Cookie says...
Mikey and I headed up Coronet today while Pilty decided to hold the sofa down. If there's one thing that's been easy to notice with Kiwi ski fields, it's there's always something upgraded or new every few years. This time NZSki have caught up to Europe fields and have upgraded their life tickets to smart cards.
For the most part we hung around the green slope while Mikey got used to boarding again. He made some good progress although we did make one mistake and ended up on a T-Bar. Stumps were pulled up a little short of full time but as I had one sore foot, I didn't mind.
We think Pilty had changed seats and may even have ventured out. Mikey knocked up dinner and we cracked out some cards. I just hope my foot isn't as sore tomorrow so I can get out as it should be a blue bird day.
Mikey says...
First day on the snow was great. A few stacks but other than that it was fun to get back on the board again.
At first I liked the fog that was rolling in... until I tried going down a run with the fog set in. Not good. Couldn't see much. Oh and I completely took out a skier (when the weather was clear so I can't blame it on the fog). He was stationary and I didn't stop in time, thankfully the only thing that was hurt was my ego.
Pilty says...
I happen to enjoy walking around each new town on the first day I visit, thus I decided snow was not on the agenda for me today. I walked through the whole city and took it all in. Cookie will be proud of me for not consuming any of the fast food available (yet).
Showing posts with label Ski Coronet Peak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ski Coronet Peak. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Friday, August 21, 2009
Day 5 - NZ
Cookie says...
With Morgan having to stay off the slopes, Beno, Gurti and I headed up the hill again today. It turned out to be a bitsa day. Beno did a bit of the main drag and after lunch did a bit of the beginner slopes working on his turns. Gurti did a bit of a run before lunch and a bit of a run after lunch and I did a bit of helping Gurti, a bit of fast runs, a bit of jumps and got a bit out of control.
We met just after 3 and headed back to the ranch to see what Morgan had been doing. Surprise, surprise, he's been doing some more back bashing... no... not more damage, he'd slept most of the day!
Dinner was on the cards and we were off to make the pilgrimage to Fergburger. True to form, it was busy but we secured some seats and waited for our orders to be filled. Fifteen minutes later our bellies had been filled.
On the way out I bumped into Brooksie (from work) and Henri. They'd been pushing Cardronian snow down the hill but were staying in Queenstown. I had been hoping that we'd meet up with them later tonight but although my crew were keen on checking out the Minus 5 bar, they seem to fall asleep at the drop of a hat!
With Morgan having to stay off the slopes, Beno, Gurti and I headed up the hill again today. It turned out to be a bitsa day. Beno did a bit of the main drag and after lunch did a bit of the beginner slopes working on his turns. Gurti did a bit of a run before lunch and a bit of a run after lunch and I did a bit of helping Gurti, a bit of fast runs, a bit of jumps and got a bit out of control.
We met just after 3 and headed back to the ranch to see what Morgan had been doing. Surprise, surprise, he's been doing some more back bashing... no... not more damage, he'd slept most of the day!
Gurti needs another fashion item but at least it's functional
Dinner was on the cards and we were off to make the pilgrimage to Fergburger. True to form, it was busy but we secured some seats and waited for our orders to be filled. Fifteen minutes later our bellies had been filled.
Big burgers to fill big mouths and big appetites
On the way out I bumped into Brooksie (from work) and Henri. They'd been pushing Cardronian snow down the hill but were staying in Queenstown. I had been hoping that we'd meet up with them later tonight but although my crew were keen on checking out the Minus 5 bar, they seem to fall asleep at the drop of a hat!
I tell thee... they don't make young whipper-snappers like they used to!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Day 3 - NZ
Quote of the Day
"I love this bottle, it's my new best friend" - Gurti
Cookie says...
Well... we have a first for the blog and one of my trips: a proper injury. Previously Mikey and John had sore bums but not so in this case, more about that later. Back up Coronet yesterday and no new snow but an awesome clear day. The four of us made it to the top and we set off.
I cracked out the helmet cam and pretended I was Chris Patterson (director of photography for Warren Miller movies).
Gurti slowly made her way down and was adding more bruising to her knees, Beno was doing alright but still adding bruises to his bum and Morgs was trying to break the land speed record. When I caught up with Morgs, I found him lying down with his head pointing downhill.
Once the others had found us at the bottom, Gurti sat out for a bit while the three of us checked out Greengates side of the hill. There's some good terrain over there but as with the rest of the mountain, it's crusty and icy between runs were no one is going. I hit the jumps with success and they were better than what they had last year.
We met up with Gurti and Beno and Morgs went to check out his bum (I don't want to know!). Morgan ended heading to the first aid patrol hut and scored a free ambulance ride down the hill. Three hours later when we picked him up with his new broken back.
As with last year we booked in for the banquet up at Skyline and it proved to be a hit. I think we all consumed enough food to survive the rest of the winter.
"I love this bottle, it's my new best friend" - Gurti
Cookie says...
Well... we have a first for the blog and one of my trips: a proper injury. Previously Mikey and John had sore bums but not so in this case, more about that later. Back up Coronet yesterday and no new snow but an awesome clear day. The four of us made it to the top and we set off.
Just lazing about in the sun
I cracked out the helmet cam and pretended I was Chris Patterson (director of photography for Warren Miller movies).
Okay, once a nerd, always a nerd...
Gurti slowly made her way down and was adding more bruising to her knees, Beno was doing alright but still adding bruises to his bum and Morgs was trying to break the land speed record. When I caught up with Morgs, I found him lying down with his head pointing downhill.
Morgan attention seeking... medically
Once the others had found us at the bottom, Gurti sat out for a bit while the three of us checked out Greengates side of the hill. There's some good terrain over there but as with the rest of the mountain, it's crusty and icy between runs were no one is going. I hit the jumps with success and they were better than what they had last year.
We met up with Gurti and Beno and Morgs went to check out his bum (I don't want to know!). Morgan ended heading to the first aid patrol hut and scored a free ambulance ride down the hill. Three hours later when we picked him up with his new broken back.
As with last year we booked in for the banquet up at Skyline and it proved to be a hit. I think we all consumed enough food to survive the rest of the winter.
Before and after the banquet
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 2 - NZ
Quote of the Day
"I'm so jetlagged" - Beno
Cookie says......
First morning here and time to get down to business. Coronet was the venue where we hung out on the beginner slopes so we could warm uo. Morgs found his feet, Beno found the ground and Gurti found out why this place is called Concrete Peak. Gurti got talking to a photog who then took a swag of photos of us which as good tourists, we bought some.
Morgs and Beno were keen for some steeper stuff so while Gurti had a break (sore toosh). Gurti joined us for the next run and she made her way down with Beno while Morgs and I fanged it down and caught up with them again.
The clouds closed in and we called it a day which one of my feet appreciated which I think might have been due to new boots (although Julie would say old age). I could barely walk afterwards which is quite concerning seeing as though this was the first day.
Morgs and Gurti cooked up some good spag bog and we had a quiet night in.
Gurti says......
Well apart from my butt being a little sore and getting a knock to the head I feel quite good about the first day... Im starting to realise Im more of a girl than i have thought....or should i say chicken??. I kinda spent most of the day on my butt and knees but im so glad the guys encouraged me to head up the very top of the mountain to do at least one decent run. Although it wasnt a clean run without any spills, im pretty happy with the fact i didnt stack it coming off the lift and that i actually made it down to the bottom in one piece.
The scenery is amazing here, its so gorgeous! I really am going to dread leaving, I think I should have chatted up the photographers a bit more today..lol
Anyway, retirement here would be bliss although i dont think grannies are into skydiving and stuff....oh hang on...sorry mum :)
Looking forward to tomorrow and adding more bruises to the body.
Hope all is well back home.
Morgs says......
Today was a good day, however at the start I was a bit worried. I didn't pick it back up as quickly as anticipated, but wonderfully I picked up pretty quickly, literally! I ended up falling head over heels for a girl today, but all she did was scream... No, I 'hit' a skiier. Or didn't hit her, thanks to my evasion techniques. I ended up launching over her skies and landing directly on my precious lungs. To the other guys though, Captain Cookie is a gun, only had two stacks all day, but Gurti takes the cake with her ass/head combo hit. Beno has had some good stacks and is hitting it hard. Of the 4 of us, 3 have pulled up lame, with Beno and his unco ankle remaining unscathed. We (Gurti and I) cooked dinner up tonight, and the plans are to head back up to Coronet tomoz to do it all over again. I think Captain Cookie is taking his vid camera tomoz, so I will take mine and we should have some good footage. The others are reluctant but I'm confident by the end of tomoz we will all be pulling sick airs and hitting the terrain park.
"I'm so jetlagged" - Beno
Cookie says......
First morning here and time to get down to business. Coronet was the venue where we hung out on the beginner slopes so we could warm uo. Morgs found his feet, Beno found the ground and Gurti found out why this place is called Concrete Peak. Gurti got talking to a photog who then took a swag of photos of us which as good tourists, we bought some.
The Team
Morgs and Beno were keen for some steeper stuff so while Gurti had a break (sore toosh). Gurti joined us for the next run and she made her way down with Beno while Morgs and I fanged it down and caught up with them again.
Ben had everyone ducking for cover
(look at the kid in the background)
The clouds closed in and we called it a day which one of my feet appreciated which I think might have been due to new boots (although Julie would say old age). I could barely walk afterwards which is quite concerning seeing as though this was the first day.
Morgs and Gurti cooked up some good spag bog and we had a quiet night in.
Gurti says......
Well apart from my butt being a little sore and getting a knock to the head I feel quite good about the first day... Im starting to realise Im more of a girl than i have thought....or should i say chicken??. I kinda spent most of the day on my butt and knees but im so glad the guys encouraged me to head up the very top of the mountain to do at least one decent run. Although it wasnt a clean run without any spills, im pretty happy with the fact i didnt stack it coming off the lift and that i actually made it down to the bottom in one piece.
The scenery is amazing here, its so gorgeous! I really am going to dread leaving, I think I should have chatted up the photographers a bit more today..lol
Anyway, retirement here would be bliss although i dont think grannies are into skydiving and stuff....oh hang on...sorry mum :)
Looking forward to tomorrow and adding more bruises to the body.
Hope all is well back home.
Decisions, decisions...
do I fall on my butt, face or knees?
Morgs says......
Today was a good day, however at the start I was a bit worried. I didn't pick it back up as quickly as anticipated, but wonderfully I picked up pretty quickly, literally! I ended up falling head over heels for a girl today, but all she did was scream... No, I 'hit' a skiier. Or didn't hit her, thanks to my evasion techniques. I ended up launching over her skies and landing directly on my precious lungs. To the other guys though, Captain Cookie is a gun, only had two stacks all day, but Gurti takes the cake with her ass/head combo hit. Beno has had some good stacks and is hitting it hard. Of the 4 of us, 3 have pulled up lame, with Beno and his unco ankle remaining unscathed. We (Gurti and I) cooked dinner up tonight, and the plans are to head back up to Coronet tomoz to do it all over again. I think Captain Cookie is taking his vid camera tomoz, so I will take mine and we should have some good footage. The others are reluctant but I'm confident by the end of tomoz we will all be pulling sick airs and hitting the terrain park.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Day 5 - NZ
John says...
Giant step today. I went for my first blue run and went from the top of the mountain to the bottom. I felt inadequate when compared to the Pete's due to their ability to consume large quantites of food at a buffet, especially when time limits apply. The view is amazing from the lookout.
Nichole says...
After a whole day of skiing (with numerous intermittent breaks) at last I did the snow plow (on a slope that's not even considered part of the beginners slope). I discovered that it is extremely difficult to get myself up when lying face down and wearing skis with my legs jutting out at impossible angles.
And my guns are getting big!
Pete says...
Skiing was todays highlight. Need I say more! Actually, I can. It was great to see Nichole get the snow plow working).
Skyline buffet I don't rate it as the best but it was pretty good. There was alot to chose from including the following;
Tomato soup with croutons
Indian lentils
Roast lamb, roast beef, pumpkin, carrot, peas, potato bake, broccoli, cauliflower
Nichole's extras was lamb shank and a little seafood
Indian chicken thing, a thing of rice, fetta chicken thing, more pumpkin, roast potato, more potato bake, marinated pork
Potato and herb soup with croutons
A small plate of cheeses
Sticky date pudding, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, jelly fruits, hokey pokey ice cream, chocolate ice cream and a dodgy cake thing
After dessert we went to the viewing platform where after three seconds Nichole promptly retreated to the warmth inside.
Cookie says...
We did our own thing yesterday but today we all headed to Coronet. Bit of a late start and we booked in for the buffet for dinner up the lookout. Once at the base John and I did our own things while Pete and Nichole grabbed some gear and headed to the beginners area. Today I started looking for some black runs and parts of the hill I hadn't been to instead of jumps and stuff.
I ended up finding the others around lunch to see how they were doing and they were sitting with a guy from Albany Creek who's brother turns up and recognised Nichole from school and knew common people. I took the chance to shed a layer as it was warm and we all headed back out so I could get some photos of the others. I eventually convinced John and Pete to get away from the baby slopes and try their hand at the main run. They thoroughly enjoyed it and looked quite able. It was nearing final lift and it had turned quite slushy so after a last run, I found the others and bailed.
Pete and Nichole found another trailer park to stay in, showered (in lukewarm water which Nic didn't find nice in a cold environment!) and we met up for the buffet. There was a pretty good selection of foods so Pete and I had several plateloads each.
Afterwards we came back to the unit to play five hundred and when it was getting late Peter started talking gibberish and Nichole started quoting Pride and Prejudice whilst big noting her guns.
Rain / snow expected tomorrow so a day off to rest before fresh conditions on Sat / Sun with Dave.
Giant step today. I went for my first blue run and went from the top of the mountain to the bottom. I felt inadequate when compared to the Pete's due to their ability to consume large quantites of food at a buffet, especially when time limits apply. The view is amazing from the lookout.
John enjoying both scenery and boarding
Nichole says...
After a whole day of skiing (with numerous intermittent breaks) at last I did the snow plow (on a slope that's not even considered part of the beginners slope). I discovered that it is extremely difficult to get myself up when lying face down and wearing skis with my legs jutting out at impossible angles.
What a gentleman!
Quote of the day came from an instructor 'You can stand up!'
And my guns are getting big!
Pete says...
Skiing was todays highlight. Need I say more! Actually, I can. It was great to see Nichole get the snow plow working).
Skyline buffet I don't rate it as the best but it was pretty good. There was alot to chose from including the following;
Tomato soup with croutons
Indian lentils
Roast lamb, roast beef, pumpkin, carrot, peas, potato bake, broccoli, cauliflower
Nichole's extras was lamb shank and a little seafood
Indian chicken thing, a thing of rice, fetta chicken thing, more pumpkin, roast potato, more potato bake, marinated pork
Potato and herb soup with croutons
A small plate of cheeses
Sticky date pudding, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, jelly fruits, hokey pokey ice cream, chocolate ice cream and a dodgy cake thing
Pete heard we had one minute left so loaded up
After dessert we went to the viewing platform where after three seconds Nichole promptly retreated to the warmth inside.
Cookie says...
We did our own thing yesterday but today we all headed to Coronet. Bit of a late start and we booked in for the buffet for dinner up the lookout. Once at the base John and I did our own things while Pete and Nichole grabbed some gear and headed to the beginners area. Today I started looking for some black runs and parts of the hill I hadn't been to instead of jumps and stuff.
I ended up finding the others around lunch to see how they were doing and they were sitting with a guy from Albany Creek who's brother turns up and recognised Nichole from school and knew common people. I took the chance to shed a layer as it was warm and we all headed back out so I could get some photos of the others. I eventually convinced John and Pete to get away from the baby slopes and try their hand at the main run. They thoroughly enjoyed it and looked quite able. It was nearing final lift and it had turned quite slushy so after a last run, I found the others and bailed.
I managed to trick Pete into trying the chairlift
Pete and Nichole found another trailer park to stay in, showered (in lukewarm water which Nic didn't find nice in a cold environment!) and we met up for the buffet. There was a pretty good selection of foods so Pete and I had several plateloads each.
Afterwards we came back to the unit to play five hundred and when it was getting late Peter started talking gibberish and Nichole started quoting Pride and Prejudice whilst big noting her guns.
Rain / snow expected tomorrow so a day off to rest before fresh conditions on Sat / Sun with Dave.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Day 3 - NZ
John says...
Today was absolutely gorgeous, you just couldn't have asked for a better day and I had a coupla good runs without falling over. I can see why people who don't fall over enjoy snowboarding. I'm happy that I'm improving and the only thing is that I'm sore in different spots now but apparently that's good because it means I'm doing something right.
And while Cookie chose to sit in the freezing cold for a few hours (weirdo), I vegged out in the warm unit. Looking forward to some Thai tonight.
Cookie says...
I'd have to say that today was probably the best conditions I've had while on the snow in NZ. John was sore from yesterday but he ventured out again and was happy for me to shoot through. Greengates was the lift I hung around and managed to meet three med interns from Perth on a 'conference' - study leave for snowboarding.
After they went in for lunch I stayed out and tried my hand at hitting a few jumps and thankfully they didn't hit me back. Found out that not only does a powder skirt keep snow out, it keeps your camera in. I thought I'd lost it to find it swimming around inside my jacket!
After returning to the unit, John stayed in while I froze my bum off with capturing some time-lapse of Queenstown from the lookout above the town. It should look good but apart from the boarding, I'm over the cold and looking forward to summer! Pete and Nichole arrive late tonight so we'll catch up with them tomorrow.
Today was absolutely gorgeous, you just couldn't have asked for a better day and I had a coupla good runs without falling over. I can see why people who don't fall over enjoy snowboarding. I'm happy that I'm improving and the only thing is that I'm sore in different spots now but apparently that's good because it means I'm doing something right.
This is just part of the amazing views from Coronet Peak
And while Cookie chose to sit in the freezing cold for a few hours (weirdo), I vegged out in the warm unit. Looking forward to some Thai tonight.
Cookie says...
I'd have to say that today was probably the best conditions I've had while on the snow in NZ. John was sore from yesterday but he ventured out again and was happy for me to shoot through. Greengates was the lift I hung around and managed to meet three med interns from Perth on a 'conference' - study leave for snowboarding.
It's a big mountain with big views
After they went in for lunch I stayed out and tried my hand at hitting a few jumps and thankfully they didn't hit me back. Found out that not only does a powder skirt keep snow out, it keeps your camera in. I thought I'd lost it to find it swimming around inside my jacket!
And in keeping with last trip, we found another car in the ditch
After returning to the unit, John stayed in while I froze my bum off with capturing some time-lapse of Queenstown from the lookout above the town. It should look good but apart from the boarding, I'm over the cold and looking forward to summer! Pete and Nichole arrive late tonight so we'll catch up with them tomorrow.
I froze capturing this so I hope it was worth it!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Day 2 - NZ
John says...
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch... who'd have thought bruises on bruises were possible! I had some success but as you can tell, it came at a cost.
Cookie says...
In the famous words of Warren Miller 'It's time to get our swerve on.'. So we did... kinda. We headed to Coronet Peak, kitted up, grabbed our half price tickets (due to having a Warren Miller movie ticket) and hit the snow... at least John did... multiple times. Fortunately for him the clouds came in so we bailed shortly after 1.
Dave had flown down that morning so we met him around dinner for an ale in The Pig n' Whistle. Soon we left and made our way to The Cow. The Cow is another of Queenstowns' iconic establishments and one that I've not visited due to it always being busy. Dave also gently informed us that it is currently Gay Ski Week. I guess that explains the grins the landlords gave us when we checked in.
After two pizzas, eleven beers and the biggest and best loaf of freshly cooked garlic bread I've ever eaten, we parted company to rest for our second day on the hill.
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch... who'd have thought bruises on bruises were possible! I had some success but as you can tell, it came at a cost.
This is the position I became all too familiar with
A late lunch became a pilgrimage to Furgburger
Cookie says...
In the famous words of Warren Miller 'It's time to get our swerve on.'. So we did... kinda. We headed to Coronet Peak, kitted up, grabbed our half price tickets (due to having a Warren Miller movie ticket) and hit the snow... at least John did... multiple times. Fortunately for him the clouds came in so we bailed shortly after 1.
The view from Greengates over the road towards QT
Dave had flown down that morning so we met him around dinner for an ale in The Pig n' Whistle. Soon we left and made our way to The Cow. The Cow is another of Queenstowns' iconic establishments and one that I've not visited due to it always being busy. Dave also gently informed us that it is currently Gay Ski Week. I guess that explains the grins the landlords gave us when we checked in.
Even our car knew about Gay Ski Week!
After two pizzas, eleven beers and the biggest and best loaf of freshly cooked garlic bread I've ever eaten, we parted company to rest for our second day on the hill.
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