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.
Monday, September 7, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, July 10, 2009
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