The Great Ski Gamble of ought-nine

After a bruising encounter with the nursery slopes on Ruapehu, it was necessary to give snow boarding a time out, to allow both my ass and my ego recover!  After a leisurely voyage through the Hawkes Bay region, a weekend stopover with a friend in Wellington, a choppy crossing of the Cook straits and a whale watching triumph in Kaikoura, it was time for some more snow fun.

Hearing that the nearby resort of St. Arnaud was not yet open, we headed south for another close by ski field in the tiny village of Mount Lyford.  Arriving on Saturday afternoon, we were already into half day rates, which were not a great saving, so we decided (against the advise of the guy in the lodge I must confess) to pass for the afternoon and join the other early risers to be on the mountain in time for the lifts opening and get a full day of FAB-ulous snow.  Why, oh why did we not listen?  We awoke on Sunday to a misty, rainy and altogether miserable morning and the dismal news that the Mt. Lyford ski field was closed.

Devastated, we gorged on pancakes to ease the pain and hit the road South (again).  Nearby Hanmer Springs, a beautiful little town in its own right and a heaving tourist destination all year round, is also the base town for the Hanmer Springs ski field.  Sunday morning, leaving Lyford, the news was that Hanmer Springs was “On Hold”.  Ever the optimists, we headed there.  The weather, if possible, deteriorated even further, and by the time we arrived in Hanmer Springs about mid day, the field was open, but there were already snow bunnies wandering around town in their brightly coloured sallopettes, spirits dampened by the constant down pour.  If they were already back down the mountain, it must have been pretty miserable we figured, and opted to hold out for better weather on Monday.

Easier said than done.  As I mentioned, Hanmer Springs is quite a busy resort town independent of the ski field.  It is home of the famous Hanmer Springs (Thermal springs which have of course been commercialised).  There are a host of other activities to keep the weary traveller occupied – Mini golf, A-MAZE-n-golf, quad biking, cycling, walking, horse riding,  jet boating, bungee jumping, kayaking to name but a few unappealing options on a day when the rain made me feel like I was back in Limerick in January!  So, we walked the 2-300m length of the town, and again, and again, and had a cuppa, and walked again.  Eventually I settled for a return to the van and a celeb gossip  mag and a hot choc.  I was skiing the next day, I could deal with this.

After a LONG day and sleeps full of skiing dreams, we got up, full of beans and ready to hit the Hanmer Springs slopes.  Armed with our trusty snow chains, nothing would be a problem for Maisie Penny (the campervan in case you have not been introduced).   Salopetted up to the nines, we hit the road for the hills.  A few km in, the snow chains went on, icy roads are not a problem for the Duchess.  It turns out however, that 10km of snowy roads, with slow climbs and sod all traction, are.  A mere 4km from the fields, we snapped a snow chain, our passenger (me!) lost her snow legs, and we had to turn back – so near …. and yet …….

Winding our way back to Hanmer Springs, we rationalised.  Now at least we know what the Duchess can handle.  Even royalty can only be pushed so far.  Anyway, there’s a shuttle bus from town, we’ll hop on that and be whistling down the slopes in no time.

Did I mention Hanmer Springs is pretty small, and the field, although good quality is a small club run field versus a large commercial, European style resort?  The shuttle goes once a day – at 9.15. We hit town at 10.30. Foiled again.

And so the journey has continued.  We hit the familiar route south once more stopping at the beautiful Mud House restaurant, on the grounds of the winery and eventually arrived in Christchurch.  We’ve learned some lessons on the way.  No more chancing our arms and Maisie’s poor wheels on snowy roads, we have the shuttle booked.  As I write, the boots, skis and poles are at my feet, rented at fantastic prices from the lovely people at Snowmania (the best place ever!), and we are just hoping that the weather is kind to us so it can be third time lucky on to the mountain.  So, we’re maybe going skiing tomorrow … maybe!