Ski and Board Update
Winter is here and that means skiing and snow boarding are back on the menu! New Zealand’s wide open runs and reliable weather conditions make for a fantastic snow experience. From extreme terrain parks to heli-skiing in the majestic Southern Alps, there's something to entice everyone. So pack your boots and boards, and get ready for some winter fun.
SKIING AND BOARDING - NORTH ISLAND
Turoa and Whakapapa
On the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, Turoa and neighbouring Whakapapa combined form the country's largest developed ski area, with 30 groomed trails and off-piste areas for freestyle skiing and boarding. Whakapapa is ready for the 2009 season after a recent arson attack in February. Two new snow groomers have been ordered, repairs to the Waterfall Express terminal are nearly complete and planning for the construction of new buildings, to be ready for 2010, are well underway. Skiers and boarders at Turoa can enjoy the recently installed 1.4km long high-speed chairlift that whisks 3200 people an hour up the slopes. A flexible lift pass lets you ski and board at both fields and you can buy a season pass - check here for more information.
SKIING AND BOARDING - SOUTH ISLAND
Lake Wanaka Winter Resort (Cardrona Valley)
For the added bonus of fantastic lake and mountain views, you need only head south. Things are in place for another bumper snow season in the South Island, with plenty of accommodation to cater for the influx of skiers. Lake Wanaka Winter Resort has a raft of new developments planned for its four alpine resorts. This year, Cardrona Alpine Resort has expanded its terrain facilities with a new trail down the Arcadia Basin to suit the more advanced skiers and boarders, and made improvements to the 22ft half pipe and freestyle. The resort's recent multi-million-dollar refit also installed new snowmaking guns and a high-speed detachable quad chairlift, which cuts the lift journey time by almost two thirds.
Treble Cone boasts some of the country's best intermediate runs and great free riding terrain for boarders and skiers. This year, the resort is offering complimentary mountain tours daily at 11am & 1.45pm, as well as free access to lower mountain ski lifts and learner slopes including the Nice & Easy Platter lift and Magic Carpet. The resort's ski area was also recently awarded the Enviro Silver Qualmark Award status.
Boarders can continue to polish their skills at the Southern Hemisphere's only dedicated terrain park resort, Snow Park NZ. This purpose-built resort has some of the most innovative freestyle terrain around. This year's improvements include a new restaurant and bar and the Half Pint Park – a dedicated novice park designed to help riders progress into the freestyle world of skiing and snowboarding. The box run has been modified to include three different lines for riders and the two jumps at the bottom have also been improved. Night riding will return on Tuesday and Friday nights, with the Woolshed serving up warm food and refreshing drinks.
Also in the Cardrona Valley is New Zealand’s only Nordic cross-country ski track, Snow Farm NZ, with 55km of trails groomed and snow fenced for a smooth journey. Skiers can opt to experience a fantastic night in the wilderness, sleeping in an authentic back country musterers' hut. The Meadows Hutt is just an easy ski along the Nordic tracks, and can sleep up to 20 people.
Coronet Peak Ski Area & The Remarkables Ski Area
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables Ski Areas are among the country's favourite, and ideally placed to enjoy Queenstown's superb nightlife, restaurants, accommodation and activities. A daily shuttle service out to the fields makes getting to the snow even easier.
This year, Coronet Peak Ski Area has a new snow making reservoir, snowmaking cover on all mountain runs, two new state-of-the-art snow groomers, a fully licensed Skiwi and Early Learning Centre for children aged 3 months to 5 years, plus night skiing throughout the peak months of July and August.
The Remarkables Ski Area has completed renovations to the ground level of its base building and now offers enhanced crèche facilities for children from 3 months. There will also be free transport from the Station Building with The Remarkables full day lift pass and multiday lift tickets. Extended facilities for kids include the Kea Club (6 - 12 yrs) and Shredders (13 - 17 yrs), with full day supervision (10am-4pm) including lunch, lift, lessons and rental. Boarders are in for a treat with The Stash - a state-of-the-art natural environment that is only the third run of its kind worldwide and the first in the Southern Hemisphere. Riders can tackle rock-wall rides, log jibs, cliff drops, a stone hut and other one-of-kind-obstacles - even the signs are designed to be jibbed.
Mt Hutt
Located in Canterbury in the heart of the Southern Alps, Mt Hutt Ski Area enjoys the country's longest ski season, and the bustling village of Methven provides plenty of après ski fun after the sun goes down. Mt Hutt ski area has New Zealand’s most modern and extensive snow grooming fleet. This season, three new state-of-the-art groomers and new snowmaking compressors will significantly improve ski and board conditions for visitors. The resort has also installed a cutting-edge ski rental system and has improved its children's snowsports programme.
Heli-skiing/boarding
For those who want to set their own pace and enjoy more freedom, heli-skiing and boarding are the perfect option. New Zealand has a range of professional operators catering for all levels from first-timers to seasoned free riders used to deep powder snow and off-piste conditions. There are thousands of vertical feet of untracked snow and best of all, you get to enjoy that stunning mountain scenery along the way as you tackle those pristine powder fields.
Check out Alpine Heli Ski NZ.
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