NZ

[Tobi]

Right so flights are booked.
Fly into Christchurch on August 13th @ 2pm.
Fly out of Christchurch on August 22nd @ 6am.
So the night of the 21st will be spent in Queenstown.

Have friends in town til the 18th, some flying over with me and some staying in Wanaka.

So far I've got one person with me the whole time but there are a couple of others thinking about it.

I'm thinking of driving to Queenstown and staying there. Simply cause it's easy, it's got a good night life.

From the 18th til the 21st it's anyone's game. For something different maybe some of the club fields or something else, do a little sight seeing along the way.

Ideas people.

[Billy]

I'd go to Queenstown... Last time I stayed in Methven and there's not much at all do do there!! Bloody boring..

Was going to go to NZ this year, but a friend pulled out... not good

[Tobi]

We will be in Queenstown for at least 5 days.

I've done Queenstown before. NZ is such an amazing country I was hoping people might have some ideas of other things to do while there as I wouldn't mind seeing more of the place.

[BlueHue]

I've heard the club fields are an experience in themselves if you don't mind things beeing basic. Good way of meeting skiing mates too. Stay in a lodge on the mtn with shared kitchens/living area and bunk bedrooms, no where else to go so you just hang out and have fun with who ever happens to be staying there as well. Oh and hardly any competition for first tracks on a powder apparently. Broken River and Craigeburn (side by side and I think can be skied on one pass??) has a reputation for some of the best skiing in NZ and some very serious terrain.

Not that I know from experience but from what others have told me after visting NZ seems to be the kind of place you could just jump in your car and start driving and it won't matter where you end up there will be some amazing places and things to see.

[Tobi]

I think I have a little more of a plan now.

Arrive August 13th - Drive to Queenstown.
14th - 18th ride resorts around Queenstown.
19th - Heli boarding, maybe bungy jumping.
20th - 22nd Club fields, Mt Hutt, maybe Milford Sound.

[Billy]

Originally posted by BlueHue:
NZ seems to be the kind of place you could just jump in your car and start driving and it won't matter where you end up there will be some amazing places and things to see. true true!

[ 06. April 2009, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: billyk1983 ]

[KL.]

Originally posted by Tobi:
We will be in Queenstown for at least 5 days.

I've done Queenstown before. NZ is such an amazing country I was hoping people might have some ideas of other things to do while there as I wouldn't mind seeing more of the place. Hi Tobi, if you don't mind nut cracker lifts you should definitely try Broken River, Craigieburn, Temple Basin ... there's 3 days. There's also TC, Porters and 1 or 2 others ... have fun smile.gif

[ 07. April 2009, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: KL. ]

[Tobi]

Thanks for the tips KL.

We are currently looking at leaving Queenstown on the Thursday morning driving to a club field riding the afternoon, staying overnight riding the morning then driving to Christchurch.

Any ideas of a club field that's between Queenstown and Christchurch that would be good to check out?

[ausi ski bum]

Here is a tip for flying to NZ. Always have a look at the tickets as one way flihgts, ie Sydney Christchurch then log on the Qantas New Zealand flight and look at the return flight in NZ$. I recently saved AU$120 doing this, ended up on the exact same flights and still got the FF Points

[KL.]

Hi Tobi
Broken River and Craigieburn are club fields about an 1.5 hrs from Christchurch and they both have on snow accommodation (you would need to check with them though). You can ski from BR to CB and visa versa on the one ticket (I believe). They aren't large fields, both have rope tows, both have good steeps but BR needs less snow than CB to be skiable, and they're lift ticket is NZ60/day (something like that) ... have fun smile.gif

[KL.]

Hi Tobi, also have a look here ... http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Club_skiing_in_NZ ... have fun smile.gif

[ 08. April 2009, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: KL. ]

[Tobi]

Thanks for the info KL, I'll have a look when I get home.

We've (well I, the boys have no say as they aren't arranging anything) have decided to leave Queenstown on the wednesday after riding for the day that way we get at least one full day at the club field and a half day instead of just 2 half days.

Oh and ASB, flights were $200 return, I don't think I could get much better than that.

[gee_ocal]

hey tobes, we're gonna catch up and play right? At one of the resorts on a couple the days right?

[Tobi]

Yep.

You guys are there til the 18th right?

[Snow Yeti]

Tobi if you do TC, I might see you there! Not sure of dates yet but am planning on returning to TC for a visit. Probably around that time.

[Tobi]

Will def. be riding TC.

Pretty much planning on Cardrona, TC & Snowpark while in Queenstown. Not really too fussed about the other resorts.

I guess it depends on what the others want to do but they will be the hills I'm aiming to ride.

[KL.]

Originally posted by Tobi:
Thanks for the info KL, I'll have a look when I get home.

We've (well I, the boys have no say as they aren't arranging anything) have decided to leave Queenstown on the wednesday after riding for the day that way we get at least one full day at the club field and a half day instead of just 2 half days.

Oh and ASB, flights were $200 return, I don't think I could get much better than that. Hi Tobi, is that $200 return including taxes, if so that's sensational. Also, is that to Christchurch smile.gif

Sounds like you have everything organised ... have fun smile.gif

PS: Apparently if the snows really good then CP and Remarks are good. I have never skied these though, only TC. I like the slopes and the Chutes at TC ... have fun smile.gif

[ 15. April 2009, 03:21 PM: Message edited by: KL. ]

[Tobi]

Yep. $200 including taxes return to christchurch.

Wasn't planning on doing NZ this season but with flights costing that why not.

[KL.]

Originally posted by Tobi:
Yep. $200 including taxes return to christchurch.

Wasn't planning on doing NZ this season but with flights costing that why not. Hi Tobi, sensational and absolutely ... the taxes are about $150, so you could have done a smidgen better, hehehe :D

Have you been to TC before?

[Princess]

Why not stay in Wanaka if your plans are to ride Cardies, SP and TC? Whole lot closer!

South Island is going to be hectic this August. Apart from the usual crowd, the Burton Open is back at Cardrona the second week and Winter Games NZ from the 22nd.

Can't wait!!

[Tobi]

Originally posted by Princess:
Why not stay in Wanaka if your plans are to ride Cardies, SP and TC? Whole lot closer!
Quite simply there's 4 in our group.
At least 5 in the other and other friends toying up with the idea of coming.

We are all booze hounds and love our night life.

As much as I like riding at the end of the day I like going out to a club, bar or pub and going out for dinner. Getting back home well after midnight and waking up early and doing it all again.

Wanaka from my understanding doesn't provide this option.

[Princess]

Sure does - some great pubs there but not the variety or number of QT. QT is definately the party town.

[KL.]

Originally posted by Princess:
Sure does - some great pubs there but not the variety or number of QT. QT is definitely the party town. Yes Princess is right ... have fun smile.gif

[The Frog]

Originally posted by Princess:
Sure does - some great pubs there but not the variety or number of QT. QT is definately the party town. She needs options after she gets evicted from the first establishment. smile.gif

[Tobi]

I don't get evicted.

But I do like to have options.

;)

[sir_rhyso]

Originally posted by Tobi:
I think I have a little more of a plan now.

Arrive August 13th - Drive to Queenstown.
14th - 18th ride resorts around Queenstown.
19th - Heli boarding, maybe bungy jumping.
20th - 22nd Club fields, Mt Hutt, maybe Milford Sound. Tobi, and anyone else intersted, you cannot miss Milford Sound!
I did the sea kayaking: takes about 6 hours so you need to be up early as it takes 2.5 hrs from Q'town, more if you want to take in pics of the unbelievable sights on the journey: mirror lakes, Homer Tunnel, all the 'do NOT stop here due to avalanche risk' signs, The Chasm...

You can do a boat tour of the area, but IMHO the sea kayaking is really worth doing. Words cannot describe the rush I felt paddling into waterfalls that run from snowcapped mountains down sheer cliffs 1500m above you...The wind that is created at the bottom is unreal! We also eyeballed Emperor Penguins at a distance of less than 1m, same with NZ fur seals who decided to swim next to our kayaks, and then the blue bottlenose dolphins accompanied us back to our destination.
Yes it is cold in mid winter, it was raining the day I did it, which just added to the atmosphere. They supply thermals anyway.

Have you ever seen a tree avalanche?

Amazing place, can't wait to go back.

[Tobi]

Yeah I really want to go to Milford Sound. Will not have time on this trip though.

[Princess]

NZD hit 1.29 this morning - should buy some.

[Snow Yeti]

I might be doing some weekend trips to NZ this year again rather than week ones. I don't know where I will be, or what I will be doing so I can't book anything week long :(

[Snow Yeti]

Originally posted by Princess:
NZD hit 1.29 this morning - should buy some. That's not that good tongue.gif

KVB Kunlun probably do a much better deal (wholesale bank) with no comm smile.gif

I wonder what it will be like closer to graemlins/snow.gif

[Princess]

It's better than a kick in the a**! Best rate I've had out of 4 trips.

[The Frog]

Should see some moderate to heavy snowfalls across NZ later this week and into the weekend.

[Ben Ferg]

Was a warm one today but tonight/tomorrow & then friday will be a lot colder.

There's a good airflow from the south about to set up.

[The Frog]

Yeah looks like a full week of snowfalls on and off. This could actually set up a base in some areas.

[Ben Ferg]

I'm nomally really sceptic about early may snow sticking around, but with a week of this sort of weather it can't hurt. Even if the bottom slopes get rained off later in the month it will set the upper slopes up really well.

Just pray we don't get a rain crust forming at the bottom of the winter pack. It will make for bad avalache conditions all season long.

[The Frog]

Todays report from Mt.Hutt: :eek:

Last Update Wed, 6 May 09, 9:50 AM

Status Opening At 13 Jun 2009

Last Fall 40 cm, 06 May 2009

Road Closed
The road is CLOSED to all traffic due to avalanche dangers caused by recent snow falls.

Snow Lower mountain snow depth: 30 cm
Upper mountain snow depth: 45 cm

Snow surface: Powder
Mt Hutt is currently receiving heavy snowfalls and creating potential avalanche dangers. Please note that the acess road is closed to all traffic and will not be reopened until we have completed avalanche control work. We do not expect to open the road this weekend as we are expected more snow.

Weather Snow, 0°C
Snowing heavily.

[The Frog]

I actually think after the next week of snowfalls Mt.Hutt could even open and stay open for the season from here on in.

http://www.nzski.com/resources/cameras/mthutt/Snowmaking/200905061400.jpg

[Princess]

Hutt was looking nice on the weekend;

http://www.nzxsports.com/email/scotty/09_news/090505_MHsnowsummitsix.jpg

From Snow.co.nz (http://www.snow.co.nz)

There are also a couple of great touring phots from Mt Cheeseman in their forums.

[pow pig]

So Frog, should I book a flight for mid Aug now??? Or have you not looked that far ahead yet?

[The Frog]

I'd book for opening at Mt.Hutt with 80cm already and heaps more on the way over the next week. smile.gif

http://www.nzski.com/resources/cameras/mthutt/Snowmaking/200905081330.jpg

[Portski]

Mt Hutt at 110cm base now! I'm not booked for start of the season, but looking good for when I'm over there in mid-July.

[Shorty936]

I think me and a mate are going june long weekend now