NZ
Ski/Board Report
By Dave Ocenosak
Day one was Treble Cone, it has a higher elevation so we thought the snow would be good, and it was highly recommended by some locals. The way up to the hill is extreme in it self. Narrow mud switchbacks with no guardrails and steep drop off. No worry's for the bus drivers from New Zealand. $80.00 NZ got you a lift ticket and a round trip bus-ride. The staff was nice. When we got there, one of them got on the bus and informed us were everything is & about lessons & free tours of the mountain. You got your lift pass on the bus so you can go straight to the lift. A big 6 seat high speed takes you up, from there you can go to a t bar to take you up higher. The rest is by foot but very worth it. The view at the top is huge and you get lots of time to take it in as you rest from the hike. The better snow was definitely on top, as you got towards the bottom there was some grass showing but its better then rocks, and you were only down there for the lodge. In my opinion, it would be #1 of the resorts we hit.
Next stop was the Remarkables. Great place, the snow was pretty hard in the a.m. but as soon as the sun hit the hill it was nice. Here again, the best snow was hiked to but not as much work. Nice fluffy powder down to Lake Alta was like riding on clouds. The Terrain Park was good on the way down and up being under the chair. Lunch was great, big sandwiches with fries catsup & tarter extra.
Last resort was Cardrona. Lots like Big Mountain in that it is a great mountain when you can see it and we didn't see much. The fog created white outs so we could not tell the terrain from the snow. They mark the trails with poles to help stay on track. We stayed out and found a clear valley to ride down in but when you got on the chair you were back in the fog. Small accommodations for the size of the hill but then no one could see out side so they were packed inside. This trip was a few dollars more for the bus & lift ticket and we had to set up a pick-up the night before, where as the other resorts have timed shuttles stopping at various spots.
Last place was Southern Lakes to heli-ski. Out of this world. They take you to the top, ride down till you run out of snow, pick you up and do it again. Huge powder carves in the snow with no one else around but your group. Great lunch and staff. The pilot a master, you get exactly what your package describes. If you want extreme go for the more runs.
All & all New Zealand is amazing. The views of & from the mountains and the countryside are spectacular. The people so laid back I would definitely go again.
21 club members just returned and had a
great time. In the next week or so I will be posting articles and pictures that
document our fantastic visit to the Southern Hemisphere.
A special thanks goes out to all the
travelers for without their complete cooperation this trip would not have been
possible:
|
Seth |
Littlefield |
David |
Doerfler |
Dick |
Mosher |
|
Gary |
Petrini |
Debbie |
Petrini |
Zak |
Petrini |
|
Julie |
Ramsey |
Jim |
Soldano |
Mike |
Hepp |
|
Alice |
Leland |
Ryan |
Leland |
Scott |
Strieby |
|
Jerry |
Myhr |
Lorraine |
Delloiacono |
Dave |
Ocenosak |
|
Ray |
Robison |
Georgene |
Robison |
Gary |
Guidotti |
|
Sue |
Jordan |
Jon |
Jordan |
|
|
We will be having a "Picture Pizza Party" (date and
location to be announced) for all that attended to share the pictures they took
in NZ
Trip dates July 31st through
August 9th, 1999. We will be staying in the heart of the New Zealand
Alps, QUEENSTOWN There are four ski areas to choose from along with all the other
activities. We will be staying at the A-LINE HOTEL, three star rating.
The Club is here to promote skiing
in Central Montana.
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at meanmarv@mt.net