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There is a ton of skiing right now in August. But – where to Ski? I'm not excited about skiing in lanes on a glacier in between racers and I certainly wasn't going to try one of the indoor hockey rinks designed for slalom skiers. We take a look where its actually winter . In Australia there is Threadbo and Perisher; New Zealand has Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt; Chile has Portillo, La Parva, Valle Nevados, and Argentina has the Barriloche area, Las Lenas, Cerro Castor – and that's just the tip of the resort iceberg. So, I reached out to a friend who grew up and worked at multiple places south of the equator to bring some sense to my growing list. Grab your skis, let's jump on a plane and head south. I'm thrilled to welcome Barney Caddick back to our show, you might remember him from our Arlberg episode. Barney is a senior guide and owner of Ski Like a Pro in St Anton, Austria. With 38 seasons of teaching and guiding on 4 continents, Barney has seen it all. He started his own ski journey in Australia and has spent summers teaching and guiding in Chile, Argentina, and in his home country of Australia. Resources: Find Barney at Ski Like a Pro Ski Weather and snow reports – OpenSnow
The new stadium in Christchurch, Te Kaha, is shooting up out of the ground and so are our rates. The big news today is that those of us in Christchurch are facing rates increases of more than 30 percent over the next three years. Thanks to inflation, insurance and the cost of the new stadium. Yes, I know our mayor said rates increases wouldn't be any higher than the rate of inflation. But, if you believed that nonsense of his during the election campaign, you'll believe anything. At the moment, the expected rates increase for next year alone is sitting at around 13 percent. The mayor wants staff at the council to do some numbers and work out how they could get that increase —for next year alone— down to somewhere between 9 and 12 percent. Annual inflation, by the way, is sitting at 5.6 percent. So, whatever they come up with, there goes Phil Mauger's pipedream of rates increases matching inflation. And “pipedream” is putting it politely. So Phil can tell the bean counters all he wants to play around with the spreadsheets and come up with different numbers, but let's just leave him be and turn our attention to another councillor who, I think, has come up with a much better idea. This is councillor Aaron Keown, who wants the council to go to the Government and ask for approval for a new regional rate —or let's just be honest and call it what it is, a regional tax— to add the stadium costs to the rates bills of people beyond Christchurch. I've always thought that it's nuts that just Christchurch ratepayers are the ones who are going to be lumbered with these stadium costs. Technically, if you don't live in Christchurch city, you have actually already contributed to the costs because the Government has poured truckloads of money into it as part of the Crown's contribution to the cost of rebuilding after the earthquakes. But, then, so has every other taxpayer in the country. But, unlike a taxpayer in Auckland for example, someone living in Selwyn or Waimakariri or Hurunui is going to benefit from the stadium much more than someone further away. So we can't change the fact that Christchurch didn't get off its chuff earlier in the piece and get the other councils to get some skin in the game with the stadium. That should have happened right from the start. But, even if that boat's already sailed, there is no way that Christchurch ratepayers should be paying for this on their own. Which is why I'm right behind Aaron Keown's idea. And it seems another councillor, Sara Templeton, might be behind it, as well. The two of them don't want the stadium costs to be lumped-in with everything else, which is why Aaron Keown is floating this idea of a regional rate. As for Sara Templeton, she says people are pretty angsty about rates increases and she's worried that if too much gets ploughed into the stadium, then there won't be enough money for climate change adaptation. Although, let's face it, there'll never be enough money for that. She's also concerned that the state of the city's water infrastructure will go downhill even more. Which is probably more of a concern now, given the new government's enthusiasm for local councils to hold on to their water assets. But back to the stadium and Aaron Keown's idea of a regional rate to help pay for it.When someone comes to Christchurch from out of town to see a big sports match or go to a concert at the stadium, they're not just going to do that and then sit in their hotel room the rest of the time. They're going to do other stuff. And that won't just be within the city limits. There'll be people going to Waipara to the wineries. Shooting through to the hot pools and the jet boat rides in Hanmer Springs. Heading up to Mt Hutt - and not just in winter, there's mountain bike tracks there, as well. See what I mean? The whole region is going to benefit from the stadium. So the whole region should be paying for it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The proposed expansion of the Methven Resort near Mt Hutt skifield is meeting with some local opposition. It was built in 1982. Ashburton's new library and civic centre building is set to finally open on December 18, a year later than the original completion date. And Jonathan talks to Kathryn about the great H debate: Wakanui or Whakanui, or both?. There's division over what the rural Canterbury area should be called.
Ferocious gales have been hitting large swathes of central New Zealand. A wind gust of 245-kilometres per hour was recorded Sunday night at Cape Turnagain, on the North Island's East Coast south of Hawke's Bay. And wind speeds hit 230-kilometres per hour at Mt Hutt ski field in the Canterbury High Country on Saturday night. In the Wellington region, State Highway Two over the Remutakas was closed - gusts hit 185-kilometres per hour Sunday night. And falling trees have taken out powerlines as they went, cutting power to thousands of homes. Metservice meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
Skiers were able to hit the slopes at Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak yesterday, with some help from the weekend's polar blast. Ski fields on both mountains had already opened this year, but were forced to close because of a lack of snow. Nigel Kerr from Coronet Peak spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
I first realised it this week, running through the city and around Hagley Park on one of those beautiful, still, cold South Island evenings. For me, it was a long time coming. Twelve years and three months, all up. Maybe others felt it earlier. Maybe others haven't reached the point yet. I know those who've lived in Christchurch right throughout, who never left the city, might have a completely different perspective, and that's ok. But as a Cantab at heart, for the first time I feel I can say it with absolute confidence. It's emphatic. Christchurch has crossed the threshold. For the first time since 2010 I reckon the city today is better than it was before the quakes. There's no one thing. There's one project or development that's pushed it past that point. It's a collection of little things that make Ōtautahi so good. For starters, the city. Finally the Cathedral isn't just lying in ruin. The remote-controlled digger cleaning up the masonry and bird crap finished its job in record time. The build's progressing, and fast. Te Pae, Christchurch's glorious new convention centre, is a stupendous venue. Across the road, Tūranga, the new library is surely the best of any big city in New Zealand. The art gallery is amazing. The Margaret Mahy playground is the stuff dreams are madeof for kids and adults alike. The food in Christchurch is so good. Christchurch's old strip was seedy as, but Riverside Market, The Terrace, and New Regent Street have energy and life. The central city's new shape works with Ōtakaro, the Avon River. The water's clear and clean and meanders from the gleaming new buildings down near the splendid historic Arts Centre, and into the World-class Botanic Gardens. I bristle with envy when I think of all the things on Christchurch's doorstep. Taylors Mistake, New Brighton, and Sumner have surf. Mt Hutt has snow. Lyttelton has perhaps the most interesting music and arts community in New Zealand. Hagley Oval has a gorgeous cricket ground and the Christchurch Adventure Park is the gateway to World-class mountain biking. There are young people in the city and they want to be there. At a time when many New Zealand universities are being forced to cut jobs, Canterbury University is hiring. This year, they tell me the university is on track for a record number of students. Domestic enrolments are up. International enrolments are up. There are students from 100 countries studying at Canterbury, from Mozambique to Myanmar to Mongolia. The number of people enrolled is up 7% at the end of March compared to the same time last year. It's the University's 150th birthday this year, and the halls of residence are at absolute capacity. The cost of housing in Christchurch is so much cheaper than Auckland, and the quality is so much less depressing than in Wellington. It's younger than Tauranga, more coastal than Hamilton and warmer than Dunedin. I know it's not perfect. I know how much pain and stress it's taken to get things to this point. I'm under no illusions that places out East – Bromley, in particular – have a hell of a long way to go. The sprawl North and West means the traffic can be a total pain. But with good leadership and planning, the city should only get better. Maybe it's too big. Maybe it's too expensive. But just imagine the atmosphere in town for that first All Blacks test in Te Kaha. Years ago when I was living in New York, I asked the city's chief urban designer about lessons from Manhattan's recovery after the 9/11 attacks. He had a tear in his eye when he spoke to me about the transformation he'd experienced. “Instead of asking yourself what happens if you get it wrong, ask yourself the opposite,” he said. “What happens if Christchurch is too good? What happens if you remake your city and it's so good that everyone wants to live there?” I don't reckon we're far off. Christchurch has energy. Christchurch has mojo. Christchurch is better than ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A horror season and three years of Covid has left one of our biggest ski field operators on thin ice, and taxpayers potentially $15 million out of pocket. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, which operates Whakapapa and Tūroa skifields and employs 196 staff went into voluntary administration yesterday. It already had two government loans totalling $15 million but has been turned down for another taxpayer funded bail out. Paul Anderson is chief executive of NZ Ski, which runs Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt fields. He talks to Lisa Owen.
Episode 97 is a Down Under special covering skiing in Australia and New Zealand. Iain was joined by Rachael Oakes-Ash, founder of snowsbest.com and Paul Anderson from NZski.com. SHOW NOTES Rachael previously appeared on the podcast in Episode 56 in July 2020 Paul was last on the podcast in Episode 73 in May 2021 Europe has been experiencing a serious heatwave https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1539557332144758787 Tignes only opened for two weeks for summer skiing, closing on 01July Sonnblick in Austria reported no snow a month earlier than usual https://twitter.com/skipedia/status/1544622531730149378 You can read about the tragedy in the Dolomites due to the glacier collapse Selwyn Snowfield was not able to open due to too much snow (preventing construction work Dunedin airport reported its coldest day ever in June Mt Hutt was hit by huge early season snowdrifts NZski.com represent Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown and Mt Hutt in the Canterbury area When Paul was on the podcast in May 2021 the feeling was very positive, but then the Delta lockdowns started The UK and NZ have announced a new bi-lateral deal on visa Tourism Minister Stuart Nash advised that 71% of international tourists skiing in NZ are Aussies, generating NZD211 million The number of Aussies on the slopes in NZ was recently up 30% YoY Read Rachael's post about gender representation here Cardrona/Treble Cone have made their own commitment to equal representation Watch Cardrona's documentary ‘All In' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWSsU6m-NNk The winners of Atomic goggles in our survey were Chris Waters & Nicole Clarke. Neil English spoke about how his father founded the London Ski Show in Episode 96 Caroline Eydallin: “I worked on first shows for Sauze d'Oulx! Sir David always stopped to say hello, I was at school with his daughters, so nice he remembered me” Ann Bennett: “Sir David English was a great guy & pioneered skiing in mass media. I worked at first shows on Inghams's stand” Gethin: "The Podcast is great" I enjoy all feedback about the show, so please do get in contact. You can leave reviews/comments wherever you prefer, whether Apple Podcasts, Spotify, social media, email. You can follow me @skipedia and the podcast @theskipodcast You can buy Iain a cuppa at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast
We are looking forward to the ski season big time at our place.But, I tell you what, there is one thing about the ski season that I don't like - and that's driving through some of those intersections on the way to Mt Hutt.I know it's slightly quicker turning off State Highway 73 before you get to Darfield - but I don't. I go all the way to Darfield and take State Highway 77 through Glentunnel and Coalgate. And I do that to try and avoid some of those awful rural intersections which are in the news today following a Coroner's inquiry into a terrible crash that claimed the lives of a woman and two of her very young children.Sadly, it's a very familiar story and it's prompted the Coroner to say that some sort of review needs to be done to try and make rural intersections safer. And I couldn't agree more.The case in point dates back to April 2019 when Chante Harmer ploughed through an intersection near Ashburton and collided with an oncoming ute.The inquest into their deaths heard from the Police that the Give Way sign at the intersection could be seen clearly from 120 metres away, but they reckoned it could easily be missed because of hedging and poplar trees and irrigation culverts on both sides of the road.The Coroner concluded that she didn't stop at the intersection because she didn't see the Give Way sign and wasn't aware of the intersection and the other vehicle until it was too late.After hearing and considering all of the evidence, the Coroner is saying that instead of a Give Way sign there should've been a Stop sign at the intersection. But he's saying that wouldn't necessarily have prevented the crash happening either.I think this quote from Coroner Marcus Elliott paints the terrifying picture that all of us can imagine: “This crash illustrates the danger that drivers on long, straight rural roads may not identify the presence of an intersection in sufficient time to stop”.That is chilling, isn't it? And it's chilling because we've probably all driven on those roads. And I don't know about you, but every time I take those roads I am so mindful of the potential for other drivers just to sail through those intersections. I hate those intersections, but you've just got to stay alert, don't you?Not that I'm having a go at this poor woman for what happened. We weren't in that car that day and so we will never know what actually happened in the lead-up to that terrible crash.But we do know that the Coroner has looked into it and thinks we need to be taking a close look at rural intersections. And I couldn't agree with him more.A few years ago something was done by Selwyn police officer Dan Harker, who got behind a trial of some flashing signs at a couple of intersections after that tragic crash on one of the intersections with Thompsons Track.You'll remember this one. 12-year-old Abi Hone was killed, as well as Sally Rumble and her daughter Ella Summerfield, when a tourist was driving in the area, missed a stop sign and crashed into the car they were travelling in.That was May 2014 when that crash happened. The other one we're talking about happened five years after that. And, as far as I'm concerned, those intersections are no safer now in 2022 - which is an absolute shocker.
There were dramatic scenes at Mt Hutt at the weekend when a child slipped from a chairlift. Held for a time by an adult, he dangled for two minutes while rescuers rushed to the slope below. Safety pads created a makeshift net, and the boy was safely caught after falling. Mt Hutt Ski Area manager James McKenzie spoke to Corin Dann.
There were dramatic scenes at Mt Hutt at the weekend when a child slipped from a chairlift. Held for a time by an adult, he dangled for two minutes while rescuers rushed to the slope below. Safety pads created a makeshift net, and the boy was safely caught after falling. Mt Hutt Ski Area manager James McKenzie spoke to Corin Dann.
In Episode 74, we discuss summer skiing in Avoriaz, sustainability in Morzine and cat skiing in North Macedonia. Plus we talk origins with Jim Adlington from Planks Clothing and the demise of apres-ski in Courchevel with Alex Irwin. Iain is joined ‘live' by Sara Burdon from Morzine Tourist Office and regular guest and friend of the show, Mike Richards. SHOW NOTES · Katie Crowe is from Battleface Travel Insurance · You can read the details of their latest research here · Their Sherpa tool is useful for checking the latest situation in each country · Richie Owen reported from Mt Hutt in New Zealand · Tammy from Mint Snowboarding was in Avoriaz · We were joined by Paul Anderson, CEO at NZski.com in Episode 73 · We have over 100 episodes to catch up on · Morzine and Avoriaz are both within the same ‘commune' · Avoriaz was founded by Jean Vuarnet, ski racer and sunglass pioneer · Al Judge from AliKats took part in our Electric Vehicles special · Dom Turner from Skiology was on the show in Episode 65 · Find out about the excellent organisation Montagne Verte · Iain went to Les Arcs to review their sustainability in Episode 45 · Morzine was the first ski resort to have a dedicated MTB course in 1997 · Mike went to North Macedonia in January 2011 · Mike has previously talked about his experiences in Georgia (Episode 37), Montenegro (Episode 39), Japan (Episode 41) and in Wales (Episode 65) · Popova Shapka was a candidate for the 1992 Winter Olympics (which went to Sarajevo instead) · Mike stayed at the Hotel Slavija, which opened in 1987 · Eskimo Freerideoffer cat skiing in Popova Shapka · Find out more about the resort here (in Macedonian) · Listen to our special episode of The Ski Podcast with Jim Adlington · Alex Irwin is presenter of the 150 Days of Winter YouTube channel Buy Me A Coffee I'd like to thank Wayne Hall and the Winterised team for buying me a cuppa since our last episode. It takes hours to put together a single episode of the podcast, so if you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Stickers Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free. Coming Up Our next episode will be out in early July - let's hope we have some better news on travel by then… You can follow the show @theskipodcast - and we're now on Instagram as well. I'd like to thank Switzerland Tourism for their continued support.
Ski industry leaders are pleading with the Government to cut red tape and allow skilled overseas workers in for the winter, saying the economic revival of regional areas is at stake. Ski operators say they're in urgent need of highly-skilled groomer operators and don't understand why Immigration New Zealand is declining those visa applications. Meanwhile other specialised workers -- ski instructors -- are having visas approved, but are facing huge wait times to have them processed. They say the current restrictions are hampering the recovery of the country's ski industry and the winter tourism market. Kathryn speaks with Paul Anderson, the chief executive of NZSki, which manages three ski fields in the South Island; the Remarkables and Coronet Peak, and Mt Hutt, and Jono Dean, the chief executive of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, which runs Whakapapa and Tūroa skifields in the North Island.
Ski industry leaders are pleading with the Government to cut red tape and allow skilled overseas workers in for the winter, saying the economic revival of regional areas is at stake. Ski operators say they're in urgent need of highly-skilled groomer operators and don't understand why Immigration New Zealand is declining those visa applications. Meanwhile other specialised workers -- ski instructors -- are having visas approved, but are facing huge wait times to have them processed. They say the current restrictions are hampering the recovery of the country's ski industry and the winter tourism market. Kathryn speaks with Paul Anderson, the chief executive of NZSki, which manages three ski fields in the South Island; the Remarkables and Coronet Peak, and Mt Hutt, and Jono Dean, the chief executive of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, which runs Whakapapa and Tūroa skifields in the North Island.
A sprinkling of fresh snow welcomed record numbers of visitors to Mt Hutt in the South Island for it's first day of the season. Karyn speaks with ski area manager James McKenzie about who showed up and what to expect for the weekend.
Richie Owen shows us the way around Mt. Hutt. Actually, he shows us the way all around the South Island of New Zealand. This is the one destination that, well, wasn't a destination last year. The nation shut it's borders and held them tightly during the miserable era we call COVID. And the ski industry … Read More Read More
Episode 73 covers three time zones with Paul Anderson (NZski.com) in New Zealand and Claire Burnet (Chamonix) in France joining Iain in the UK. We discuss the coming season and the expected boom for NZ resorts from the Trans-Tasman bubble; the lifts turning again in Chamonix and the prospects for a ‘normal' summer season in France. We have a special feature on skiing in the UK in May – it's very rare, but we have reports from Wales, Scotland and the Lake District in England. Thanks as always to Switzerland Tourism for supporting The Ski Podcast. We are delighted to announce that this partnership has been extended to cover this summer and next winter. SHOW NOTES Mike Richards reported from Wales and previously appeared on the show discussing skiing in Wales in more depth in Episode 65 Follow Mike at mikethesnow on Instagram Greg Hilton was ski touring in Cairngorm with British Backcountry David Johnson visited Glencoe and the Nevis Range earlier in May You can check the Nevis Range webcam here We previously covered skiing options in Scotland in Episode 62 Simon Burgess visited Raise, organised by the Lake District Ski Club Check the live feed on Twitter here You can follow Simon's adventures on his website Katie Crowe is from Battleface Travel Insurance You can check current travel restrictions on the 'Sherpa' app on their website NZ.com includes Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt and welcome 700,000 guests each winter, of which 30-40% are from Australia The resorts near Queenstown offer ‘remarkable' views with a season lasting from June to October A recent survey suggests pent-up demand for NZ skiing in Australia The lifts starting turning again in Chamonix on May 19 at 50% capacity as 'deconfinement' gets underway Last winter's 'saison blanche' saw peak season occupancy reduced to 30-50% of normal levels Mark Seaton talked to us about the ski touring options in Chamonix in Episode 62 Betony Garner reported on the rise of cross country skiing in France in Episode 65 The ‘Village Vacances Grandeur Nature' deal in Chamonix this summer means visitors can enjoy free activities on week days in July and August Iain is taking part in the UTMB trail running race Buy Me A Coffee Matt Hayes, Andrew Brannan, John M and Nick D have all very kindly bought me a cuppa since our last episode. Andrew: “You're doing such a professional job: it's a very enjoyable listen.” Nick: "Many thanks for the great work you do, putting out the best ski podcast going" John: “Thank you. You've kept my ski passion going thru this tough year” If you enjoy The Ski Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/theskipodcast Reviews Please do give us a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts - we've had over 80 reviews now - and as you know how all those algorithms work, it genuinely does help people find us. Many thanks to 'SkiSkiSki' who reviewed us on iTunes: Don't forget if you'd like some TSP stickers for your helmet, skis or phone, then just email theskipodcast@gmail.com with your address and we'll post some out to you for free. Remember that you can still secure yourself a free ticket for the National Snow Show at the Birmingham NEC in October, using the code 'SnowSkiPodcast' Coming Up Don't forget if you haven't listened to it yet, our Pat Sharples Ski Podcast Special is now live. Do listen to this one - it's one of our best! You can follow Iain @skipedia and the show @theskipodcast on TwitterThanks as always to Switzerland Tourism
Most of the media stories on Willi Huber focused on his work founding the Mt Hutt skifield. This month, North & South finally unravelled the other central event of Huber's life: his role in one of the most brutal divisions of the Nazi army.
Most of the media stories on Willi Huber focused on his work founding the Mt Hutt skifield. This month, North & South finally unravelled the other central event of Huber's life: his role in one of the most brutal divisions of the Nazi army.
The current ski season has operators feeling optimistic - it appears Australians are planning to fill up the slopes. Bookings of baches and houses in ski areas is already double what it was in 2019 according to holiday home firm Bachcare. NZ Ski manages three major ski fields - The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Mt Hutt - and says bookings have massively increased since the bubble opened. NZ Ski chief executive Paul Anderson spoke to Corin Dann.
The current ski season has operators feeling optimistic - it appears Australians are planning to fill up the slopes. Bookings of baches and houses in ski areas is already double what it was in 2019 according to holiday home firm Bachcare. NZ Ski manages three major ski fields - The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Mt Hutt - and says bookings have massively increased since the bubble opened. NZ Ski chief executive Paul Anderson spoke to Corin Dann.
Willi Huber was a champion of Mt Hutt's ski field developments, and a popular local. But it wasn't until he died that the full horror of his past was revealed.
Today we talk about Glitchs, Fan Mail, Mt Hutt, Lone survivor, Erebus, Demi, Rating countries, eating strange animals, octopussies, Cosmetics, Tattoo's, Sadness, Earthquake, BJJ, Rating system, Disaster, Fat boy, shifu, origin, rating europe, volcanoes and going on tour. Enjoy.
The company that runs Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt plans to hire another 200-300 staff to cater for Australian customers hitting the slopes this winter. Pre-pandemic, up to forty percent of NZ Ski's business came from across the ditch and they expect a busy season ahead. Chief executive Paul Anderson spoke to Corin Dann.
Hugo Boss, Nazi's, Actors, Mt Hutt, Clarke's laws, Joels Laws, Cunny, Drugs + League and This warriors life pod. Enjoy.
"The thing that drives me is getting the best out of people, because the foundation to building a strong business is a great team." - Paul AndersonPaul Anderson CA is at the helm of a business that owns and operates three commercial ski fields in the South Island of New Zealand: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt.Paul credits his CA for giving him credibility when he's discussing financial and commercial activities. It's given him a solid foundation and the perfect complement to empathy, emotional intelligence and other qualities of a successful leader.Paul's journey to becoming CEO involved a number of leadership roles along the way, most recently as General Manager of Corporate Services (Finance, IT, Property) at Christchurch City Council during the major Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.Before that, Paul worked in a number of financial management roles at Telecom and the banking sector in the UK as well as policy roles at NZ Treasury.When asked about the secret to his success, Paul talks about the importance of leading a team that's passionate about what they do.Paul can be found ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-anderson-9a8a214/?originalSubdomain=nz & www.nzski.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/labanditchburn?fan_landing=true)