First Day at TC. How does it compare?

When Covid-19 dashed their travel plans, many New Zealanders cancelled their theme-park holiday on the Gold Coast and decided to go skiing instead.

Snow fever was evident on the drive to Wanaka.  Fuelled by an optimistic snow report drivers were intent on getting to Central Otago as fast as they could.  They were not jamming on their brakes for every corner with a speed recommendation. It seemed even campervans aren’t slow if they are piloted by Kiwis. 

With no TC VIP parking pass to wave at the friendly parking attendant we were in danger of ending up at the loser end of the car park. Happily, after a drive up the access road that resembled a good old TC road race, we got a park in the top car park with a short walk down to the lift. I can see that we’ll have to leave earlier in the future, Cardrona-style, if we don’t want a long walk or a shuttle from the valley floor.

After fortifying ourselves with a perfect long black, we had to walk back up to the end of the school holiday queue.  It was only about 10 minutes for a seasoned TC queue pusher to get on the lift.  With the Saddle area promising better snow, we tucked for the cat track and were soon waiting in a much bigger queue at the bottom of the Saddle chair. The lifties were playing thumping house music. One run down the boundary and on to South Ridge (groomed thanks Real Journeys) and my thighs were burning in a way that Cardrona skiers can only dream of.

 But even 10 minutes wait is too much for us so we dropped through the steep chalky sides of the Upper Gun Barrel back into the main basin.  There was excellent partly groomed snow on Big Skite and Midwave, with no lift queues at the bottom of the six seater.  Tired early-season thighs had turned to jelly, forcing a tea break and also an early lunch. Our TC skiing friends had the same idea and lunch was very social. With a day’s worth of skiing done before lunch some indulged in lunchtime pale ale. Happy birthday Mitchell!

The snow reports were concerning due to the lack of grooming.  Do the new owners think all TC’ers are able to ski crusty deep off-piste frozen crud like it is Class A powder, doing backflips off every bump?  Not all TC skiers are feral ski bums with steel thighs and hairy armpits.  Some of us have family and friends who are sophisticated and like a bit of corduroy. No excuses, please groom Saddleback.

But what’s it really like? Still the best ski-field views in the world.  Still the old lifts that stop and leave you wondering if you should have brought your sleeping bag with you in your backpack. The best lunch spot socializing for sure. A clubby atmosphere on a commercial field. Long steep interesting runs that can test your fitness. Sadly, no entertainment today from the only alpine parrot in the world – have the keas been sold as well?

Is TC always going to be Cardy’s unkempt, untamed, dreadlocked cousin, the one with all the personality?