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Posted on Wednesday September 7th at 12:32 p.m.
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With such a late start to the season it seems like everything has been crammed into such a small time period, and the NZ season is short enough as it is. I haven't even had time to write posts on here. But spirng-time will be different, so watch this space.
Here's a quick 'season so far' post...
Pow Days
These haven't come around too often this year but I have had a couple of amazing powder days at TC. One very early on during the first big dump and one in the middle of August.
The second of these was a bit of a surpise. The day before had been the predicted big powder day, but TC patrol didn't manage to get the saddle open - fortunately for us. Instead, it opened first thing the next morning, so as early risers we got a few amazing knee-deep runs with hardly anyone else around. Best day of the season by far!
Unfortunately, as I was chomping at the bit to get in some freeriding, it was way too good to stop and shoot. This chairlift shot is about the best I could do...
Best day of the season... by far!
Pipe Mornings
Pipe, pipe, pipe... 4 minute laps! Is that possible anywhere else in the world?
Cardrona's halfpipe has been going off. I often find myself arriving at work with 30mins free after getting my boots before on I'm scheduled to start. Until this season, this 30mins has only been enough time for one quick warm-up lap. Now, with the addition of the 'Wells Pipe Platter' (named after the freeskiing family Wells) I can head straight to the pipe and get in about 5 laps before I start working with my Avalanche Polytech trainees.
Loving it!
Park Laps
Holy crap... the Cardrona Park crew did an amazing job on the setup for the Burton Open last month. And I was totally surprised to see they were allowed to leave all the features in after the event too. If you've been to Cardrona this season you'll certainly have noticed the massive cannon box over the 5 meter gap at the top of the park. It's scary to hit, but actually not that hard if you ride fast and straight.
Here's the boys building the feature - image courtesy of Cardrona Parks NZ.
Cardrona Park crew putting in the cannon box
The main triple line is pretty hefty right now, but they've recently put in a couple of slightly smaller jumps at the bottom of the park, as well as a whole host or rail features. I got to take a few laps with Wanaka young gun Fraser Dowling last week, who's one of our new riders on Atmosphere. Check out Fraser's laid out backy...
Fraser Dowling and his laid-out backflips
Cardrona Park crew update their Facebook page with images of new features regularly too, so check it out if you're coming up for a bit of spring-time park action.