Skiing in New Zealand
New Zealand is a major skiing destination in the Southern Hemisphere, due to its high latitude, mountainous terrain, and well-developed economy and tourism industry. The ski season in New Zealand starts in mid June and in good winters can run through to the start of November.
While there are several ski resorts on the North Island, most are found in the South Island. There are both major commercial resorts, and smaller intrepid and club skifields which provide access to affordable skiing for club members. There are also specialist backcountry skiing areas such as Mount Potts and Invincible Snowfields which provide heliskiing and snowcat skiing for adventure-seekers.
New Zealand has competed at most Winter Olympics since 1952, when Sir Roy McKenzie led a team. In 1992 Annelise Coberger became the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to win a medal at the Winter Olympics when she won silver in the slalom at Albertville in France.
Other forms of skiing that New Zealand is known for include heli-skiing[1] and kite-skiing. Snow-kiting, while a relative new sport, has an avid following in New Zealand, with a festival in Wanaka[2] held annually.
Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching a height of 3,754 metres (12,316 ft).[3] It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island; it is a popular tourist destination.[4]
Gallery
-
View up the valley at Craigieburn Valley Ski field
-
Turoa
-
Treble Cone view
-
New Zealand's highest mountain, Mount Cook, seen from Kea Point walkway. The mountain to the left is Mount Hicks.
-
New Zealand skifields from Mount Olympus Ski Area.
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.heliski.co.nz/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/events/115804725110050/
- ↑ "Aoraki/Mount Cook: Canterbury places to visit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
- ↑ "Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Management Plan 2004" (PDF). Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
External links
- http://unofficialguide.co.nz -a comprehensive guide to all of New Zealand's ski resorts with ratings.
- http://www.snow.co.nz — provides a wide range of information on resorts, gear, weather etc.
- http://www.chillout.co.nz — provides information on the 11 resorts covered by their "Chill-out pass".
- http://www.tuicampers.co.nz/ski-areas/index.html - information on 26 ski areas, plus heli-skiing.
- http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/BushAndMountainRecreation/Skiing/en - Skiing from Te Ara the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
- http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/S/Ski-ing/Ski-ing/en - History of Skiing in New Zealand from the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
- http://www.newzealandski.co.nz/new-zealand/