 Poster: A snowHead
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Welcome back to Queenstown for the 2011 season. With six and a half weeks to the planned opening of Coronet Peak we have our first touch of winter weather with light snow almost down to the valley. There has been about 10cm higher up but I expect that most of this will melt off over the next few days but is is always nice to see the mountains with a coating of the white stuff. The only upgrades for the local mountains is in the form of terrain modification to remove some flat areas, a couple of new beginner pistes and opening up some bottlenecks. if you want the details go here.
http://www.nzski.com/newsletter.jsp?id=0CDB2EC9-9374-4C02-8D22-8474B8691F0D&site=coronetpeak
I will keep you all in the know as the season gets closer. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Which is the biggest resort in New Zealand in terms of area? I can't seem to find out on t'net!
I'm planning a trip in 2012 and hoping to take in more than one resort. Any recommendations?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Dobz, The biggest by number of lifts and area is Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island. The biggest ski town is Queenstown in the southern South Island with five different ski mountains close enough for day trips. Lots of info on both on the net.
Just asking if there are going to be any snowheads down this way for the 2011 season?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hopefully in August prior to the World Cup.
Snow dependent.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sarge McSarge, heidiky, Thank you. I have just found www.snow.co.nz. Excellent site with a map of where all the resorts are and lots of info on each resort.
I do like the sound of Treble Cone - particularly the freeriding!
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Dobz, have a look at http://www.chillout.co.nz/ too. If you are doing a road trip the club fields should feature. Wanaka is more chilled. Queenstown more commercial. Both great though!
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nozawaonsen, Thank you. I've bookmarked that site 
My friend and I are both snowboarders and do prefer powder/freeriding to pistes so will be looking at all the resorts to see what they offer.
What is the difference between Club resorts and the others?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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heidiky, Definitely getting cooler down here. Another light dusting down to about 1000m overnight but no real sign of anything like a start of the winter base as yet.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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hang11, Think that could be right about Roundhill - a nutcracker though?
Dobz, If you do make it to TC come badger me for a half price day pass  Porters/Mt Hutt are cool too - maybe a stop off on the way back up north if you fly chch.
Getting excited to come back down under - bloomin visa is costing £115 though! Tisk
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Good to have ye back Sarge.
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heidiky, roundhill is a rope tow. It's a killer too, I think 1400 metres long with 600 metres vert? Can't remember the stats but it rooted me a few times last season
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You know it makes sense.
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johnboy, Thanks. It is good to be looking forward to another season. hang11, will keep us all informed about the Canterbury snow situation and we have heidiky, for the Wanaka reports so we should be able to keep you all well informed.
Dobz, & Mike Pow, If you make it Queenstown we should catch up for a few runs
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Will do
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks all. I will definitely be pimping for a discounted lift passes  and will post on here our itinery
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you need a cheap pass, you've got a day left to do it
www.chillout.co.nz early bird prices finish on the 30th (NZ time) and you can get 5, 10 or full season passes for 6, 11 or 11 mountains plus a couple of days at TC.
NZski ones are horribly spendy, and I think they are locked down to locals at discounted early season rates this year. If you go for NZski, you can get a discounted Ohau season pass too.
I don't know about TC or Cardies, but TC passes hurt the bank account a bit.
If you are going to do over about 7 days at one group of mountains, then a season pass is the way to go.
Heaps of snow on Mt Hutt today Blue skies, -1, looking stunning, I'm getting excited.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well it looks like winter is nearly here. We have had a couple of days of snow showers with the snow line now well below the bottom of the lifts. With a bit more forecast for tonight. Still not enough but Coronet Peak will be starting their snow making this weekend (temperatures willing). All is on schedule for the planned opening on 4/6/11.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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i can't see those pics? problem at my end?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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beautiful pics
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Well the last ten days have been unseasonably warm with no new snow or cool temperatures until last night. Luckily a cooler change has bought a light snow fall but more importantly allowed Coronet Peak to start snow making. With just one week until the planned start of the season we will need a run of cool temperatures otherwise the opening may have to be delayed which will not be good for any one. Good news is that they have been pumping out the snow for the last 14 plus hours and it looks like they will keep it up.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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hang11, fantastic pics, please keep them coming. Not sure how you cope being in those crowds of people though!!
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I dont mind the lack of people, it means I can have questionable personal hygiene and minimal social skills.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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hang11, Great shots. Is the peak Arrowsmith? As for the hygiene, I had heard rumors 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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You know it makes sense.
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It could well be D' Archaic a bit over 2800m. You are right in that it is definitely not Arrowsmith. That is directly north of where you were.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Well.......2011 season isn't starting well. No snow on the ground, not much forecast for the next week or so.
I've got cabin fever. Fishing season is over, I've given the truck its annual hose off, waxed 6 snowboards, walked the dog twice, looked at the forecast, given up worrying, grabbed a box of speights from the bottle store and turned on the xbox.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Aaaah, those pics! hang11, I'm drowning in a pool of homesick here - and never mind yer pits...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Big Paua, yup
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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With Mt Hutt having opened on Monday and Coronet Peak finally opening tomorrow (Thursday) The NZ snow season is finally underway. Although Coronet has limited runs open and it is all man made it is better than nothing. Good snow making weather forecast for the next few days so it should be improving.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I had a nice day of finding stashes at Hutt
Looking good for a boomer storm next week, should get the club fields going, not much of a delay in opening for them.
I was in queenstown last week, sounds like it's been tragic for a few businesses down there with ash clouds, earthquakes, lack of snow etc
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We have now had about 25cm of snow and 40 plus forecast in the next two days with the snow line well down and possibly a good amount right down to lake level tomorrow (Saturday). I only hope it is clear enough for so that I can get a few runs in. I have the next three days off work so hopefully will get up onto the snow each day. Will post some porn if poss.
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We just back from skiing Coronet Peak this morning. My first day for the season. With 10cm of fresh overnight things are definitely looking up in this part of the world. Off piste is marginal but all the pistes are now in good condition. It was snowing lightly all morning with just enough visibility to be enjoyable. It looks like the snow is getting heaver as the afternoon goes on and is now trying to snow down at home. Did not get any photos due to the poor vis but hope to get some tomorrow. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Looks a whole lot better! And like you say lined up for much of the coming week...
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Nice pics Sarge!
Many people in town?
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FAQ
