Disabled Snowsports Canterbury

Welcome to all the new members who have signed up over the past month, it is looking like we will have good numbers on the mountain again this season. Our AGM was held back in March and brought about a few changes. We have changed our name! We are now “Disabled Snowsports Canterbury” We have farewelled Julie Kerr, Joy Weller and Noeleen Francis. All three have been involved for many years and we thank them very much for all of their voluntary time that they have given to Disabled Skiing Canterbury. They have been responsible for the daily running of the programme for at least the last 10 years. Welcome back to Heather Clay (chairperson), Storm Blacklock (secretary) and Betty Chand, and we welcome our two new committee members Wendy Wood and Moana Tamasese.

It has been a very busy time for the committee getting everything organised and prepared for the coming season.

The committee has conducted interviews for the Instructor/Programme Manager’s role and all will be revealed in the very near future!

SKI SALE

This is an ideal opportunity for us to make our organisation known and to let the public see what we are all about. We also use this time to promote and sell our skiers/boarders bargain books, which sold very well again. Some people only come to the sale to purchase these, as it is the first day they are offered for sale. These books have vouchers for 17 South Island ski fields in them, and when presented at the ticket office on the mountain you are entitled to purchase one lift ticket and get another one (for the same price) FREE. One gentleman informed us that he saved $1400.00 last season by purchasing two books and using most vouchers. What a saving !!!

If you know of any one wanting to purchase a bargain book, they can either send a cheque to Disabled Snowsports Canterbury, P O Box 13 429, Christchurch or head into Snow & Surf, Victoria Ski Sport or McEwings in Christchurch as they sell books on our behalf.

The membership fee has been kept the same as the previous two years, enclosed in this newsletter is the application form. Please fill out and return with your payment as soon as possible so that we can get your ID cards out early.

The dry land training will be held at the Disabled Persons Centre, Worcester Street, Linwood on the 7^th June starting at 7.30pm. Please come along and catch up with every one from last season. If you know anyone who would like to be part of our organisation, please bring him or her along. This evening is designed to out line what we do and find out about the different disabilities, and what their needs are. It is very important that you do attend as we can only cover so much on the mountain.

CARER SUPPORT

If you use carer support as payment for skiing and we purchase an adult lift ticket or a student ticket plus ski or board rental you will be charged a full day carer support this season. Our aim is to make skiing affordable for everyone and we are still entitled to purchase our tickets at half price, so this is still a huge saving for all. Please get your forms to Nicky ASAP for claims.

As numbers are variable at fitness, we have decided to take the bull by the horns and try something different this season. We will have a club night once a month, with the first being held on the 29^th May at Hammersley School Hall, entrance off Amos Place, Shirley starting at 6.00pm sharp. We will keep with tradition and have a fish and chip night and just a general catch up.

“JULY IS CAMP MONTH”

Check out the details below and get in early for your spot. You must book a place on either camp, at least 7 days prior to the start date.

Ring your ski/board mate and get on the camp together.

“Targeted at people who need helper assistance on the snow”

Ski/Board hire (if req’d) and lift tickets (if req’d) are additional to this,

Dates for this year have been finalised and are 23^rd – 28^th July. Once again this will be held at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Disabled Snowsports will send registration forms to those who have attended previous nationals, if you do not receive one or have not attended before; you can download a form from their web site- www.disabledsnowsports.org.nz We will be sending a team from Canterbury again this season, and would appreciate your early commitment to this, as accommodation is at a premium at this time of year. Please let Nicky or Storm know if you would like to attend, so we can make a pencil booking.

Ski/Board hire (if req’d) and lift tickets (if req’d) are additional to this,

June 2006

Welcome to what LOOKS to be the best season in many years. Conditions are fantastic and Mt Hutt is ecstatic about what lies ahead. The temperature has been –5 ^oC on the mountain over the past week, which means they are still making more snow. We have had our helpers training weekend and this was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. We must say a very big thank you to Claire and the team from Disabled Snowsports New Zealand for helping with the instruction and making progression easier for all.

For those of you who have already ventured up the mountain you would have met our new Instructor, Joe. Joe has been working with Dave Manson and Jane Stevens for a number of years in Andora and is very excited about his new challenge with Disabled Snowsports Canterbury. If you have not yet met Joe you need to book in via the answerphone and spend a day on the mountain. Don’t forget to check to see if the mountain is open by phoning the Snowphone. This number has changed to 383 8888.

Please can you try to have the correct money (cheque) ready for Joe to collect before leaving BP Avonhead. Please check what your costs are, as this makes things a lot easier.
Joe does not carry change with him.
If you need to contact us please phone the answerphone and leave a message, we will call you back. (this is the only way to make contact with any of the committee)

Club Night

The next club night is Monday 26th June and will be held at Hammersley Park School, in the Hall (entry off Amos Place). We will be having a games evening, and encourage everyone to try and make it. Start time is 6.00pm and finishing at approx 7.00pm. We will also be discussing ski weeks and Nationals. We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

Theatre Royal Book Fair July 15th – 16th

If you are available to help on Sunday between 4.00 and 6.00pm please leave your name on the answerphone, and you will be contacted. This is a very easy fundraiser for us and we have been fortunate to have had this opportunity for many years. This is not difficult and many hands make light work!! This looks like the last time they will be running this very popular fundraiser, so your support would be appreciated.

Chocolate Bars -
Can you please bring along your money to the club night, or give to Joe in a separate envelope on ski days. We still have plenty left, so happy chomping or selling!

The Snow phone number has changed - 383 8888

Subscription Forms

If you have already returned your form along with the medical form, many thanks. All subs will need to be paid before you are able to go skiing with us or receive any of the benefits that our membership gives you. Please note that a family membership is only if there are two or more people in the same family with disabilities, and both are joining to actively participate in our programme. This does not automatically give any one else in the family rights to get half price skiing. This is a privilege not a given. To keep the system consistent New Zealand are issuing ID cards to all members if a passport-sized photo is submitted. On this card it will stipulate how many (if any) helpers are required at any one time and only the card holder and his or her helper are entitled to discounted lift passes. Please respect this rule, as the ski fields are not legally required to do this and do so out of loyalty

Carer Support

There have been a few changes to the amount that we claim on a ski day. Previously we have only claimed a half day carer support when you have skied for a full day, unfortunately the prices of lift tickets have increased and a half day no longer covers the cost of lift tickets and the $10.00 administration fee for an adult. If you use carer support as payment for skiing and we purchase an adult lift ticket or a student ticket plus ski or board rental you will be charged a full day carer support this season. Our aim is to make skiing affordable for everyone and we are still entitled to purchase our tickets at half price, so this is still a huge saving for all.

DATES TO REMEMBER
June 26th Club Night at Hammersley Park School 6.00pm – 7.00pm

July 10th – 13th Ski week (please note the date change of this)

July 22nd - 29th National ski week (Cardrona)

July 31st Club Night at Hammersly Park School

August 7th – 11th Independent Ski Week

September 25th - 28th Ski Week (general)

National Ski Week
The time has come to make that commitment. We have booked a house for this week and need definite numbers of those attending. Please leave your name on the answerphone or let Storm or Nicky know ASAP. Please return all registrations to Nicky or Storm.
We have enough beds for 8 members booked, so first 8 booked get to go!
Dates for this year have been finalised and are 22nd – 29th July. Once again this will be held at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Disabled Snowsports will send registration forms to those who have attended previous nationals, if you do not receive one or have not attended before; you can download a form from their web site- www.disabledsnowsports.org.nz