Volkswagen National Ski Team member Janelle Miller 22 (Queenstown) capped two solid days of giant slalom racing yesterday with a podium finish in third place at the Air New Zealand Southern Cup series at Coronet Peak today.

Many of New Zealand’s top freestylers, and a line up of visiting internationals, will go head to head in the Up & Go Terrain Park at The Remarkables this Sunday.

We have been getting dumped on in the North Island! The base is rapidly climbing to four meters! Blue skies and soft snow were seen here over the weekend and many riders stayed on though Monday.

With the eyes of the world’s media on the Summer Olympics in China it’s hard to imagine that in less than two years the focus will move from east to west, to Vancouver, Canada and the Winter Olympics.

The Volkl NZ Freeski Open by the Royal New Zealand Air Force kicks off this week with an all star line up of the world’s best extreme freeskiers.

Ralph Markby, a passionate skier to this day, made his first pair of wooden skis in 1944. In a book which traces the history of skiing and the rise of ski culture in New Zealand, Ralph tells irresistible tales of the intrepid early skiers.

Some of the world’s greatest names in ski racing are currently training at Coronet Peak’s Rocky Gully Race Arena and will be in the starting gates during this week’s Japanese FIS races at Coronet Peak.

Snow fall to lake level yesterday has brought smiles to the faces of skiers and snowboarders in Queenstown, many of whom are enjoying a fantastic, blue ski powder day at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables today.

Calling all skiers, snowboarders telemarkers and lovers of fun on the snow!
This is a reminder that the annual Speights Village Series kicks off this Sunday at Treble Cone.

Well, what a week of snow we've had this week. With outstanding conditions already in effect at the start of the week, we have continually received top ups of snow throughout this week, with 15cm of fresh, light powder on the ground this morning, clear skies and light winds.

Tv3 will be showing a 30min show on the Relentless Cardrona Games. The show will be broadcast on Sunday the 17th of August at 4pm. It was a great event and now check out the show with all the ski, snowboard, moto and snowmobile action.

The Norwegian Men’s Alpine Ski Team and the Austrian Women’s are training hard at the Red Bull International Race Training Arena at Mt Hutt as the international training season hits its stride.

All big mountain skiers in the country right now are encouraged to make the pilgrimage to the Cragieburn range for next weekend’s first event of the two part K2 big mountain series.

Another beautiful day at all of our ski fields today as we enjoy a small area of high pressure hanging around till some point tomorrow. All 11 fields are enjoying brilliant conditions and excellent numbers coming through to all the fields on a daily basis.

Some of New Zealand’s best freestyle skiers and snowboarders are lined up to excite the crowds at Earnslaw Park in Queenstown on Friday the 8th of August as part of this year’s Parklife Invitational. Thirty skiers and riders will rock the Park from 6pm when audiences can expect to see some outrageous moves on display as competitors vie for $5,000 in prize money.

As Mt Hutt enjoys its best snow season in possibly fifteen years, its International Race Training Arena is attracting international ski racers and along with them, an international sponsor. Mt Hutt is gearing up for its first intake of ski racers including overall 2007 World Champion Aksel Lund Svindal who’s due to arrive this week, back from a horrific crash at the Birds of Pray Downhill in Vail Colorado last year.

Team 540s riders Maia Stier and Paula Mitchell are among an impressive line up confirmed to ride in this Saturday’s 2nd Annual SkullCandy Winter Rail Jam presented by Export Gold. The jam is to be held in the heart of Christchurch’s entertainment district with a massive structure to be constructed on the Strip and snow trucked in from Mt Hutt.

This weekend R&R Sport are holding two day Tele-Mark clinic. The event will be run at Broken River on the 9th and 10th of August. Their will be spot prizes and all ages and abilities are welcome.

A unique alpine adventure offering the ultimate backcountry skiing and boarding experience launches Monday 4 August in New Zealand’s central South Island. Alpure Peaks offers catskiing and boarding in the heart of the Southern Alps with guaranteed fresh tracks, deep powder and no queues.

The storm that has troubled the rest of the country has dumped 1 metre of fresh snow at Mt Hutt causing anticipation among the region’s skiers and boarders while keeping staff busy on the end of shovels.

Winter is upon us, and the snow is on the ground, putting smiles on the faces of all the snow-loving crew around the traps. As the storm hits outside, we’re finalising our plans for the annual K2 Big Mountain CHILL series, set to kick off at Craigieburn Valley, 16th and 17th of August.

A snowboarder has survived a cold night in the open just below Mt Hutt Ski Area after getting lost in deteriorating weather yesterday. The alarm was raised when the man, who is a French national, failed to turn up to work at around 6.00pm.  Ski area manager Dave Wilson said a rescue plan was immediately mounted.

This genuine New Zealand invention is an all-in-one sports board trainer that combines the best features of balance, wobble and rocker boards. The Gyroboard is suitable for all levels of ability, from the beginner to the expert. The user can improve their balance, co-ordination and agility skills and train for their chosen sport in a fun and challenging way

Last week’s snowfall (90cm) couldn’t have been timed better for competitors in the Landrover Mt Hutt Masters Open Masters Ski Race (30 years plus) which kicks off this Friday, 1 August. Mt Hutt Race and Events Manager Richard Murphy said there was an air of excitement surrounding this year’s event with over 100 competitors taking part in three disciplines; the Super G, Giant Slalom (GS) and Slalom.

Heli-skiing and heli-boarding in the Mt Hutt Range and the Black Hills will start operating from Saturday 2nd August. To kick off the 2008 season Mt Hutt Helicopters will be opening the doors of the heli-hut located in the car park of the Mt Hutt Ski Area.

Children with disabilities who would love to ski or snowboard are being offered the opportunity to do so as part of The Remarkables Adaptive Snowsports scholarship initiative. Three scholarships are available and are aimed at, but not limited to, students in the Wakatipu region.

Join us for a weekend of Fire & Ice at Temple Basin Ski Field. Huck your meat off the jump, warm up around the bonfire or get down to the groovy sounds of The Good Bodies and be prepared to be dazzled by the fire-eating, fire-juggling brilliance of Pascal.

Lake Wanaka is fast establishing a reputation as the first choice for off-season training for top international skiers and snowboarders. Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Farm, Snow Park and Treble Cone have all confirmed they will host Olympic and National snow sports teams who look to continue training through their summer months.

Check out the Feature video to see Poor Boz latest movie trailer. NZSkier.com have the inside word that there will be an un-official World premier of Reasons in Wanaka this August, attended by some of pros who star in the film. Watch this space for more details....

The snow is piling up at Mt Hutt with 80cm of fresh snow blanketing the mountain and more snow expected. The Mt Hutt crew is holding out for the magic 1m dump to add to the ski area’s solid 1m base.

This winter, big mountain athletes are encouraged to utilise the K2 Big Mountain Chill series to prepare for the NZ Freeski Open to be held in the Southern Lakes region in late August 2008.

The first ever snowmobile back-flip in New Zealand happened at the Relentless Cardrona Games tonight. Paul Thacker from the United States showed a crowd of 1500 people why he is known as one of the best riders in the world at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

The first ever Relentless Cardrona Games at night took place in front of 2000 people at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Brett Turlotte and Paul Thacker showed what could be done on a snowmobile with some 12+ metre jumps. Luke Smith stood out with a number of FMX motor bike back flips, with the landings on snow.

The first of four competitions in the Cadbury Moro Slopestyle Series attracted a large crowd of spectators at The Remarkables. Around 50 freestylers on snowboards or skis enjoyed blue sky and great snow conditions as they threw down tricks in the Up & Go Terrain Park.

Welcome to the first newsletter of the Winter Games NZ. These are exciting times for us, helped by watching the snow that has been falling over the last week in New Zealand. There are few things in life that can match the thrill of a fresh snow fall.

Three Winter X Games medallists, one Crusty Demon rider, and the cream of New Zealand ski and snowboard talent have lined up for the Relentless Cardrona Games this Thursday and Friday.

Impressive ski and snowboard performances on a purpose built structure right in the middle of Christchurch will provide exciting spectator action for Strip visitors on Saturday 9th August 2008. Export Gold is to present the 2nd Annual SkullCandy Winter Rail Jam - billed as the biggest Rail Jam ever to hit the streets of Christchurch.

The Cadbury Moro Slopestyle series for freestyle skiers and boarders is back and kicks off for the 2008 season this Wednesday, July 16 at The Remarkables. An Open and Junior section makes the event accessible to all age groups.

QUARTERPIPE PRIMED AND READY FOR EVENT SEASON KICK OFF

Snow Park NZ has been building New Zealand’s only permanent quarterpipe this week to host the first daytime event of the season, the Electric Quarterpipe Battle held this Saturday, July 12.

Burton Snowboards and The Remarkables Resort today announced that they will celebrate the opening of The Stash® on Saturday, July 26 at The Remarkables Resort on the South Island of New Zealand.

Freestyle skiing, snowboarding, motorbikes (FMX) and snowmobiling mixed with live music and top athletes make up the Relentless Cardrona Games, the largest snow sports party and event in New Zealand and held at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

After much deliberation, this year’s World Heli Challenge – one of the most captivating and unique snow event across the globe – has regretfully been postponed until 2009. The decision was made based on sponsorship developments and to ensure that the event will be staged in all its glory. This one of a kind event is now set to take place in the Mt. Cook National Park region of New Zealand from August 29 to September 12, 2009.

Dumping snow and freezing conditions at Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables is bringing smiles to the faces of skiers and snowboarders, particularly those taking a winter break in the mountains during the school holidays.

Cardrona Alpine Resort has had 20 cm of natural snow overnight. It continued to snow all morning before the weather cleared to a fantastic powder day. Snow is expected to fall intermittently through to Sunday morning. All lifts and facilities are open with an average snow base of 45cm.

The organisers of Gay Ski Week NZ have today announced a brand new event for straight skiers – and they’re not talking about those who ski on ‘80’s style straight skis. The new event is planned for the second week in September and will immediately follow Gay Ski Week (29 August to 7 September).

The first competition of the season for young freestyle snowboarders and skiers is to be held in the Up & Go Terrain Park at The Remarkables on Tuesday 8 July.

There were a few early risers who enjoyed a glass of bubbles to start the 2008 Remarkables season in style with Mother Nature playing her part by dishing up a nice, sunny calm day.

A southerly storm has dropped 25 – 30 centimetres of fresh snow on the slopes of Mt Hutt in the lead up to the ski area’s Saturday June 14 opening.Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson says the wintry blast has transformed Mt Hutt, Methven and surrounding areas into a winter wonderland.

The winter season starts today at The Remarkables near Queenstown. The alpine park will offer limited facilities on opening day, and a glass of bubbles courtesy of Lindauer for early risers.

Coronet Peak’s brand new base building, dubbed JSD’s Lodge by NZSki board and staff, was officially opened at a special luncheon ceremony at the mountain resort yesterday.

Lake Wanaka’s 2008 ski season is officially underway with all four fields open for business.Good snowfalls and optimum snow making conditions throughout last week have provided the mountains a good top up of snow for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy their first turns for the season.

Cardrona has opened for the 2008 season with great on-trail snow conditions. The MacDougall’s and Captain’s Express chairlifts are running from today, with the Whitestar Express chairlift to open on Saturday or Sunday after some more trail preparation has been completed.

South-bound skiers have a golden opportunity this season to learn from New Zealand’s best instructor. Veteran Coronet Peak ski instructor Pete Ganderton edged out six nominees to win NZ Snowsports Instructor Alliance Instructor of the Year 2007 at the Snow Sports NZ Awards held at Basecamp Wanaka on Saturday night (21 June).

25 centimetres of fresh snow at Mt Hutt, 15 at the top of Coronet Peak and 10 at the peak of The Remarkables are among the early results of wintry storm fronts currently dumping snow across the New Zealand’s premier South Island ski areas.

With most people’s first day on the mountain this year looming, the New Zealand Snow Industries Federation is urging people to take advantage of free ski and snowboard equipment checks.

Next year’s Winter Games NZ initiative received backing from the international snow sports community at the recent FIS Congress in Cape Town, South Africa with FIS pledging its support for the event.

Snow Park NZ will be opening for the 2008 season on Saturday, June 28th at 9am.

Thanks to some natural snowfall and good snowmaking temperatures skiers and riders will be welcomed back to Coronet Peak tomorrow Wednesday 25th June.15 centimetres of fresh snow have fallen at the top of Coronet Peak, 8 centimetres at the base and that’s just Mother Nature’s contribution.

NZSkier reader Brett Hayter was the lucky winner of last years Rosignol Scratch Steeze ski's competition

A night dedicated specifically for girls riding in New Zealand, has attracted interested from around the country.  Girl’s Night In is being held at Base, in Wanaka and local mountains and team riders for leading ski and snowboard brands have all jumped on board to participate.

Skiers and riders enjoyed 18cm of fresh snow at Canterbury’s Mt Hutt today (Monday June 23) and more terrain to play on with the opening of The Towers.

Cold temperatures saw The Remarkables snowmaking system kick back into action today (Monday June 23) in preparation for opening as soon as conditions allow.

Things are looking good at Snow Park, with some fresh snow arriving as the opening draws closer.

Talented young skier Ella Spittle has been announced as an exciting new addition to the 2008 Parklife Rider Team, a development team of young riders and skiers based at The Remarkables.

Heavy pre-season snowfalls and reasonable snow making conditions has Mt Hutt in great shape for early season skiing and riding according to ski area manager Dave Wilson.

 

The summer has been a busy time at Roundhill, the benefits from which will be enjoyed by skiers and boarders this winter.
Extensive earthworks have involved moving 11,000 cubic metres of earth and shaping it into a series of small, medium and large platforms, rollers, table tops and three interestingly shaped ‘boxes’.

Fully automated snow making at Ohau is now a reality. At 8.10pm on Tuesday 5th June, the Techno Alpin system burst into operation as the first four of 23 new A30 lances began producing snow.

A New Zealand heli-ski operator has developed world-leading technology designed to minimise risk and maximise enjoyment for heli-skiers and riders. Queenstown-based Alpine Heli Ski has designed an innovative web-based tool that is believed to be a Southern Hemisphere ‘first’.

The Prime Minister will open the new Captain’s Express chairlift at Cardrona on June 27, 2008 - the opening day at Cardrona (weather permitting).

Coronet Peak is closed until at least next Monday, June 23, because of unseasonably warm weather.

Nearly 2,000 people turned out to enjoy beautiful weather and great snow at the season opening of Mt Hutt today (Sunday, June 15).  

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand - Snow Park NZ kicks off the 2008 season Wednesday 18 June welcoming skiers and boarders to get their first turns and jumps in and enjoy a pie and a stubby or can of V as they board the lift for their first ride up the mountain. 

No longer needed on the farm, grain hoppers, water tanks, silo lids and tractor tires are finding new homes in the terrain parks of Canterbury’s High Country Ski Resort, Mt Hutt. 

12th June 2008Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, operators of Turoa and Whakapapa, announced today that both Ski Areas will open on Saturday 14 June - the earliest opening since the winter of 1992.

Now it is possible to find and compare snowparks from all over the world. Mysnowparks.com is an international community for all snowpark people. The website is based on user input and all resort and park information can be updated by registered user to help keeping everything up-to-date. 

A southerly storm has dropped 25 – 30 centimetres of fresh snow on the slopes of Mt Hutt in the lead up to the ski area’s Saturday June 14 opening. Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson says the wintry blast has transformed Mt Hutt, Methven and surrounding areas into a winter wonderland. 

New Zealand’s only ski manufacturer, Kingswood Skis, is calling on skiers to help design a new graphic for the company’s hand-made skis. 

Unique in New Zealand, a hit in Europe, the Big AirBag is the coolest thing since sliced bread! “We are so excited about the Big AirBag!” says Heather Reid from Snowplanet.

Delivering fantastic winter holidays in the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable way is the crux of Coronet Peak’s sustainable practice agenda.

The New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) announced today the publication of the first New Zealand-specific avalanche awareness handbook.

Picture of Mt.Hutt getting their snowmaking ready to add to all that natural stuff

 

With impeccable timing, mother nature blanketed Queenstown ski areas Coronet Peak and The Remarkables with heaps of new snow over the past 24 hours.     

Everyone’s invited to an extravaganza at Coronet Peak to celebrate the official opening of the new building and a special firing of the snow guns. 

Spirits are high at The Remarkables after 15cm of snow covered the mountain overnight and forecasters talk of more snow on the way.

Treble Cone Ski Area was blanketed in snow this morning thanks to the cold front currently hitting the south of the south island.  Overnight 15cm fell at the base area and with snow still falling heavily another few centimeters are expected before the end of this weather cycle.

10 cm of new snow blanketed Coronet Peak on Thursday and with more predicted the mountain is looking good for its June 7th opening.

Cardrona has received 25cm of snow with more predicted to come.

Ski Racing NZ today announced its Volkswagen NationalSki Teams for the 2008, led by 20 year old, Ohakune resident Benjaman Griffin.