Just got back from NZ today. Had a fantastic time. Lots of high quality snow; too much, if indeed there is such a thing. Spent the first week boarding every day, in knee-deep powder. The contrast between the conditions last year and what greeted us this year were amazing. Powder, while being more fun anyway, also has the benefit of making it easier on steep slopes, so I managed to cover more terrain this year too.
Met up with Bevin, who’s in great form. She has settled into Wanaka nicely and is enjoying life there. Brought her up to Treble Cone and went boarding with her in Cardrona a couple of times too. She seems to be quite comfortable on any slope, but not too happy picking up speed yet. She’s progressing quickly. The weather turned on us a bit in the second week. Lots of snow storms, meaning almost total whiteouts on the slopes, so we took a day off. Myself and Kev did some sight-seeing, the lads sat on the couch and ate, we all got trashed that night, Sean & Tom had an egg fight in their apartment, after literally crawling home, and Paul slid down an embankment, narrowly missing ending up in a stream. There was an avalanche in Treble Cone the next morning, which was fine by us as we were still drunk, so we hadn’t made it up the slopes that morning. Rumours flew, but no-one was injured.Spent a couple of days in Queenstown after Wanaka. Brought Bevin with us and introduced her to Fergburgers. Myself, Bev, Neil and Sean had booked a trip to Milford Sound, but it got called off as the airport was snowed in. Went boarding in The Remarkables instead, which was almost as much fun. Said goodbye to Bevin that night as she returned to Wanaka, then went out and got drunk on Honey Vodka as it was our last night in town. Did a bit more sight-seeing, then had a go on the Luge at the top of Queenstown Hill. Great fun!Overall it was another great holiday. Plenty of Brewskis, Fergburgers, mulled wine at the Cardrona Hotel and snow. What more could we ask for. No doubt the scales will indicate the downside tomorrow morning!