Coronet Peak to extend season as spring fling follows record snowfall: “Coronet Peak is to extend its opening dates to allow for an extra week of skiing and riding, as long as the conditions allow.”

(Via NZSki.com – New Zealand ski, snowboard and mountain biking premier south island website..)

Still Snowing & Whakapapa is Open!

“We have had another night of more snow and huge drifting from top to bottom! The snow over the last week has transformed the place. At Whakapapa the Far West is burried, the Waterfalls are full, and you can ski down to Car Park 10! At Turoa, work continues to …”

(Via Mt Ruapehu Latest News.)

2nd Floor and More!:

“The 2nd floor is in place on the new cafe at Knoll Ridge and boy are we excited! The crews have been working really hard during the latest fine weather spell to get as much done as possible. You will notice in the photo gallery that things are moving fast …”

(Via Mt Ruapehu Latest News.)

Coronet Peak training ground for Winter Olympic Gold Medal winner:

“19 February 2010: Vancouver 2010 Gold Medal downhill skier Lindsey Vonn has a New Zealand connection, the world’s best female downhill skier trains at New Zealand’s premier ski area, Coronet Peak.”

(Via NZSki.com – New Zealand ski, snowboard and mountain biking premier south island website..)

Early Bird season passes on sale:

“11 February 2010: Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to log onto www.nzski.com within the next month to snap up the very best deals for this year’s winter season passes to New Zealand’s premier ski areas.”

(Via NZSki.com – New Zealand ski, snowboard and mountain biking premier south island website..)

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p>New for 2010 The Valley View Quad:

Phase one – summer 2009/10

• Valley View Quad chairlift installation
  -  Former Captains fixed grip quad chairlift being relocated to open up more terrain, extending below the Whitestar Express down to Speed Straight
• FIS homologated downhill course
• A 40 metre tunnel will feature on the Comeback trail
• An additional carpark at the base of the lift for easy access to the Valley View Quad

(Via Cardrona Alpine Resort – Cardies Blog.)

The flight from Auckland to Los Angeles was uneventful. The plane wasn’t too crowded, and there was a good choice of movies.

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Flight from Wellington to Auckland was OK. At Auckland Airport there was a 10 minute walk to get from the domestic terminal to international.

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Well, my ski trip in New Zealand is coming to an end… time to start heading back to the UK.

First part of the trip was to get from Palmerston North to Wellington to catch a flight to Auckland, and then on to New York, USA.

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Wow, what a great day! Fantastic. One to remember. Skiing at Turoa on Mount Ruapehu.

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