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| It's always winter somewhere |
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Sitting in my studio, it is only a few days till Christmas. I have made a few scant runs at Sugarloaf and Okemo on man-made snow over the past few weeks. It has been mild in the Northeast, much to my dismay. My fingers are crossed that the heavens will bless the slopes or at least cool down before Christmas vacation, a time so essential for resorts economically, as well as my own well being. I think back to mid-August, when I made my first trip to the southern hemisphere, Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand to be specific. I was accompanied by several of my most favored winter ski buddies. It was hard for me to give up two precious weeks of a precious summer, made even shorter by very wet weather. I’m glad that this ski season will seem longer for having started it in August. Next year perhaps we’ll all go to Chile to start another long winter season. We need to remind ourselves that it is “winter”
in New Zealand in August. A mild winter, by Northeastern United
States standards, but winter still. Snow falls here mostly at higher
elevations. One can almost draw a horizontal line on the jagged
mountain slopes with snow above and bare ground below. The winter
climate is temperate and allows semi-summer activities like golf
and boating to be possible on many of its warmer days; a wonderful
combination. It is a land of clear skies, clean landscapes, deep clear fresh water lakes, even a rain forest, and especially friendly folk. You are most definitely aware that you are in a much different place and perhaps a different time. No or little sprawl, few roadside billboards, no trash, no race to get to work, and few roads. An intimate and precious relationship with the environment exists. It is also a place of adventure, where risk is made part of the joy of life; indeed it is an essential part. Lawyers be damned! I’ll remember my trip as much for its other adventures and the scenery, as for the skiing. Queenstown, a modest size city on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is easily traversed on foot. It is an urban environment, with many modern buildings, surrounded by the beauty of mountains and azure blue water. Full of specialty shops, fine restaurants, and boutique hotels, it attracts visitors from around the globe. There are four ski areas within very reasonable drives from Queenstown:
The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak, and Cardrona Skifield.
We skied them all. All are treeless with spectacular views of lakes,
villages, and of course, the mountains. The access roads to the
higher terrain had us grasping our seats with one hand, and taking
photographs with the other. Though not large, nor high in altitude, especially by European or American West standards, a feeling of vastness exists. Lifts are few in number and mostly aging and slow, but all the more time one has, to take in the spectacular surroundings. Besides the skiing, a few in our group took part in various other unique activities. Some bungee jumped [not me thanks]. This country is the home of this intense, though brief ten second thrill. It is big business in New Zealand. We tandem parasailed off Coronet Peak for a 15-minute glide along mountain ridges to Arrowtown and back, a true worthwhile venture, and a doable treat, for most any willing adventurer. We rode the world renown jet boats in the mild shallow whitewater of the narrow cliff encased Shotover River Canyon. A few took a whitewater raft ride down the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers, a few rode horseback, and a few took “Lord of the Rings” tours. During a long single leg 11-1/2 hour flight from Los Angeles, we were well treated and well fed by Air New Zealand. Some would say it is too long a journey to this far, far away land. I would say that is why you must go. This land appears to have burst from the ocean floor in celebration of life and all things beautiful, exciting and good. |
