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canterbury people where did you ski today?
less than two weeks till the 1st canty hill starts spinning and theres plenty of white on the hills. time to restart this thread. wheres everyone riding this year?
is it that soon already? barely feels like we've had an autumn.
Been hiking yet BP/anyone else?
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The only way to beat the crowds is with a club.
Originally posted by: stringman
Been hiking yet BP/anyone else?
BP and Roosta went for a hike. See South Island Hit List thread.
as roz said stringman. hiked foggy peak off top of porters pass. more successful than last year
if the moon and sun line up right, I mean if the wife and kid are all good, James, Nick and I are going for a hike on Friday to a secret location to build a kicker and use the Banshee Bungee for the first time. I am sure we will do some summit runs first before my lungs collapse and my eyes roll back in my head from the exercise.
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
unlike last year at alpure this time we beat you BWM.
last friday woulda been the key hiking day. wind,rain and warmer temps did some damage over last weekend. you heard from alpure at all?
I wanted to see some corked spins from this kicker session
rooster26 throws 1st turn of season, BP lower down
whos riding hutt tomorow? impreza we want a report on conditions,coverage,groom quality,cafe service and average lift lines
Looks like good snow cover on there cams and from the photo's, hope the weather is better than they are predicting for ya's and que's aren't to bad
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It's compulsory to grow old, but it's voluntary to grow up!!!
sat might be ok if that NW wind doesnt get too vigorous. sunday doesnt look flash.
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
sat might be ok if that NW wind doesnt get too vigorous. sunday doesnt look flash.
A gale up to 90k is forecast but that wouldnt worry you being a hiker eh!!
keep digging that hole there cassina. I take it by your late posts you wont be attending opening at your local? im so suprised
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
keep digging that hole there cassina. I take it by your late posts you wont be attending opening at your local? im so suprised
For the above reason which has proved correct
yet its open with both lifts spinning. good commitment for an expert
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
yet its open with both lifts spinning. good commitment for an expert
Not now though
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
yet its open with both lifts spinning. good commitment for an expert
Too much fresh snow BP. Gotta wait until it gets rained on and freezes solid before you can demonstrate your expert ability to it's full capacity.
I don't know why I keep going to Mt Hutt opening days, it is always carnage.
First let me say I feel I need to buy those new automatic turnstiles breakfast, I spent so much time gyrating and humping trying to get them to work. They are terrible, they had between 3 and 5 lifties helping people get through the gates on the quad. Even with nothing else in your pockets they are very temperamental.
Snow conditions: VERY wind affected. Ok on the groomers, everything else is bulletproof with the occasional pocket of windblown. A good base with good coverage for this time of year but I won't be going up again until after the next significant snowfall.
For the 1.5 hours the S6 was open the snow wasn't really worth it but it did spread the crowd out and allow a few quick laps in. But with the quad only open the queues, the slow lift and the skiable terrain meant it was pretty lame.
Mt Shutt well and truly lived up to its reputation today.
why do you think the scanners play up? ive never had issues when ive used RFID
With absolutely nothing in my pockets and zip runners as the only metal within a foot of the scanner my first time through it did not operate at all and the attendant had to swipe their staff card. By the end of the day I decided it was absolutely random how quickly it would read the card, occasionally it worked instantly when I went between the gates, sometimes if I swayed a bit it would work, sometimes I had to get my jacket right next to the scanner, sometimes I had to hug the scanner. It was just completely arbitrary.
I have used RFID systems in Europe and the US as well and the system here is by far the most temperamental I have used.
Originally posted by: skea 457
With absolutely nothing in my pockets and zip runners as the only metal within a foot of the scanner my first time through it did not operate at all and the attendant had to swipe their staff card. By the end of the day I decided it was absolutely random how quickly it would read the card, occasionally it worked instantly when I went between the gates, sometimes if I swayed a bit it would work, sometimes I had to get my jacket right next to the scanner, sometimes I had to hug the scanner. It was just completely arbitrary.
I have used RFID systems in Europe and the US as well and the system here is by far the most temperamental I have used.
It may be just best to mount it on our arms like the old season passes. I did not see any comment on here about any problems with them at CP. Is there a possibility nzski.com has bought a cheaper brand of scanner than used at the overseas resort you went to ?
waste of money if it doesnt work. same prob at ruapehu
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
whos riding hutt tomorow? impreza we want a report on conditions,coverage,groom quality,cafe service and average lift lines
yeah was there was decent round the middle of the day when the 6 was going, massive que for the quad when it shut ok probably around 10mins, que on the 6 was 5-10 mins. But by 2-3 everyone left and no que to speck of.
Good coverage but of trail is ice there are some good windblown patches though.
No problem with grooming but only a couple of runs open, service was ok but those cafe ques were terrible and 10 mins for a coffee when only a couple of people waiting.
Overall pretty good day for opening, hopefully the wind buggers off tomorrow.
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
waste of money if it doesnt work. same prob at ruapehu
Especially when they make people take off all their gear to find their frigen pass.
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"If in doubt, straighten 'em out"
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
waste of money if it doesnt work. same prob at ruapehu
It's there to try and stop fraudsters, some guy who works there said in the lunch que they cost nzski 10k a day, sounds like bs it has been very hard to get past there checker on a busy day. They work fine but only when noting else is in your pocket. Interesting the ral ones work in your wallet but the nzski ones don't seem to. Might have to do with hand held scanners vs fixed reader. Your best off putting it in your card pouch in your jacket.
Main benefit is no bit of superglued paper to get off. Also good a telling you how slow the quad chair is and how big the ques are. only 16 runs for a day.
they are the same brand as the majors in europe. the ones that nzski.com have are world first in tech. so I would highly doubt they 'bought a cheaper brand'. skea457 you may have had trouble and the suggestion that cass has may not be a bad one. an average days skiing is better then nothing hey? lets hope the season gets better 'snow wise'
Originally posted by: jedskiOriginally posted by: brighton_pumps
waste of money if it doesnt work. same prob at ruapehu
Especially when they make people take off all their gear to find their frigen pass.
yeah at least they don't make you take your gear off to make sure the photo matches. it is nothing but a frustrater reducer.
Originally posted by: man
they are the same brand as the majors in europe. the ones that nzski.com have are world first in tech. so I would highly doubt they 'bought a cheaper brand'. skea457 you may have had trouble and the suggestion that cass has may not be a bad one. an average days skiing is better then nothing hey? lets hope the season gets better 'snow wise'
same as europe but world first?
think your confused with CPs new chair.
as for cass's advice, doesnt that defeat the purpose of the flash new passes people are paying for?
who pays to ski
board is what board wants,some people on here are right off the track
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Aus meinem Wegidioten
yeah at least they don't make you take your gear off to make sure the photo matches. it is nothing but a frustrater reducer.
Oh they do at Ruapehu.. I must be super unrecognisable or rememberable as even after like 50 days, sking most days, being on the first handful of chairs at the bottom whakapapa lift, the same lifties would sometimes ask me to see my face. now thats frustrating!
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"If in doubt, straighten 'em out"
nope. same brand. but new technology.
people are not paying for flash new passes, they are paying to ski. maybe the jacket skea was wearing did affect it. im sure lots of people didnt have any problems and im also sure there were a few others that had his issues.
*edited 12 Jun 2010 22:22
yet the ones others have mentioned using overseas work with any type of jacket, hardly an upgrade then is it?
so if they havnt factored the costs into pass prices at all, what are the price increases covering?
like easyrider said, ive used this system plenty of times at squaw and alpine without trouble. why would RAL and NZSKI be different?
yeah why the fark is that? SOMETHING IS NOT ADDING UP
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Aus meinem Wegidioten
RAL scanners only failed to work for me once in an entire season last year. Never failed for my mates either.
And the ones at Niseko (fixed scanner) always worked for me too.
But yeah, got asked fairly often to take off my mask thingy or to confirm my D.O.B.
from what I saw on TV, Hutt looked good, I mean its opening day folks, what do you expect, give the staff the chance to get a flow going. I think we are lucky to have such a good base for opening weekend, sets us up for a good season.
On a more important note, did you see my ads on the lifts?
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
*edited 13 Jun 2010 11:06
no complaints from anyone about the snow bwm, nothing was left to the imagination in there report. dave specifically mentioned how firm it was off piste, sounds like real expert conditions
Originally posted by: easyrider
*edited 12 Jun 2010 22:22
yet the ones others have mentioned using overseas work with any type of jacket, hardly an upgrade then is it?
so if they havnt factored the costs into pass prices at all, what are the price increases covering?
here we go again... people on this forum are not happy unless there is a new lift and terrain every year. stop for a minute and think about a ski area as a business, because that is what it is. all of their suppliers raise costs every year, do you just expect them to absorb that year after year? also, i will put it to you this way, how many other ski areas are open in canty right now? how many have the ability to do so? how many stay open as long? how many have the facilities? answer, none. its a complete nz mountain. if you dont wish to ride at hutt, dont. go ride at the clubbies that are not open atm, go ride at the clubbies that have 40 year old rope toes, go ride at the clubbies that only stay open for 3 to 4 months max, go ride at the clubbies that cant groom the crusty snow that all of nz get sometimes... the people that have ridden hutt will have a month on the people that only ride clubbies. ect. and there is no point in drawing comparisons to usa, canada, europe. because lets face it. we are in new zealand.... ps, I have had trouble like skea with ones in europe usa ect. but I didnt post on a forum when it happened. I just tried it again, got on the lift, had a good day and enjoyed my skiing...
settle down joe, nobodies complaining about anything at the moment.skea just mentioned he had a little trouble with the scanner.people just asked a few questions what set this off? why not just reply technology isnt perfect. as for ragging on the club fields watever works for you mate, sounds like you have a few complaints of your own. how was opening weekend?
Originally posted by: mrjoeOriginally posted by: easyrider
*edited 12 Jun 2010 22:22
yet the ones others have mentioned using overseas work with any type of jacket, hardly an upgrade then is it?
so if they havnt factored the costs into pass prices at all, what are the price increases covering?
here we go again... people on this forum are not happy unless there is a new lift and terrain every year. stop for a minute and think about a ski area as a business, because that is what it is. all of their suppliers raise costs every year, do you just expect them to absorb that year after year? also, i will put it to you this way, how many other ski areas are open in canty right now? how many have the ability to do so? how many stay open as long? how many have the facilities? answer, none. its a complete nz mountain. if you dont wish to ride at hutt, dont. go ride at the clubbies that are not open atm, go ride at the clubbies that have 40 year old rope toes, go ride at the clubbies that only stay open for 3 to 4 months max, go ride at the clubbies that cant groom the crusty snow that all of nz get sometimes... the people that have ridden hutt will have a month on the people that only ride clubbies. ect. and there is no point in drawing comparisons to usa, canada, europe. because lets face it. we are in new zealand.... ps, I have had trouble like skea with ones in europe usa ect. but I didnt post on a forum when it happened. I just tried it again, got on the lift, had a good day and enjoyed my skiing...
Lets hope the scanner problem will rapidly go away as the staff get more familiar with the technology. However should this not happen I just hope we will be able
to exchange our electronic passes for the old style. There is enough complaints about lifts not being open on time on this MB without having to contend with
what may or may not be software glitches with new generation equipment.
The scanners have been sweet at Coronet so far eh. Neither myself, or anyone I know, has had a problem there.
Originally posted by: rozboon
RAL scanners only failed to work for me once in an entire season last year. Never failed for my mates either.
And the ones at Niseko (fixed scanner) always worked for me too.
But yeah, got asked fairly often to take off my mask thingy or to confirm my D.O.B.
RAL scanners alwys worked for me. Kept getting asked to take the face scarf though. Think the outfit/my size son't match the pic. ie must have though some kid on my mother's pass
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reine de l'hiver
How long does RAL have scanners in place? Most places i went in Europe had them and they were fine in general. Its probably natural that given its their first year at Hutt, they are going to have teething problems - for staff and punters not used to them. Give em a chance.
On a postive note and a big thumbs up for Hutt. By placing the magic carpet inside the shipping containers,it not only makes riding the carpet better for those users, but each morning, the first lift they get going is the magic carpet, so after a snow storm, they have to dig it out, clear the ice and get it going, before they can start on the quad, then the express. So with the lift inside the containers, they now just dig out the door entrance, open up the end doors and it is done, they can then move onto the quad, so therefore getting lifts open quicker on powder days and that has to be good.
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
*edited 14 Jun 2010 10:58
Originally posted by: cassinaOriginally posted by: mrjoeOriginally posted by: easyrider
*edited 12 Jun 2010 22:22
yet the ones others have mentioned using overseas work with any type of jacket, hardly an upgrade then is it?
so if they havnt factored the costs into pass prices at all, what are the price increases covering?
here we go again... people on this forum are not happy unless there is a new lift and terrain every year. stop for a minute and think about a ski area as a business, because that is what it is. all of their suppliers raise costs every year, do you just expect them to absorb that year after year? also, i will put it to you this way, how many other ski areas are open in canty right now? how many have the ability to do so? how many stay open as long? how many have the facilities? answer, none. its a complete nz mountain. if you dont wish to ride at hutt, dont. go ride at the clubbies that are not open atm, go ride at the clubbies that have 40 year old rope toes, go ride at the clubbies that only stay open for 3 to 4 months max, go ride at the clubbies that cant groom the crusty snow that all of nz get sometimes... the people that have ridden hutt will have a month on the people that only ride clubbies. ect. and there is no point in drawing comparisons to usa, canada, europe. because lets face it. we are in new zealand.... ps, I have had trouble like skea with ones in europe usa ect. but I didnt post on a forum when it happened. I just tried it again, got on the lift, had a good day and enjoyed my skiing...
Lets hope the scanner problem will rapidly go away as the staff get more familiar with the technology. However should this not happen I just hope we will be able
to exchange our electronic passes for the old style. There is enough complaints about lifts not being open on time on this MB without having to contend with
what may or may not be software glitches with new generation equipment.
funny how half those complaints were 2 years ago but you still keep mentioning them cass, kinda like your 90s skis and dialup internet. your a sticker for history
well stuff all that crap, I am super excited about my first day riding on Thursday, pull out the new "Rocker and Camber" board, got the new Flow NXT bindings, new jacket and goggles, bring on Thursday
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
Originally posted by: downsouth
How long does RAL have scanners in place? Most places i went in Europe had them and they were fine in general. Its probably natural that given its their first year at Hutt, they are going to have teething problems - for staff and punters not used to them. Give em a chance.
hand scanners that a lifty points at your body
Originally posted by: BWMsnow.co.nz
well stuff all that crap, I am super excited about my first day riding on Thursday, pull out the new "Rocker and Camber" board, got the new Flow NXT bindings, new jacket and goggles, bring on Thursday
I'm hanging out for the 1st proper day this weekend to mate! What board you trying out 1st?
Just had a change in my job situation that will hopefully let me get a few midweek days in too
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It's compulsory to grow old, but it's voluntary to grow up!!!
I have a 159 Never Summer, waiting for my 163 to turn up, seems a bit of a waste to pull out a new board, but I will use it as a demo board for the big foot riders and then since we are importing Never Summer next year, they can ride it before buying one in 2011. I might take my smokin but I know how that rides and pretty keen to get to grips with the RC tech on the NS
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
Originally posted by: CCSOriginally posted by: downsouth
How long does RAL have scanners in place? Most places i went in Europe had them and they were fine in general. Its probably natural that given its their first year at Hutt, they are going to have teething problems - for staff and punters not used to them. Give em a chance.
hand scanners that a lifty points at your body
so RAL didnt fit the gates? always seem to be fun and games with the hand scanners. gates help with herding the crowds onto the lifts as well. DS i agree obviously there will be teething probs 1st season, nothing new there. Just certain people were claiming the technology is in fact more advanced than that used overseas. Hutt and CP have installed gates over hand scanners havnt they? skea what else did you have in your jacket?
Originally posted by: BWMsnow.co.nz
I have a 159 Never Summer, waiting for my 163 to turn up, seems a bit of a waste to pull out a new board, but I will use it as a demo board for the big foot riders and then since we are importing Never Summer next year, they can ride it before buying one in 2011. I might take my smokin but I know how that rides and pretty keen to get to grips with the RC tech on the NS
those 57 smokin twins are tempting bwm
*edited 14 Jun 2010 10:37
brighton_pumps
so RAL didnt fit the gates?
no RFID gates, nothing has changed in terms of scanning and herding, the only difference is we don't have to fumble and present pass, can keep in wallet/pocket etc
thats a missed opportunity, although im sure the gates dont come cheap. RFID is definitly a good step forward though. in 40-50 years all NZ hills will have it
Originally posted by: CCS
*edited 14 Jun 2010 10:37
brighton_pumps
so RAL didnt fit the gates?
no RFID gates, nothing has changed in terms of scanning and herding, the only difference is we don't have to fumble and present pass, can keep in wallet/pocket etc
Would say it's impossible to fit gates on the old lifts at Rua. Maybe the Waterfall Express and High Noon - but you need to catch the scammers before they get up that far. Didn't have RFID gates (that I could see) at any of the places I went to in Canada (Sun Peaks, Big White, Silver Star) or Japan(Furano). Probably fitted at Nieseko cos of all the 'rule-breaking' Aussies and Kiwis
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reine de l'hiver
the lift setups at hutt and CP suit the gates. guessing the triple chair may rely on the handscanner though? interesting to see when it opens unless mrjoe knows. alpine and squaw both had gates on lower mountain lifts, upper mountain nobody checked.
Originally posted by: JudeOriginally posted by: CCS
*edited 14 Jun 2010 10:37
brighton_pumps
so RAL didnt fit the gates?
no RFID gates, nothing has changed in terms of scanning and herding, the only difference is we don't have to fumble and present pass, can keep in wallet/pocket etc
Would say it's impossible to fit gates on the old lifts at Rua. Maybe the Waterfall Express and High Noon - but you need to catch the scammers before they get up that far. Didn't have RFID gates (that I could see) at any of the places I went to in Canada (Sun Peaks, Big White, Silver Star) or Japan(Furano). Probably fitted at Nieseko cos of all the 'rule-breaking' Aussies and Kiwis
but they don't have to be by the lift, at hutt they are after where the lifties sort the que into 4/6 people to load. The gates work much better than the hand held scanners at ruapehu, but don't put anything next to the pass or they don't work. One problem they were having is when people don't wait long enough after the person before goes through and they have much more control stopping you from getting on the lift. They can just turn access off.
Putting the gates right by the lift would be bad when busy and someone's pass fails to work as it would hold up loading. But with the gates before the loading you can go through another gate if someone is having problems or wait without causing problems.
Originally posted by: brighton_pumps
the lift setups at hutt and CP suit the gates. guessing the triple chair may rely on the handscanner though? interesting to see when it opens unless mrjoe knows. alpine and squaw both had gates on lower mountain lifts, upper mountain nobody checked.
would be surprising if they don't, since they want to track each time you get on a lift and it's easy to slip past hand scanners, plus the triple is below the base area so no need for a pass to get down there.
Originally posted by: CCS
*edited 14 Jun 2010 10:37
brighton_pumps
so RAL didnt fit the gates?
no RFID gates, nothing has changed in terms of scanning and herding, the only difference is we don't have to fumble and present pass, can keep in wallet/pocket etc
I bet ral will keep a close eye on the nzski system, they may well have plans to extend the system but were trialling it on season passes. They may well use the same technology considering they can load stuff onto the ral season passes. Be interesting to see if day passes are still paper tickets.
There is noting that would stop gates being fitted to any lift on ruapehu.
only 48hrs to go before that first drive to the snow. Just two more sleeps.
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
Yea can someone explain why gates can't be installed for some lifts? I mean, if there is room for a bottom station, there is room for gates right..?