Snow Report, Skiing, Snowboarding, Queenstown

KiwiNewZ Southern Lakez Snow Report

Thursday, 30 July 1998

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>================= Snow Reports
Well last night was the first taste of natural snow for quite a while. The Southern Lakes fields picked up from 5 - 20 cm in the first 12 hours and all signs are that the storm will stay for a while yet. Our neighbours in Australia are reporting falls of up to 1 metre!
Heli skiing has been a bit thin so far this year with some snow but you have to get a bit of altitude for it. Save those jet fuel dollars for that extra special day then go WILD!
Our worldly weather men tell us that the Tasman sea is 2 deg C warmer than it usually is. The Pacific Ocean, the big engine of the weather in this area, is neutral at the moment which give its smaller brother the Tasman a chance to do its bit. And what is its bit? Sucking up heaps of warm precipitation then dumping it on New Zealand in a 5 - 8 day cycle. Excellent. We are stuck they say between El Nino and La Nina and at the end of August spring like conditions will develop by-passing winter all together. Heaven forbid!
The Wanaka snow areas went a bit left field recently when they got together and told everyone their snow was as good as if not better than anyone in the whole of New Zealand! Bit of damage control after a warm rain storm dented the ego of would be snow revellers as they turn to other activities. "What about a discount?" we yell.
>** Coronet Peak.
Bit of an on and off week with a few days closed because of wet rain, some stodgy conditions and some really nice groomed trails. Paah you say. Man made snow, machine groomed trails....how can it be good? You just got to try it.
Last night the peak got 5 - 10 cm of light white fluffy. Not sure if you will be going off piste very far, might have to go up and check it out for you all!
>** The Remarkables
Closed today but according to the Ski Patroller on the radio its PUKING down. And he said it three times. Seems quite excited. The Remarkables does need a fair bit of puking to get it up and running properly.
>** Treble Cone.
20 cm of new snow over the entire mountain last night with more snow forecast and snow level dropping to 500m. Saddle Basin lifts were on hold for avalanche work. Don't ya love it when they say that. First time this year. KiwiNewZ pick of the week is go to Treble Cone Saturday and be there early!
>** Cardrona.
5 - 15 cm last night. Overcast and still snowing. Handy bit of new cover for the main trails with all lifts operating. Funky new machine that grooms the half pipe swung in to action for the cameras but there seemed to be a bit of mud and rock amongst it?
>** Waiorau Snow Farm
5 - 10 cm of new snow on the skinny ski trails
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================ Special deals
US ski fields want students - that's what the headline reads. Work Experience USA is looking for students aged between 19 and 30 to work at 25 United States snow areas for four months at the end of this year. They will provide work visas, travel insurance and return airfares from Auckland to Los Angeles. Better hurry, they are in Auckland and Wellington in August to interview!
Coming to Queenstown? Then make sure you get a Bad Jelly membership card. You can pick them up FREE at Motels, Hotels and Apartments or go in to the Bad Jelly shop. A wide range of discounts - 10% at Solera Vino ( say gidday to Fleur ) and two for one coffees at Take 5 ( gidday to Tim and Fi ) to name a few. Don't forget to tell them you heard it from KiwiNewZ. Oh, and its got a good local map as well.
AVIS car rental are running an interesting campaign - Avis$aver Snow Drive. Rent a car and for every days hire you get a days lift pass at Treble Cone or Cardrona. Lots of conditions and clauses and yes you can get cheaper than Avis but if you are in the Southern Lakes Region for 4 - 5 days this could be the one for you.
================ Upcoming Events
The K2 snowboard Challenge at Cardrona was raced in perfect conditions with Lee O'Connor from Wellington the clear winner in the womans and No 1 ranked Korean Myung-Gon Ji being pipped at the post by Martin Sporli in the mens.
The Wanaka Rip Curl World Heli Challenge has been postponed until Saturday to let the storm past, and let some snow fall. Back flips off 25m cliffs, skiing 60 deg chutes and through territory climbers would be wary of this event has some serious back country. Get as many choppers as you can afford, load up a whole bunch of testosterone charged skiers and boarders ( oh yeah, they have a girl division as well ) and throw away the rule book! Don't miss the downtown Lake Wanaka Streetstyle Big Air contest.
================ 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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