tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45913402452382119892024-03-05T19:26:49.615+13:00fille de neigetales from the volcano - and elsewhereChantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-71527199305121022822012-10-31T13:22:00.002+13:002012-10-31T13:36:09.286+13:00Well, that was winter 2012So basically I have had a very quiet winter, for me... only once at Turoa (Ruapehu), no extended South Island holiday, and the few times I have been have been were mostly beautiful blue sky days at Whakapapa (Ruapehu). For the first winter ever since I started snowboarding, Ohakune was not my weekend base, and I miss that town and all my friends there. My last day on the slopes was end of Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-65990181740032741742012-06-02T20:39:00.001+12:002012-06-02T20:45:33.922+12:00the road to JapanWe decided, we're aiming to go to Japan for a few weeks in (south.hemi) summer 2013. It's all a big dream at the moment, we don't even know how much it will all cost. But the prep has started... saving $$... and spending $$ on all important purchases of course, like a new gore-tex jacket and a powder board!
my new jacket - Scott "annita" - goretex baby!
new second hand board - Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-12570928541648764712011-06-27T11:49:00.000+12:002011-06-27T11:49:45.064+12:00here comes the snowMore snow on the ground at Ruapehu and this lot should stick around.
Drove up towards Turoa yesterday and got as far as 13km, where the gate was closed and it was snowing! Ventured out of the car for a little walk up to the hairpin and on the way back our tracks were filling in, and there was snow even futher down the mountain road. It's been cold enough for snowmaking, and here's hoping Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-82856707698362657122011-06-23T16:07:00.001+12:002011-06-23T16:10:35.446+12:00an even slower startThought autumn and winter was slow to start last year?
looking at the temporary Knoll cafe from the new one
Aside from a holiday to Melbourne at the beginning of May (when it was freeeeeeezing) it just hasn't felt cold. Keep telling myself that autumn is a tease anyway, but things not feeling "right" were confirmed when it was reported to be the warmest May in NZ since records began.... wetter Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-65513146588470142872010-08-03T11:23:00.031+12:002011-06-11T17:40:53.084+12:00shoulda been here yesterdayThese words of all words can make a weekend warrior cringe. Friday the 24th July was a bit of a magic day on Rua we heard. Nice freshies and people hooting all over the hill. "Shoulda been here yesterday" they said.
The weather forecast for the Saturday 25th looked bad, but we risked it at Turoa. The snow that was supposed to fall overnight never came, and the winds and showers for that day Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-36769850620902883402010-07-22T11:15:00.000+12:002010-07-22T11:15:13.392+12:00Fun Times at TuroaLess novel more pics... Here's a quick look at the weekend just gone at Turoa.
Saturday dawned and we're now at the 1m mark at Turoa! After 2 years on the Meadow, the Fischer Retro GS moved back to the Yahoo trail. BUT, like the 2 years before, it was a grey wet one. The standards are getting higher every year. With extra points awarded for the age of the gear, there are some fine specimens of Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-23073441414337994532010-07-14T10:00:00.008+12:002010-07-14T19:21:11.077+12:00Winter BluebirdsOn Monday I called "a bluebird day" and didn't return to work, making it a long cold weekend and 3 sunny days at Turoa.
Saturday was unbelievably cold!! We had 3 freeeeezing rides on the Movenpick and runs to the base, before stopping for hot chocolate and a foot rub to warm the numbness taking over the body. The report said it was -10'C and with wind-chill it must have been a tad over -20'. Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-60695479804681056832010-07-06T19:21:00.007+12:002010-07-14T19:27:10.659+12:00High Noon Express has opened!Just a tad earlier than the earliest estimate it's now running. Well done everyone involved with the tower 9 repair.
So it's been a few days since I could get near a computer and here's a catch up of my recent 3 days at Turoa...
Friday - Day before the school holidays, pretty busyish for a week day. Giant and High Flyer open and Movenpick for access. Boneyard was... boney. I could see why most Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-11854656081330836562010-06-28T14:19:00.010+12:002010-11-17T11:52:55.431+13:00early season waiting...but it's been snowing... have faith people more snow will come!
So that rain this week wasn't very kind (sad face). There's been some High Flyer chair action this week just gone, but things low down got a bad case of the melts.
On Saturday I went to Whakapapa for a look. Didn't really fancy sharing one chair with the 000's in town for Mardis Gras. Had my first chairlift ride for the season downChantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-34965949649898944292010-06-22T21:46:00.000+12:002010-06-22T21:46:07.964+12:00getting your hike onA full car, a Friday night commute, and a dodgy dinner stop in Otorohanga - the weekend warriors were on the road once more!
I had not packed my backpack as I had convinced myself any hiking I was going to do would be minimal, and it was too early in the season to get all crazy on the poor old summer legs. Well... the Alpine Meadow Sunkids carpet was running but no lifts. It was sunny and warm Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-57505024819172658972010-06-15T11:20:00.000+12:002010-06-15T11:20:42.433+12:00snowing in 'KuneIt's snowing in Ohakune as I type....
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts have announced an early opening at Turoa this Thursday 17th - brought forward from Sat 19th - copy of the release is below.
"Alpine Meadow Opens on Thursday
Posted on 15 June 2010 at 11:03 AM
It will be an early start to the season for the Alpine Meadow at Turoa this season with an early opening on this Thursday the 17th. Join us up Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-36674901753253547572010-06-09T16:01:00.003+12:002010-06-09T16:07:34.744+12:00sneak peak, sun's outview from the east, snow over the Desert Road
Whakapapa viewCredit: Volcano Cameras - Geonet.org.nz
Turoa view
Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-81694062953169933902010-06-08T11:03:00.002+12:002010-06-09T16:03:17.494+12:00pre-season sojournSlept in again! We were supposed to leave before dawn on Saturday morning, but got up when the first tui cracked outside at 7am. (the bird, not the beer) We were supposed to get moving early because Saturday was going to be the best of the long weekend. Nevermind, we can pack pretty quick, and were on the road and in Ohakune at lunchtime. We had beautiful clear drive, and caught glimpses of Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-70550674022586258482010-05-31T12:23:00.000+12:002010-05-31T12:23:19.218+12:00MoodyWell I forgot to set my alarm for this morning, and slept half an hour over. Not a good way to start a Monday! I heard the sunrise this morning was pretty awesome. I checked my favourite VolcanoCams on the Geonet website, and here are a selection of moody shots from this morning, enjoy.
There's also been some pretty cool shots on the recent full moon. It has been clear at times at night whichChantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-8003892527157497122010-05-27T13:01:00.003+12:002010-05-27T13:13:25.739+12:00autumn snow updateLast week in Auckland we had some rain of all rains over 2 days which well and truly broke the drought. This was followed by another weather system bringing more rain and flooding to part of the South and North Islands. Along with that there has been snow falling on all mountains and with the rain now moving off we have more snow now. This is today's weather map at 7am this morning....
Reports Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-4952864707981066782010-05-17T10:00:00.002+12:002010-11-17T11:50:11.199+13:00Yup... we have snow at last
A nice snow cap after a few days of miserable weather
- almost down to the level of Knoll Ridge.Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-59281927947338239732010-05-10T15:08:00.002+12:002010-05-10T15:43:04.359+12:00WHERE IS THE SNOW???images from Geonet...
Whakapapa from the airport on SH47
looking over the Desert Road (SH1, approx where the fog is)
Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-49109532146957935172010-05-06T11:08:00.002+12:002010-05-06T11:11:23.669+12:00from the airYesterday I flew from Hokitika to Christchurch over the Southern Alps
Suddenly I could see a building perched on a ridge - and realised it was the Day Lodge at Craigeburn Valley Ski Area
Here is the accommodation at CV, nestled in the tree line.We stayed here 2x nights last year.
Flying over the edge of Castle Hill Station, I could see Porters in the distance. The oval shape of orange Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-84026906391747510212010-05-02T21:17:00.001+12:002010-05-06T11:12:55.859+12:00clear autumn dayToday was absolutely stunning! Great day to be out on the harbour with rod and reel, unfortunately the boys didn't bring home any fish.
On the Whakapapa side, Ruapehu looks like this, a nice little snow cap on. Here is the Geonet Volcano Camera view this morning.
I have seen some awesome pics of Turoa taken from Ohakune this evening. I don't want to steal someone else images so Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-29088379758931349282010-05-01T22:51:00.009+12:002010-11-17T11:48:58.282+13:00webcam watchRuapehu Alpine Lifts webcam link
Today, the first of May, my friend and I trawled around the city's snow stores checking out the pre-season weekend sales. I left the house with a merino t shirt and jeans and summer sandals on, half wondering if I should take another layer with me. Mostly because there were sporadic rain showers more than anything else. It was still reasonably warm here in Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-81920557670745135012010-04-27T12:15:00.002+12:002010-11-17T11:46:14.160+13:00Waiting...Mild temps continue to rock on. Still hovering around 20 degree highs most days in AK. Although we have had a temperature drop of sorts, and some coolish streaks (sometimes reaching for the extra blanket) it still does not feel like we have had THE icy autumn blast.
I spent a couple of days in Nelson and Blenheim last week. 23 degrees when we landed in Blenheim. Cooled to about 4 degrees Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-8309936230665928382010-03-23T08:29:00.002+13:002010-05-17T10:18:04.742+12:00Knoll Ridge Cafebefore and after (and I forgot about that mid March dusting!)
Just over a year ago, on the night of Friday the 13th of February 2009, some stupid person set fire to the Knoll Ridge Cafe, Waterfall Express Terminal, and the cat shed. While the 3 level Cafe and Cat Shed were written off due to the arson, the terminal for the chair luckily only suffered minor damage, and the season was able to Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-31180115212633366402010-02-04T10:27:00.013+13:002010-05-29T21:29:13.533+12:00Tussock Traverse 30/01/2010After we got back from the "Chill Tour" I decided it really was time I thought about getting back into some running. I used to run quite a bit. Not fast, nothing flash, just enough to keep me fit without joining the gym. This idea tends to fall by the wayside as the weekends are filled with snowboarding, and the weeks are spent doing washing, re-packing, sleeping, working and recovering!I find itChantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-24873616676786074542009-12-07T16:15:00.012+13:002010-05-29T21:29:13.534+12:00you are a (mountain) goat! The Goat 2009 - The Pinnicles @ Whakapapa through the mist The Goat 2009 - race briefingThe Goat 2009 - start at Top of the Bruce, WhakapapaThe Goat 2009 - finish at Turoa carpark"Have you goat what it takes?" is the question on everyone's lips at this time each year as they tackle The Goat alpine adventure run from Whakapapa ski field to Turoa ski field. The course is on a portion of the Round Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591340245238211989.post-74906803439410073802009-11-10T17:44:00.009+13:002009-11-10T18:07:56.832+13:00That's it, That's all NZ!Last day, Turoa, SNOvember the 8th 2009Just finished the "season" 2 days ago with a nice corny spring day with a touch of slush thrown in here and there. Bit bummed out that there wasn't a late spring dump for the last day, but still awesome to have chair lift access for SNOvember days.We took a day trip on the Sunday - nice to be able to sleep in till 6am since the chairlifts didn't open till Chantelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11513405781122911976noreply@blogger.com