Author: Tyneside Loipers

Jon Mellor and Alan Mitcham managed some great skiing on Monday 29th November. Storm Arwen brought damaging winds to the northeast and also persistent heavy snow. Tan Hill hit the news when 50 people were trapped in England's highest pub. Not far away, the Durham Dales, above Weardale, were getting the benefit of the same snow. Conditions on Bolt's Law were as good as they ever get in November. The strong winds had blown lots of snow into the tracks and hollows, so we had mostly continuous good snow without having to flounder in the heather. Jon was out on his skis the previous day. First Loiper out skiing in the Pennines this winter (beating usual suspects John Dark and Tim Elliott)! He proposed an early start from near Stanhope…

After the void left by the Covid restrictions of last year, we now have no less than 3 club trips to Norway over the winter and early Spring (dates are on the Events Page). The first is a trip in late February to Hovringen followed by an optional week of hut touring in the Rondane. Then in subsequent weeks we will be back at Dalseter, as part of the popular GB Nordic Season run by John Mordue, and then at Venabu. Those two weeks can easily be combined by taking the bus from Dalseter to Vinstra and the hotel transfer to Venabu. Neil Waters already has a small group lined up for the trip to Hovringen, including Paramjeet and Peter and Alison. They are teaming up with Dan Morgan of…

Mike Hall showing off the club T-shirt at the Scottish Rollerski Championships. The T-shirts are organic cotton and come in French Navy with the club logo in white on the front and club name in white on the back.  The garment is of very good quality.  Mens and ladies sizes are available from XS to XL.  Price per item is £15. The gilets are a nice sporty design, available in black with the same white logo on the front and club name on the back.  Warm but with a ventilated mesh back, they are perfect for skiing on those days when you don’t need a full windproof jacket and need to shed a few layers. Perfect for walking or biking too.  Mens and ladies sizes from XS to XL.  Price…

Seven Loipers cycled the 26 mile circuit of Kielder Water on 24th April with fabulous weather and great views across the lake. And finishing with waffles at Tower Knowe. Perfect! On 22 May we did an excellent 10 mile walk in the Cheviots. Another sunny day! Then on 4th June, John and Sue Dark hosted a BBQ in their garden at Oakwood. It was a lovely warm sunny evening attended by 28 Loipers and spouses. Thanks both for a super evening and thanks to everyone for bringing some great food and drink. On another summer evening, 21 June, John led a Midsummer walk on the Simonside Hills. We planned to watch the sunset at the Thompson Stone (when the setting sun is aligned with the hole in the rock) but…

Good things come to those who wait...! The quality snow which was blanketing the Pennines and the rest of the UK finally arrived here in the northeast. On Tuesday morning most of us awoke to a few cm of snow. For once it was properly cold and not too windy. I skied for an hour and a half from my front door, out along the Reivers Cycle Route (Alan). Various Hexham-based Loipers skied in Slaley Forest and Embley Fell. Judi and Peter even skied in Durham and Allie tried skate skiing on Benton Village Green. Embley Fell (Tim Elliott) Slaley Forest (Jane Brantom) It was snowing heavily here early on Wednesday morning. I skied the length of the Darras Hall bridleway and a circuit of Ponteland Park. Then I skied…

A good number of Loiper members have been active over the latest lockdown period - obeying the lockdown rules and 'staying local'. Here are a few photos from those who managed to find good skiing almost from their front door. The fabulous snow in the Pennines and Cheviots is sadly out of bounds under current covid guidelines. Slaley Forest - photo Tim Elliott Embley Fell - photo Ben Haywood Smith Slaley Forest - photo Ben Haywood Smith Jane Brantom and Pat Lynch found plenty of snow on Acomb Fell, and on the Sele in Hexham Along the road near Oakwood - photo John Dark Humber Hill, Lanchester - photo Graham Harkness Mike and Sally were skiing on the Waskerley Way Peter and Alison skied from their front door next to…

The recent zoom meet (Tuesday evening) attracted 23 Loiper members swapping stories of their skiing exploits over the last couple of weeks. Club Secretary Charlie Fisher made everyone envious with photos of cross country track skiing close to his home in Germany. Charlie's explanation and a few photos below... Snow conditions in Germany are pretty good this year, so despite Corona restrictions it has been possible to ski locally. The downhill facilities are not allowed to open, so they have used the equipment to keep the network of loipen open, and even to come up with some new ones. In total, we have almost 200km of prepared tracks, some rather narrow prepared by a guy on a snowmobile, but most done to a high standard. Given the kids aren't allowed…

Nine Loipers enjoyed a splendid afternoon of skiing on Monday 4th Jan making use of the best winter snow this year (and last). Indications from weather forecast and from local ski clubs postings suggested that we would be in for a good outing. Abiding by government Covid guidelines for Tier 4 (skiing in pairs - 'one other person outdoors'), we skied from the bridge just outside Allendale village at 400m altitude up to the summit of Kilhope Law at 673m - a round trip of 8km. We had good snow all the way. The summit was a bit bleak but we also had a few glimpses of the sun and some lovely views. The photos tell their own story. Ben Haywood Smith making first tracks up the hill - photo…

Tyneside Loipers hosted a superb day of roller ski coaching on behalf of Snowsport England last Saturday. We had four great coaches and 20 participants - from Manchester and London clubs and Tyneside Loipers. Thanks to helpers Neil and David and Howard from Loipers and to the staff at Hetton Country Park. Everyone appreciated the Hetton facilities and a great track (including the hills) and remarkably a day of good weather. There are lots more photos on the Dropbox link here. The weather was mainly dry and sunny so we could mostly relax outside the pavilion. The gazebo outside the pavilion helped with social distancing (thanks to Jane Dammers). Mike Smith looked after the intermediate group. The Advanced group were coached by Scott Dixon. The advanced-intermediates were coached by Martin…