those who had no experience of transceivers to those wanting to learn more about multiple burials. The bar was warmed up for the 2010 season that evening and everyone was well feed. After information on terrain traps and travel, the rest of Sunday was spent on the mountain practicing safe snow travel, probe line searches and going through the emergence rescue kits at the Club and how to respond in emergence situations. The weekend has something for everyone and is worth inking in your diary for 2011.

A big thanks to Tony for organising and coordinating the weekend and to CVSC for making it possible.

Accommodation for the School holidays and peak season in August is just about full. If you are planning a trip to Craigieburn this season now is the time to secure and pay for your booking before space runs out. This season we have special off-peak rates available from $50 per night for a non-member Adult. This includes three-course meal and breakfast in our slopeside accommodation. Ski holidays just dont come any cheaper!

Get in quick before we are all booked up! www.craigieburn.co.nz/accommodation/book

Well here we are just about to launch into another damn fine looking winter. Things are already looking fantastic on the hill with some great early season storms. Just before we crank up it is time again to get your avalanche kit out of the cupboard and come on up the hill for the annual Snow Safety Weekend. If you ski outside the boundary (eg Castle, North Middle) then how about you come on up and brush up on your transciever search technique and other really important self rescue skills like probing and shoveling (yep there is a right way to shovel a heap of snow in a hurry). While you are at it how about convince your skiing mates to come up and get their skills up to speed to as they are the ones you will be relying on to dig you out if you happen to get your self buried in an avalanche. There is no avalanche control past the boundary. When you head out there you need some basic skills to determine if its safe. You also need to have the gear to keep you safe if it all goes pear shaped! Most importantly and most often neglected is developing your avalanche rescue skills to the point where you can rescue your mates in a hurry when they most need it. The time to figure out how to use your transceiver efficiently is not when you are trying to find where your mate is buried. Becoming efficient at avalanche transceiver searching takes ongoing practice.

This year we hope to target learning activities differing skill levels. We hope to be able to split up and provide some terrain travel avalanche awareness skills to the more advance folk and while those just starting out can focus on transceiver and probing skills as well as some!basics on avalanche awareness. What we can do will depend entirely on the weather and avalanche conditions on each day. Provisional Programme (dependant on weather, snow and avalanche conditions)

Saturday 26th June

• 9am The Avalanche Rescue Plan and avalanche rescue techniques.
• 11am Transceiver practice for all based in the carpark for a starter.
• 12 noon Lunch.
• 12:30pm Up the hill for transceiver and probe searching practice. For those already proficient in single beacon search we will stretch your skills with multiple beacon searches. We will also get out the avalanche rescue gear on the hill so you know were it is and how to use it.
• 2:30pm Avalanche rescue scenario. 5pm Debrief & MSC Avalanche Safety Video. Saturday Night – meet and greet the staff who will have all turned up for the start of training and set up week. Lets have a few quiets and get the bar warmed up for the season!

Sunday 27th June

More detail on aspects of avalanche awareness not already covered. Back up day for avalanche rescue scenario if weather no good on Saturday. 

·If conditions allow we will head back up the hill to continue working on avalanche awareness skills As our snow safety programme wont have started we need to be cautious in what we do and where we go so if you want to come up onto the field then as a minimum you will need an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. If you don’t have this gear try and borrow it from someone who does. It wont the the end of the world if you don’t have it all. So long as you have a beacon with you we will have plenty of activities around the base area to make it well worth your while.

Booking Details

We are offering this weekend as a pre-season refresher session for members only. If you are not a member and wish to learn more about avalanche safety the Mountain Safety Council offer courses from indroductory to advanced level visit the Mountain Safety Council website for more information.

Masquerade Snowball Fundraiser!

Saturday 12 June 2010 – 7.30pm till 1am
Mt Pleasant Yacht Club, Mt Pleasant

Come and support the club in your best Snowball Glad Rags!

Masks essential (no paper bags), Spot Prizes, Raffle, and Auction – include ski field vouchers, clothes, ski equipment and we crown best Snow Themed Masquerade outfit (Snow King and Snow Queen)

Throw some wild moves to the Live Band

First Drink Free then Discounted Cash Bar – nibbles provided

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 on door.

To purchase tickets in advance please pay via internet banking to CVSC 01-0825-0099826-00 with your NAME and SNOWBALL as a reference. Your name will be on a list at the door.

Joining a ski club does not mean you have to have any particular experience, skills or ability,  just an enthusiasm for the sport and a willingness to make a contribution. You will gain an appreciation of what goes on behind the scenes, an affiliation with like minded enthusiasts and take a far smaller hit in the pocket than you get from the big commercial fields. At Craigieburn you can take advantage of the Club Snow Safety Weekends at the beginning of every season, a chance to learn and develop your avalanche awareness  and safety skills. As a family your kids will get to participate in Grom’s weeks during the school holidays and make lifelong friends in safe and friendly surroundings.

By joining Craigieburn you becoming part-owner of  a legendary ski field, and have access to hugly discounted ski and accommodation rates. A season pass for instance is only $275! Slopeside accommodation (including dinner and breakfast) can be had for as little as $30 a night! Becoming a member also gets you discounted skiing and accommodation at other club fields.

If you would like to know more, see the information on joining the club, or member prices.

Cheers, and see you this season!

Check out the pages on accommodation and package prices for more information.

We will start taking bookings in the next few weeks and expect lodge space to be in hot demand over this period. Please keep this in mind when booking your holiday and get in early to avoid disappointment.

Additional offers for multiday ski passes will become available over the next month or two, so keep checking back.

See you on the hill in 2010!

March 6-7
March 13-14
April 2,3,4,5 Easter
April 10-11

Book in by email staff@craigieburn.co.nz by Wednesday evening prior to work party. Numbers are limited to 20 people per day max.

• On your email please include name, contact phone numbers, home and cell if possible
• 9am start in carpark
• Bring food for the day.
• Dress for outside work, garden gloves useful. If you have a shovel, loppers, pruning saw etc, bring them with you.
• Other specialised equipment will be asked for as required.
• First timers, bring food for dinner and breakfast (BBQ available) sleeping bag, towel etc for overnight.
• Workparties are weather dependent – please stay in contact if the weather is looking dicey.

Other days may be available by contacting Nick directly, although not in large numbers. Please make yourself available for one of these dates to avoid disappointment.

Craigieburn historic footage. 1 – Introduction from Craigieburn on Vimeo.

Craigieburn historic footage. 2 – The rope tow from Craigieburn on Vimeo.

Craigieburn historic footage. 3 – Weekends at Craigieburn from Craigieburn on Vimeo.

Craigieburn historic footage. 4 – Equipment from Craigieburn on Vimeo.

Craigieburn historic footage. 5 – Work parties from Craigieburn on Vimeo.

Craigieburn historic footage. 6 – Club trip to Coronet Peak from Craigieburn on Vimeo.

Worldwide Honour Names Craigieburn Alongside Jamaica, Finland Among Favourite “Clean Breaks”

Everyone who lives in the South Island knows it’s the best place in the world to unwind. But it’s always nice when the world takes notice.

The UK’s TIMES ONLINE has listed Canterbury’s Craigieburn ski field among its favourite “10 trips to break clean from daily life.”

The Times team spent 10 years researching the “clean break” they were seeking, from the Pyrenees to the Kalahari. They call it a “journey into the heart of a destination and its culture, when you do something different, stay in family‐run hotels, visit local festivals and hire local guides.”

“To think that one of the world’s top green, clean and favourite destinations is a simple hour’s drive from Christchurch . . . we know we are lucky, but do we realise our backyard is among the absolute best in the world?” asks Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism CEO Christine Prince.

Alongside swimming Finland’s lakes and bog‐walking Estonia, “Ski the resort‐free Craigieburn” brings New Zealand to the top of the Times’ list.

“And they say that your skiing will improve immeasurably – on this kind of testing off‐piste terrain it has to,” writes the Times.

Craigieburn is a 988‐acre ski area featuring a spectacular collection of generous powder bowls, steep, skinny chutes and a popular vertical plunge of 1,968 feet. It is part of a network of 13 ski fields located in a single region – Canterbury – known for dramatic vistas of the Southern Alps, lush green plains and cheeky alpine parrots.

The Canterbury region encompasses the heart of the South Island, with Craigieburn itself only one hour’s drive from Christchurch International Airport.

Craigieburn is one of 16 ski areas in the Canterbury region; “A world‐class prescription for clean, green and good‐for‐you couldn’t be closer to home!”

To read the Times Online article, click here.

CV Big Mountain Programme 2010

* Start date 10th/11th July (Saturday or Sunday) through to 28th/29th August.
* 5 sessions for $250
* Sessions run for 3 hours
* Must have some rope tow experience
* Separate intermediate and advanced groups (maximum of 6 per group)
 
Kids can come along for a taster during the school holiday week prior to the start of programme. We recomend this for anyone new to using nut cracker rope tows so you can learn before starting lessons.
Programme Outline
This is an ongoing coaching programme designed to improve the participants fundamental skiing skills. They will be introduced to a wide range of snow conditions and types of terrain and will work on tactics to deal with different skiing situations. We will also look at line selection in big mountain terrain and how we can use natural features to make the skiing as exciting as possible.

Alongside this we will educate our skiers in the use of avalanche equipment and safe methods to ski the type of terrain we are in. There may be some hiking involved however we will be within the ski area boundary at all times.

For further information, or to register interest in attending these sessions, please email ski@craigieburn.co.nz. Numbers are limited and priority will be given to members first, then to non members on a first come first serve basis.

Individual  Sessions – Intro  to Craigieburn

The intro to Craigieburn lesson is for people new to club field skiing and rope tow use. Come along for a couple of hours at the start of your day and you’ll learn the skills needed to cope in the current off piste conditions, learn where to go on the mountain, and have professional assistance in using our lifts.

• Sign up at the ticket office.  First come first serve unless booked in advance.
• 10am to 12am Saturday/Sunday.
• $40 per person
• Maximum of 6 per group.
• First come first serve unless booked in advance

These ski sessions are designed to give kids the technical skills needed to cope in off piste conditions. However the emphasis will be on introducing them safely to the thrill of free skiing in a big mountain environment.

Programme outline

Meet at Daylodge 10am through to 12am. Skiers should be able to ride blue runs comfortably, rope tow experience is recommended but help will be provided for less experienced users.

With opening day experiencing powder galore and the forecast for more snow we couldn’t ask for a better start to Grom’s Week.  A total of 20 kids of varying abilities made the pilgrimage to CV with the hope of improving their skiing through our Canadian international ski instructor Sophie guidance, making friends and having fun in the snow.

Enjoy the pics everyone and see you on the 12th-13th September for the Junior Big Mt Comp. 
Next Grom’s week is 27th September

Many of you wear an avalanche transceiver when you ski and ride in the valley but:

Are you really confident that you can effectively search for a buried mate? Do you know the latest search techniques for single and multiple burials? Can you confidently find two buried transceivers in under 4 minutes? Do you know how to be part of, or supervise a probe line? What do you know about the Craigieburn Valley Ski Area Avalanche Rescue Plan? How old is your transceiver? They loose effectiveness with age.

These questions and many more will be answered if you turn up for the Avalanche Rescue Exercise on the 4th of July.

Wearing an avalanche beacon and carrying a shovel and probe does not necessarily make you safe. It is essential that you have the knowledge of how to use the gear. You also
need to regularly practise avalanche rescue techniques to ensure that if the worst happens you are able to be an effective part of an avalanche rescue effort.
Craigieburn is just about all avalanche terrain, all the more reason for you to improve your avalanche safety skills. It would be fantastic if we could have a high turnout of members to make the most of the weekend.

You don’t need to own an avalanche transceiver to participate. But if you do please bring it along (please make sure you have installed new batteries for the 2009 season) with your probe and shovel if you have them.

Program (Weather and avalanche conditions dependent)
Saturday 4th July
10.00am – The avalanche rescue plan and avalanche rescue techniques.
12 noon – lunch
12:30pm – up the hill for transceiver and probe searching practise
2:30pm – avalanche rescue scenario
5.00pm – debrief + MSC Avalanche Safety Video

Sunday 5th July
More transceiver searching practise. (you can never do enough of it!)
Back up day for avalanche rescue scenario if weather no good on Sat 4th.
If time allows we will run a basic session on safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain and general avalanche safety.

Everyone wishing to attend MUST email Nick staff@craigieburn.co.nz or leave a message 03 018 8711 by Wedensday evening.

Speakers:
Al Uren – Winter Mountaineering
Jeff Small – NZ Free Skier
Alpine Search Dogs
MSC alpine and avalanche safety information

Same deal as usual:
• 9am start in carpark
• Please leave a message for Nick by the Wednesday before the weekend. Phone
the field on (03) 318-8711 or email staff@craigieburn.co.nz

Please Bring:
• A packed lunch
• Something for dinner, breakfast & lunch next day.
• Sleeping bag.
• Work gloves &/or garden gloves

There is a great BBQ set up at Ngahere that is good for dinner items.

SPECIAL NOTE: Safety Equipment
Please come well prepared with appropriate personal safety equipment when you come up for a work party. You may be required to work around chainsaws, heavy equipment or other loud equipment.

We suggest you bring:
• Earmuffs
• Gloves
• Safety Glasses (sunglasses or approved safety glasses)
• Sun Protection

It is also a great idea to put a pair of loppers in the back of the car since pruning is a good fill in job.

Excessive snowfall on the days leading up to August 16th forced us to call in the helicopter to help with avi control work. The results were spectacular to say the least. Lodge guests were treated to a spectacle not often seen in this magnitude (from a safe disatance).

Meet 10am sharp in Koroheke
Cost: $40 Privileged Members / $60 Ordinary Members
Includes dinner, bed and breakfast.
BYO lunches and snacks
Please confirm your attendance by Weds 2nd July by emailing cvstaff@xtra.co.nz .
Come meet the staff, learn how to use your avalanche transceiver plus other useful and life saving information, and generally have a great weekend with other clubbies. Details for the weekend are below, care of Shannon Werner, our Snow Safety officer for this season.

Provisional Programme

Saturday 5th July
10am: The Avalanche Rescue Plan and avalanche rescue techniques.
12 noon: Lunch.
12:30pm: Up the hill for transceiver and probe searching practice.
2:30pm: Avalanche rescue scenario.
5pm: Debrief & MSC Avalanche Safety Video.

Sunday 6th July
• More transceiver searching practice.
• Back up day for avalanche rescue scenario if weather no good on sat 7th.
• If time allows I will run a basic session on travel in avalanche terrain and general avalanche safety.

We all have a responsibility to ensure our avalanche rescue capability is as effective and capable as possible so please do your best to
attend this weekend. It’s going to be loads of fun. Remember if you are unfortunate enough to be caught in an avalanche you will be relying on your fellow skiers and riders to rescue you. So it is in your interests to encourage as many other members as you can, to attend.