We just had a 110km wind gust. So strong it blew the gun boom about 180 degrees around. So strong the gusts are buffeting the base.

Quick update for all of our CP friends. First tracks currently on wind hold. Very windy up here. Strong N to NW winds 🤔

Well hello everyone.

So, where do we start? Earthquakes, sicky bones, bluebird days, horrid night skis or all of the above?

So, last Tuesday night we finished watching TV and called it a night. Later on we were both waken by a noise. Roger thought I was having a bad night & vice-versa. Closer checking revealed a couple of pictures had fallen over. Has us scratching our heads and in the end we just went to bed. Talk about sleeping through an earthquake!

Next morning we awoke to news that a 5.5 quake had struck just off Te Anau and was felt through Queenstown & Wanaka. Other friends on the mountain told us they felt the swaying, but no damage was done.

We have been quite busy. I went and visited a long time friend, Judy Brough, whose husband Les was one of our closest friends. Enjoyed a magic afternoon catching up and then we hit the slopes for a really good night ski. Next morning we went up to the Remarks and had another magic day. Friday, however, was a very different kettle of fish. We had a very low visibility morning and things did not improve. It started to snow so we called it quits. Just too hard to see. Roger was also not at all well, coughing and barking like an old walrus. In the end we decided to skip night ski as well.

Saturday dawned a beautiful day so we skied both day & night to catch up on what we had missed. Today, Sunday, I had a day off & slept in. The ribs certainly appreciated. Roger scooted up to Coronet & did first tracks. It was a very cold morning this morning, -4C, and imagine my surprise when I saw a couple of balloons aloft. They must have been chilled to the bone. Mind you, I wandered around the side of the house and took the photo above. Talk about an ice bath! Once Roger came down we both went and had a late morning coffee at our fave cafe, Provisions, and then headed home.

Dr Walker paid us a visit, and after sitting out in the sun we decided to have a snooze. Now, after a really yummy dinner, I’m sitting here uploading about 40 photos and bring you all up to date.

Tomorrow is supposed to rain but we are hoping not. My personal weather forecaster is sceptical and I hope he’s right!

Cheers,

C&R

Just a very quick update.

We have had a lot on over the last couple of day so our free time to sit at a computer in a lucid state has been a little scarce.

I have just uploaded a new video to the video page showing a run at the Remarks. Hopefully tomorrow I can do an extended post.

Until then, cheers!

Clayton

Hi Everyone.

Well, what a simply stunning day over here. Little bit foggy early this morning but that soon cleared to a really magic day. Snow condition was good and some great runs were to be had. They had racing today so the mountain was humming.

We went out to the hot pool again today to soak the bodies and help recovery. Rib is settling down slowly but Roger is back to 100%

Speaking of Roger, he shot some short videos today so they are up on the video page for you to enjoy.

Until tomorrow,
Au Revoir
C & R

Hi Everyone.

Meet “Reno” the hardware horse. Ok, so we went to a hardware store. We needed stuff..ok! Seriously we needed some cable ties and a tarp to do some temporary building changes. We keep getting blasted by cold air so we decided to do something about it. Pikkies follow when finished building.

Got up usual time and dithered about but decided not to go up as the weather didn’t really look crash hot and I must have rolled on my side during the night & aggravated the rib. It looked snowy & foggy and chains were required so we thought no, sleep in.

Finally got up about 8:30 and went into Arrowtown for a coffee then headed over to 5 Mile to do our shopping & restock the house. Came back home & used the cable ties to modify our new chains and by the time that was done the weather had lifted a little so Roger went up and did a couple of runs. Me, I went back to bed with the electric blanket on to warm the ribs up after a warm shower.

Roger rolled back in about 3 and we sat down to catch up. My ribs let out an enormous crack and now I feel sooo much better. Something was obviously out of place and the rest has let it click in. To celebrate we are having some magic medicine 🙂

I have uploaded the latest batch of pikkies, so enjoy. Until tomorrow,

🙂 🙂 C & R

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Well, where do we start?

Firstly, the main image was taken 3 days ago as dawn broke over The Meadows.

So, a bit of snow has washed under the bridge since the last post. Pulled muscles, cracked rib, new helmet, blah, blah, blah!

So, we’re both reasonably well. Skiing has been a bit of a mixed bag. We have had a couple of good days and a couple of so-so days. Since we arrived we have had a reasonable amount of snow around the 2nd & 3rd of the month along with a fewer smaller showers. This morning has seen a bit more and there is a forecast of more to come but the weather guru is unsure that will happen. Stay tuned.

We went for a ski last Sunday which was a bit unusual for us as Sunday is usually a day off. Maybe we should have stuck to our usual. On my 3rd run of the morning a young snowboarder cut straight across the front of my skis. I went down but he took off. No harm done I thought until a bit later on when I realized I had cracked a rib. Don’t know if I went down on one of my poles or my camera but I know I did some damage. In the meantime Roger pulled a muscle poling across some of the off piste areas. So we have both been a bit sore over the last few days. The indoor pool centre has been a lifesaver with the hot pool really helping ease the soreness.

In other news, Roger & I went into town yesterday and he now has his own shiny new brain bucket. ( helmet my dears!)

Today has been a bit of an ordinary day with the weather closing in. A reasonable amount of snow this morning but a lot of snog ( snowy fog ) forced an early departure and we have made the call to abandon night ski tonight but we will go up in the morning instead before we head off to do a few chores.

A shout out to Noel & Val. Safe travels home and we look forward to seeing you next year.

That brings the blog up to date.I will be editing some photos from the last couple of days & posting them a little later tonight but for now Mr Walker is calling 🙂

C & R

Finally, proof. Roger DOES wear a helmet 🤪

Storm

Well, what a morning it was. As the photo shows we woke to a new storm dumping copious amounts of snow on the hill.

People probably thought us mad for putting chains on early but it sure paid off. Not 200M up the road was the first of the casualties. Why people think that AWD cars perform any differently on ice, without chains, has me beat. It does however give us endless amounts of giggles! I can vouch for the fact that VW Touregs certainly come to a dead halt.

It certainly was an interesting morning. Little bit of wind at the top & a mix of fresh snow, man made snow and ice made things interesting. Throw in all the snow guns running and at times low visibility and you get the idea. Coronet was the only field open today, all the other fields closed due to weather conditions. As I write this we are in a bit of a lull but there is a southerly change about to hit us, followed by a new series of frontal systems which may bring even more snow. At this stage Saturday night/Sunday looks a bit woolly. Night ski tonight has been cancelled due to conditions and it could well be tomorrow night is another casualty. We just have to wait and see.

Keep an eye on the blog as we have quite a few photos from the last 24-48 hours to post so I will be uploading those during the evening. In the meantime, Mr Johnny Walker and ourselves are having a fab time 🙂

Cheers,

C & R

Morning all. It’s 7:30 here at CP & it is starting to bucket down snow. Chains are needed from about bay 2 and even AWD cars need them. When we came up the carnage had started 🤔

Stay tuned!