My membership in PCA UCR occurred quite by chance: I wasn’t looking for a Porsche – it was looking for me. It was early 2023 and I had begun searching for a modern AWD vehicle with a manual transmission to replace my RWD sports sedan. Although it was a fantastic ride, it had left me stranded in the snow on the steep hill leading to my home one too many times. My strict criteria meant the pickings were slim, and I had resigned myself to something Japanese when I spotted a listing for a Cayenne V6 manual (aka “The Slow One”) with extremely low kilometres and in excellent condition. A couple of weeks later, the deal was done, and I began to get friendly with The Slow One. What it lacked in outright speed was forgiven by the presence of a third pedal and agility that defied its heft.
A few months later, I was at a motorcycle track day with my friend and UCR member Lawrence Cutt and told him about The Slow One. As the owner of an even slower diesel Cayenne, he understood my plight, but he also has a 911 to satisfy his need for speed. Lawrence told me about UCR and encouraged me to join. I was hesitant, but he assured me the club was about the people, not necessarily the cars.
Nearly two years later I find myself submitting an article about the people of PCA UCR, and not the cars. A full circle moment.
Conditions on February 13th were perfect for UCR’s 2025 Ski Day – which for the first time was hosted at the award-winning Alpine Ski Club north of Toronto. Those who arrived early got to lay the first tracks down on the 20cm of fresh powder that fell overnight. True to UCR’s welcoming nature, the day wasn’t just geared for expert skiers – lessons were offered for beginners learning to snowplow and intermediate skiers looking to take their skills to the next level. All told, we had a total of 79 participants. After getting our lift tickets and UCR helmet stickers from Peggy Biggin, and opening remarks from Hazel de Burgh, the group gathered for a photo at the base of the hill and we had difficulty fitting everyone into the frame. Skiers split off into groups according to which terrain they preferred, steep and deep or well-groomed and relaxed, and set off on their morning runs with the promise to regroup for lunch.
Morning carving sessions complete, the group enjoyed lunch in UCR’s reserved area of the clubhouse, where sunshine beamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Attendees were invited to join an afternoon “consistency match race” where racers attempt to match their times on two separate runs as closely as possible. The short GS course was set up on the Lower Alpine Run in full view of UCR’s tables in the clubhouse. As the driver of The Slow One, I appreciated that the race wasn’t about outright speed. Instead, the skier with the least time differential between their two runs would be declared the winner – anyone had a chance at the crown! Like me, I suspect many other members’ eyes glazed over when “timed run” was mentioned and gave it their all. When gasoline runs through your veins, it’s hard to avoid pushing when the clock is running, especially when many members’ cars are sleeping for the winter and apex withdrawal is running high.
As our day on the slopes began to wind down, we gathered for apres ski snacks and beverages. I was surprised and honoured to be called up to receive my official UCR badge, which another member kindly brought to the event for me. Next up were the race results. With official times tabulated, we raised our glasses to congratulate winners Richard Pendrill (0.179 seconds difference) and Martin Tekela (0.189 seconds difference) who were granted first and second choice of a bevy of available prizes. An additional eight prizes were awarded to race participants drawn at random. Although I’m not a “Slow One” on skis, my two race times weren’t close enough to win a race prize.
The prize awards continued, with the names of all attendees thrown into the hat and randomly drawn for the door prizes. Everyone loves to be a winner, including me, and I managed to win a prize due to sheer luck rather than my speed. Thanks to the generosity of numerous donors, 44 prizes worth almost $2,700 were given away.
True to UCR’s “about the people” theme, members and their guests were invited to donate to the event’s chosen charity, the Collingwood Mobile Soup Kitchen, a grassroots organization delivering meals, clothing and hygiene supplies to the less fortunate. Proceeds from the silent auction, a winter driving course for four drivers graciously donated by ILR Car Control School, were also put towards the cause for a total donation of approximately $1,660 to the soup kitchen.
Many thanks to Hazel and Peggy, the UCR Ski Day co-chairs, and their husbands. The members and their guests sincerely appreciate the hard work involved in putting on such a well-run event. Mark your calendars for the 2026 event on February 12th. See you on the slopes! </>
This winter had so much snow, so it was a hard drive up with snowstorms. When we arrived, I had to pick up my skis from the rental shop. Then we took a group picture. My brother, dad and I then went down the green hills multiple times until lunch. For lunch I had poutine with chicken fingers and it was so good.
In the afternoon we had a ski lesson. Our instructor was wonderful as she led us to the very top of the mountain and we skied all the way down. Then she showed us a secret passage in the forest which was fun.
I also took part in the ski race. The race was fun because I raced my dad and brother.
After we took my dad into the forest passage. He thought it was fun and he did it multiple times. Another thing is that I got to help choose names randomly for people to win prizes. In conclusion, I think that the Porsche Club ski day was so fun and I would come again. — Lucas Poon
Editor’s Note: Lucas wrote this for his weekly journal.
Reprinted with permission from Lucas Poon’s father, Tomy Poon.
