I wanted to get some insider knowledge on the best runs/zones at the NZ field's. From past experience I loved bullet at TC but I have gotten better since then so I'd be interested to see how it compares to my memory of it.
When I was over a few weeks ago, I found I enjoyed the runs around Valley View at Cardrona. Got away from the crowds at Whitestar and Captains Express as well. Shouldn't be busy now though, that was during school holidays.
I'll have to check Valley view out. Last time I was at cardrona it was closed because there wasn't enough snow. Looks good this year though.
Another vote for the Valley View area at Cardrona. I loved going super-fast down the Tail Race run. Probably my favourite run on the whole mountain.
How does Big Mama compare to The Wall at round hill? I was thinking about checking Roundhill out if the have enough coverage on The Wall.
They're similar. Big mamma is more consistently steep over it's length.. Round hill's slope is a much longer but the bottom couple of hundred metres mellow out considerably. The difference with Porters vs Roundhill is porters has many more aspects to play with and is also located in a location that gets more consistent snowfall. As such, you're likely to find better snow at porters than roundhill which: 1) is located in a snow-shadow; and 2) the rope tow terrain faces west and hence suffers from frequent freeze-thaw cycles; and 3) By being exposed to the west means being the predominate windward side of the ridge so gets stripped of snow during windy conditions, which occur regularly. The above three points often lead to the rope tow being closed for most of a normal season. But when it's on, it is spectacular:
If its in bounds i probably couldnt answer, i dont really care for much of it unless its got 30cm on it... OOB id say descending off Single cone at remarks in any direction. Big vert, best views!
hmm , lets see Organ pipes/ eagles beak triangle / mangaehuehu gl black magic 3rd, 4th bowls redskin bowl skyline limelight frontstage / backstage mackenzies mistake yankee/ amphitheatre haensli face and the national dh home run
me sitting at the very top of Bluff Face last season. Would have to be one of the longest /steepest runs in NZ inside a resort boundary
I only got to look at the Wall at Roundhill as it was closed...but man that is a HELL of a slope. Pics don't do it justice. If you scored it in pow the one day a year it's on, I don't think you'd listen to anything else here. Middle Basin at Craigieburn probably counts too if you make it up the tows, with the same caveat about conditions. I have a fondness for Mt Hutt (probably as I've only been there on bluebird days!). Hubers Run is the best groomer on the south island I reckon. Towers into International is good. Coronet Peak, Cardrona, some good stuff but not big enough. The Remarkables has some spectacular stuff, but the lifts stop short of the best you have to walk, skin or bus/shuttle for it. I reckon I'll put my money down as the two best single *chairlifts* on the south island as Saddle Basin at TC and the 6 seater at Hutt.
Speaking of shuttles. Friday was pretty clagged in abover 1700m at remarks, Homeward shuttle wasnt operating. But Outward had enough snow to easily ski into the new carpark 4. Carpark shuttle works just as well as the homeward shuttle. People were waiting at homeward but the shuttle didnt stop. pretty quick lap times. not many out there doing it! snow was decent!
If I'm gonna hot-lap groomers it's the Hurdle/Shirtfront or Greengates/Lower Walkabout at Coronet, lapping those in under 2 minutes a a pop always keeps me entertained. Struggle to get bored of the lower Bills' chutes at TB too. In my mind, "runs" are groomers, otherwise it's more "lines". I dunno.
Yep. Raffils would be my favourite, perfect pitch for me. I would drop off before Pete's treat though, into saddle back or ego alley. Since its actually marked, I have to say Ridge run at Ohau after my first visit. Towers / Shirt Front was also another nice couple to lap there. There are some nice groomers on Rua too but I forget all the names. Yankee slalom rings a bell, and Muzza's on Turoa. If its groomed I want a little less steep, if its ungroomed pow I want steep as I have the balls to ride!
Wow that looks sick! I have seen a few videos from here, such a massive slope. Riding the tow up must make it so much more rewarding.
that heritage tow is ride unto itself just did the Homeward to the north end of the Remarks/ to the hairpin; nice ride and sno quality
I was at remarks on Thursday and was parked in car park 4. Went to the start of homeward to try and get back to the car but there was a bit thick could sitting on that face so I snowboarded back to the base and took the shuttle. Next time. It looked really fun.
Owing to the fact that I haven't skied anywhere else in years - The Planets (skied from the top of Earth Bowl), at Rainbow, would currently be my favourite run. Not the longest of runs, but certainly steep, twisting and turning with plenty of different aspects, and some nice cornices. Skiing it in one hit, is a good test of fitness. Backside of the planets can be pretty decent as well.
Anything steep at Porters mid winter fresh snow. South Face Mt Hutt 1st tracks in fresh snow. Off the top of the Dobson ridge line, down the big face below the chair then take the drainage gully as far as it will take you. And this one, 600m vertical ridge line just outside the Porters boundary, would love to get it all the way down to the road.
