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Why visit Wanaka in winter?
News from this rapidly developing tourism centre
The scenic beauty of Wanaka in winter when the mountains are covered with snow has long been a magnet for tourists. Skiing in the area has attracted enthusiasts for many years, but new developments have increased the skiing opportunities with a new snowmaking system at Cardrona Alpine Resort, a new on-mountain village at Snow Park NZ, and improved snow making plant and trail enhancements at Treble Cone. Add to these attractions this year's annual Wanaka Mountain Film Festival, taking place on July 5-8 - a four-day action-packed programme focussed on extreme sport and adventure lifestyle films, guest speakers and exhibitions. Off the mountain activities include cafes, restaurants, a climbing wall and The Puzzling World of Stuart Landsborough.
It is no surprise that Air New Zealand has launched two new flights direct from Christchurch.
Improvements on Wanaka's skifields
Snow making, new on-mountain accommodation, a new terrain park and a commitment to sustainable tourism head the new developments in Wanaka's three alpine ski areas.
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Cardrona Alpine Resort has put $2 million investment into a new snowmaking system that will cover the main basin, terrain parks and halfpipes. This new technology will supplement Cardrona's already renowned natural snow base, ensuring key trails, rails, jumps and half pipes are open at the start of the season.
New on-mountain village at Snow Park NZ in the Pisa Range, Cardrona Valley,
New Zealand's first on-mountain village will open this winter at Snow Park NZ. The Snow Park Village, high in the Southern Alps, incorporates luxury apartments, backpacker bunkrooms and a restaurant and bar. It is now open for year-round bookings, and for the 2007 winter season can host up to 76 overnight guests with plans to accommodate over 250 in the next few years.
The luxury apartments have been architecturally designed to suit the alpine environment. Contemporary features and durable materials optimise the outdoor living spaces, with decks and patios accessible from all bedrooms. Large north-west facing windows allow the sun and stunning views to flood the open plan interior.
Each apartment is furnished to the highest standard featuring four bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The spacious living area has a large fire place, an LCD television and comfortable couches. The kitchen is equipped with all the mod cons and a large dining area which leads to the deck, complete with barbeque and private hot tub. All apartments can be booked as a whole unit, a combination of a two or three bedroom apartment or as individual hotel rooms. Room service, catered by the new Woolshed Restaurant, is available to all apartments.
The modern Woolshed Restaurant and Bar serves fine kiwi cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The large dining area seats 150 with an expansive sun deck over-looking the action at the Snow Park and the breathtaking mountains beyond. The late night bar has two large open fires and large screens for live sporting events and movies.
For those travelling on a tighter budget, New Zealand's highest backpacker bunkrooms can sleep up to 44 people. The Woolshed bunkrooms vary in size and include linen and duvets.
Ideal for families or groups of friends, the Snow Park Village is well positioned in the South East area of the park and offers views of the terrain park action as well as magnificent vistas across the Southern Alps.
Sam Lee, manager of Snow Park NZ, said the development of an on-mountain village was key to meeting growing customer demand.
"We have developed the village to enable all types of visitors the chance to ski/board to their front door, enjoy the communal facilities or take in a stunning sunset from the privacy of their own balcony. Since opening five years ago the park has experienced a massive 553% increase in visitor numbers. Expansion of the on-mountain infrastructure was necessary to keep in line with visitor demands and maintain Snow Park NZ as a premiere freestyle ski and snowboard resort."
Snow Park caters for all skill levels of freestyle riders/skiers and the Snow Farm is next door offering 50kms of groomed trails of x-country skiing. A helipad is located on the western side of the Snow Park, only a short walk from the apartments, for easy access to the Village. Direct transfers are available from Queenstown international airport and Wanaka.
For further information, visit the website. www.snowparknz.com
Snow Park NZ's new novice park
Snow Park NZ has broadened its appeal with the introduction of a dedicated novice terrain park to ease riders into the freestyle world of snowboarding and skiing.
The Half Pint Park includes the same features as the main park but on a smaller scale and on less steep terrain, offering new riders the chance to learn in a fun and relaxed environment.
The park includes an assortment of simple but fun features designed to boost riders' confidence. The new Half Pint Park has a selection of boxes and rails in a variety of configurations as well as jumps ranging in size, from mini jumps just off the ground up to 25ft.
Snow Park NZ Manager Sam said the idea of ‘Half Pint Park' was to create a more comfortable learning arena for new riders. "By providing a less daunting playground we are hoping to attract a broader mix of visitors to the Snow Park in addition to our traditional customers. We already have an excellent international reputation for having exciting and innovative terrain and now it's time to turn our attention to the growth of the sport. Half Pint Park will appeal to first-time park riders just starting out on skis or boards as well as proficient riders looking to learn new skills. From here they can then progress to the main features of Snow Park."
The new park has been designed by terrain park guru and ex-pro snowboarder Frank Wells. As a member of the Snow Park Technology consulting team, Frank designs and creates terrain for events such as the Winter X-Games and Van's Triple Crown in the USA. During the New Zealand winter, Frank works and designs exclusively at Snow Park NZ and manages the team of world-class groomer operators at the park.
Snow Park NZ offers beginner programmes to learn proper techniques in a safe and positive environment with the aim of progressing to the larger features during the season. There are options for individual or group lessons - including single sex groups.
Significant trail enhancements and increased snow-making at Treble Cone
As well as increased snow making plant on Treble Cone's Home Basin, there have been significant trail enhancements designed to provide skiers and boarders with more wide intermediate groomed trails in the Saddle Basin. The ski area has developed guided tours for intermediate skiers and boarders to allow them to gain maximum enjoyment from the ski area. Advanced skiers and riders can also take advantage of the new guiding service with tours to the Motatapu Chutes. Treble Cone has also introduced sustainable tourism practises designed to reduce the skifield's impact on the environment. A car pooling initiative will help reduce car emissions and the ski area has incorporated new energy saving policies into its day-to-day operations.
Wanaka Mountain Film Festival July 5-8
A four-day action-packed programme of extreme sport and adventure lifestyle films, guest speakers and exhibitions is the focus of this year's annual Wanaka Mountain Film Festival, taking place on July 5-8.
Now in its fifth year, the festival features an impressive line up of international and New Zealand speakers including mountaineer Mark Inglis who will talk about his Everest Rescue Trust project as well as his recent Mt Everest trip and the controversy it raised.
Over 35 entries have already been submitted for the film competition which is a key component of the festival, well above the number received this time last year. The festival is gaining a reputation around the world and a good number of international films have been received including entries from winners of the Banff and Vancouver Mountain Film Festivals.
The photo below of skiers and penguin in Antarctica captures the essence of the Mountain Film Festival that focuses on adventure sports and extreme trips to all corners of the Earth.
Mark Sedon, festival director, is impressed with the variety of films he has received so far, "I am overwhelmed with the submissions ?I have viewed some great original works as well as entries from film makers just starting out in the industry. It is encouraging to see," he said.
A highlight of the Wanaka Mountain Film Festival is the screening of outstanding 1980s ski film 'The Leading Edge', a true-life adventure in the Southern Alps. It is an exceptional blast from the past, an original ski film made in 1987, starring the late Billy T James and Bruce Grant of Queenstown, guaranteed to drag back many people's memories through this classic kiwi adventure.
The festival will also feature an awards night, which includes a charity auction and live music, film workshops and a world record ‘dyno' attempt. A dyno is the act of dynamically leaping to a hold that is out of reach. Dynos require a high level of fitness and incredible forearm and hand strength.
The Festival accepts films representing life in the outdoors. Entry forms and rules are available on the web site and entry is free. The judging panel is drawn from a group of mountaineering and film professionals.
For further information, visit: the website. www.mountainfilm.net.nz
Sponsorship
The Wanaka Film Festival is supported by: Platinum Sponsor ?MacPac. Gold Sponsors: Black Diamond, Q92 The Breeze, NZAC, Treble Cone, Petzl, Wilderness, La Sportiva, Queenstown Lakes District Council, GearshopNZ, Marmot, World Expeditions.
Activities off the mountains
New developments downtown include New Zealand's only indoor mountain adventure centre and indoor climbing wall, BaseCamp Wanaka, great for down days from the mountain or an après-ski beer from its on-site microbrewery. Other new après-ski arrivals include lakefront bar, Trout, and legendary pizza restaurant, The Cow that has expanded over the hill from Queenstown.
A favourite attraction The Puzzling World of Stuart Landsborough
Puzzling World is set amongst 7 acres of rolling lawns, trees and gardens at the entrance to Wanaka, 2kms from the lakefront.
The crazy architecture immediately catches visitors' attention. One building has four eccentric Tumbling Towers.
Another one is called the Leaning Tower of Wanaka. This tower has been pulled out of the ground and is balanced on one corner at a 53 degree angle! The Leaning Tower of Pisa only leans six degrees.
The famous Maze
There is a two storey maze with over 1.5 km of passages. Visitors have to navigate the passages to towers at each corner. This is quite challenging, but there are escape routes for those who get desperate.
Puzzles everywhere
There is a series of rooms each of which has its own illusions including the Hologram Hall, and the Hall of Following Faces.
When you are having light refreshments in the caf?you can also enjoy puzzles and get help from the staff with any difficulties. You can also find interesting merchandise at the gift shop.
Even the public toilets are entertaining and worth a photograph! Apart from the usual ladies and gents, there are Roman-style toilets which are made realistic by a splendid Diorama (mural).
With all that Wanaka has to offer it surely deserves to be a MUST on travellers' itineraries.
Editor's comment
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