Monday, August 6, 2012

Mount Lyford





Mount Lyford is about 2 hours north of Christchurch- it is a privately owned ski field. The road going up was among the worst I've ever seen- very narrow, snaking along the side of the mountain, with jagged rocks everywhere. Like many of the privately owned ski fields, Mt Lyford doesn't have a chairlift- it just has a t-bar, a poma (which is like a t-bar but has a little circular disk instead of a t-bar) and rope tow. Not just any rope tow, but a rope tow that utilizes a New Zealand invention- "the nutcracker". The nutcracker is a story for another day. I didn't have the guts to try it just yet- it looks very difficult and a bit dangerous on a snowboard.
It snowed a lot last week, and there was a base of over 100 cm of snow. Maybe not much for the Canadian Rockies but it is quite good for New Zealand. The ski hill was quiet, and it was a beautiful day!

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2 comments:

  1. Elaine TatarniukAugust 8, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    The "good times" continue!!!! Looks like you had a lot of fun( The road up to the mountain--not so much!!!)but a chance to ski and snowboard(don't want to lose those skills!)you guys look great makes me happy to see you enjoying yourselves. The nut cracker must be to curb any chance of future babies being born!!!! Hee,Hee!!!
    Nice snow fall for New Zealand( How did you get invited to a privately owned ski hill??
    Talk soon!!!

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  2. CatherineAugust 8, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    Well, it is privately owned- but open to the public to come to. Whereas the "commercial" ski fields are owned by consortiums of businesses.
    There are also "club" fields- which are like co-operatives. If you volunteer to work at the ski field for so many hours, you get a free lift pass for the year. But thos ONLY have nutcrackers (t-bars, pomas and chairs aren't affordable for them!)

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