February 2021 – The Beast from the East – Take 2

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 it again with new member Sarah Lees who was introduced to cross country skiing on a pair of borrowed club skis. Definitely the best snow that I can remember right on my doorstep. I skied 5 days in a row!

Heading down to the Tyne Valley, with Roman Wall country in the distance (Tim Elliott)
Nice curvy ski tracks from Tim Elliott
Ben and Neil in Slaley Forest

Lots of nice photos have been posted on the Loipers Facebook page. Very good indeed to see that so many Loipers have been enjoying these excellent conditions – blue skies and cold still days with nice powdery snow. Mike posted a video of himself skate skiing along the Darras bridleway. Tim and Penny went skiing on Town Moor. Tim Elliott posted a picture story of an epic day – door to door via Hexham golf course and across the Tyne to Warden Hill and Newbrough. Vivienne skied between Longframlington and Felton. Jon Mellor skied door to door in Castle Eden. David went skiing out along the Spetchells in Low Prudhoe. And Neil and David and Alan had a great morning out and around Wylam and Close House and Heddon. Other Loipers are skiing from home in Derbyshire and Scotland and even in Virginia USA! Apologies to anyone I have missed…

Neil and David and Alan near Close House Wylam