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Snowboard in New Zealand, Cardrona (4 Comments)

English text below.

Prima tappa delle mie esplorazioni con tavola ai piedi, uno dei resorts più famosi della Nuova Zelanda. Lo definiscono come familiare, ma ci sono piste e strutture da far invidia a un qualsiasi resort.

Come dico nel video, la cosa che salta subito agli occhi è la remotezza delle piste. Non è come in Sud Africa, ma per arrivarci da Queenstown, o da Wakaka, ci vuole un’ora buona. Più o meno il tempo che ci si impiega da Torino a Courmayeur. Con la differenza che Queenstown o Wanaka, sono a pochi km da Cardrona. Il problema è la salita per i tornanti, che può rivelarsi impegnativa o disastrosa, come vedrete nei prossimi videos…

C’è un dibattito molto acceso in corso nelle amministrazioni locali. Riguarda la costruzione della cabinovia/funivia che raggiunge la stazione dal fondo valle. E’ argomento di disputa quasi giornaliero sui giornali. Chi la spunterà? Gli ambientalisti o gli uomini d’affari? E’ bene o male sciare su una montagna? Se non è un bene, e già lo si fa, qual è il problema se si costruisce anche una funivia?

Thanks to Ms. Charlie Wright
Sales and Marketing Assistant
Southern Alpine Recreation Ltd
www.nzski.com



English

First of my snowboarding explorations in one of the most famous resorts in New Zealand. The locals consider it as a family resort, but there are enough slopes and structures to rival with any other.

The most evident feature of this resort, like many others in New Zealand, is the remoteness and the uneasy unsealed road. It’s not like South Africa, but to reach Cardrona from Queenstown or Wanaka, thakes at least one hour. More or less the time it takes to reach Courmayeur from Turin. With the difference that Queenstown or Wanaka are only a few km from Cardrona on a straight line. The problem is, like I said above, the hairpin turns on the way up. When it snows is treacherous and the chains are a must.

There is an ongoing debate on local newspapers, whether or not to build a cable car to the station from the valley floor. Who’s gonna win the battle? Environmentalists or business people? Is it a good or bad thing to ski on a mountain? If it’s bad, then what’s wrong with building a cable car as well?

Thanks to Ms. Charlie Wright
Sales and Marketing Assistant
Southern Alpine Recreation Ltd
www.nzski.com

4 Responses to “Snowboard in New Zealand, Cardrona”

    1. Tiger October 27th, 2007 at 9:35 AM

      Haero sono sempre qua:-)

    1. Tiger October 28th, 2007 at 3:43 PM

      Mi piace tanto sto video, ti guardo e riguardo:-) Un bacione:-)

    1. BzyBee October 29th, 2007 at 9:31 AM

      Ciao. At long last SNOW beneath your feet.We are all jealous, you looked like you had FUN! Interesting debate they are having about the cable car. Bit surprised really.Encourage tourisom when the resort is already there or risk the bad publicity because of bad roads?They are VERY organised though.The resort is huge in comparison and it looks like it has so much to offer. The debate sounds too familiar like Tiffindell.The good news is that Tiffindell have recieved a R400 million injection and will soon have its own airstrip & bus service etc. check out the link http://www.snow.co.za/development/index.htm. Keep having FUN.Saluti dalla terra di Sole!

    1. haero October 29th, 2007 at 10:50 PM

      Very well Bee, I’m so glad to hear that Tiffindell is doing well. I’m sure that next time I’ll visit, there will be plenty more fun. It is Fun indeed in Cardrona, but if I had powder to ride…then it would’ve been classic!
      Just landed in Fiji (-:D

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