skiing in nz

Have just spent most marvellous week in NZ - staying at Wanaka, Sth Island.
Skiied for five days at Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Park. Started off a bit icy, but a couple of lessons and 15cm of fresh powder left the rest of the week "sweet as". Wanaka was a beautiful town situated on one of the many gorgeous lakes in the south, about an hour north of Queenstown. Much quieter and very picturesque.
To see all the photos --> just go to the link on the left of the page!!



Day One --> travelled from Christchurch to Wanaka, got in and hired the skis. Crashed at Purple Cow Backpackers (which I can highly recommend).

Day Two --> Skiing at Treble Cone. hairiest looking road ascending up to it, but gorgeous views. Resorts are much smaller than Australia's but views are far superior. The hire car even survived the local keas (parrots which eat rubber from your items such as windscreen wipers).

Day Three --> Skiing at Cardrona. Icy as anything. Another lesson helped me cope. More family oriented resort with wider runs (better for my nerves).

Day Four --> Tried to get to Remarkables. No luck as resort was shut due to high winds. Drove all the way back to Cardrona for another day. Turned out to be one of the best days there. Snow had softened up. I even had a go at Boardercross (like a bmx track for skiers and snowboarders) - crazy fun and ended up with a good face plant!!

Day Five --> Snow Park --> skateboarding park for snowboarders really. I am hopeless so avoided anything remotely tricksy and just watched Kim strut his stuff (until of course he took a huge jump and came down with a serious crash landing and a bit of concussion and swollen jaw.....). Left early to go see Confetti the movie at Cinema Paradiso (highlights include sofas, hot cookies and homemade icecream at interval).

Day Six --> "Day off" --> visited Queenstown. Did CANYON SWING, whereby you freefall 60m over Shotover River and then swing out in 200m arc over the river at about 150kph. Crap ya daks stuff. Survived. Much happier having done this but backpocket substantially lighter. Recovered in afternoon by doing shopping, going up the gondola and having fantastic buffet smorgasboard at restaurant with mountain views at sunset.... awwwww.

Day Seven --> Back to Cardrona for last day skiing. More fresh snow saw Kim heading off to make fresh tracks. I cruised on the beginner runs but spent the arvo on blue areas where there was lots of powder. Resulted in me falling over a lot and getting snow everywhere. Tons of fun. Over way too quickly.

Day Eight --> Drove back to Christchurch. Took in some local sights, market, shops, etc. before crashing back at the hostel before our 4am start the next morning to fly home.

CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK THERE!!!