reducingtheSCGB'snew Chairman,AngusMaciver

FreshlyelectedastheSkiClub'snewChairmanatthelastAGM, AngusMaciversitsdownwithHenryJohntodiscussallthingsAngus, skiingandthefutureoftheClub

Henry John: Let's talk about Angus before the Ski Club: how did you get into skiing?

Angus Maciver: Being a child of the Scottish Highlands, you might expect skiing to be part and parcel of my upbringing, but it wasn't until my twenties that I first hit the slopes. I have my darling wife, Debbie, to thank for that, who very early on laid down the mantle that I was to join her in the mountains every year. Luckily, I fell in love with it straight away!

HJ: When did the Ski Club first feature in your journey as a skier?

AM: In the late 1990s, Debbie and I were lucky enough to be based in Budapest as part of my work. From there, the Alps were only a couple of hours away by car and we managed to fit in skiing regularly, especially weekend trips. Upon our return to the UK, we were desperate to keep up that pattern as much as we could, and we discovered the Ski Club's Freshtracks holidays were the perfect way to fulfil this desire.

HJ: You've been with the Club just over 10years, and beenaRepforfive ofthose-whatareyour best memories of this time?

AM: The holidays have always been terrific, just seeing everything come together and people enjoying themselves while growing their skiing. I took some time to focus on my skiing between jobs in the winter of 2011,and the first off-piste trip I did in Chamonix was extraordinary -watching my skiing and confidence grow was really something! I saw the same thing happen on a trip I was a Rep on, in Klosters: a Member perhaps hadn't understood the grading system and joined the holiday below the assigned standard. However, her hard work and determination meant she was joining us down blacks and steep reds by the end of the week, to the delight of everyone!

HJ: You've mentioned previously that you joined the SCGBCouncil to give something back to the Club, either out of obligation or a desire to share the joy you've found with it. Now, as its Chairman, how do you use your experience to help the Club?

AM: The most important thing the Club has given me is that sense of community built around snowsports; it's why I have loved the holidays so much, seeing that all come together on the slopes. The Club has been through a well-documented difficult period which, thanks to the good work of Trevor, James and others, has been overcome. The time now is to focus on what the Club does well to help it grow, all whilst keeping control of Members' money.

The Club does snowsports very well, and that is where it needs to focus. The growth of the Reps' programme is the best example of this and is something we'll keep expanding. We also need to diversify, taking into consideration all forms of snowsports, including cross-country, touring and telemarking, and all forms of Members, including, in particular, families. It is only through this diversification, within the framework of snowsports, that the Club can excel at being a club and create a perpetual virtuous circle.

HJ: Where is the Club looking to place Reps moving forward?

AM: Where the skiers are. France is the obvious option -I was Repping on a Freshtracks holiday to Les Deux Alpes a couple of weeks ago, and I was surprised by the awareness of the Club, even being approached in bars when wearing my Ski Club Jacket. The skiers are there; the Club needs to be there to serve them in return.

We want to do it in the best way possible, however, so that requires us working with local stakeholders including tourist offices, resort ownership and local ski schools to ensure we are welcomed with open arms.

HJ:And finally, where can we find Angus skiing next season?

AM: I have been able to arrange a trip-of-a-lifetime to

Canada with Bruce Goodlad (IFMGAMountain Guide and the Ski Club's Mountain Safety Advisor). While I'm there, I will hopefully be joining some of the Club's Reps in Canada, so that's the place you are guaranteed to find me next year! Otherwise, I shall raise my hand for Rep allocations and see what the Ski Club can offer.