Skiing isn't on our must-do list when winter rolls around. Sliding down mountains and getting cold and wet isn't our idea of fun, but it brings important revenue to places like Ohakune, Raetihi and National Park.
And this week in the nick of time, the North Island skifields got just what they needed; snow; around a metre of it! The photograph above is from the Giant Cafe at Turoa, at 4.30pm yesterday. With the school holidays beginning, the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts folk and all the businesspeople of the towns mentioned above will be rubbing their hands with glee.
Turoa has a snow base of 1 metre, and Whakapapa isn't far behind. Given that the CNI mountains get most of their snow in July, August and even September, a fantastic season beckons. Over the last few years, there's still been enough snow to ski until the end of October, so having a start like this to the season is a bonus.
And hopefully some of those venturing up for a ski will bring their bikes as well, now that the Mountains to the Sea Cycleway is up and running; all the way from Ohakune to Castlecliff Beach, through some of New Zealand's most picturesque scenery alongside the Whanganui River.
4 comments:
I agree, hopefully all the cyclists in NZ will use the cycleway - if only because the description suggests it is one way only.
Or cum on, me old Dad was disgusted when I told him I was going skiing almost 60 years ago. "You mean you are going to play in something I spent far too many days and weeks working in getting frozen".
The only place I can legally speed and next winter I qualify to use the tows on some fields for free.
So committed was I, I purchased a new pair of ski boots the other day.
Cycling on icy roads can be a bit tricky if you are up early, wait for the sun to do its thing.
The off -road sections of the Mountain to Sea cycle trail are great fun, I did the whole trail a couple of months ago, even in the rain it's still stunning scenery.
The leisurely section from Pipiriki to Whanganui is popular with those who are not mountain bikers, local food ,local people, and a glass of wine at the end of the day! Heaven.
And I'm sure that a glass of wine, a good meal and a hot bath are always available at your fine River Road establishment Annette! I must come and sample your hospitality first-hand at some point.
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