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[Paris]

NORTH ISLES


There are only four ski resorts in the island of North.  In the heart of the island in the national park of Tongariro, Whakapapa and Turoa are most popular.  These two ski resorts are located on each slope of the Mount Ruapehu, a volcano always in activity, and met recently to form only one station.  They attract many skiers and snowboarders.

Whakapapa
With a surface of 400 hectares, 43 tracks (marked out and except track), 16 ski lifts and its multitude of 26 710 skiers per hour, Whakapapa, culminating with 2300 meters on the north-eastern slope of the Ruapehu Mount, is the greatest ski resort of Zealand News.  It counts tracks of any level.  You will find there restaurant, cafeteria and hiring of material ski.  It is possible to be placed on the spot.  The station has just made new skin with a new space of parking, a new customer service, and a material repair shop.  It is also equipped with a snowparc, of a halfpipe for the snowboarders.

Turoa
Turoa located on the south-western slope of the volcano MT Ruapehu also offers 400 hectares of tracks skiables but has only 11 ski lifts.  It culminates with 2322 meters for uneven of 720 meters.  The framework is paradisiac with surprising sights on the still intact valley.  By good weather, it is possible to see with far the MT Taranaki on the West coast from the island of north.  The station has of a snowparc and a half pipe.  It also organizes many demonstrations for the snowboarders.  On the other hand, this station does not offer any lodging on the spot.  The majority of the holiday makers place itself in Ohakune (with ten km) where the sight on the snow-covered mounts is splendid.  After one day of ski, you will be able to slacken or continue the dance the bars of the village.  

Maunganui Ski field
It is about the only station of the Taranaki Mount on the West coast of the Island of North.  It culminates at 1680 and has 4 ski-lifts.  The low part of the station is reserved to to the average beginners or skiers while the higher part is intended to the skiers and snowboaders experienced.  The station offers a unspoilable view on the sea of Tasmanie.



SOUTH ISLES


The island of the South shelters nearly a score of ski resorts on the alpine chain which crosses the island of north to the south.  Most beautiful are in the area of Otago Exchange around Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka.  These cities belong to the area of the large lakes and the framework is splendid there.  In the island of the South, the ski is practised in several small stations which one chooses the morning according to his program and of the weather.  The ski resorts are all apart from the cities.  To place you, you can choose between Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka.

Cardrona
The Cardrona station, with 1894 meters of altitude, is perched in the most impressive mountains of the island of the South.  The road from Wanaka to the bottom of the tracks lasts approximately 35 minutes, that since the downtown area of Queenstown is longer (approximately 1 hour) but it is spectacular.  This pretty station of a surface of 320 hectares left again out of three valleys and of uneven of 390 meters offers a very family framework with tracks in particular intended for the initial and average skiers and snowboaders.  It has 7 ski lifts, snowpipe, school of ski, shops of hiring material, coffees as well as medical centre.  The station proposes various activities and formulas for the children.  Attention the access road is not tarred on 12 km and can be difficult for the motor homes and in the event of fall of snow.

Treble Cone
Treble Cone is a station particularly adapted for skiers and snowboaders of the mean and tested level.  The unspoilable views since the heights of the station to 1910 m, on the lake Wanaka and the Aspiring Mount as well as the quality of snow make this station one of best country.  With a surface of 550 hectares, it is also the greatest skiable field of the island of the South Very coveted by the snowboarders, it has excellent equipment of half pipes and snowparc.  It also accomodates several competitions of snowboards.  It has a fast chair-lift for 6 people who avoids the long tails in tourist season.  The activities are numerous for the families with a school of ski child, a club child for interior and external activities as well as reserved carparks.  Shuttle and drunk tous.les.jours since Wanaka and Queenstown during the season.

Waiorau ski area et Snow Park
On the other side of the valley vis-a-vis Cadrona, Waiorau is one of the rare stations to be had a course of ski touring.  This one ranges between 1200 and 1500 meters of altitude.  In the same area is also Snow Park, a technical field good equipped where snowboaders and freestyle will be able to give pleasure.

The Remarkables
The station Remarkables set out again on three valleys.  It has tracks adapted to all the levels.  But the turn of the marked tracks was quickly made (220 hectares only).  It offers, on the other hand, 500 hectares of except track.  It culminates with 2000 meters for uneven of 300 meters and account 5 increase.  On the spot, you will find a store of hiring of ski, school of ski, half pipe, snowparc, tube park, coffees, restaurants.  On the other hand, there are no lodgings.  The station is to 24 km of Queenstown.  The access road is very stiff.  To envisage chains.

Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak located at low altitude (1220 to 1640 meters) is the station nearest to Queenstown (18 km).  The site of a surface of 280 hectares, very developed and equipped well, is served by 6 increase.  The level of the tracks will be appropriate to the initial skiers and of intermediate level.  There are some steep slopes except track.  This small station has a space picnic, snack bars, nursery, hiring of material, school of ski as well as a half pipe, snowparc, tube park for the snowboarders.  Possibility of lodging on the spot.

Mt Hutt
Mount Hutt, to a hundred kilometers of Christchurch (less than two hours in the car) is the greatest station of the area of Canterbury and best arranged.  Located at the foot of the Alps of the South at an altitude of 2075 meters with uneven of 672m, it offers good conditions of snow and tracks any level.  The skiable field of 365 hectares is served by 9 increase.  The low part is reserved to the beginners, and the southern slope with confirmed.  At the top, one distinguishes the Banks peninsula and with far the ocean.  If the conditions allow it, it is possible to practise ski touring on the northern slope (North Peak).  A helicopter will deposit you at the beginning of the course.  To place itself, it is necessary to go to Methven, the locality nearest (11km) where you will be able to appreciate the cordial environment of the bars after a long day of ski.  The access road to the station is not tarred on 13 km.  To envisage chains.  On the spot, carpark, hiring of material, nursery, restaurant and school of ski.

Porter Heights
The collar of Porter Heights shelters a station of average size which profits from good conditions weather.  It is located at 1980 meters of altitude.  The sight since the top offers a splendid panorama on the Alps of the South This station has the longest descent of the southern hemisphere called Big Mama (720 meters), and the stiffest track of the country (Bluff Face).  The site counts 5 ski lifts and of the tracks of all levels.

[Sir Rols]

barrack, on April 06 2006,11:03, said:

roltel, on April 05 2006,19:21, said:

* It seems IOC attitudes to a possible NZ bid are mixed. Rogge apparently a few years ago discouraged the country from bidding, but on the other hand reports from Thatsnotmypuppy here on this board after a chat with some sports and Olympics bigwigs also seem to indicate there is some expectation within the IOC that the country (or Chile, perhaps) will eventually bid.

Why would he have specifically asked a country not to bid? That seems wrong to me. The more competition the better I say.

I'm not sure of the full details _ I only vaguely remember it _ but NZOlympic can fill you in fully. But basically, when NZ was pondering a bid for 2006/2010?, while on a visit to NZ Rogge made some comment on the fact that it would be difficult for a southern country to win a winter games.
As I said, I have a few theories that would minimise the issues that are always brought up by northerners whenever the issue of a southern WOGs comes up _ that it would be out of season, it would be strange to watch winter events in (northern) summer, and that NZ doesn't have a heritage of strong and sustained winter sports success. Basically, I'd advocate that a southern WOG could be held in late September-October _ still ski season down south, autumn/fall up north, the FIFA WC of the same year would be well over and it would be well into the US TV ratings season. Also, a full series of FIS and other federation lead-up events could be held in Australia, Chile, Argentina and NZ in the southern winter leading up to the games.
As for sports success _ well, that just takes time, will and a bit of government support. Anyway, the incentive of hosting a winter games and the facilities that would be built around it (like a bobsled run) would give southern countries the perfect facilities to help lift their game.

[barrack]

I read though that link, by the way, and it was very informative. Thanks for that.

[Paris]

The New Zealand stations do not compete cuts some with the European fields.  They are extended and exceed hardly the 2000 meters of altitude.  Their level of difficulty is slightly lower also.  However, they offer an exceptional natural framework which will allure all bitten ski and of snowboard in search of exoticism and authenticity.  New Zealand is recognized like a destination of choice for the quality of its duster (and its occasions of out-track) Ainsi, since the heights of the Mount Ruapehu (2322 meters) in the center of the island of North, the landscapes offer an imposing panorama to the colors contrasted between the peaks of the covered neighbouring mountains of a white coat, the black of the volcanic rock, the lakes blue emerald, the plains desert with the colors gold of Tongariro and with far the forest and the hills from a pure green.  On the south-western coast of the island of North, at the top of the tracks of the Mount Taranaki (2517 meters), the ocean extends as far as the eye can see... a single decoration with côtoient sea and mountain!  There are approximately 26 ski resorts in Zealand News of which a score in the island of the South.  These stations are divided into two categories:  "commercial" stations managed by large groups or families and the stations associative (club ski areas).  The first offer a better infrastructure and a customer service of better quality.  They have modern equipment (snow-blowers, rammers with winch, increase recent, half pipe, etc...) and have wider skiables fields.  They generally attract international customers.  The seconds, more, are managed by associations with nonlucrative goal.  They are of smaller size, their infrastructure is a little decayed and the tracks are sometimes less better maintained but they offer a more convivial and family framework.  One generally meets there of the New Zealanders.  They agree especially with those which wish to escape the tumults from the great stations and prefer the authenticity.  They also apply more interesting tariffs, generally in connection with the local standard of living.  Attention, the access can prove to be difficult, the roads not being always very suitable for motor vehicles according to sites'.  The New Zealand stations differ from the European stations in their organization.  Rare are those which have lodging on site.  It is necessary to go down again in the valley to place and take a bus or its vehicle to reach it.  The companies in general have the whole of the station, i.e. the increase, restaurant, cafeteria, school of ski, stores of hiring and photographers.  It is possible in certain stations all to on the spot rent:  your material of ski or snowboard and even your sport clothes of winter (anorak, jacket, trousers, gloves, bonnet, glasses...).  On average, the associative stations have 3 increase and the commercial stations have between five and one ten increase.  The prices of the fixed prices vary between 40$ and 82$ the day according to fields'.  The tracks of the stations are adapted to all the levels and will satisfy initial as experts.  Certain stations privilege the ski in family with the uneven accessible ones to all.  The tracks are not marked out with numbers and there is not red track.  The green tracks are intended to the beginners, the blue tracks with the average skiers and the black ones with the experienced skiers.  Attention the tracks all are not marked out but the risks to be mislaid are weak.  A bulletin weather is at your disposal every morning in the offices of tourism.  It is recommended to consult it before leaving to know the opened stations and tracks, the quality of snow, the temperature and if the chains are necessary to go up to the tracks.  The season of ski extends from at the end of June at at the beginning of October in the island of the South and until mid-November in the island of North, the best months for snow being July and August.  ISLAND OF NORTH There exist only four ski resorts in the island of North.  In the heart of the island in the national park of Tongariro, Whakapapa and Turoa are most popular.  These two ski resorts are located on each slope of the Mount Ruapehu, a volcano always in activity, and met recently to form only one station.  They attract many skiers and snowboarders.  Whakapapa With a surface of 400 hectares, 43 tracks (marked out and except track), 16 ski lifts and its multitude of 26 710 skiers per hour, Whakapapa, culminating with 2300 meters on the north-eastern slope of the Ruapehu Mount, is the greatest ski resort of Zealand News.  It counts tracks of any level.  You will find there restaurant, cafeteria and hiring of material ski.  It is possible to be placed on the spot.  The station has just made new skin with a new space of parking, a new customer service, and a material repair shop.  It is also equipped with a snowparc, of a halfpipe for the snowboarders.  Turoa Turoa located on the south-western slope of the volcano MT Ruapehu also offers 400 hectares of tracks skiables but has only 11 ski lifts.  It culminates with 2322 meters for uneven of 720 meters.

[Paris]

Thus, since the heights of the Mount Ruapehu (2322 meters) in the center of the island of North, the landscapes offer an imposing panorama to the colors contrasted between the peaks of the covered neighbouring mountains of a white coat, the black of the volcanic rock, the lakes blue emerald, the plains desert with the colors gold of Tongariro and with far the forest and the hills from a pure green.  On the south-western coast of the island of North, at the top of the tracks of the Mount Taranaki (2517 meters), the ocean extends as far as the eye can see... a single decoration with côtoient sea and mountain!

There are approximately 26 ski resorts in Zealand News of which a score in the island of the South.  These stations are divided into two categories:  "commercial" stations managed by large groups or families and the stations associative (club ski areas).  The first offer a better infrastructure and a customer service of better quality.  They have modern equipment (snow-blowers, rammers with winch, increase recent, half pipe, etc...) and have wider skiables fields.  They generally attract international customers.  The seconds, more, are managed by associations with nonlucrative goal.  They are of smaller size, their infrastructure is a little decayed and the tracks are sometimes less better maintained but they offer a more convivial and family framework.  One generally meets there of the New Zealanders.  They agree especially with those which wish to escape the tumults from the great stations and prefer the authenticity.  They also apply more interesting tariffs, generally in connection with the local standard of living.  Attention, the access can prove to be difficult, the roads not being always very suitable for motor vehicles according to sites'.

[barrack]

I will be honest, I didn't read the entirety of your post, but I do think that New Zealand could host a Winter Games. Maybe not now, maybe not soon, but within the next 20 years maybe? I'm pretty sure that it would have to be in Christchurch on the South Island. I think that anything on the North Island would be too temperate.

Christchurch, though not the biggest city, is still bigger than past Winter Olympic cities. It has international recognition, at least among the English-speaking countries (I can't speak on behalf of other cultures though.)

In general though, I am all about trying to get a Winter Games to the Southern Hemisphere.

[barrack]

roltel, on April 05 2006,19:21, said:

* It seems IOC attitudes to a possible NZ bid are mixed. Rogge apparently a few years ago discouraged the country from bidding, but on the other hand reports from Thatsnotmypuppy here on this board after a chat with some sports and Olympics bigwigs also seem to indicate there is some expectation within the IOC that the country (or Chile, perhaps) will eventually bid.

Why would he have specifically asked a country not to bid? That seems wrong to me. The more competition the better I say.

[barrack]

roltel, on April 05 2006,22:16, said:

As I said, I have a few theories that would minimise the issues that are always brought up by northerners whenever the issue of a southern WOGs comes up _ that it would be out of season, it would be strange to watch winter events in (northern) summer, and that NZ doesn't have a heritage of strong and sustained winter sports success. Basically, I'd advocate that a southern WOG could be held in late September-October _ still ski season down south, autumn/fall up north, the FIFA WC of the same year would be well over and it would be well into the US TV ratings season. Also, a full series of FIS and other federation lead-up events could be held in Australia, Chile, Argentina and NZ in the southern winter leading up to the games.

I agree with your idea, but I cannot get over the amusing fact that Sydney's Games were also held in September. Of course I realize that the city is farther North than Christchurch or Queenstown is, but still, it's amusing.

I think that your idea works, but it may still be a little late. Then again, I'm not sure what the weather is like. Ratings-wise, having the Games end right before the Fall season would be pretty fluid, and it would be winter down south.

Did having the Melbourne Commonwealth Games during late winter/early spring of the North have that much of an affect on ratings? If it didn't then I don't think have a winter games in the late summer/early fall would be a problem either.

[Sir Rols]

Just dug up an old thread canvassing all the issues. Here's the link:
Great Southern Challenge

[barrack]

Heh, I think that it would be totally awesome to have a Winter Games pick up right after where a World Cup leaves off. International Sports competitions are the best.