Tag Archive for: yes improvement tours
NZ 14 – Friday Finale
The final day of YES NZ 2014 brought us blue skies and more good skiing. The Saddle was skiing great with good groomers on South Ridge and Saddleback. The snow was still skiing great in the gullies with soft snow brought in from the wind. The groups all had a great day getting in the last of the challenges. Payback, Gunbarrel and Superpipe all offered that final test. Another great week full of numerous incidents like: chair mis-loads, long slides down gullies, near misses, temper tantrums etc. As always a big thanks to Chris for getting up and down the hill safely. This years adventure was over far too soon and we look forward to doing it all again next year. Safe trip home and we'll see you on the slopes again soon.
The bus driver heading down Superpipe
Euro-carve down the Gunbarrel
Jason in the Krags
Bottom of the Superpipe
YES Friday Night Quiz Nite
until next year……..
A quick note to relect on what a great 2 weeks it was. When Chris came to pick us up at Queenstown, snow conditions were sketchy at best. By the time we came back over the Crown Range it was snowing so intensely we almost had to put chains on. That set us up for a great two weeks at Treble Cone. Fast forward to the Saturday of our departure and the news was that the Saddle Quad had broken down and they were evacuating people off the chair. Which meant that they then had to hike out back to Home Basin. So to re-cap, YES arrives and brings the snow. YES leaves and the whole place falls apart. Coincidence??????
NZ 14 – Goggle tans, rest day and wind chill
Tuesday brought about another bluebird day with warmer temperatures. Most groups took advantage of the great conditions and no crowds and headed staright to the Saddle Basin. The skiing was fantastic with great grooming on Rafills and South Ridge. The gullies were all skiing great as the groups challenged themselves in Superpipe, Mineshaft and Payback. The groups all skied to the very end and it was a quiet bus ride home.
Ali in her favourite run, Superpipe
Andrew in one of the many gullies
That night it was off to Lalaland for some pre-dinner drinks before the feast at Relishes. As usual, the volume grew as the wine bottles were emptied. After dinner, those who turned left enjoyed a nice nights sleep while those who turned right got swallowed up by the night.
Wednesday was a rest day. Some relaxed and recovered while others went shopping or a for a run. Linc headed out on Chris's boat for an Eco-tour around Lake Wanaka. A visit to the magical Mou Waho Island and its lake ontop of an island on the lake offered some beautiful views and some Weka bird sightings.
view from Mou Waho Island
The lake on an island on Lake Wanaka
Thursday we awoke to more blue skies but a cold wind wsa blowing. The skiing was still great but the wind chill was cooling things down. Most of the day was spent in the Saddle Basin. Saddleback was groomed as well as the Bullet and both were skiing well. Superpipe was also in good shape with some good bumps up top and wind blown in the gulley. Gunbarrel was also holding good snow and proved to be the best option back to the base. Another full day of skiing and some tired souls on the bus ride home. Hard to beleive there is only one day left. As always, the trip goes by too quickly.
Rob toe-side in the Superpipe
Greg attacking one of TC's finest runs
Rob claims a victim
NZ 14 – Sunshine
The first day of week 2 brought bright blue skies and warmish temperatures. We have a new recruit this week as local legend Al has joined the ranks of YES Coaches. Most of the groups headed straight over to the Saddle to take advantage of the great conditions and no crowds. Rafills and South ridge were groomed to perfection as the first few runs were spent on working on some technical drills. Then it was off to the gullies to play around and test the mornings teachings.
View off the Saddle chair
Looking down the Bullet
Most groups stopped in for a late lunch and then headed straight back over to the Saddle for some more play. Bullet, Saddleback and Mineshaft were all skiing great and the lift lines were virtually non-existent. The day finished with a run down Gunbarrel and Powderbowl. The bus ride back to the Edgewater was very quiet as the group was tuckered out from a big day on the slopes. A few made it to the decompression session in the Edgewater lounge before heading off to dinner. Another great day awaits tomorrow.
heelside above Lake Wanaka
rock formation in the Saddle
Our thoughts go out to those involved in the helicopter tragedy on Saturday
NZ 14 – Week 2 Begins
With Saturday being the change over day, the YES Crew had a day off. After waving good-bye to those leaving us this week, the YES Crew headed off in various directions. Some went golfing, some went to Queenstown. Others went vineyard-ing while others went for a run/walk/hike. Overall a relaxing day as we awaited the arrival of those joining us for week 2.
Lake Wanaka on the way to Glendhu Bay
Sunday morning greeted us with a clear blue sky and warmish temperatures. A small rockslide on the road to TC — the paved road, not the mountain road — delayed our arrival. The slopes were empty for most of the day and the snow was in good shape. The morning was mostly spent of the Home Basin side as the groups were put through the paces. Powderbowl was still holding some nice snow and offered a bit of a challenge.
rock slide
Raffall's Run and the Saddle
After the morning break it was off to the Saddle were the gullies had some nice chalky snow. MIneshaft, Bullet and Saddleback were all in great shape. A few of the coaches then headed over to the Mototapu Chutes to check on the conditions. The snow was firm but chalky and the wind had blown some interesting drifts in between the rock formations. The traverse out left much to be desired as half of it consisted of hopping through the tussock.
Mototapu Chutes
Barry in the Mototapu Chutes
Barry exiting the Mototapu Chutes
The welcome drinks were back at the Edgewater and then it was off in search of some lamb shanks for dinner. An early night tonight as the gang gets set to start the week in earnest tomorrow.
The YES Snowboard group
NZ 14 – Week 1 Finale
New Zealand brought out the sunshine for the last day of week one, but the wind remained fairly strong. Saddle was delayed in opening and the 6-pack had moments of wind hold. The skiing was great as the snow had blown in and settled in the gullies. After a warm-up down Main Street if was off to explore the different chutes in Powder Bowl. Magnum was true NZ skiing as the snow was good but you had to dance around some tussock at the start.
Maya charging down one of TC's many chutes
Leanne heading down Shooter
The Saddle was the playground for the afternoon. The wind had stripped some of the approaches of all their snow but once you got to the runs themselves, the wind blown powder was great. The groups challenged themselves with runs down Mineshaft, Payback, the Crags and all the gullies in between. A great day to wrap up the week as their were smiles all around on the bus ride down.
Linc in Payback
Barry with the money shot
Linc's group skiing down Payback
After a quick stop to shower and change it was off to the Edgewater for the final apres. With Barry leading the way, the coaches all told stories about the week. After a few pre-dinner drinks it was off to Sargoods for dinner. The long dinner ended with the volume turned up and a cleansing ale at the bar.
As always the week went by way too fast. We are sad to see the people leaving us but look forward to skiing with you again soon. A new crew rolls in tomorrow to start the shenanigans all over again.
Rich admiring the view
NZ 14 – Wundy!!
The wind made a return to the slopes of Treble Cone today. With the Saddle chair on wind hold, the 6 pack was the only option. With the wind whipping straight up Main Street, the warm-up run was anything but warm. Visibility was off and on but the snow was in great shape. Lower Skite and the runs in Powderbowl was were the wind blown was collecting and the skiing was good. All the groups went for an early lunch as we were waiting to see what the wind would do.
A bit of BC in TC
Marion in the powder (Tuesday)
Ian enjoying the powder (Tuesday)
Things were looking promising as the winds seemed to be easing after lunch. Not the case as the weather closed out and the winds picked up, gusting over 100 km/h. The winds picked up to the point where they had to shut the 6 pack around 2:30. Inside the cafeteria there wasn't much complaining about the early day as everyone was enjoying a warm beverage. The bus ride home was a quiet one as it looked like everyone was in for a quiet night as the hopes were for a great day tomorrow.
NZ 14 – Bluebird
The YES Crew awoke to a beautiful bluebird day and fresh snow on the slopes. Snow line was below the parking lot and the excitement was high for the day. That enthusiasm was slighty tempered as an electrical problem delayed the opening of the 6 pack.
the line as we wait for the 6-pack to open
Some of the groups headed right over to the Saddle while others stayed on the front side to work technique. The snow was in great shape and some fresh lines were found. Conditons were great as the groups explored areas like the Camel, Saddleback and the many gullies in between. Most of the groups decided on a later lunch to take advantage of the smaller line for the Saddle chair. Challenges such as Mineshaft, Powder Bowl Chutes and Gunbarrel were conquered and smiles were seen all around. A bunch of tired legs hopped on the bus for the ride home and the buzz of the day was still in the air as everyone (who was awake) compared notes.
the Saddle Basin first thing
Rich in the powder of Lower Sundance
Tracey enjoying some powder turns
After a few hours to clean up, it was go time again as the group met up at LaLa Land for pre-dinner drinks. Relishes once again put on a great menu and many a bottles of vino later it was time to head home. Some grabbed a rare Wanaka taxi while others braved the night air and walked home. (some with shoes, others…..) Tomorrow being a rest day it will time to re-charge the batteries for another assault on TC Thursday.
and I'm spent!
NZ 14 – Skiing in the Storm
The YES crew awoke to the sound of raining rattling off the roof. The good news was that there was 20cm of fresh and it was still snowing up at TC. The bad news was you couldn't see it. The chained up bus rolled into an empty parking lot with snow on the ground. The Saddle chair was on hold so Main Street and Skite provided the terrrain for the morning. The snow was good but the visibility was lacking. With no one on the hill, the groups were able to work on technique as the fresh snow and lo-viz proved to be a challenge.
After lunch the Saddle opened and some of the groups headed over into the murk in search of freshies. The snow was great but you could barely make out where the slope ended and the sky started. With the mist freezing on the goggles, it added an extra challenge. After a challenging day, a wet, tired bunch regrouped in the lodge, most with smiles on their faces. After a quiet bus ride back it was off to the room for a quick change before heading to the Edgewater lounge for a few bevies by the fire. A quiet night as tomorrow promises to be a stellar day.
