I was just “working” or watching videos on the Viemo video network and came across this little video. A little heli action on your 40th birthday would be an awesome way to spend the day and that is what this video clip is all about.

EPIC Day – Motors 40th Birthday – Harris Mountain Heliski, Wanaka from Monkeyman on Vimeo.

Oh and HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY MOTOR you luck son of a……

A Sydney man has died after an accident in an unpatrolled area behind Mt Cheeseman Ski Area near Christchurch.

The accident occurred as the group of friends were hiking out after their day of riding, when the man slid approximately 100 metres down an icy ravine into rocks. Tragically, the man died 2 days after the accident from the extensive head injuries he sustained.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.

We hope others use this tragic loss of life as a warning that the backcountry is a dangerous place and please take as much care as possible.

To read more of this story, please see the story on Sydney Morning Herald.

Boys run in the Saddle from Treble Cone on Vimeo.

Watched from the goggle cam of Jase Waters, follow Marc Walker down the awesome winding terrain and hits of the Saddle Basin. Top to bottom, unedited, 3.8.2011

The Billabong Slopestyle will be held at Snow Park NZ from the 5th August, 2011.

This year the event has moved from the big air event to its roots of a slopestyle event. The TTR rating and cash prizes have also increased!

Billabong Slopestyle – Snow Park NZ Promo

More Snowboarding Videos

Cardrona Alpine Resort has a new four-seater chairlift (Valley View Quad) in operation for the first time this season. Officially opened on Friday 15th of July by Paralympic Gold Medalist Adam Hall, the Valley View Quad will give you access to the new Goldrush Downhill trail. Cardron has also installed 22 snow guns during the summer month in the Valley View area.

What is the latest news from TC on when they will wind up the lifts you ask?

According to the TC website, they will have a limited opening on Sunday the 10th of July! Whoop Whoop!

After the storm in the last few days, TC has received around 35ms of snow in 36 hours. As the snow has fallen on bare ground, yep there was zero base, the lift operation will only include the Platter Left and Beginners areas on Sunday. The good news is the Learners lift will be free and the 6 seater lift will be operating for those that want a little scenic chair ride to check out the views and mountain.

Other facilities such as food and beverage, rental and snowsports school will be also operating on Sunday.

Keep your mitts crossed for some more snow or cold temps so snow making can add to the coverage. TC need an 48 hours of snowmaking or a substantial dump to open the home basin.

For information on other areas, check out our last post – Who is opened to shred you ask?

Nick Thayer is one of my favorite DJs and he is going to be laying it down in Wanaka as part of his Aus & NZ AV TOUR on July 8th, 2011.

For more info on his shows, please see here or check out his website – Nick Thayer

Below is a video from Nick Thayer & sevenmilligram LIVE AV Demo Oct 2010

There is no doubt that NZ has had a terrible run with earthquakes devastating our friends in and around Christchurch. To add insult to injury the start to winter has been poor, with unusually warm temps keep snow levels to a minimum, tourism is not looking good for the area at the moment.

But as they say, better late then never!

And with that in mind, the doors are open at some of the ski resorts, so we hope this help injects some tourism dollars back in to the area, here is the run down:

Mt Hutt

The first resort to be open in NZ on June 27th. A partial opening with the Magic Carpet and Quad Chair giving you access to half of the main Broadway trail, more trails to open as soon as the coverage is sufficient.

Snow Park NZ

Opened on the 30th of June with epic snow conditions to hit a few early season boxes.  With about 30cm of white stuff sitting on the ground as a base, Snow Park NZ had their box run open for business and the park monkeys were treated to a great day of  jibbing with blue sunny skies keeping everyone happy.

Coronet Peak

Opening day June 30th with around 400 super keen skiers and snowboarders getting some turns in.

Remarkables

Set to open July 2nd with a good range of lifts and trails ready to rock. These include Base Lodge conveyor, the learners’ area, Alta Quad Chair lift accessing the Alta Green Trail, and the Sugar Bowl Quad Chair accessing the TNT, Water Race and Gotham trails.

Treble Cone

Closed!

This is perfect for the pow junkie and park monkeys that will be landing on the shores of Lake Wanaka real soon as the season approaches.

Lake Wanaka ski resorts announce joint season pass

Treble Cone Ski Area and Snow Park NZ today announced the launch of the first Wanaka Park‘n Powder Pass for the 2011 winter season.

The two resorts will offer an upgrade to adult early-bird season pass holders to provide unlimited skiing and boarding at both resorts as well as discounted rates for a three day add-on and for one day tickets.

This is the first time two fields in Lake Wanaka have worked together to this extent and will provide snow enthusiasts with the full range of Wanaka’s skiing and boarding terrain – challenging natural terrain with chutes and pipes at Treble Cone and the purpose built terrain park including a superpipe, quarter pipe, features and night riding/skiing three nights a week at Snow Park NZ.

“Lake Wanaka offers the most skiable terrain in the South Island and the introduction of the Park’n Powder pass means skiers and boarders can make the most of it. The pass is convenient and provides a great starting point for collaboration between the two areas. It adds substantial value to our existing pass holders.  The mountains are complimentary, offering big mountain freeride skiing and boarding at TC or a fun day taking on the world-class features, facilities and terrain at Snow Park,” said Nigel Kerr, Treble Cone marketing manager.

“It is the focus of the Snow Park to improve our offering to locals and we believe this joint pass has some real merit. It is an exciting time and we hope this product will grow and develop over the coming seasons. Snow Park provides a variety of options for season pass holders and our products are really strong for locals in that we are open for nights and a longer season. Both mountains have different weather patterns and it will give seasons pass holders more flexibility from day to day.” said Sam Lee, Snow Park NZ Operations Manager.

Also on offer for adult season pass holders are discounted rates for a three-day Powder or Park add-on. Snow Park NZ will offer their adult season pass holders a three-day Powder Pass upgrade ($200) for any time, full day access to Treble Cone. Treble Cone will reciprocate the offer with a three-day Park Pass upgrade to Snow Park NZ for $150.

Special day pass rates have been extended to all adult, student and child/youth season pass holders receiving approximately a 20% discount on a one-day pass.

The Wanaka Park’n Powder Pass is $1,345, with adult early bird season pass-holders required to pay the differential fee from the early bird season pass purchase price. For Treble Cone pass holders that will be just $276 and for the early bird Snow Park NZ Adult Standard Season pass holders just $596. Snow Park NZ Economy pass holders have the option to upgrade to the standard pass for $200 before becoming applicable for the $596 upgrade deal.  The deal is valid from 25 March until 15 April 2011.

The Wanaka Park’n Powder Pass and three day add-ons are only available to current Early Bird adult season pass holders. Upgrades can be purchased from the two mountains, who will each deal with their own season pass holders.

Snow Park New Zealand is due to open 11 June and Treble Cone on 23 June.

For Snow Park NZ season pass holders the following reduced day pass rates for Treble Cone ski area will apply:

• Adult $79 reduced from $99
• Student $58 reduced from $72
• Youth/child $39 reduced from $49

So that is the press release, now go get yourself a Wanaka Park’n Powder Pass kids!

Our thoughts go out to everyone in Christchurch, as the city has been struck by yet another earthquake!

The earthquake has been rated at a 6.3 magnitude and struck at a depth of 4km approximatly 5km north norh-west of Christchurch. This quake has been described as more devestating than the 7.1 magnitude quake that struck in September, 2010 that had beds shaking in Wanaka and rock slides around Treble Cone.

The city is now going suffering aftershocks and they are making search and recover very difficult as building lie in the streets like lego blocks, power and phone lines are down, the airport is closed and the city’s main hospital is being evacuated.