Southern Lakes including Queenstown and Wanaka
Free and Independent
Now we are peaking with Coronet Peak throwing its doors open tomorrow for the start of the 1999 snow season in the Southern Lakes. Hurrah! The sliding and skiing will be limited to the main trails but its a great way to get ready for the Big season ahead and it is certainly better than walking.
And from the North Island we hear that the commerce commission has ruled that Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is not allowed to purchase Turoa. Now there's a grand opportunity gone. Anyone want to buy a slightly used snow field on a reasonably live volcanoe?
Yours Evan " has anyone seen my ski bag? " Bloomfield
>================ Thanks to our sponsors nzski.com
Coronet Peak is open for the '99 season! We've all been waiting a while for this - finally winter, real winter, has arrived.
New snow, cold air and a chance to get tuned into a new season - we're going to get into it, hope you will too. Let's have a great one!
the Coronet Peak and nzski.com crews.
>================ Last issue
Last week we had look at the some of the challenges faced by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, met the crew from the Otago Ski Club, had a look at a Mammoth snow report, went tyre testing at the Waiorau Snow Farm and celebrated the opening of Mt Hutt. You can view our previous snow reports online.
You can view our previous snow reports online.
>================ Snow weather is looming
Check out this little gem from Gregor Ronald in Christchurch;
"Keep up the good work, snow will arrive one day - look for those 950-970mb lows headed straight for Milford. They bring a metre to Treble Cone and the following southerly gives Coronet and Cardrona a tickle-up!"
So then, could you believe it when I was watching that mercurial weather reporter Jim Hickey last night and here he is pointing at a 988mb Low with the bottom right hand corner of the "L" virtually right on the "M" of Milford Sound. The heart missed a beat, the volume went up and sure enough Jim is forecasting some serious snow action for Wednesday in the Southern Lakes. Go Gregorrrrrrrrrr. Go Jim Hickeyyyyy. Give us snowwwww.
Oh and you might like to check out Gregor's web site with a nice list of links.
>================ Your chance to Win two Free nights in Queenstown
Yep you guessed it Gregory entered the "pickme" competition and with a nice little tip like that then he is ..... oops sorry, judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. Make sure you don't miss out on the chance to win two free nights accommodation in a luxury lakeside Queenstown apartment and the competition closes on Sunday 20 June.
All you have to do is Email me with at least three email addresses of fellow snowfers that would like to receive our SnowReports. So hop to it and I might even pick you! Oh and it's completely random, honest.
>================ They closed the old snow pole track?
Can you believe it. The Southland District Council in all its wisdom has closed the Old Snow Pole Track. Damn. And the excuse? "Climatic conditions"! And where does it go? Who knows? Somewhere around the Canton Road. And where's that? Well in the Southland District of course.
>================ Coronet Peak
Recent Snow falls
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Base
|
Top
|
|
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4 June
|
6cm
|
?
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|
07 June
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0cm
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5cm
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13 June
|
10cm
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15cm
|
Now we are peaking. Nice and white for the opening day with the main trails open. A great opportunity to drag the winter gear out of the cupboard ( I am sure I put it in the back of the shed! ) and slide around in the hills. Don't expect any off piste action but the groomers and snow makers are bound to lay down a nice white carpet. Nic Horgan and the team of snowmakers was up their last night with all guns blazing.
Good old CoronetCam is still punching out the images. In fact it sits right in my office and when I see a nice scene up the hill I just fire a shot off. The wonders of technology. Starting to play with a few night shots as well so get ready for the night riding - New Zealand's only night resort.
>================ Cardrona
Recent Snow falls
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Base
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Top
|
|
|
4 June
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10cm
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?
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|
07 June
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12cm
|
?
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13 June
|
10cm
|
?
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Proposed opening date is Thursday June 24th. CardronaCam is giving me a very hard time, as those who have tried to have a look will testify. I was hoping to have things set by the 15th but ...... hmmm ... maybe I will just let you all know with a special edition.
>================ Treble Cone
Recent Snow falls
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Base
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Top
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|
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4 June
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5cm
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|
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08 June
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10cm
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|
|
13 June
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5cm
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15cm
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Looking good for the planned opening of June 19.
>================ The Remarkables
Recent Snow falls
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Base
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Top
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|
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4 June
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5cm
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|
|
07 June
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10cm
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15cm
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|
13 June
|
10cm
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Proposed opening Friday 25 June. Special family deal this year is children 10 and under go free. Now that's a deal. Don't forget to check out the live view on RemarkableCam.
>================ Waiorau Snow Farm
Yep the snow farm were in on the action with 15cm of new snow on the 13th. The new lodge has to be seen to be believed and it is the perfect base to check out some X Country. If you are planning a full moon party in one of the backcountry huts then you better get off your butt, these book out real quick. Ring Mary or Jo Lee on 03 443 7542 or better still send them an email, and don't forget to tell them we sent you!
>================ Recommend SnowCam Land and win.
More chances to win? That's unbelievable. Well I would say the chances are pretty infinitesimal but hey if you like our SnowCams and you want to tell someone about it then this is a pretty cool way to do it.
So to recommend our SnowCam page to a friend click here and you might even win a Palm Pilot III!
>================ Snow Field Comparison Chart
If you want to compare all the vital statistics of the Southern Lakes Snow Fields then make sure your surf on over to our SnowCam Land HQ. We have put together all of the important facts in an easy to read table.
Funny thing is that after looking at it for some time, and comparing all the bits and bobs, my conclusion is we are spoilt for choice! Each area has something different to offer ... a bit more vertical here, some more snow making there or perhaps it is the intermediate terrain you are after .... anyway lets hope they all get real white this winter!
>================ Subscribe
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>================ Contact Details
Evan Bloomfield fx +64 3 442 8342
PO Box 2125
Queenstown 9197
AOTEAROA
Copyright, KiwiNewZ, 1999