Skiing NZ
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Boom! Good advice award this year goes to @Crucial
I have never stayed in Wanaka but have visited plenty of times. I'm now wanting to spend a week there after your comments.
Fern to the rescue... again!
I spent a season in Wanaka in 1997 - midway through Uni, dropped out for a semester, bought a season pass and lived in a caravan in the caravan park there . Had no cash, hitch-hiked up the hill every day. Didn't snow for about 25 days straight which sucked, but there were no queues at least!
Back then Wanaka had 3 bars and fuck all else. Was so good.
I was there a few years ago for a few beers with some mates and we went to the biggest bar there and while we drank, they served, for free, whitebait fritters, possum pies, chicken wings, and about three other various treats. All to keep everyone there drinking as it was summer. They just kept walking round with all this food.
It was so memorable, I can't even remember who I was there with!!
Boom! Good advice award this year goes to @Crucial
I have never stayed in Wanaka but have visited plenty of times. I'm now wanting to spend a week there after your comments.
Fern to the rescue... again!
I spent a season in Wanaka in 1997 - midway through Uni, dropped out for a semester, bought a season pass and lived in a caravan in the caravan park there . Had no cash, hitch-hiked up the hill every day. Didn't snow for about 25 days straight which sucked, but there were no queues at least!
Back then Wanaka had 3 bars and fuck all else. Was so good.
I was there a few years ago for a few beers with some mates and we went to the biggest bar there and while we drank, they served, for free, whitebait fritters, possum pies, chicken wings, and about three other various treats. All to keep everyone there drinking as it was summer. They just kept walking round with all this food.
It was so memorable, I can't even remember who I was there with!!
Ha! What's possum pie like?
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It will certainly be interesting to see how things go this year down south (post Covid)
Both Qtown and Wanaka had exploded in the time I was out of NZ. Qtown is unrecognisable. Probably only 5-6 years ago we would stay in a motel within walking distance of town and the main town was the only place that anything was apart from the new development at Frakton (where the New World is). Went down this summer and didn't even go into the old town for a couple of weeks. Wasn't worth the traffic hassle and everything was available at Frankton with 3 big supermarkets and major stores.
They are going to have a serious readjustment and the locals I know are saying it is probably for the better. The place was a runaway train.
Wanaka has also grown a lot from being a sleepy little town based mainly on winter trade. Still has a small 'centre' though and holds a bit of charm.Where are you booked down there @voodoo ? Hopefully near town, although those hotel complexes toward Cardrona do have their good points if you have kids (pools etc).
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It will certainly be interesting to see how things go this year down south (post Covid)
Both Qtown and Wanaka had exploded in the time I was out of NZ. Qtown is unrecognisable. Probably only 5-6 years ago we would stay in a motel within walking distance of town and the main town was the only place that anything was apart from the new development at Frakton (where the New World is). Went down this summer and didn't even go into the old town for a couple of weeks. Wasn't worth the traffic hassle and everything was available at Frankton with 3 big supermarkets and major stores.
They are going to have a serious readjustment and the locals I know are saying it is probably for the better. The place was a runaway train.
Wanaka has also grown a lot from being a sleepy little town based mainly on winter trade. Still has a small 'centre' though and holds a bit of charm.Where are you booked down there @voodoo ? Hopefully near town, although those hotel complexes toward Cardrona do have their good points if you have kids (pools etc).
It will certainly be interesting to see how things go this year down south (post Covid)
Both Qtown and Wanaka had exploded in the time I was out of NZ. Qtown is unrecognisable. Probably only 5-6 years ago we would stay in a motel within walking distance of town and the main town was the only place that anything was apart from the new development at Frakton (where the New World is). Went down this summer and didn't even go into the old town for a couple of weeks. Wasn't worth the traffic hassle and everything was available at Frankton with 3 big supermarkets and major stores.
They are going to have a serious readjustment and the locals I know are saying it is probably for the better. The place was a runaway train.
Wanaka has also grown a lot from being a sleepy little town based mainly on winter trade. Still has a small 'centre' though and holds a bit of charm.Where are you booked down there @voodoo ? Hopefully near town, although those hotel complexes toward Cardrona do have their good points if you have kids (pools etc).
I heard the same. Probably going to be a bunch of cheap new condos on sale shortly
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It will certainly be interesting to see how things go this year down south (post Covid)
Both Qtown and Wanaka had exploded in the time I was out of NZ. Qtown is unrecognisable. Probably only 5-6 years ago we would stay in a motel within walking distance of town and the main town was the only place that anything was apart from the new development at Frakton (where the New World is). Went down this summer and didn't even go into the old town for a couple of weeks. Wasn't worth the traffic hassle and everything was available at Frankton with 3 big supermarkets and major stores.
They are going to have a serious readjustment and the locals I know are saying it is probably for the better. The place was a runaway train.
Wanaka has also grown a lot from being a sleepy little town based mainly on winter trade. Still has a small 'centre' though and holds a bit of charm.Where are you booked down there @voodoo ? Hopefully near town, although those hotel complexes toward Cardrona do have their good points if you have kids (pools etc).
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Boom! Good advice award this year goes to @Crucial
I have never stayed in Wanaka but have visited plenty of times. I'm now wanting to spend a week there after your comments.
Fern to the rescue... again!
I spent a season in Wanaka in 1997 - midway through Uni, dropped out for a semester, bought a season pass and lived in a caravan in the caravan park there . Had no cash, hitch-hiked up the hill every day. Didn't snow for about 25 days straight which sucked, but there were no queues at least!
Back then Wanaka had 3 bars and fuck all else. Was so good.
I was there a few years ago for a few beers with some mates and we went to the biggest bar there and while we drank, they served, for free, whitebait fritters, possum pies, chicken wings, and about three other various treats. All to keep everyone there drinking as it was summer. They just kept walking round with all this food.
It was so memorable, I can't even remember who I was there with!!
Ha! What's possum pie like?
Boom! Good advice award this year goes to @Crucial
I have never stayed in Wanaka but have visited plenty of times. I'm now wanting to spend a week there after your comments.
Fern to the rescue... again!
I spent a season in Wanaka in 1997 - midway through Uni, dropped out for a semester, bought a season pass and lived in a caravan in the caravan park there . Had no cash, hitch-hiked up the hill every day. Didn't snow for about 25 days straight which sucked, but there were no queues at least!
Back then Wanaka had 3 bars and fuck all else. Was so good.
I was there a few years ago for a few beers with some mates and we went to the biggest bar there and while we drank, they served, for free, whitebait fritters, possum pies, chicken wings, and about three other various treats. All to keep everyone there drinking as it was summer. They just kept walking round with all this food.
It was so memorable, I can't even remember who I was there with!!
Ha! What's possum pie like?
Pretty much like any other meat pie. If they had said it was a meat pie and not mentioned it was possum I would have never known. It was tasty and I grabbed another on the next round (They were savoury size)
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@Crucial we are right on the late in a 3bd apartment, called Lakeside Apartments I think, funnily enough. Not looking forward to the daily drive up, but should be loads of fun if open
@Crucial we are right on the late in a 3bd apartment, called Lakeside Apartments I think, funnily enough. Not looking forward to the daily drive up, but should be loads of fun if open
That's the place right on the corner I think. Great spot, especially if you have a view.
Yeah, the drive up is a bit of a bitch. Theres always a bit of faffing around with gear/clothing etc too so it really pays off to be quite organised and take some stress out in the morning. The access road is much better than it used to be and is a fun drive. Be careful in the valley though, it is a c*nt for black ice if there has been early morning light rain (he says through experience, having written off a 4WD going off the road at 80km/h on a slight bend)
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It will certainly be interesting to see how things go this year down south (post Covid)
Both Qtown and Wanaka had exploded in the time I was out of NZ. Qtown is unrecognisable. Probably only 5-6 years ago we would stay in a motel within walking distance of town and the main town was the only place that anything was apart from the new development at Frakton (where the New World is). Went down this summer and didn't even go into the old town for a couple of weeks. Wasn't worth the traffic hassle and everything was available at Frankton with 3 big supermarkets and major stores.
They are going to have a serious readjustment and the locals I know are saying it is probably for the better. The place was a runaway train.
Wanaka has also grown a lot from being a sleepy little town based mainly on winter trade. Still has a small 'centre' though and holds a bit of charm.Where are you booked down there @voodoo ? Hopefully near town, although those hotel complexes toward Cardrona do have their good points if you have kids (pools etc).
I heard the same. Probably going to be a bunch of cheap new condos on sale shortly
It will certainly be interesting to see how things go this year down south (post Covid)
Both Qtown and Wanaka had exploded in the time I was out of NZ. Qtown is unrecognisable. Probably only 5-6 years ago we would stay in a motel within walking distance of town and the main town was the only place that anything was apart from the new development at Frakton (where the New World is). Went down this summer and didn't even go into the old town for a couple of weeks. Wasn't worth the traffic hassle and everything was available at Frankton with 3 big supermarkets and major stores.
They are going to have a serious readjustment and the locals I know are saying it is probably for the better. The place was a runaway train.
Wanaka has also grown a lot from being a sleepy little town based mainly on winter trade. Still has a small 'centre' though and holds a bit of charm.Where are you booked down there @voodoo ? Hopefully near town, although those hotel complexes toward Cardrona do have their good points if you have kids (pools etc).
I heard the same. Probably going to be a bunch of cheap new condos on sale shortly
I doubt it. They are cheap as chips to overseas buyers anyway and just sit empty. There are multi million dollar mansions down there that sit empty for a once per year visit.
A few developments may stall for a bit, but half the world wants to live there if they could.
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I'm a lifetime pass holder with RAL (seriously good value when they offer them) and have a bach down at Ruapehu that we can use, but we still go SI most years as well.
I think some of the info above is a bit out of date. Ruapehu - both sides - has improved heaps and I have barely ever had to queue for anything. The crowds thing I just haven't seen, but we never go weekends or school holidays. I love Cardrona but my experience has it busier than NI.
I will say this though, Apres in Queenstown is a shit load better than Ohakune for choice of venues and the central plateau is a bugger for predicting weather. You might end up in lockdown again. Take the board games.
Oh yeah - have a car. You will want to get out, go to Taupo, Whanganui, where ever, if the weather is shit.
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I'm a lifetime pass holder with RAL (seriously good value when they offer them) and have a bach down at Ruapehu that we can use, but we still go SI most years as well.
I think some of the info above is a bit out of date. Ruapehu - both sides - has improved heaps and I have barely ever had to queue for anything. The crowds thing I just haven't seen, but we never go weekends or school holidays. I love Cardrona but my experience has it busier than NI.
I will say this though, Apres in Queenstown is a shit load better than Ohakune for choice of venues and the central plateau is a bugger for predicting weather. You might end up in lockdown again. Take the board games.
Oh yeah - have a car. You will want to get out, go to Taupo, Whanganui, where ever, if the weather is shit.
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I'm a lifetime pass holder with RAL (seriously good value when they offer them) and have a bach down at Ruapehu that we can use, but we still go SI most years as well.
I think some of the info above is a bit out of date. Ruapehu - both sides - has improved heaps and I have barely ever had to queue for anything. The crowds thing I just haven't seen, but we never go weekends or school holidays. I love Cardrona but my experience has it busier than NI.
I will say this though, Apres in Queenstown is a shit load better than Ohakune for choice of venues and the central plateau is a bugger for predicting weather. You might end up in lockdown again. Take the board games.
Oh yeah - have a car. You will want to get out, go to Taupo, Whanganui, where ever, if the weather is shit.
I'm a lifetime pass holder with RAL (seriously good value when they offer them) and have a bach down at Ruapehu that we can use, but we still go SI most years as well.
I think some of the info above is a bit out of date. Ruapehu - both sides - has improved heaps and I have barely ever had to queue for anything. The crowds thing I just haven't seen, but we never go weekends or school holidays. I love Cardrona but my experience has it busier than NI.
I will say this though, Apres in Queenstown is a shit load better than Ohakune for choice of venues and the central plateau is a bugger for predicting weather. You might end up in lockdown again. Take the board games.
Oh yeah - have a car. You will want to get out, go to Taupo, Whanganui, where ever, if the weather is shit.
Ruapehu is great midweek and on a dodgy weather weekend when you can have gaps of visibility. Judging by last years visits though, the new Gondola at Whaka is pants. Mainly because there is now only one way up the mountain. I have never seen queues around Lorenz's and down the road to carpark 3 like that before. Fucking crazy.
Turoa has removed the Jumbo T and replaced it with nothing. One way to the top of the mountain and queues to get back up. I believe that the Giant has has an upgrade over summer (thank god) but three if the four main lifts are ancient old and slow.So enjoyed going to the snow in Europe where there has been infrastructure battles for some time now to capture the market. France got better than Austria then Austria went all out to beat France. Even 'small' and barely known ski fields will have fast 6 seaters with heated seats and storm covers.
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I'm a lifetime pass holder with RAL (seriously good value when they offer them) and have a bach down at Ruapehu that we can use, but we still go SI most years as well.
I think some of the info above is a bit out of date. Ruapehu - both sides - has improved heaps and I have barely ever had to queue for anything. The crowds thing I just haven't seen, but we never go weekends or school holidays. I love Cardrona but my experience has it busier than NI.
I will say this though, Apres in Queenstown is a shit load better than Ohakune for choice of venues and the central plateau is a bugger for predicting weather. You might end up in lockdown again. Take the board games.
Oh yeah - have a car. You will want to get out, go to Taupo, Whanganui, where ever, if the weather is shit.
Ruapehu is great midweek and on a dodgy weather weekend when you can have gaps of visibility. Judging by last years visits though, the new Gondola at Whaka is pants. Mainly because there is now only one way up the mountain. I have never seen queues around Lorenz's and down the road to carpark 3 like that before. Fucking crazy.
Turoa has removed the Jumbo T and replaced it with nothing. One way to the top of the mountain and queues to get back up. I believe that the Giant has has an upgrade over summer (thank god) but three if the four main lifts are ancient old and slow.So enjoyed going to the snow in Europe where there has been infrastructure battles for some time now to capture the market. France got better than Austria then Austria went all out to beat France. Even 'small' and barely known ski fields will have fast 6 seaters with heated seats and storm covers.
@Crucial The infrastructure was why RAL sold the lifetime passes - to raise some cash and the plans looked O.K. The Jumbo T was taken out by an avalanche. This is the plan:
"Sunset Express – replacement of the Jumbo TBar with a new detachable chairlift finishing uphill from the former location of the Jumbo T-Bar top bullwheel. This lift is longer and located adjacent to (not on) the existing Jumbo TBar line to reduce its exposure to avalanche paths."I haven't been to Whaka since the Sky Waka but that does sound fucking crazy.
All of the Turoa lifts are being upgraded and the snow making too. I hadn't noticed the SI lifts being any better than NI. Europe obviously is.
My only issue with Turoa is ice can be a bugger. South side and all of that.
Who knows what covid will do to the plans. I still won't be there for school holidays or weekends but I will be there.
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Has anyone here done much? I haven't ridden here since I was at Uni, 20 years ago.
In particular, has anyone spent time at the North Island ski fields? Is Ohakune a fun place for family to stay? (I had a wicked time there as a 20yr old working at Turoa for a season). Is it easy to get up the hill every day with shuttles etc or do you need your own vehicle with chains etc? And Turoa or Whakapapa?
Looking at spending between 2 weeks and 4 weeks somewhere in late June if it all opens up again
Any advice appreciated!
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That's a good article, Crucial.
I have in mind that you were once recommending a family-run lodge near Tekapo - but, maybe it was at Ohau?
Since no-one has talked about Rainbow - it's well worth considering if you are in Wellington (as an alternative to Ruapehu) and can make the economics stack up. Weekdays and even much of the time at the weekend you can ski straight onto the lifts. It's a basic commercial field - small cafe, ski-hire, instruction - main lift is a T-bar.
In a good snow year when the West Bowl is open it becomes quite a decent sized field. Even if the WB is closed, there's enough to keep you interested over a weekend.
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Great post Crucial.
Haven't been for 20 years when I did a 1-month roadie of the S Island.
Skied most of the places.
My favourites were Ohau and Dobson.
Stayed at Ohau Lodge. Great vibe, great food.
Stayed in Fairlie for a three nights. Bats way above its name.
If you don't mind a walk then Temple Basin is magnificent.
And heard very good things about Mt Olympus.
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@voodoo Oh yeah and June is normally "too soon" for Ruapehu as @Crucial said. Late, might be O.K. but a bit of a risk.
If it's any good I'll be there and join you for a beer (if you are brave enough).Reckon I could summon the courage...But it sounds like the SI supporters are winning the day. Maybe on my NI Road Trip though in a couple of weeks
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Great post Crucial.
Haven't been for 20 years when I did a 1-month roadie of the S Island.
Skied most of the places.
My favourites were Ohau and Dobson.
Stayed at Ohau Lodge. Great vibe, great food.
Stayed in Fairlie for a three nights. Bats way above its name.
If you don't mind a walk then Temple Basin is magnificent.
And heard very good things about Mt Olympus.
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I definitely like the idea of tacking a club field lodge stay onto a few weeks in Wanaka - are there any lodges that non-members can stay at on-mountain?
I definitely like the idea of tacking a club field lodge stay onto a few weeks in Wanaka - are there any lodges that non-members can stay at on-mountain?
https://www.mtcheeseman.co.nz/accommodation-2/
Usually at Cheeseman - Snowline is right on the field (but apparently isn't going to open this year). Forest Lodge is - I'm pretty sure - lower down the mountain so would require some travel up the road each day.
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I definitely like the idea of tacking a club field lodge stay onto a few weeks in Wanaka - are there any lodges that non-members can stay at on-mountain?
https://www.mtcheeseman.co.nz/accommodation-2/
Usually at Cheeseman - Snowline is right on the field (but apparently isn't going to open this year). Forest Lodge is - I'm pretty sure - lower down the mountain so would require some travel up the road each day.
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@MiketheSnow said in Skiing NZ:
Stayed in Fairlie for a three nights. Bats way above its name.
This is very good and made me laughout loud
@MiketheSnow said in Skiing NZ:
Stayed in Fairlie for a three nights. Bats way above its name.
This is very good and made me laughout loud
Really enjoyed the place.
Didn't take themselves too seriously.
Two pubs - Top Pub, Bottom Pub. Great welcome and craic. Watched loss to SA in Tri Nations at the Top Pub. Took it well.
Good food, baked goods and coffee at the Fairlie Good Bakery.
