So what happens when summer hits the Northern Hemisphere and ski areas begin to close down for a few months? Do skiers hike up the last remaining snow fields on the high peaks? Do they go to the small glaciers at Whistler or Mt. Hood?
Perhaps it is time that die-hard skiers do what birds do and fly south… Catch an Air NewZealand flight out of Los Angeles and twenty hours later arrive in the beautiful cities of Auckland or Wellington, New Zealand… Catch another flight into Christchurch and get started on a death defying car, bus, or hitched ride towards Wanaka or Queenstown. And then what? It’s off to Snow Park.
Located just 35 kilometers from Wanaka and 55 from Queenstown, Snow Park is a terrain park exclusive ski area that caters to some of the biggest names in freeskiing during July through September. With a lift ticket that costs slightly less than a typical North American, the poor student/ski bum can afford to jump, ride, and goof off for weeks at a time. Hotels and lodges are available in Wanaka and Queenstown, but the more affordable route would be to rent an apartment with some friends for significantly less.
But what of the area itself? Snow Park officially opened July 7, 2003, after a difficult 2002 season. Serviced by one lift, there are two half pipes (one super and one beginner), one quarter, and a multitude of rails, boxes, and hits. The perfect place for all levels, Snow Park has several small features for the up and comer, as well as larger jumps and rails for those who like to show off. Designed by Frank Wells from Snow Park Technologies, all of these attractions are evenly distributed across the mountain so that users are not confined to working just one specialty per run.
When questioned about the volume of telemarkers who visit, Snow Park representatives said that the numbers are few. But with Snow Park’s rising popularity, they predict that that will soon change. Camps readily accept telemark skiers and lift operators are kind enough to not check for leashes. And with camps offered all season, including a few women specific ones, Snow Park is the perfect place for park junkies to hone their skills during July through September.
But for days when those aches and pains need a break from the hard landings and rail falls, the area around Lake Wanaka offers several “day off” alternatives. Heli-skiing is offered by Harris Mountains or Aspiring Guides in the New Zealand Southern Alps, which stretch over the South Island for over 700 kilometers. Runs typically vary between 2000-4000 vertical feet. Bungee jumping is also available, with the second longest commercial fall in the world available for the adventurous. Yet, relaxing by the beautiful lake is also on option if things seem just a little overwhelming.
While most people in the Northern Hemisphere regard summer as a break from the cold winter months, skiers know better. Come July, it is time to pack the gear into as few bags as manageable and migrate south to Snow Park, New Zealand.
Perhaps it is time that die-hard skiers do what birds do and fly south… Catch an Air NewZealand flight out of Los Angeles and twenty hours later arrive in the beautiful cities of Auckland or Wellington, New Zealand… Catch another flight into Christchurch and get started on a death defying car, bus, or hitched ride towards Wanaka or Queenstown. And then what? It’s off to Snow Park.
Located just 35 kilometers from Wanaka and 55 from Queenstown, Snow Park is a terrain park exclusive ski area that caters to some of the biggest names in freeskiing during July through September. With a lift ticket that costs slightly less than a typical North American, the poor student/ski bum can afford to jump, ride, and goof off for weeks at a time. Hotels and lodges are available in Wanaka and Queenstown, but the more affordable route would be to rent an apartment with some friends for significantly less.
But what of the area itself? Snow Park officially opened July 7, 2003, after a difficult 2002 season. Serviced by one lift, there are two half pipes (one super and one beginner), one quarter, and a multitude of rails, boxes, and hits. The perfect place for all levels, Snow Park has several small features for the up and comer, as well as larger jumps and rails for those who like to show off. Designed by Frank Wells from Snow Park Technologies, all of these attractions are evenly distributed across the mountain so that users are not confined to working just one specialty per run.
When questioned about the volume of telemarkers who visit, Snow Park representatives said that the numbers are few. But with Snow Park’s rising popularity, they predict that that will soon change. Camps readily accept telemark skiers and lift operators are kind enough to not check for leashes. And with camps offered all season, including a few women specific ones, Snow Park is the perfect place for park junkies to hone their skills during July through September.
But for days when those aches and pains need a break from the hard landings and rail falls, the area around Lake Wanaka offers several “day off” alternatives. Heli-skiing is offered by Harris Mountains or Aspiring Guides in the New Zealand Southern Alps, which stretch over the South Island for over 700 kilometers. Runs typically vary between 2000-4000 vertical feet. Bungee jumping is also available, with the second longest commercial fall in the world available for the adventurous. Yet, relaxing by the beautiful lake is also on option if things seem just a little overwhelming.
While most people in the Northern Hemisphere regard summer as a break from the cold winter months, skiers know better. Come July, it is time to pack the gear into as few bags as manageable and migrate south to Snow Park, New Zealand.
Contributed by Josh Madsen