New Zealand

Cardrona(2) - Naturally Better

OK, I had to spill some photos over on to a new page- so get looking!

The boarder cross course has been up for ages on the mountain and we have seen numerous events being held there.
Here the skiers have a bash at the course. Its well worth taking a moment or two to watch an event like this. Seeing up to four people trying to dash down such a narrow course results in some spectacular crashes, particularly along the banked turns.

The start of the backcountry.
On the day that I ventured up to this point I saw numerous people walking the trails to a peak in the distance. As I have mentioned previously, backcountry can be dangerous and requires appropriate training and equipment. The rewards must be amazing though - perhaps it will be worth investing in a short course next time round.
The patch in the foreground (where the footprints are) is where I played for a while.

Looking further north from the same vantage point you start to see the attraction. VAST powder fields just waiting to be ridden.
While taking in the view I could see several very small figures slowly hiking their way back up the field in the middle. You have to be very fit to tackle that and it must take a good while to complete.

Looks like toy town eh?
Looking down the magic carpet on the beginner slopes the toon-like colours of the Cardrona facilities look remarkably childish, especially with the large clock tower!
Magic carpets are great for learners - no worrying about getting on and off lifts, you just step on and ride up (I went on it to get to the half-pipe - honest!).

Half-Pipe
The Boost 1/2 pipe competition was held a couple of weeks ago and I managed to get a few pictures of these boys and girls working their stuff. Nice grab on the left (I told you I was on the way to the pipe).
The shot below is at the bottom of the pipe and should give you a little idea of the size. Unfortunately it was a bit of an overcast day so the pics came out dark (have not attempted to improve them).

Going back to the earlier backcountry pictures, several of us watched as a helicopter dropped off people on the far peak (lucky buggers). The helicopter then flew right by us on its way back.

	The boarder cross course has been up for ages on the mountain and we have seen numerous events being held there. Here the skiers have a bash at the course. Its well worth taking a moment or two to watch an event like this. Seeing up to four people trying to dash down such a narrow course results in some spectacular crashes, particularly along the banked turns.
The start of the backcountry. On the day that I ventured up to this point I saw numerous people walking the trails to a peak in the distance. As I have mentioned previously, backcountry can be dangerous and requires appropriate training and equipment. The rewards must be amazing though - perhaps it will be worth investing in a short course next time round. The patch in the foreground (where the footprints are) is where I played for a while.
	Looking further north from the same vantage point you start to see the attraction. VAST powder fields just waiting to be ridden. While taking in the view I could see several very small figures slowly hiking their way back up the field in the middle. You have to be very fit to tackle that and it must take a good while to complete.
Looks like toy town eh? Looking down the magic carpet on the beginner slopes the toon-like colours of the Cardrona facilities look remarkably childish, especially with the large clock tower! Magic carpets are great for learners - no worrying about getting on and off lifts, you just step on and ride up (I went on it to get to the half-pipe - honest!).
	Half-Pipe The Boost 1/2 pipe competition was held a couple of weeks ago and I managed to get a few pictures of these boys and girls working their stuff. Nice grab on the left (I told you I was on the way to the pipe). The shot below is at the bottom of the pipe and should give you a little idea of the size. Unfortunately it was a bit of an overcast day so the pics came out dark (have not attempted to improve them).