There's early season skiing... and there's early season skiing

Alpine conditions were reported on the fells as club members took to their skis in the Lakes and The Pennines during November.

Bright sunshine, virtually no wind, and deep snow provided ideal conditions overall several days - with tours on Great Dun Fell, the Shap fells, Matterdale Common and the Dodds.

Kevin and Christine Cook provided this picture of their tour up Randerside from Matterdale Common, then on towards the col between Great Dodd and Clough Head..

Kevin said: "The descent to the car was thoroughly enjoyable and we both felt to be discovering our ski legs again. We only met one other person on the fells that day, and the views will linger in our memory for a long time."

The winter meets programme has again been organised should there be snow. Details of weekend leaders will be published on the events page and in the comments box.

Waxing lyrically about ski touring

Few Britons have ski-toured to more Norwegian mountain huts than Stephen Johns has, so we're delighted he'll be giving an illustrated talk following the club's AGM at Natland Village Hall, near Kendal, on Friday 28 October.

We can promise insights into the equipment to take, Norwegian weather and navigation, and the contents of a DNT food store (not provided on the night - but there will be cake and refreshments instead).

Entry is free.

   

Rolling into the summer

Traces of snow have hardly left the Lakeland fells and we're already publishing Snowsport England's calendar of roller ski weekends - helping cross-country skiers hone their skills for next season.

There's three weekends scheduled, which cater for anyone from beginner to advanced:

• 25-26 June 2016 - Snowsport England roller ski training weekend, Hayes, London
• 20-21 August 2016 - Snowsport England roller ski training weekend, Hetton Lyons, Co. Durham
• 1-2 October 2016 - Snowsport England roller ski training weekend, Salt Ayre, Lancaster

Equipment hire can also be arranged for anyone coming to the sport for the first time. Booking details on the Snowsport England calendar of events.

The Snowsport England XC Coaching Panel is also planning the following courses (on two of the dates above) for skiers interested in becoming instructors or advancing their skills:

• Hayes – Level 1 Roller Ski Instructor course (two days); Level 2 Roller Ski instructor course Part 1 (two days).  Revalidations for Level 1,2,3 (one day, Sunday 26 June)
• Lancaster - Level 1 Roller Ski Instructor course (two days), Level 2 Roller Ski instructor course Part 2 (two days).  Revalidations for Level 1,2,3 (one day, Sunday 2 October)

For information about the coaching courses, email: xcskiinfo@btinternet.com

Cairngorms ski weekend

A fair few miles were covered on skis as 14 skiers headed north at the weekend for the club's annual Scottish trip.

John Hooson and Martin Metcalfe on the climb to Glas Maol

From the club's base just outside Braemar, there were tours on the surrounding Cairngorm mountains, including Glas Maol, Carn Liath and Morrone.

Biting winds and low cloud limited the scope for longer tours, but descents on snowy northern slopes more than made up for any temporary cold-based discomfort.

Thanks to Brian Smith for organising the weekend.