Cardrona Hideaway

Images supplied by Waiorau Homestead. 2009 If you’ve ever visited the freezing Cardrona Valley, near Wanaka in winter, you’ll know all about the benefits of having a warm place to retreat to at the end of the day. That’s exactly where Waiorau Homestead comes into the picture. Tucked away behind a fist of trees at the bottom of the Snow Farm hill and just across the road from Cardrona Ski Resort, Blyth Adams and Ann Lockhart have created a divine hideout that appeals to all the senses. Working with Christchurch interior designer, Leslee Ross, they given the old valley homestead a complete makeover without compromising any of its original character. Three new guest suites and a guest lounge and dining room are now at the disposal of the lucky few who get to book in first. And let’s not forget the fact that Blyth is a chef by trade. You’ll eat well AND sleep well. www.waiorauhomestead.co.nz

It's Snowing Down South

Crown Range, Wanaka. May 2009. Ajr

The weather forecast predicted savagely cold temperatures for the deep south this weekend. Personally, I don't know how it can get any colder than when I was there two weeks ago. I drove out to Cardrona, near Wanaka one afternoon and although the sun was shining and the skies were blue, it was perishingly cold. I sat on a quiet road in a rather unlikely subdivision (half developed) and soaked up the total silence. The mountains were covered in whipped cream snow, falcons soared in the skies above and all nearby houses looked as though they had been sealed for the winter. I never saw a single person. Needless to say though, the people at nearby Cardrona Alpine Resort will be rubbing their frozen hands together in delight. The omens are pointing to a bumper early ski season. www.cardrona.com

Snow Time!

Cardrona Alpine Resort, Wanaka

One of the Best Family Ski Fields

In the Country

And Let's Not Forget the Spectacular Scenery

www.cardrona.com

Image Courtesy Cardrona Alpine Resort

Ski Heaven

Boarder Gaining Air at Cardrona Alpine Resort - Photo: Lake Wanaka Tourism

Night Skiing at Snow Park NZ - Photo from Snow Park NZ

We’ve had some ferocious winters days of late but that’s all great news for the skiers and snowboarders who will be heading to Wanaka in their droves over the next two months. Wanaka is ski-heaven! Cardrona Alpine Resort, Treble Cone and Snow Farm/Snow Park are all close to town and all have confirmed that they will host Olympic and National snow sports teams from the Northern Hemisphere, looking to continue training through their summer months (in our winter). Along with Alpine Skiing World Cup holder Bode Miller (USA), Treble Cone will host national teams from USA, Austria, Germany and Norway. Olympic teams from China, Japan, Australia and Italy will train in the freestyle park along with Olympic gold medallist Kelly Clark. Cardrona will host teams from Canada, Sweden and the United States; and more teams will head for Snow Park NZ once their superpipe has been primed. Many national snowboard teams will also be in training during August and September; and more are expected to arrive in preparation for the Winter Games NZ 2009, which is expected to attract 600 competing athletes. There’s also a healthy line up of events, starting tomorrow, (July 29) with the Burton New Zealand Open, which will see fired up snowboarders competing at Snow Park NZ. You can check out other events at http://www.skilakewanaka.com/ – and if you’re in the mood for a hyped-up cosmopolitan ski atmosphere, Wanaka is the place to be.