When good ski weeks go bad.

The first week of August is usually a very reliable week for decent snow in the NZ winter ski season. There are no school holidays and so, hopefully, fewer people.  And this year with Covid 19 travel restrictions, we were looking forward to uncrowded slopes.

Unfortunately, the week started with the warmest flow of air from the west we have ever seen in August. It was 17 degrees in Wanaka, with cloudy skies and rain.  The snow pack was so saturated at TC the area was closed until either a freeze or decent snow fall.  With global warming that might be a while away.

Cardrona was open, but “misty”, which meant no visibility, inside a cloud.

We went biking instead, first of all on the well-drained gravel highway that follows the Hawea River all the way to the nice café on the hill. Pete had explained that the slick tyre on his e-bike he had loaned to John T was extremely puncture resistant.  John got a puncture.  Fortunately, someone else in the peloton had a spare tube and pump.

With similar conditions the next day we ventured out onto the lakeside track to Glendhu Bay. This rates for me as one of the most scenic tracks I’ve ever ridden, and the occasional steep bits can be a challenge.

Rehydration was achieved at Rhyme and Reason Brewery where Jess Herman continues to provide the most impressive range of amazing beers.  One visit (or pint) is never enough.

The weather forecast today was improved, and we decided to chance a day at Cardies.  The road up had suffered with the rain and warm temperatures, and 2wd cars struggled to get up in the deep muddy ruts.  The firm skiing conditions first thing improved to spring-like slush as the morning warmed up.  The Whitestar Express failed to live up to its name, first breaking down and then only loading at half capacity. Skier numbers ballooned as all of Wanaka’s holiday skiers tried to shake off their cabin fever. 

Tensions in the queue led to a boarder snapping at Dara for nudging his precious snowboard – this was not something we’d experienced at TC. The café was crowded and they were running out of pies at lunchtime.

An early afternoon shower of rain was a great excuse to sample the rather excellent (for a mountain café) craft beer selection on tap in the Captains Basin. That finished the skiing for the day, and ironically the sun came out just as we rolled out of the carpark for a muddy ride down the hill.

The sound of Duelling Banjos and calls of “Squeal like a pig” go with the “Murray River Salted Caramel” Tim Tams to finish off a very un-TC-like day. Mixed emotions on what has been a very sad week for some our great friends.