55 replies to this topic

[micheal_warren]

roltel, on April 06 2006,13:21, said:

A yes, a favourite topic of mine here (along with generally getting the winter games to the southern hemisphere). The thing is with New Zealand hosting the winter games is not so much a question of capability or facilities _ the country is sure prosperous enough and it has the required mountain facilities to do it _ but rather the need to hold them outside the traditional northern winter sports season and New Zealand's meagre success so far at WOGs. Neither problem is insuperable, and if anyone wants to debate those I'm willing to jump in with my proposals.

As to the info posted above, to my knowledge (and I'm, sure NZolympic _ GamesBids other great NZ WOG booster) will correct any mistakes I might make here):
* The North Island resorts are not capable of hosting alpine events at a WOGs _ they don"t have the required (800m) vertical drop required by the FIS.
* In the South island, Mt Hutt, near Christchurch, is certainly able to do it and has already hosted FIS World Cup events.
* The Queenstown/Southern Lakes region taking in Wanaka, Coronet Peak, Remarkables etc would also be able to manage them.
* The main question in my mind would be whether to base the games around the biggest city on the South Island (Christchurch) and spread the alpine events out a la Torino and Vancouver, or (a proposal that apparantly is being seriously investigated) to base the entire bid around the Queenstown/Southern Lakes area. To my mind, at least some events would have to be based in Queenstown anyway, whichever is the bid anchor. A bobsled track, for example, which would be one of the main big-ticket items NZ would have to build if it hosted, would be best sited in Queenstown with its already existing reputation for adventure sports. On the other hand, it probably makes most sense to have ceremonies and ice events in Christchurch.
* 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.

I'm hoping the kiwis will eventually bite the bullet and at least put in a bid to test the waters _ it will be the only way really to truly guage what IOC attitudes are and what they see as needing to be done if the games are ever to go south of the equator.

yea new zealand has conducted many studies on whether to host the winter olympics. I no new zealand conducted studies to host the winter games in 2002 and 2010.

i feel that we should at least put a bid in! I do think that within the next 20-30 years new zealand will at least put a bid in

[Paris]

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.  Attention, these stations are sometimes overloaded in tourist season.  Maunganui Ski field It acts of 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.  ISLAND OF the CUS 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 and Snow Park On 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.  To carry Heights the collar To carry 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.  The héliski the héliski is a very widespread practice in Zealand News.  A helicopter deposits you in top of vast extended from virgin snow which you descend in ski or surfing.  The stations of MtPotts (area of Canterbury), and the site of Harris Mountains (area of Otago - Wanaka) propose various formulas héliski.  Count approximately 650$ the day.  In Auckland...  Snowplanet And finally for the unconditional ones which cannot attendrent the season or for the beginners who want to warm up before descending the tracks in natural size, will know that there exists in the northern area of Auckland to 30 km of the centre town, a ski resort covered where you will be able to ski throughout year.  A village is also reconstituted to give to you the impression of true a escapade in mountain with restaurant, store hiring of ski, bar and panoramic sight.  50cm of true powder snow, 3 ski lifts.  There are a ground reserved to the beginners and another for the snowboarders.

[Sir Rols]

A yes, a favourite topic of mine here (along with generally getting the winter games to the southern hemisphere). The thing is with New Zealand hosting the winter games is not so much a question of capability or facilities _ the country is sure prosperous enough and it has the required mountain facilities to do it _ but rather the need to hold them outside the traditional northern winter sports season and New Zealand's meagre success so far at WOGs. Neither problem is insuperable, and if anyone wants to debate those I'm willing to jump in with my proposals.

As to the info posted above, to my knowledge (and I'm, sure NZolympic _ GamesBids other great NZ WOG booster) will correct any mistakes I might make here):
* The North Island resorts are not capable of hosting alpine events at a WOGs _ they don"t have the required (800m) vertical drop required by the FIS.
* In the South island, Mt Hutt, near Christchurch, is certainly able to do it and has already hosted FIS World Cup events.
* The Queenstown/Southern Lakes region taking in Wanaka, Coronet Peak, Remarkables etc would also be able to manage them.
* The main question in my mind would be whether to base the games around the biggest city on the South Island (Christchurch) and spread the alpine events out a la Torino and Vancouver, or (a proposal that apparantly is being seriously investigated) to base the entire bid around the Queenstown/Southern Lakes area. To my mind, at least some events would have to be based in Queenstown anyway, whichever is the bid anchor. A bobsled track, for example, which would be one of the main big-ticket items NZ would have to build if it hosted, would be best sited in Queenstown with its already existing reputation for adventure sports. On the other hand, it probably makes most sense to have ceremonies and ice events in Christchurch.
* 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.

I'm hoping the kiwis will eventually bite the bullet and at least put in a bid to test the waters _ it will be the only way really to truly guage what IOC attitudes are and what they see as needing to be done if the games are ever to go south of the equator.

[Sir Rols]

barrack, on April 06 2006,13:55, said:

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.

I don't know what the ratings were in the UK and Canada, but I do know the timing was a problem in trying to sell the TV rights in canada _ too soon after the Torino Games, which were a bigger deal there. At the end, the Canadians got them cut price.

Also did a check on Rogge's comments _ it seems his main concern was that an NZ WOG would clash with the FIFA WC. As I said, holding them later in the season would avoid such a clash.

[stevie]

Do I think New Zealand can host the winter games?
I KNOW my country can host the winter games and I believe the key is to develop NZ's reputation as a winter sporting destination and also NZ's performance in winter sports. But it doesnt help when most of NZ's sports fundings is directed at sport's they see as 'sports that matter to kiwis' i.e. cycling, rowing, triathlon, athletics, sailing etc.

roltel, on Apr 6 2006, 03:59 AM, said:

<font color='#000000'>

Also did a check on Rogge's comments _ it seems his main concern was that an NZ WOG would clash with the FIFA WC. As I said, holding them later in the season would avoid such a clash.</font>

Exactly, New Zealands ski season runs from late April to early October.

[stevie]

Ok stratch my comment before, I have just been imformed that Winter Sport's in New Zealand have just received a substantail input from the national sports funding agency and Aparenty they have set up a Winter Olympic Sports Progarm.

[Sir Rols]

nzolympic, on Nov 15 2006, 11:38 PM, said:

Ok stratch my comment before, I have just been imformed that Winter Sport's in New Zealand have just received a substantail input from the national sports funding agency and Aparenty they have set up a Winter Olympic Sports Progarm.

That's a great start. I've come to the conclusion that countries like NZ, Chile and Argentina will have to start building up some prowess and tradition in winter sports before any bid they may make in future will be taken seriously.

[The Moose]

roltel, on Nov 15 2006, 10:44 PM, said:

That's a great start. I've come to the conclusion that countries like NZ, Chile and Argentina will have to start building up some prowess and tradition in winter sports before any bid they may make in future will be taken seriously.

Yes, these countries have won 1 silver medal combined so far (NZ), significantly less than my ski club. Still, I must say that especially Santiago looks like a great place to stage a wog if they can manage to organize and fund it properly.

[Alexjc]

Yeah this topic again...

Still with Ice Burgs now Floating past Dunedin, within site of that city...

I'm now in reality mode after joining GB two years ago, with the excitment of joining a great group of like minds now replaced with sensible thinking.

I still belive that NZ could host the Winter Games shared with Queenstown and Christchurch, but it will have to host it before the 20's are through.

Unless NZ has a population growth of another million people, we simply couldn't afford a specialised weather dependant event that is quite expensive (and in some instances, elitist) to hold. Ulike Summer Olympic facilities that can be used all year round by everybody, Winter facilities are specialised and you really need to know what you are doing when using them, ie Luge, SkiJump, Bobslegh.

Hosting the Summer Games later on toward the 2050s would probibly be a better future investment

This is something NZ needs to plan for NOW as it's next future international sports event post 2011.

[stevie]

Alexjc, on Nov 16 2006, 05:28 AM, said:

Unless NZ has a population growth of another million people, we simply couldn't afford a specialised weather dependant event that is quite expensive (and in some instances, elitist) to hold. Ulike Summer Olympic facilities that can be used all year round by everybody, Winter facilities are specialised and you really need to know what you are doing when using them, ie Luge, SkiJump, Bobslegh.

Well not exactly. If we possed such facilities like Ski Jumps, Speed Skating Ovals and Bobslegh track we would hold a complete monopoly on those winter sports in the southern hemishpere. Meaning that any other souther nation wanting to use them would have to come to us. Not only that but northern hemisphere nations would jump at the chance to be able to train during they're summer (our winter). New Zealand is aleady the #1 training destination for Alpine and Cross Country Skiing giants like Austria, Canada, America, Germany, Scandinavia etc. in the southern hemisphere so this would most like only add to that.

Queenstown is the fastest growing region in New Zealand and is expexted to double its population by 10,000 so how knows, maybe by around the 2020's the Souther Lakes region will be poised to but together a bid.

Alexjc, on Nov 16 2006, 05:28 AM, said:

This is something NZ needs to plan for NOW as it's next future international sports event post 2011.

Well i think the South Island will be looking for it's next be event since the world cup is pretty much an Auckland affair and honestly I think the South Island is far better at organizing events than the Auckland region.