Today was our first day of skiing/snowboarding in NZ. We went to Mount Hutt for which we both have mid-week season passes. (They are a pretty good deal for students, especially if you purchase them way before the season starts. I got mine for just $270 NZD during Uni welcome week). Mount Hutt is about 1.5 hours from Christchurch, and it is one of seven ski hills that are within approximately that distance. It is the biggest though, and one of the few (maybe the only?) that has chairlifts. The rest have these fast moving tow ropes for which you need a special harness. One day we'll check them out.
The conditions today were excellent. Mt Hutt got 52 cm of snow yesterday! The visibility was reduced though. In fact, at the top of the hill there really was no visibility, except pure whiteness. So I didn't get too many photos. Had it been a clear day it would have been some of the best conditions we've ever seen. Well, we'll be back several times.
The road to Mt Hutt is great up until about 8 km before the hill. Then you have to go pretty much straight up- and it is narrow, windy, slippery and there are no road blocks between you and a cliff. You have to have chains on your front tires on most days or they won't let you go up. (Luckily, most people drive slow).
You're just missing pictures of you guys ripping through the pow.
ReplyDeleteWell, they would have been tough to get with the white out(but I guess I could have tried).
ReplyDeleteSounds like the drive up the hill would have been pretty intense since they make you have chains on your front tires. I'm assuming Brad drove... how did he find it? Is there snow in Christchurch since there's snow at Mt Hutt?
ReplyDeleteHe found it a little sketchy- but the chains definitely help. I really wouldn't want to drive it (I get scared easily when I'm driving and get out of control.)
ReplyDeleteNope- not a drop of snow in Christchurch. It's weird- there's no snow for almost the entire drive to Mt Hutt, then as you slowly drive up the mountain you start to see more and more snow. I think the snow line is at about 900 m above sea level right now.
Sounds scary to me. I have already lived in a time of chains on car tires and I really pray you are safe!!! It does look quite awesome with the snow there . Nice snowboarding/skiing time I imagine??
ReplyDeleteLove
Mommy
We are SOOO envious.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Brad.
Taylor turned 16 on the 27, and passed her driver's test on the 28. We are up to the lake tomorrow for a few days. There are SOOO many geese, which means mega goose poop. Not so much fun to clean it up.
Trista is in Austria right now and enjoying herself. She gets home in a week.
Ask D & Z about your new fire place grill :D
Take care and see everything.