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>================= Lily
This issue is dedicated to Lily Maxwell May Bloomfield born 9.10am 20 August 1998. Now you all know why this issue is late!
================= Snow Reports
The snow storm of 16 August was a bit of a mixed bag with some
of the Southern Lakez fields getting no snow ( Treble Cone )
and others getting a good fall (Coronet Peak got 10cm).
Another front moved across the lower South Island early
Thursday the 20th and the low that had been hammering the
North Island with rain and 50 knot winds did the right
thing and we had snow to low levels, even in Dunedin!
Coronet Peak got 10 cm, Cardrona picked up 15 odd cm
with Tremble Cone missing the boat a bit and
getting 5 - 10cm.
>** Coronet Peak
Well the night skiers on Saturday night of the 16th really
lucked out and scored big time. A nice little storm sifted
through at about 7.30 pm and by 9 pm their was 10 cm of nice,
dry fluffy snow. Those that were fortunate enough to be on the
peak had a brilliant hour of night time shredding.
The next day offered some great groomed trails, a little bit of
exploring to do off piste but oh boy someone let the word out
and the crowds built real quick. Head to the country, escape
the rat race and miss out on the rush hour, I don't think so!
The new snow has survived the week real well with beginner and
intermediate skiers getting some great skiing on the trails,
and apparently that is 80% of the snow population. Another nice
top up on the 20th saw Friday the 21st as the pick of the ski
days this year with advanced skiers and riders heading further
off the trail.
For more info on Coronet Peak slide on over to;
http://www.riverton.co.nz/kiwi/html/coronet.htm
>** The Remarkables
Strange how the weather works but only 3-4 km across the basin
as the crow flys and quite a bit higher than Coronet Peak and
they got less snow on the 16th and 20th! 5 odd cm with a bit
of wind and really it hasn't made too much difference. Good for
beginners and intermediate and yes they did hold the Free
Skiing champs in the Elevator chute - Temple Basin local Todd
Windle took the honours in the mens with only one woman
entrant, Claudia Bossi from Davos in Switzerland.
>** Treble Cone
Saturday 16th was a bit of a disappointment for Treble Cone
with no snow officially registered, even though others got a
bit. Wet snow has frozen pretty solid and conditions have been
challenging. You know it when the snow report says "variable
snow conditions". TC probably has more snow than anyone else
but KiwiNewZ suggest you wait for the warm afternoon skiing
when things have softened a bit.
The Austrians do love it like this, well they were loving it
until downhill champion Andreas Schifferer broke his leg just
above the ankle after straddling a gate at about 80km/h. Always
the practical types they declared that it was better than torn
ligaments which would take longer to heal, he will be training
again in about 4 weeks, and it was better to do it now rather
than in the middle of the World Cup season! Sacre bleu.
>** Cardrona
5 cm of new for Cardrona on Saturday 16th and 15 odd cm on
Thursday 20th. Things are looking pretty sweet with a good
cover for the trails. " Dry packed natural snow " .... sounds a
bit like a new beer! Still a bit thin when venturing off the
track the base of the field but intermediate and beginners are
well catered for.
>** Waiorau Snow Farm
Well new snow and some trail grooming for classic and skating
skiers has made for great conditions on the Snow Farm. The New
Zealand Cross Country ski champs attracted 60 competitors from
7 countries. Keri McArthur from Dunedin took out the womens 5
km, Peter Moysey from Gisborne won the 10km mens classic and
Sam Lee from Wanaka took gold in the 15km skate.
The Wanaka Sled Dog festival will be held from 1 - 4 September
with races for single, two, four and six dog teams. Mush, hee
and haw.... The inaugural Waiorau 50 is a classic little 50 km
overnight race under a full moon, great howling conditions.
>================ Win two free nights in Queenstown.
Prize valid for two years. Spa bath, SKY TV, 1 minute to town,
lake front, sleeps 6. Have you entered? Slide on over.
================ OK, how about a feathery Kiwi keyring?
One winner every month. Just send an email to
with KIWI as the SUBJECT.
That's all you have to do!
>================ snow escapes
Hard to believe but its true. One nights accommodation and two
days skiing at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables for just $120.
Now that's interesting! Lift passes cost $59 a day so a nights
accommodation is $2. Beat that! Has to be a good deal. Come on
you Invercargill and Dunedin snowfers, this one is hard to
resist. Visiting Queenstown and staying in a campervan? Better
hook up to this one. Call Novotel Hotel or Alpine Village Motor
Inn. Bookings must be 72 hours in advance. Don't forget to tell
them you heard about it in the KiwiNewZ Southern Lakez Snow
Report!
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================ Events
Don't forget Dan Kelly's super duper heli ski deal on Mt
Larkins in Glenorchy, 29 August. NZ$195 for four runs!
Too much. To pre register send $45 with your name and
phone number to Box 29, Glenorchy or contact Dan
directly on ph 03 442 7939, fx 03 441 8346. Don't forget
to tell him you heard about it in the KiwiNewZ Southern
Lakez Snow Report!
The New Zealand snow boarding champs are on at Cardrona from
31 August. Speed freakz smash the gates in the giant slalom,
jumpsters go higher in the half pipe and free stylers battle in
the boardercross.
The first carving cup was held at Cardrona recently. This new
format has skiers and boarders competing together in a novel
format where the widest line wins, but you must finish under an
allotted time. Hmmmm. Sounds a bit like something the French
invented.
The Masters event at Coronet Peak saw 160 golden oldies
competing for glory and gold. Well actually two 30 year olds
scooped the under 55 titles while Karl Burtscher and Cynthia
Balfour ( she is 71 ), won the over 55's. Hope I am still up on
the snow at that age!!
For the third year running Australian snowboarder Luke Fitcher
won the Quicksilver Boardriders event. 60 snowboarders and
surfers surfed at St Clair beach in Dunedin then boardercross
at Cardrona. Watch this space for news on the PIPE @ PEAK TO PORRIDGE
>================ That's all folks
Thanks for joining us see ya next month. Remember we welcome
any feedback, suggestions, requests, comments etc. Just email
these to mailto:[email protected]. This snow report is
assembled from our own observations and reports from others
and while every effort is made to get it right we can not
attest to the accuracy or otherwise. Happy tripping.
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================ Contact Details
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Copyright, KiwiNewZ, 1998
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