Taking to the Air

Tickets have gone on sale for the 14th Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2012 at Wanaka Airport. Both the flying and ground programmes are currently being drawn up and aviation lovers are in for all sorts of action over Easter 2012. It's also the 75th Anniversary of the RNZAF and their work over the past decades will be celebrated at the Warbirds show.

Check the websit for further updates as they come to hand.

www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com

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

Eating with Gusto

Wanaka, May 2009. Ajr A culinary diversion at Gusto Cafe in Wanaka recently. I seem to remember leaving very satisfied after devouring field mushroom risotto - all in the name of another travel guide review of course.

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

Southern Comfort

Wanaka. May 2009. Ajr

The Cow is a Queenstown institution. It's been going for years. Now the sister restaurant in Wanaka, although much newer, is just as popular. It's tucked away at the bottom of Post Office Lane and when the doors open, people filter in for pizzas and fireside warmth - and who can blame them in that cold climate. Guaranteed late nights are also part of the attraction because Woody's, Botswana Butchery and bartuga are all located right next door in Post Office Lane. Big outdoor fires throw out the heat in the outdoor courtyard and people huddle in tight social circles.

Above the Clouds

Image Supplied by Treble Cone

I love a good ski or snowboarding shot and since I'm neither a skier nor a snowboarder, I rely on the generosity of other photographers to make my blog look pretty in winter. This lovely image was sent to me by the team at Treble Cone Ski Field, near Wanaka - one of the more challenging fields in the country with lots of very steep areas and narrow valleys to keep the experienced skiers happy. www.treblecone.co.nz

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

StreetscapeNZ - 17

Main Crown Range Road

Cardrona

Near Wanaka

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.

When Old Age is a Good Thing

Cardrona Hotel, 2007. Ajr.
Welcome to one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand – Cardrona Hotel. Nestled in to the base of the Crown Range twenty minutes from Wanaka, the Cardrona has a legendary reputation as a popular après-ski hangout. It’s within sneezing distance of five ski fields; I guess that helps. Established in 1863 it’s one of the country’s oldest hotels and with its memorabilia displays, roaring fires and hearty meals it has a quirky, rustic appeal that seems to endure. Now, with a fresh, refurbished face, it’s priming itself for the 2008 ski season. The mulled wine is probably being prepared ‘as we speak.’ www.cardronahotel.co.nz

White Winter

By way of complete contrast (to the Australian Outback) let’s visit New Zealand’s snow-capped mountains. This is another sublime experience of course and if you’re looking for a secretive retreat in total seclusion, you can go no higher than Whare Kea Lodge’s mountain top Chalet, which is perched high in the Buchanan mountain range beside the Mt Aspiring National Park, near Wanaka in the South Island. You’ll get stunning views of just about everything but in particular, of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mt Aspiring - all this in the stylish luxury that characterises Relais & Chateaux properties worldwide. That includes amazing cuisine, two gorgeous guest bedrooms and a personal host and mountain guide. And let’s not forget that the Chalet’s sustainable design excellence was recognised when Whare Kea received the Relais & Chateaux Environmental Award in 2004. http://www.wharekealodge.com/