Monday, September 7, 2009

The great skiing and riding conditions continue in Queenstown New Zealand

Well we had a great snow fall last week with approx 45 cms at Coronet Peak and further towards the divide about a meter of snow fell.

I spent Friday and Saturday night at Coronet Peak night skiing which was just awesome with sensational snow conditions - nice chalky winter snow and even got some freshies in the powder - ye haa!

I was supposed to be on my way back down to Southland on Sunday but at 0545 I got a call from Southern Lakes Heli Ski asking me to guide for them. After a quick think - ha - and a bit of a re-shuffle of plans I was driving a crew around to the Minarets which is terrain on the West side of Lake Wanaka.

The snow was awesome and after everybody had there share of runs in the glorious fresh powder we were on our way back to Queenstown and me back down to Southland with a big smile on my face.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Skiing and Heli Skiing - Coronet Peak and Southern Lakes Heli Ski

The skiing is great at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables with excellent spring conditions at the moment.

The heli skiing is also going off with a mix of winter snow on the shady Aspects and Spring conditions elsewhere.

Now is a great time to be getting some turns in.

Friday, July 24, 2009

New Zealands Southern Lakes Ski Areas get Snow

Since my last blog we have had a series of storm fronts drop snow on Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. All the ski areas further north have also recieved snow.

CP got approximately 20 - 25 cms at the top of the mountain and is skiing and riding very well as it has just topped up the base very nicely.

The heli skiing has also come alive again but due to the very unstable snow pack all the operators are using low angle terrain to negate the avalanche risk.

Unfortunately a heli ski operator near Mt Hutt had a incident yesterday that resulted in the first avalanche fatality in 5 years in NZ. The group had 2 guides with them and were being incredibly careful and still one let rip buring 2 skiers and a partial burial of the 3rd skier. The guides dug out both skiers in 7 minutes but one skier had died most likely from other underlying health issues but this will be clarified over the next few days.

Certainly travel in the back country is not recommended right now as the danger is extreme and avalanches have been running to the ground in places. It would pay to give it a day or two before touring to let things settle and a high degree of caution should be used. It would pay to check with your local ski patrol about conditions and also check out www.avalanche.net.nz for up to date reports.

If you are going into the back country do your homework and take all the safety gear such as transceiver, probe and shovel and know how to use them - your life or your friends life may depend on it!

In the mean time come and have a private ski lesson with me at Coronet Peak and I will give you some useful techniques on how to ski big fat powder so your time in the heli skiing is well used.

The weather looks like we are in for regular snow falls now for the next month so now is certainly the time to get to the snow.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Weather patterns look like snow is on the way for Coronet Peak

Finally after 7 weeks of Southerly's and Easterly flows and 10cm of snow the weather pattern is looking like it is heading back to our more usual North West flow and we should start to see some more regular snow falls at the Southern Lakes Ski Areas. A storm is brewing at the moment and we may see some snow towards the middle and end of this week.

Although we haven't had much natural snow at Coronet Peak in the last 7 weeks the early season snow fall in May that stuck around along with GUN POWDER (man made snow) out of the fantastic snow making system has allowed Coronet Peak to get thru the school holidays in great shape. In fact I don't think many people who have been here on holiday with family and friends could complain about the snow conditions or fabulous weather we had.

The NZ school hols are over now and the final week of the Aussie school hols are in there last week so the numbers have dropped somewhat on thee mountains. Next week should be even better with ALL the kids back at school. Even with the big numbers over the hols Coronet Peak has moved people very well with lift lines on the quad and six mand only being about 10 mins at max.

SKI TIP

Pole swing. The pole should be swinging and following the legs through the whole turn. This will allow for the body to work more in time with the turn and help achieve better rhythm while you ski. This is very helpful in all conditions but especially so when skiing powder snow.

Not letting the pole swing during the turn and doing it all at the last moment will put your timing of the pole touch out making it too late and will also affect your fore and aft balance as well as lateral balance.

Remember book at ski lesson with Simon Wilkinson at Coronet Peak Snow Sports School and maximise your time and fun in the snow.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Coronet Peak is Ripping during July



Well the school holidays are here and the recession certainly doesn't seem to have affected peoples desire to hit the slopes at Coronet Peak. Monday and Tuesday had about 4000 pax at CP and the mountain handled the numbers very well.

The snow is in great order and holding up very well but your best bet is to get off the main groomed runs and stay on the chalky off piste snow.

The cold temps continue to allow the snow making system to deliver excellent overnight top ups. Isn't it great, fine every day and fresh snow every night!

We haven't had much in the way of real snow for a few weeks now but I am sure that will change again soon as mother nature always finds balance. I am sure there are not to many worried about it right now - the snow base is great and skiing is really good.

Due to the number of people on the hill private ski lessons can be hard to get if you have not pre-booked so make sure you get onto it and make your booking with me before you head on down here to ski.


SKI TIP


Lateral Movement.

At any level as you ski thru the turn your lower body needs to move inside the turn as your upper body balances to the outside allowing much better grip of the ski to the snow as you continue to steer the ski thru the arc of the turn.

Actively feel the inside (uphill) leg working by moving up the hill, engaging the little toe of that foot with the snow as your chest moves slightly side ways over the toe binding of the outside ski. Your body should end up in a slight C shape.

Many people get thru the turn and then relax - do not be one of those people - either keep turning up the hill and continue working the inside ski or go into the next turn!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Queenstown, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables getting ready for Winter Fest

Tomorrow is the official opening of Queenstown's Winter Festival with the opening party and fireworks starting at 1800 - 2100 and in the tough economic times is quite special as it is free. Bonus!

Hordes of people from all over NZ and Aussie and the odd visitor from elsewhere around the globe turn up to party the arse's off at night and ski or snowboard hard during the day at one of the local ski areas. It a big 10 days of crazy fun and a good time to be here.

The snow at the NZSKI ski areas is in great nick and I have heard that Cardrona and the Snow Park are riding well too. If you are staying in queenstown it's pretty hard to beat going to Coronet Peak or the Remarkables as there proximity to Queenstown is amazing, 20 mins to the Peak and 40 mins to the Remarkables. Add to that the new transport system NZSKI are offering it is certainly a cheap option to get to the Coronet Peak and the Remarkables ski areas from QT.

SKI TIP

Well by now if you have had a few turns under your belt you should be starting to feel like you have found the center of your foot and have become more balanced along the length of ski. Now is the time to start exploring the range of movement available while staying in a balanced position along the foot/ski. Try some full range of movement turns this means moving into a tall position to start each turn tall and finish the turn with your mass closer to the skis (a full range of extension and flexion movement - straightening or bending at the ankle knee and hip), explore what happens while remaining well balanced along the center of the foot/ski and try changing the movements around to be flexed to start a turn and extended when you finish a turn just to really mess with your ability to balance and change movement patterns.

Note that this is an exercise only but the concepts apply to regular, good skiing especially in off piste terrain.

Remember to book a private ski lesson with Simon Wilkinson at the Coronet Peak Snowsports school to maximize you skiing enjoyment this season

Monday, June 22, 2009

Coronet Peak and the Remarkables Skiing well in late June

The Remarkables opened last Saturday with all lifts open (first time ever for opening day)and a good base coverage. More snow will be needed but with the base that is already there its looking like an awesome season ahead to ski the Remarks.

The last week has seen quite a bit of flight disruption with the cold temps trapping a fog layer in the Wakatipu basin and quite a few flights have been diverted or cancelled, flying in later in the day seems the best option as the valley fog seems to clear late each day.

While the fog has been in the valley, Coronet Peak has been in the sunshine but as the temps have been cold up there they have been pumping snow out with all guns blazing and continuing to cover the Peak in armarnie snow. The Peak is skiing great and the snow is very grippy and also very squeaky.

Going into winter festival next week with such fantastic snow coverage is going to make a lot of people happy.

I will look forward to seeing you on the slopes and remember to ask for Simon Wilkinson when you book your private ski lesson at Coronet Peak Snow Sports School.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Southerly Storm hits the Southern Lakes and Coronet Peak


Yet again I am amazed at how fast things can change on Coronet Peak. Over the last 4 days or so the Peak has seen some very warm temps and then freezing at night, more like spring conditions really and a very well tuned pair of skis was required. My Salomon Aero GT loved it but as you can imagine they were in great nick and had sharp, clean edges.

I was sitting on the chair yesterday with a local who had thought that the man made snow (temps had dropped enough for snow making to resume) might have blown into the gullies in Exchange but after skiing a short way realized he had made a big mistake as the snow was bomber and hard as a rock, on the chair he was saying that the front would miss us and we wouldn't get anything from it at all and he was off home. I disagreed and said that we might only get a few cm's out of it but it would hit and the Peak would be back to wicked skiing again and in the meantime enjoyed some great om piste runs!

Sure enough this morning I opened the curtain and the ground outside was white. A slow and careful drive (after a hearty breakfast of 4 weetbix and a bloody strong coffee) up to Coronet Peak showed they had recived about the same - approximately 2-3 cms. It continued to snow lightly until about 1000 and then it started to clear up and the sun came out and all of a sudden the Peak is back on and skiing great.

Most other ski areas around the world you need about 2 feet to make you smile - here in NZ 2+ cms will do nicely thanks.

The snow guns wil be all go over the next 72 hours or so as we have clear cold weather so the skiing will continue to be good until the next natural fall.

Now is a good time to be getting some turns in and come and ask at the Coronet Peak Snowsports School for Simon Wilkinson and get yourself a private ski lesson to get you on track and ripping it up!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Another Great Day on Coronet Peak, New Zealand

Well lst night saw some precip come in just on dark for an hour or so and it wasn't quite cold enough to snow so the R word come in to play. It cleared quite quickly and started to set everything up again. This moring the Coronet Peak was pretty hard and fast but the groomers had done a great job and the on piste skiing was actually pretty bloody good. Off piste remained fairly bomb proof and only the foolhard seemed to venture off piste, it was certainly a day to stay on the groomers! As the day wore on the groomed runs softened nicely and skied well.

The rain the went into the snow pack on Coronet Peak hasn't really done any damage, testiment to the amount of snow we have got and also the resilence of the man made snow that was laid on top of the natural snow. As the rain has permeatted thru the pack and the got cold and frozen it wil have bonded everything up quite well and I certainly can't see it going anywhere in a hurry.

It look like we will have some colder snow weather arriving on Sunday so that will put the Peak back in tip top condition if it transpires. Watch out on the roads around the Queenstown area - plenty of little icy spots that wil catch out the motorist driving a bit qucik for the conditions.

All in all the peak is skiing great for early season and there are plenty of happy people around.

Check out my quick vid from today:

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Coronet Peak Rocks

Well actually there are very few rocks due to the great snow coverage on Coronet Peak and with the amazing and fully automated snowmaking system it is just getting better and better. It's not to say a few more good natural dumps wouldn't be aprecciated however, keep your fingers crossed.

As an empolyee of NZSKI I have to take my hat off the the owners and those that are skippering the boat on its journey towards the future. Serious money has been spent over the last few years and coninues to be in a effort to future proof against global warming or should I say climate change and the bleak world outlook at present and allowing NZSKi to position themselves amongst other things as the leader in snowsports recreation in the Southern Hemisphere. What is possibly more important is the way they are taking the staff on this journey by empowering them to be pro-active in this journey to the future. I have noticed a major pick up in the fact that with returning staff especially the management is treating them with respect for who they are and their backgrounds in the snow and general tourism industry to help the company as a whole acheive its vision for the future and this means respect is being given in return.

I had a great day today, A dozen quick runs on the Quad to get my ski fitness up enjoying the fabulous snow conditions and my new Salomon skis and playing with my early season techinque.

Here's something to think about early season (if you are a skier):

Feel pressure along the whole length of the foot as you ski (not just the heel or the toe).

Widen your stance to hip width or slightly wider.

Focus on disciplined hand and arm position (don't let them wave all over the shop.

Thinking about these three things as you start your season will be a good foundation enabling you to progress faster this year.

Get a ski lesson at an NZSKI snowsports school to find out more! Oh remember to ask for Simon Wilkinson if you want a private ski lesson at Coronet Peak.

Oh I forgot, after my quick ski I decided putting some dinner on the table might be a good idea (keep the wife happy), and popped down to one of my favourite fishing spots near Queentown and hooked and landed three trout one I kept which was a 8.5lb brown trout and let the other two go, dinner for another day! Where can you do that, go ski in the morning and then catch big NZ trout a 1/2hr later! Queenstown and Coronet Peak Rocks!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Opening Weekend of Coronet Peak, Queenstown,NZ

Saturday was opening day at Coronet Peak in New Zealand and hordes of mostly locals turned out to ski the best opening day snow conditions since 1996. The weather was great in the moring but detoriated a little during the day with some cloud drifiting in and the odd light snow flurry late in the day.

I got to have a good hoon around on the Salomon Aero GTs and see what they were capable of and was happily surprised. As they are a hybrid ski I was not really sure what I was in for but found them to be a very good on piste ski with excellent edge control and if you wanted to work them hard they responded well and left trenches in the snow. On the other hand backing off and just relaxing was also rather nice, you did'nt have to work them hard all the time to get good results! Being more of an on piste ski I ws quite surprised at how easily they dealt with the off piste which was quite changeable from nice chalky windblown powder and manky windcrust, they just seemed to eat it up. I will wait for a chance to ski them in deep powder and let you know how they respond to that challenge.

I was up on Coronet Peak again today and it was a blue bird day, quite cold with great snow conditions and the skiing was all go. My run of the day was dropping into Mid Exchange cutting back to the Hurdle and then dropping into West Gates. Lots of nice chalky snow and pockets of windblown powder, lovely!

The coming week looks like it wil start fine and slowly detoriate mid week and a chance of snow as a front bears down on us from a northly direction. With luck the mantle of snow on the Southern Alps will help drop the temperature and snow will arrive rather than the form of precip we don't want, I am not even going to use the word! With luck it will hit the cold Southerly airstream that we have and realy dump!



I didn't gte the chance to shoot any footage but wil pop up 2moro morning for a early ski (day's off) and shoot some and upload something later this week.

Certainly ifi you are um and ahhing about going skiing - nows very good and I think it wil continue to get better and better. as the season rols on! Here's hoping.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Coronet Peak, Queenstown New Zealand opens 2moro

Well it's the night before the opening of Coronet Peak and I have all my gear good to go skiing. I was up there yesterday getting trained about the company culture (NZSKI) and customer service but couldn't help myself constantly staring out the window and how much snow there is up on the peak. It certainly looks like the best base coverage I have seen on Coronet for the last - well since I have been in Queenstown.

I will take some pics 2moro and maybe some video footage so you can all see it.

I am looking forward tomy first day riding my new Salomon skis and will also be posting a full report on how they rip. I will be giving further updates as the season rolls on on how they perform on different conditions.

Remember if you are looking fro a short term rental (3 nights minimum) over the winter check out Book a Bach for our listing.

It looks like the whole of New Zealands ski feilds are setting up well with snow for a great winter.

CU on the snow.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Skiing on Salomon

This year as alway's I wil be working in conjuntion with R&R Sports in Queenstown and will be riding the Salomon Aero GT. They wil be arriving soon and before I know it I will be on them and ripping it up - I will come back and give you a detailed report on how these ski's rip.

The 2009 New Zealand Winter snow season is gearing up

The last 3 weeks has seen some amazing weather delivering a huge amount of snow to the mountains of the South Island of New Zealand. Queenstown and the Southern Lakes has been getting blitzed by tons of snow.

Coronet Peak is reporting a 80cm base

Remarkables and 130 cm base

Considering I live just below CP and Re i can testify that they are on the money with the snow depth reporting.

There will be lots of excited skiers and snowboarders getting geared up for the opening of Coronet Peak on the 6th of June.

We are stil getting snow today and some more is forecast for later in the week with a big high ridging in after that which wil supply the cold temperatures required for snow making.

We normally say that the snow in May never stays but this time I think it is going and the start of the season will be off to a cracker. The long term forecast for the winter is also good with plenty of good storm system that should deliver plenty of snow for the South Island and North Island ski fields.

I will be starting fairly regular updates to my ski blog from now on - stay tuned!