GDHL News

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Night Slalom Re-Do and Apres

A four-way tie for 48th? And consider last Friday’s slalom a practice run for this week’s night slalom…

In This Newsletter:

  • Friday Night Slalom - Presented by Squire John’s

  • Apres - Saturday PM

  • Race #4 Recap

  • Athletic Fundraiser Info

  • Interclub Reminder

  • Adult Training Update

  • Remaining Races

  • Mugs and Bags



Friday Night Slalom - Race #3 - Presented by Squire John’s

Due to the Great Blackout of 2025, last Friday night’s Slalom race was cut short with about 30 racers to go. Subsequently, all results from that event have been erased from the record books.

Fortunately your GDHL committee was able to reschedule the Friday Night Slalom to this coming Friday at 6pm. Thanks to the race office and club operations for assisting with the reschedule.

  • Same hill: ‘Lil Jon.

  • Same time: 6pm

  • Same inspection: 5:10pm - 5:40pm

  • Same bar lineups.

Note: if you are still missing clothing items from the top of the hill (that were stranded after chair access was suspended), please speak with the main office.






GDHL Midseason Apres – January 25th @ The North Lodge! 

We almost had a GDHL free weekend, but now it’s a double header!  Were you starting to get blue? Tired of talking about the BLE? Join us this Saturday for the GDHL Midseason Apres. We’re taking over the North Lodge for an apres full of cold drinks, great company and maybe a little table dancing. You won’t want to miss this one.

What’s in store?

Beer - this is a beer league, so we've got you covered. Thanks to Sidelaunch and Corona! (Beer tickets available for GDHL racers)

Wine courtesy of Nicholas Pearce Wines – because who doesn’t love a glass (or two) of the really good stuff?

Light bites by Ryan aka Chef Nomad 

Kid-friendly activities – We’ve got the little ones covered, so bring the whole crew! They’ll have their own fun (and food!).

 Date: January 25th
 Location: North Lodge
 Time: 3:30pm - till we make you go home

Mark your calendars, bring the family (or not), and come ready to have a blast. Let’s celebrate the midway point of the season in true GDHL style! 

Not part of the GDHL but don't want to miss the fun, you can still come out and join! Chef Nomad will have beer and wine for purchase.




Race 3 (and a half) Recap

No Lights, No Dice – by Mike D

Isn’t it wonderful how our friends and family and coworkers are so supportive of how seriously we take our GDHL races? They just love hearing about it. I know my coworkers are on the edge of their seats on Monday mornings when I break out the weekend’s race results (okay so one of them was on the edge of his seat because he had slid off falling asleep, but he was just tired I think). I was saying how it’s a tough field this year, guys like Marcus Gillam, Riley Keast and Mario Skopek are skiing so well and it’s hard to keep up. And Mario that bugger is greasing his skis on top of the hill before every run (what exactly he’s greasing his skis with I have no clue, pretty sure he doesn’t either). I was also telling them how that speedy Jason Turnpenny has some kind of an in at Squire John’s and gets his skis tuned mere minutes before race time! I might have lost them a bit, they were like, ‘Turn-who? and what the hell is a Squire John?’ I was also saying that Paul the Ski Racer is getting some very respectable results this year. They were like, ‘Hold on, you know someone that calls himself Paul the Ski Racer?”. I said, ‘Yeah, he’s basically a celebrity, you mean you don’t know him?’. They asked me if I have been eating a lot of gummies lately? I didn’t really understand the relevance of the question.

Well, onto Friday night…

That was quite the ‘almost’ race we had. The Friday nights lights shone bright, until they didn’t. Dara Howell, Tyler McBrien and Evan Brisley literally skied the lights out (that truly must have been a shocker to be in the course at that time!). There were many that laid down fantastic runs that night that will unfortunately be for not, but hey, y’all got beer so there’s that. It’s safe to say there is no one more keen about ski racing this season than Ryan Taylor and he showed off his chops Friday night with a very impressive run, all his training is paying off, well done Ryan! Now, if any out there are denying their coworkers race talk at work, I’m thinking we can start a ‘bring Ryan Taylor to work’ day (maybe you’ll be able to bid on it at the fundraiser), he will more than happily talk to any and all about ski racing, ski equipment, ski everything, just give him a beer and say go. And this weekend we were finally blessed with the overdue presence of that beautiful man, the legend himself, Robert Peerenboom, who skied remarkably well for a guy coming off pneumonia and skiing with basically half a lung. Mark Shillum (the slalom specialist), Jenn Price (another slalom specialist) and Chris Knight (the silent assassin) all killed it too. Hope they enjoyed the beer!

So then there was that race that actually counted! Another GS on Comet, and our amazing Coyotes who worked a race earlier in the day on the same hill were doing their best to shave down the jump on turn two of the pitch, yikes. But, it would take a lot more than a bumpy ride to stop Ben Williams, who demolished the course with a smoking time a smidge under 26 seconds. Griffin Copp (team Big John’s big gun) actually tied Ben’s 2nd run at 25.97, securing second place. Ben and Griffin are now tied on top of the overall standings (yup, this is getting good). Not far behind on Saturday (albeit an eternity in ski racing) were Gord Bruce, Scott Barrett and Mike Welton who rounded out the top five. All these guys ski out of their minds at every race, it’s very impressive stuff, gents. And Meg Ryley skied like the champ she is and was the top female racer, followed by Cheryl McConachie, Madison Staples, Kate Veer and Carrie Grinter-Lenauskas. Bravo ladies, you do it with style.

How about Quinn Richardson!? I don’t know how many swigs he had from the Squeezy bottle, but it was exactly the right amount (no for real, how many? Inquiring minds pal). Amazing job, Quinn. Then there was Greg Cavers who put down another Greg Cavers-like performance before jumping in Jeff Sutherland’s car that was warmed up and ready to go (after Jeff’s blazing run) and they were racing Interclub at the Peaks moments later. Along for the ride were Ian ‘the journeyman’ Latimer, and Robert Burnes. These guys are all animals! And then there is Debbie Gust and Samantha Callow at bibs one and two. They certainly don’t ski how I picture bibs one and two should ski, they’re going way too fast, amazing stuff ladies but we’re on to you! And does anyone else get frustrated with those skiers who never seem to train but crush it every single week? You come inside the lodge after a hard morning of training and there is Brook Dyson, Pete Dyson, and Jon Price, they’ll have a drink in their hand, smile at you, because they know it doesn’t matter how much training you do, they are going to absolutely devastate you in the next race. No surprise they skied like they always do, it’s equally impressive and annoying��. And in sibling rivalry news, Lauren Liberty edged out her sister Meghan Robinson, which you might have heard, because Lauren probably told you (hey good for her, that’s what you do at Apres when you race well, loud and proud!) And shout out to Stephanie Henderson for showing up and battling hard every week, the results will come for Steph, no doubt! And of course these races would never be the same without racers like Stephen Jarvis, Vern Gomes, Roger Chiu, Paul McCool and Robert Bruce, always showing up, always skiing hard, always have smiles on their faces, these guys really add to the heart and soul of the GDHL and it doesn’t go unnoticed!

Whether you were satisfied with your results this week or if you thought you stunk, there is good news for all of you, there is always another shot at glory baby! Interestingly, we have four racers who have yet try their luck at any glory. But relax, they are racing individual (well mostly) and they can still get four races in. Opportunity awaits under the Friday night lights! So get out there everyone, have some fun, be sure to thank the hard-working Coyotes and most of all be sure to tell your friends and family all about it, in great detail and if your partner’s expression is that of a glazed ham when you’re explaining race analytics, fight through it and remember Ryan is always there to support.

Happy racing!
-Mike D.


Important Message from the Athletic Fundraiser Committee

Calling all GDHL’Ers! The Athletic Fund, which the club so heavily relies on to support the on-hill competitive infrastructure, needs your help!

How can you help?

  • Buy Raffle tickets, either online or we will be selling them at the GDHL Apres on Saturday! There are some amazing prizes including a Utah Ski Trip valued at over $7000, a coveted Craigleith parking spot, $5000 off your Craigleith statement and more!

  • Donate items to the silent auction! (please contact Michael DeAngelis 416-559-7625 to donate)

  • Participate in the ‘Winterlude’ Apres event on February 8th by signing your kids up for the family-friendly ski and snowboard race/rail jam happening after kids progams end.

  • All participants will be entered into a bib draw to win some exciting prizes!

  • Purchase a wristband online that will get you access on to alcohol tastings on February 8th: sponsored by 5 Paddles Brewery, Georgian Hills Vinyards, Spy Cider House and Distillery, Beattie’s Distillers and more to be announced.

  • Buy 50/50 tickets on February 8th .

Every ticket purchased above guarantees you some cool swag!

Thank you for supporting!


Craigleith Interclub Team 2025

From TSB:

We are heading into our second last race of the season so the door is closing if you are aiming to book your ticket to the finals at Alpine. To give us the best chance at qualifying the most talented racers from the GDHL, it is ideal to have at least one one interclub start under your belt. The Jozo GS being held this Saturday at 10am is the last 'conflict free' race of the season, as well as the second last event before finals. Check out www.interclubski.org for additional details or contact Sue (raceadmin@craigleith.com) or Taylor (tsimmsbrown@jascor-intl.com) and request to be added to the mailing list.




Adult Training Update

Message from Glenn Blaylock, Head Coach, Adult Race Programs

We will be training Slalom this Friday.

  • Date: Friday, January 24

  • Time: 9:30 to 11:30 am / 12:30 to 2:30 pm

  • Hill: Check the White Board at the National Chair

  • Discipline:  Slalom

  • Equipment: Slalom Skis, Slalom Safety Gear

  • Coaches: Glenn Blaylock, Al LaChance, Eugene Jacta

Coach’s Tips:

  1. The pole plant and touch are fundamental skills in alpine skiing that enhances balance, control, and rhythm. To learn more, including a superb video on how, where, and when to use these different poling actions, tap here:  https://alpineracemethod.com/pole-plant-and-touch-1

  2.  Be sure to review the module on how to ski slalom, including the different techniques for clearing gates. Understand the importance of focusing on your skiing and not on your hands! Here’s the link: https://alpineracemethod.com/slalom-1.

 Thank you for slipping the course and helping the coaches remove the race gates at the end of the training session.

 Ski with Purpose

 Glenn




Remaining Races:

  • Friday January 24th - PRESENTED BY SQUIRE JOHN’S - Night Slalom at 6pm on ‘Lil Jon

  • Sunday February 2nd - PRESENTED BY SUTHERLAND INSURANCE - Modified GS (Super G) - National/Big John at 1pm

  • Saturday February 8th - PRESENTED BY RAYMOND JAMES - Slalom (SL) - ‘Lil Jon at 1pm

  • Sunday February 16th - PRESENTED BY LYSANDER FUNDS - Dual Slalom (SL) - ‘Lil Jon at 1pm

  • Saturday March 1st - End Of Season Event (No Ski Equipment Required…)




Mugs and Bags

  • If you have not yet received your mug, please email gdhl@gdhl.org. We are slowly compiling a list, and will be distributing those at a date in the near future.

  • If you did not yet receive a backpack from 2024, and were registered for the 2024 season, please email gdhl@gdhl.org. We are compiling a list for these backpacks as well. Distribution date TBC.


GDHL Committee

  • Brook Dyson

  • Paul Peterson

  • Carrie L.

  • Julie Statler

  • Steve Cryer

  • Peter Dyson

  • Mike DeAngelis

  • Chris Knight

  • Ben Williams