New name of the new season - Harwood has now gone the site was cleared in September. Although not the end but a new beginning as the tow, club hut etc were bought by Lowther Hills Ski Club and is being re-built in the Southern Uplands at Wanlockhead.
The volunteers who keep the clubs running have been busy with the usual round of repairs and maintenance. Everything from huts to pylons getting refurbished, restored and generally looked after.
Season tickets / memberships have now closed, check the websites / facebook pages for current day ticket information.
Last season marked 50years of Weardale Ski Club, at the anniversary dinner a short(ish) film of the club's early history was shown. Worth a watch as a record of one of the more obscure parts of the history of skiing.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
It's sleeting, with the odd large flake of snow down here in the old Solway plains micro climate, so, surely, it must be doing something nice up there?Bring it on.
Good direction for Weardale. Starting to fill in behind the fences.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Peter S, needs a fair bit more though doesn't it?? Perhaps a decent fall tonight??
After all it is free
After all it is free
Hope it's coming. Here's a pic from the lowly A69 this morning on our trip. Alas the journey back was a little greener (except for the flash of white from the transit that was coming towards us, attempting to overtake a line of about 20 vehicles, as we were approaching just as we hit the Cumbria border).
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Think I need a little practice on how to embed photos
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Weardale are talking about running tomorrow. Very cold tonight with a good forecast tomorrow, though the cover will be thin.
Beautiful day in the Yorkshire Dales today 1.5 inches of snow cover, blue skies and no sign of any melting
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Yad Moss confirmed opening
12th Dec 2014
It is intended to run the tow tomorrow, Saturday from around 10.30 a.m. Conditions look like being very thin and definitely not suitable for beginners, but may provide some amusement for enthusiasts who fancy a first slide of the season!
Snowline No. 01228 561634
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Good skiing today at yadmoss courtesy of piste prep yesterday. Snow overnight last night and heavy showers today greatly improved the conditions but really only one main run complete. More snow tonight and showers tommorrow which should be as good day. Staying cold next week.
Raise will have been the place today for deep snow skiing in England.
Currently sitting in Memmingen Airport departures after a powder-laden week in the Bregenzerwald area of Austria.
It was knee deep at Balderschwang, Bavaria on the way back to the airport yesterday - yet still (rather bizarrely I admit...) I can't help thinking it would have been nice to be skiing in the Pennines ....
I need help .
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Nothing worse than being in the Alps and missing out on the local skiing
.......well a few things perhaps....but that one is pretty bad
Big picture of the skiing yesterday at Yad Moss on page 4 of the Times today.
The tow will run next on Wednesday.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Day 5 at YM and all runs are skiable. Shame about the poor viz today and the Freezing south easterly wind. Perfect direction for the skiing however. 100 plus there today.
Brighter day in the North Pennines on Thursday, Yad Moss was closed but Weardale and Allenheads were running. The bulk of the fell had sheltered the runs at Weardale from the high winds giving a more even snow cover on the lower runs. The upper ones were a bit narrower but still skiable. If you wanted full on Combat skiing then the Far East run was the one to go for. Out in the Wild West at the head of the valley the piste basher had made things passable. Runs of F1 tow were in the best condition - wide machine packed, firm to icy in places but nothing that couldn't be avoided. Generally conditions for a cautious first run down anything new to suss it out then ski / board as you feel.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Great pics as always OAP.
We picked the wrong day to ski at YM on Wednesday !
Decision on whether to run tomorrow will be made on the website in the morning . The rain this afternoon has started as snow but will turn back to snow later tonight. Sunday and Monday will be mild but then possibly defaulting to cold again next week, though windy.
Fingers crossed.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Have to say, those pics are great - but I've been stuck at work all week with no escape . Planning on an early doors Yad Moss run tomorrow - with touring kit if the tow's not running....Fingers crossed that we can get a meaningful slide in after the thaw .
Update - Yad Moss - Sat 24 Jan 2015:
Windy and cold (0C at the car park). We skinned up before the lift started and didn't buy a ticket as we needed to get away early. Cover was still extensive after the thaw/rain yesterday but it was slick and re-frozen in places, with a dusting of fresh/windblown. Did two runs - good fun and worth the trip out .
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Back up to (closed) Yad Moss for more ski touring today:
- Cover much reduced since yesterday.
- Still decent depth/cover against the snow fences.
- Snow freshly pisted this am by Yad's highly enthusiastic piste basher driver.
- Lovely soft corduroy snow - nicer to ski than yesterday's re-frozen surface.
- Temp 4C at the car park.
- Fog.
- Light drizzle.
- Strong wind.
- Great fun again .
If the snow survives the next couple of days (there could be every chance with the pisting that's been done) next weekend could be a go-er if the wintry/snowy forecast materialises from midweek onwards .
Met a family of four who had driven 2 hrs from Morecambe for their first visit. They seemed to enjoy it after walking up. The 2 kids (a boarder and a skier) slid down from the top - with the parents seemingly regretting not lugging their skis up ....
Near the top:
Near the bottom:
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Pennines could be go this weekend - if the wind plays ball and the roads aren't blocked by drifts....
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Cracking day @ Weardale yesterday with OAP. My first ski in the Pennines and what a great little ski club Weardale is, with good infrastructure, interesting terrain and the hard core of volunteers who keep it going.
Few pix ...
Club hut
Mid station
Grooomer
Strip skiing
Day's end
Car park return
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Good skiing at Yad moss today though only 3 runs actually complete. Really nice though. Almost a shame to leave this pm for the Dolomites. Hope the skiing is as good as the Pennines
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:
Almost a shame to leave this pm for the Dolomites
Our first day of 2014-15 at Weardale - great: !! Cold, bluebird day with lovely packed powder. Runs narrow but great snow and a good time had by all. Staying cold all week too .
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Yadmoss webcam looks superb this morning........from alta basis in the dolomites😃
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Quote:
Yadmoss webcam looks superb this morning.....from alta basis in the dolomites
You really need to get out (on the piste) more Peter S!!
Yad also looks superb from my work PC - planning on getting away mid-afternoon tomorrow and ski touring for the last hour before dark . Warming up for the wekend (FL up to 1200m and rising) but hopefully still enough snow to run the Pennine tows. The forecast is bluebird and Weardale website is talking about a barbecue!
By the way, is Alta Basis anywhere near Alta Badia - I love predictive texans !
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Lifts off but a great day ski touring at Weardale yesterday - bluebird weather, mild, no wind and still possible to ski top to bottom. The snow softened from boiler plate to hardpack - and we even got a brilliant final descent on a fresh groomer as they were up pisting ready for today's skiing and barbecue .
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 12-10-15 20:37; edited 2 times in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Back up at Weardale yesterday for another bluebird day - both lifts open, nice soft snow, barbecue fired up, beers buried in the snow, music at the club hut.....who needs the Folie Douce? . The soft conditions were a big improvement on the previous day's boiler plate and there was some fun skiing to be had.
The main run off F1 Tow is still complete and it was possible to get down 2 or 3 routes off F2 with a bit of bare patch avoidance. Another good day out .
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Week late but a few pics from the Weardale BBQ
on Flickr
on Flickr
on Flickr
And a short trip upto the old Teesdale Ski Club site the same day.
Former Teesdale Ski Club site from the top of Fendrith Hill. Ironically the two sites that no longer operate had best snow holding so far this season. As was the case the last few as well.
Back to the 4th Feb at Weardale - Far Burn Line, good thing about the diversity of terrain at Weardale is there's nearly always something interesting that comes into condition. Couple of hundred meters link using a drainage ditch just added to the fun.
Where was the former Teesdale Ski Club oldagedpredator? Is it really visible from the top of the Weardale ski area? (Fendrith Hill). Or am I just reading your post wrongly?
Anyway, the snow is back in the Pennines . Not enough to run the tows but only about an inch needed for a spot of ski touring at Weardale today. Bitter cold, snowy and wind ridiculous at the summit - but some decent (if grassy in places) turns .
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@mountainaddict, it's above Langdon Beck off the road to St John's Chapel. The photo showing the site was taken from the trig point on Fendrith Hill. The hut is still there but it's rotting away. The tow used to run on the natural snow field on the N side of it. Remains of the tow are behind the hut and in a shake hole at the top. On the ground the line of the tow can still be made out - old pylon 'foundations' and lines of stone to catch the snow. There used to be snow fencing, I think it was each side of the tow line (same as Harwood) and one fenced run to the north of it. There was some fencing to the South of the tow but only short sections - some evidence of posts remains. I think the club finally wound up in 2000ish but I really didnt go much after the mid eighties. Most winters there's still signs that people come back to ski the snow field.
It had the longest walk in of the main Pennine clubs. Most people used to park at the second cattle grid, or on heavy snow days at Langdon Beck itself and walk in. I remember a couple who used to have parachutes and use them to pull them across the to the tow. Probably the same ones who are in the Weardale film. Mostly we used to park at the old truck bodies next to the stream and walk straight up the hill. Mainly because my dad liked the run down at the end of the day. The walk up was a bit of pain but descent was worth it. Much nicer than a pole / skate back across the plateau if the wind was against you. We used to walk in to Weardale from the truck bodies as well in the heavy snow years you couldn't get over into Weardale. No body told me as a six / seven year old I was doing back country!!!
The Teesale tow itself is maked as a ski hoist on the 1962 OS 1inch map for Teesdale. I think the club had tows in place in the 50's, the 1989 and 1995 Outdoor Leisure Map for the North Pennines (No31) shows the location of the tow and the fencing along with another disused tow a couple of hundred m's to the NW. I've not looked for that but have a vague memory of seeing some evidence in the 70s.
Thanks OAP! Much obliged! I initially thought I didn't know about that old ski club - but now have a vague recollection of looking for a ski tow (without success!) off the Langdon Beck to St JC road in about 1988! Must look it up and add it to our potential ski touring locations - especially if it's a good spot for snow retention. And it's 6 or 7 miles closer than Yad Moss for us.
Quote:
Mostly we used to park at the old truck bodies next to the stream and walk straight up the hill
Er, what truck bodies?....And what stream?
Do you have any thoughts on the feasibility (or otherwise) of Cross Fell ski touring/skiing? Just that it's high and north facing? We've been up that way a couple of times in summer - by bike via the nearby bothy. Can you drive up the road (snow permitting) to the nearby radar station?
Did you ever have a go at ski touring? (You were on about the possibility at one stage.)
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@mountainaddict, I mainly paddle about to get places rather than tour. Cross fell has looked quite wind scoured last time, not to much build up on the N face above Gregs Hut. Keep meaning to have a trip over. Probably walk up to the radar station and then over Great Dun Fell / Little Dun Fell to Cross Fell. PeterS has skied a bit a Great Dun Fell, including some lift served turns! The picture from Fendrith Hill is looking towards Great Dun Fell (top right corner). Keep meaning to go and look at the hushes on Great Dun Fell to see what the skiing / snow holding is like. It's probably more round on the Teeshead side given the weather at the moment. The new Yad Cam usually gives an idea of what snow on Cross Fell is doing. At the moment the wind just seems to be too strong to build up much cover.
Hushes are large man made gullies formed by open cast lead mining. Basically the miners found a lean vein close to the surface. Dammed up a load of water and then released it to wash away the surface layers of soil / loose rock. The name comes from the sound the water made going down the hill. The biggest / most visible one in Teesdale is Coldberry Gutter - it's the big notch out the hillside above Newbeggin you can see when you drive from High Force to Bowlees.
The whole Langdon Beck Valley offers some good beck / burn line skiing. The head of Ireshope Burn looked to have some good sized snow patches a couple of weeks back. There's usually skiing to be had somewhere on the run of hills between Yad Moss and Weardale Ski Club.
what chance of any lift assisted skiing this week at Yad??
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
From the web cams looks like snow building on the right hand sides of the fences as you look down the hill, very similar to the start of the last few weeks earlier in the season. I guess if the snow keeps accumulating the usual Yad piste magic could be worked later in the week to create a couple of lines. What the Pennines really needs is a nice slow moving frontal snow fall. Instead of the mostly sideways that's brought winter so far this year.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
How very tragic it is that the Harwood Ski Federation has ceased to exist. I had a whole shed full of fun there over the years and the dedicated members put in a great deal of work on the fell draining the pistes, fencing, cutting the grass etc etc. I was the Vice President for a lot of years until work took me away from home during the week and time was not available to attend board meetings. As I recall the Federation was; Glaxo Ski Club, Swaledale Outdoor Ski Club, and the Harwood Ski Club. What happened to cause the closure? It's a bit sad to me.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
....
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. Planning on an early doors Yad Moss run tomorrow - with touring kit if the tow's not running....Fingers crossed that we can get a meaningful slide in after the thaw 
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- planning on getting away mid-afternoon tomorrow and ski touring for the last hour before dark 
- I love predictive texans 
!
