4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU Welcome Travel Daily welcomes you to its 2010 supplement dedicated to Southern Hemisphere skiing. The first flakes are set to fall across Australasian resorts and with cold weather predicted and lots of new equipment, it’s shaping up to be a cracking start to the ski season. For all you ski bunnies, in this issue we feature the latest updates from Australian, and South American ski resorts. WEATHER FORECASTER: 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Season is near JOHN MOORE IT’s going to be a white one, with the Australian , and Canterbury and Mount season set to begin officially on 12 Jun and run until 03 Ruapehu, each offering great snow, from mid Jun to 2010 is Oct 2010. Ski fields in have had a busy the beginning of Oct - although the expected to summer, installing new snowmaking facilities to does boast a longer ski period with some resorts be an ensure it’s whiter than ever. able to stay open until Nov. above average Relatively undiscovered by many skiers, South The owner of Falls Creek and has snowfall invested $2.5 million in snowmaking over the two America is set to become popular with the booming year, alpine resorts, with Hotham boosting its snowmaking Australian dollar and the great conditions for ski and according to by 40% with the addition of 22 extra snow guns. on the Andes Mountains, from late renowned Mount Buller has also spent more than $1million to Jun to mid Oct. long-range forecaster for Mount further upgrade its snowmaking and snow grooming. The Chile earthquake has not affected the main ski Buller, John Moore. In NSW Thredbo has bought a new $500,000 snow resorts. They’re all fully operational and receiving He’s predicting light snowfalls groomer and invested $400,000 in new clothing, ski bookings. this month to freeze the ground. May will have a very good start to and snowboard equipment. the season with early heavy Perisher has also upgraded and enhanced its facilities Win a ski trip to New Zealand! snowfalls, while June is to have and services and purchased over $500,000 in new hire IN this issue, we’re giving readers the chance to win average snowfalls, with skiable equipment for its rental outlets. snow for the opening weekend. a fantastic six day ski holiday to Queenstown in New Getting to the Victorian snowfields is easier, with July’s snowfalls are to be above Zealand, thanks to our good friends at Value Tours, QantasLink set to operate from Sydney to Hotham four average but August will see below Air New Zealand and Rydges Lakeland Resort. times a week from 25 Jun to 12 Sep - while Aeropelican average snowfalls. This incredible prize includes return airfares, five will operate direct daily flights between Sydney and A good snow depth will be night’s accommodation including breakfast, return maintained with above average Cooma’s Snowy Mountains airport starting 11 Jun. airport transfers, daily ski bus transfers and ski hire. September falls, while October New Zealand is geographically the perfect location See page 8 for full details on how to enter. will see light snowfalls early in the for snow sports, with a range of mountains in the month...Good Skiing! , while the North Island has three large Check out the full page advertisements in this volcanoes that reach up to 2,800 metres above sea issue from Jetstar (pg 9) and Snowscene (pg 10) level. The main areas for skiing include Queenstown, SkiSki NZNZ onon SALESALE WIN! A SKI HOLIDAY TO NEW ZEALAND SEE THIS ISSUE OF TRAVEL DAILY FOR DETAILS Now! Ski Ski MT HUTT (METHVEN) Ski QUEENSTOWN US US US PL T AX PL T AX PL T AX E E E

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$ $ AIR & LAND pp twin $ AIR & LAND pp twin AIR & LAND pp twin $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 3 3 3 7 nights from share 2 7 nights from share 2 7 nights from share 2 N N N 840 O 890 O 967 O P P P ER PERS ER PERS ER PERS

INCLUSIONS: 1 FREE INCLUSIONS: 1 FREE INCLUSIONS: 1 FREE Q Return airfares with DAY Q Return airfares with DAY Q Return airfares with DAY Air New Zealand Air New Zealand Air New Zealand car hire car hire car hire Q 7 day economy car hire Q 7 day economy car hire Q 7 day economy car hire & nights & nights & nights Q 7 nights stay at the stay Q 7 nights stay at the stay Q 7 nights stay at the stay Alpine Skotel Resort Snow Denn Lodge Rydges Lakeland Resort

Q 5 day lift pass Q 6 day lift pass Q 4 day lift pass Q pass

Conditions: Ski Ruapehu: Travel between 27 June – 18 October 2010, book by 14 June 2010. Ski Mt Hutt: Travel between 19 June – 2 July and 12 September – 11 October 2010, book by 25 June 2010. Ski Queenstown: Travel between 25 June – 04 October 2010, book by 30 June 2010. All car hire for New Zealand is subject to Britz car hire conditions. VT0957 SYD 04/10 VT0957 SYD For more information or bookings contact Value Tours: EMAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.valuetours.com.au PHONE: 1300 361 322 Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 1 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU Victoria - something for everyone in 2010 THE Victorian high country is easily accessible from , with 26 lifts and 80km of groomed trails. Melbourne and there are a variety of resorts popular This year $1 million has been invested to upgrade In This Issue... with skiers from across Australia. snowmaking systems and the Buller grooming fleet. FALLS CREEK is Victoria’s largest alpine resort For 2010 Baby Boomers (born before 1954) will be Australia covering over 450 hectares of terrain with 92 trails, and entitled to the ‘Buller Boomers Bonus Day,’ when * Victorian skifields page 2 its terrain park and car free village makes it a family purchasing a lift pass on any Wed or Thu to ski free on * NSW skifields page 3 favourite, with Australia’s longest beginner run at the following day. And season pass holders and Buller New Zealand 2.2km. The resort is about 370km from Melbourne and Club members will have new chip enabled cards to * Queenstown page 4 is also accessible via flights to Albury-Wodonga. hold their rental equipment info, registration details * Wanaka/Canterbury page 5 This year the resort has 28 new snow guns with top to for ski school and validate their 10% discount at * North Island page 6 bottom snowmaking, which will also make night skiing selected retail and hospitality venues. South America available throughout the season. Victoria also boasts a number of smaller resorts * Argentina & Chile page 7 On the accommodation front the the Quay West including which boasts the Resort and Spa has opened a new West Wing adding an cheapest lift tickets in Victoria and a number of cross- NEED TO KNOW extra 23 rooms to the 40 that were opened in the East country resorts such as , MT Wing last year. BUFFALO, MT STIRLING, DINNER PLAIN, MT ST ONE DAY LIFT Along with sister resort Mt Hotham there is a new GWINEAR and MT DONNA BUANG. TICKET (PEAK) Snow Reward Loyalty Program with cards costing $49 Falls Creek Adult offering discounts on lift tickets, hire and activities. $102, Youth (15-18) MT HOTHAM village is located at 1750m and is easily $87, Child (6-14) $51 accessible via the Great Alpine Road, which runs from Mt Hotham Adult $102, Youth Wangaratta to Bairnsdale. A wide range of on-snow (15-18) $87, Child (6-14) $51 accommodation is on offer set in spectacular scenery Mt Buller Adult $99, Child (to for an unforgettable snow holiday. year 12) $54 Hotham has 13 lifts, more than 35km of cross county Mt Baw Baw Adult $64, Student trails and some of the most advanced runs in Australia $54, Child $44 All resorts also offer season passes with just 20% allocated to beginners. Mt Buller snow guns on Bourke St Photo: Nathan Richter and other packages with lessons MOUNT BULLER is just three hours drive from and gear hire, and there are also Falls Creek for kids Night skiing tickets combining some resorts. Exclusive FALLS Creek’s Snowsports school A NUMBER of resorts will this GETTING THERE Reader Offers is offering 15 to 17 year olds the season offer night skiing - perfect Mt Buller is a three ‘Cloudsplitter Teen Club’ - a school for some apres-ski adventure. hour drive from Melbourne. holiday winter camp all day program The Wombats Ramble run at Falls Mt Hotham is a 4-5 hour drive from 28 Jun until 16 Jul, to develop Creek has been equipped top to from Melbourne, and is also the skills of teenage skiers and riders. bottom with lights (and snow guns) easily accessible via direct Each day the same instructor will and will offer night skiing each Wed QantasLink services from Sydney be allocated to the teens to and Sat night for just $20. four times a week. accelerate them to the next level at Mt Hotham also offers night Falls Creek is also accessible via a pace that can only be determined skiing for $10 each Wed and Sat flights to Hotham and Albury. by someone who has been with from 6.30-9.30pm - and there are Resorts are also accessible by limousine transfers from Melbourne them every action packed day. supervised sessions available for and Albury airport, while for the MEANWHILE the Fox Trail Kids teenagers for $25. ultimate in luxury you can always Huski Luxury Apartments Terrain Park has been expanded for And at Mount Buller the popular book your clients a helicopter is offering the first 10 the 2010 season offering natural Bourke Street run is lit up for after transfer! Travel Daily Ski issue dips and roller coasters, mine rails, hours skiing and boarding between readers who book five or mini moguls, berms and jumps. 7pm and 10pm each Wed and Sat, seven nights at the Ski lifts for kids five and under with sessions costing $20. apartments (pictured are free at Falls Creek when above) with a $250 credit accompanied by an adult and there to spend in the Huski are also free snow sculpting Produce Store. To make a competitions every Wed and Sat, booking call 1300 652 260. from 4.30pm in the Village Bowl. For the first 10 Travel Daily Park entry passes Ski issue readers to book MOST of Victoria’s ski resorts are five nights accommodation located inside National Parks at Silverski Hotel & requiring payment of an entry fee. Apartments, you will Frequent skiers should purchase receive a $150 credit to the 2010 All Resorts Season Entry spend at the iconic Pass which gives access to Mt Baw Japanese Oishii Go! Bar & Baw, Mt Hotham, Lake Mountain, Restaurant. For info or to Mt Buller, Mt Stirling and Falls skivic.com book call 1800 181 770. Creek - see www.arcc.vic.gov.au. Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 2 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU New South Wales Skiing is big business for NSW THERE are four main ski resorts in the New South Perisher Valley towards Mount Kosciuszko. Charlotte Wales Snowy Mountains, welcoming thousands of Pass is Australia’s highest resort, sitting at 1760m. It’s visitors every year. an intimate with twelve club lodges plus one ASK AN AGENT: The biggest is PERISHER which actually comprises Chalet for accommodation. The resort has frozen its four resort areas - Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue prices for lift tickets again this year, making it the third MELINDA ROWE Cow and Guthega. It has 49 lifts covering 12 square season in a row that prices have not risen in cost. kilometres of skifields, with 60% of runs for And finally, SELWYN SNOWFIELDS markets itself as intermediates, 22% for beginners and 18% advanced. the “premiere learn-to-ski, family snow recreation Over the summer the resort has undergone area in NSW. It’s located in the northern Kosziuszko significant mountain grooming to smooth out runs and National Park, accessible via Kiandra. lift loading areas, and there are also new snow fences This year Selwyn is offering a one-day ‘Terrain Park’ to improve the skiing experience. lift only ticket for $20 adults and $15 kids using the Snowmaking has also been expanded, while the Wombat T-Bar, while a new program called ‘Snow Happy Valley T-bar has been extended to make return Riders has also access from Mount Perisher easier. been set up for On-snow facilities have been enhanced with the kids aged 6-18 Jindabyne has something reopening of the Happy Valley Kiosk and the creation of teaching them for everyone! the new ‘place to be’, Curve Bar on the upper level of different aspects I left Sydney two years ago the Perisher Centre. of snow riding in to live in the beautiful Snowy THREDBO alpine village offers something for Mountains of NSW and am a fun club loving the lifestyle here, working everyone, from gentle beginner slopes through to atmosphere. as a Personal TravelManager. extreme top to bottom skiing and great apres-ski night Selwyn has 11 My husband Brett has lived life, dining and entertainment. lifts to 17 gentle here for over 20 years and Last year Thredbo launched a new online booking trails best suited every day we feel unbelievably system allowing skiers to browse properties, rates and fortunate to call the ‘High to beginners and Country’ home. availability at thredbo.com.au/stay and the village intermediates. Winter in ‘The Snowies’ includes a wide range of retailers including the new There is no means skiing & snowboarding ‘ten80’ boarding store in Valley Terminal. accom on the and the mountain facilities are Thredbo has 14 lifts accessing a wide range of terrain, mountain, and truly world class. with the resort sitting 1341 metres above sea level Let us share with you a brief the nearest town sample of some other activities CHARLOTTE PASS is a favourite with families, is Adaminaby Grabbing some radical air - and a little local knowledge. accessible by oversnow transport eight kilometres past 45kms away. guess where? Guided cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are both NSW ski flights Crackenback ski deal growing in popularity. Off the NEED TO KNOW snow, take a drive to historic TOURISM operators in the NSW NOVOTEL Lake Crackenback Dalgety returning via the ONE DAY LIFT skifields are thrilled that direct air Resort is conveniently located right Snowy River Winery & Brewery. passenger services will again next to the SkiTube at Bullock’s Flat, Visit the galleries of local TICKET (PEAK) operate this winter. giving easy access to Perisher artists & photographers. Try Perisher Adult $105, Newcastle-based regional carrier Valley, Charlotte Pass as well as your luck at catching a trout, Child (6-14) $59 or stroll through the many Aeropelican will fly non-stop from being a short drive to Thredbo. Thredbo Adult $103, Child and varied shops of Jindabyne (6-14) $57 Sydney to the Snowy Mountains The resort is offering a special with their unique mountain flair. Charlotte Pass Adult $89, Child $53 Airport in Cooma from 11 Jun, with ‘Winter Remedy’ package from Jindabyne accommodation Mt Selwyn Adult $72, Child $42 daily return services during the $1145, as well as a ‘5 night intro to options include four-star All resorts also offer season snow season. the snow’ package from $1340/ motels, hotels, self-contained apartments, lodges, caravan passes and other packages with The carrier said it’s in the process adult and $1022/child. lessons and gear hire, while parks and a backpackers. of scheduling a year-round service Visit lakecrackenback.com.au. There is a wonderful range Perisher offers combo tickets to support the Cooma community. of eateries throughout the including SkiTube. Aeropelican operates a fleet of region. Our favourite lunch BAE Jetstream 32 aircraft and the spot is the Wild Brumby GETTING THERE Schnapps Distillery, while just Thredbo, Perisher and flights are now on sale at across the road is Crackenback Charlotte Pass are all www.aeropelican.com.au. Cottage, great for lunch & accessible by road dinner and where kids young through Jindabyne. All three Long music festival fun & old will be lost in the maze resorts are located in the THE ‘Perisher Snowy Mountains of for ages. You can’t go past ON chef Gerard’s offerings at Kosziusko National Park with Music’ festival will be held from 11- SNOW entry costing $27 per vehicle per The Stables Apartments McEvoys Restaurant at Quality 14 Jun long weekend, to open the Weekends fr $634 per apartment Resort Horizons & when you day. But Perisher and Charlotte 5 day midweek fr $1599 per apartmentment Australian snow season for 2010. book ask about the Pass can be easily reached via A three night special ‘Play & Stay complimentary taxi service in the SkiTube railway from Corroboree & Matterhorn Lodgess on Snow’ package is available from Weekends fr $219pp inc. meals the Jindabyne area. Bullock’s Flat. 5 day midweek fr $627pp inc. meals GREAT $299 and includes accommodation, VALUE Check the local gig guide, Mt Selwyn is also accessible by and visit the Kosciuszko info breakfast daily and a four-day Deane’s Special Deals & Packageses road. Air transport to the region DON’TDO MISS OUT! Limited availabilityailabilitity centre in town to see what’s andan conditions apply, so call today. is direct to Cooma. festival pass featuring headliners Huge happening when you visit. Savings Blue King Brown, Jeff Lang and $$$ Bookings & Enquiries Mista Savona - for further details see Call 02 9979 7955 snowymountainsofmusic.com.au. deanes.com.au Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 3 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU New Zealand NEED TO KNOW ONE DAY LIFT NZ’s South Island ski fields TICKET (PEAK) THE South Island of New Zealand A ‘kids fun’ activities trail has also Adult offers skiing in two regions - around been added with jumps and tunnels NZ$95, Youth (7-17) Queenstown/Wanaka, and further plus a new bouncy castle to keep Winter Warmers NZ$52, children under 6 ski free north in the Christchurch/ the little ones happy in the creche. Adult NZ$89, Canterbury vicinity (see next page). CORONET PEAK has installed an all Student NZ$69, Youth NZ$49. Queenstown gives access to new detachable quad Express Children aged 10 & under ski free. resorts including Coronet Peak and , replacing the old Meadows Adult NZ$91, The Remarkables while about an double chair. This new lift is the first Student NZ$69, Youth (6-17) NZ$46, kids under six ski free. hour away is the town of Wanaka of its kind to be installed in the Cardrona Adult NZ$89, Student with nearby resorts including Treble Southern Hemisphere. NZ$70, Child (6-17) NZ$44, under Cone, Cardrona and Snow Park. It has a “kid stop” mechanism to sixes ski free This year there has been keep very young skiers safe and an Snow Park Adult NZ$75, Student significant investment in NZ ski automated safety bar. NZ$55, Youth NZ$35. resort technology, with Coronet The resort has also added a new GETTING THERE Peak and The Remarkables, along snowmaking system, just in time to Air New Zealand, with Mt Hutt all offering new Radio host the inaugural New Zealand Qantas and Pacific Frequeny ID lift passes which can Pacific Winter Games. Blue offer direct flights be read through clothing. Strawberry Delight from Australia to Queenstown. New gates have been installed to What a super pass! Novotel Lakeside Queenstown’s Many Aussies also fly into track skier usage and A NUMBER of NZ skifields and Holiday Saver Package includes Christchurch and hire a car to powderhounds will love the special attractions have combined to offer 10% off accommodation, breakfast enjoy the NZ countryside as they feature which measures the the NZSuperpass which offers the for two and a free fondue dinner travel to the skifields. when staying five nights or more. There are also domestic flights amount of vertical skied each day. ability to ski or ride at 13 South Rates start from NZ$175 per night. from Christchurch, THE REMARKABLES has 7 lifts Island ski areas. and Wellington to Queenstown over 220 hectares of skiable terrain, The pass is purchased in lots of 3- For bookings call 1300 656 565. operated by Air New Zealand, and summer renovations include 10 coupons which can be Winter Edges Wanaka Pacific Blue and Jetstar. an expanded cafe in the base redeemed for lift tickets - or Edgewater Resort at Lake Wanaka Once in Queenstown there building with a big sun deck. activities and attractions at more is offering a Winter Wonderland are shuttle buses to the lifts, or The access road has been than 90 outlets in the Queenstown, you can easily hire a car. Getaway from NZ $1,500, and a resurfaced with improvements Canterbury and Methven regions. Family Fun @ Edgewater special including more signage added for For more information see from NZ$999. easier and safer accessibility. www.nzsuperpass.com. For more info visit edgewater.co.nz. SKI NZ AM FLIGHT FOR LESS PM SLOPES

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Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 4 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU New Zealand Christchurch-Canterbury skiing THERE are lots of resorts in the week package offered during Jul Wanaka’s a winner Canterbury region accessible from and Aug which sees up to 80 guests THE picturesque town of Wanaka Christchurch - but most of them are transported from Methven for a is about an hour from Queenstown CHC-Wanaka flights operated by small clubs and not fireside meal at Huber’s Hut - and each summer hosts the Wings A NEW flight service launching for often frequented by Australians. followed by outdoor activity over Wanaka air show. 2010 will provide direct daily The main resort close to including stargazing and Groomer, But in winter it’s a snowsports connections between Christchurch Christchurch is , with Skidoo and Husky Dog rides. playground, as the base for nearby and Wanaka. skiers staying nearby at Methven - Other smaller Canterbury resorts resorts including Treble Cone, FlyDirect packages flights, car about 90 minutes from Christchurch. include Mt Cheeseman, Roundhill, Cardrona and Snow Park. hire, accommodation, tours and This year Mt Hutt has expanded Mt Olympus, Craigieburn Valley, Mt TREBLE CONE offers great activities in Wanaka, with the and upgraded its beginners area, as Lyford, Porters, , Mt facilities for snowboarding and charter service using planes from well as having completed further Dobson and - many of which freestyle skiing, and in 2010 will SkyLink and Vincent Aviation. development of its terrain parks. can be skied using coupons from feature a “permanent big air More info at www.flydirect.co.nz. Along with sister resorts Coronet the NZ Superpass (see p4). kicker” built to international Peak and The Remarkables, Mt Mt Dobson offers a ski school and standards. Chill out with this pass Hutt will also this year add radio the biggest learner slope in New The resort is home to one of the THE Chill Pass is a specialty snow frequency lift passes, with Zealand - as well as a natural half- longest groomed trails in the NZ pass which allows access to 11 microchips streamlining lift access pipe for boarders to strut their stuff. South Island, and it also offers a South Island ski areas stretching across the resort. Ohau is in the Mackenzie High Lake Wanaka Ski Pass valid for five from Kaikoura in the north to Lake Also new for 2010 is a Mt Hutt- Country south of Mount Cook, days and fully interchangeable with Tekapo in the South. specific radio station, broadcasting about 20 minutes drive from the . Mt Lyford, Hanmer Springs, on 94.1FM for skiers to tune in for Lake Ohau Lodge. CARDRONA features an Olympic- Porters, Cheeseman, Broken River, up-to-the-minute information At Roundhill a new Heritage standard halfpipe and a fabulous Craigieburn Valley, Temple Basin, about conditions on the mountain Express Rope Tow - 1440m long terrain park - all complemented by Mt Olympus, , Mt Dobson as they drive up the access road. with a 632m rise! - has been added a brand new chairlift to further and Roundill are all on offer - more Food and beverage outlets have for 2010 with a top elevation of expand its range of runs. info at www.chillout.co.nz. also been revamped this year and a 2133m giving access to the steep The new Valley View Quad is new innovation for 2010 is “Dinner chutes and advanced terrain of the Cardona’s fourth lift and expands NEED TO KNOW with the Stars” - a one night per Two Thumb Range. the ski area to 345 heactares. An exciting addition is a 40m ONE DAY LIFT AMAZING SKI TIPS BY PHIL KEOGHAN tunnel which will provide TICKET (PEAK) uninterrupted access from the Travel Daily recently caught up with the host of Channel 7’s ‘The Mt Hutt Adult NZ$89, Captains Express lift to the bottom Student NZ$69, Youth Amazing Race’, Phil Keoghan, to get some celebrity advice on of the Whitestar Express. NZ$49, kids under six ski free. skiing and snowboarding. New Zealand-born Keoghan now resides Next summer Cardrona will Mt Dobson Adult NZ$70, Student in California, but is a recently crowned Ambassador for CHC and continue its expansion with the NZ$55, Youth NZ$42 Canterbury Tourism in New Zealand, and is an avid fan of the installation of extensive snow Ohau Adult NZ$72, Student outdoors and winter sports. making facilities to ensure top to NZ$50, Child NZ$28 Roundhill Adult NZ$70, Youth bottom skiing through the season. Phil, what ski tips can you NZ$50, Child NZ$35 recommend to our readers? SNOW PARK bills itself as “the Always dress in layers when ultimate freestyle mecca” for skiers GETTING THERE skiing, fuel up and hydrate and snowboarders, with a wide Air NZ, Qantas, yourself before tackling the slopes. array of freestyle features such as Emirates, Pacific Blue jumps, rails, boxes, wall rides and and Jetstar offer Remember to wear a helmet and direct flights from Australia to have a ‘can do’ attitude! NZ’s only quarter pipe. In 2010 the resort will use a new Christchurch. Most skiers hire a And what’s your favourite ski car and combine a ski holiday Global Cutter halfpipe shaper to with NZ sightseeing. resort? create a massive 22’ pipe - set to I’d say Lake Tahoe, and in open on 26 Jun - a whole month particular Squaw Valley. earlier than usual.

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Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 5 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU New Zealand Ski for longer in NZ’s North Island THERE are two commercial skiing areas in NZ’s North the volcanic cone of Mt Ngauruhoe and walk beside Island and they’re both located on Mt Ruapehu - an lava flows, steaming vents and glaciers. Ski apps for iPhone active volcano in the central plateau. also offers the only lift-accessible glacier LIKE most areas of modern life, Whakapapa and Turoa boast the highest lifted point skiing in NZ as well as a sweeping 4km long run and the Apple iPhone is having an and largest ski area in New Zealand, with both resorts a three terrain parks for some gnarly action. impact on skiing too with a 50 minute drive apart. For beginners Whakapapa has a mini field call Happy plethora of applications available TUROA ski area has a 722 metre vertical drop and 500 Valley, and there’s lots of advanced terrain too. Turoa offering live ski reports, trail maps hectares of skiable terrain, while WHAKAPAPA has 550 offers a carpet lift for small children, and the Alpine and even ski instruction. hectares, and the resorts offer a common lift pass Meadow for beginners and first timers, while Two good options are available giving access to both ski areas. intermediates have a big, broad and smooth ski area. from snow.com.au in Australia and The nearest town to the resorts is - once a There are a number of other smaller areas for skiing snowreports.co.nz in New Zealand. little farming community which has developed into a ski in the North Island including and the village with a great nightlife. Stratford Mountain Club on Mt /Mt Egmont, The mountain’s height and volatile weather conditions as well as , a club-operated field on Mt SKI NZ see the resorts at times receiving more than double the Ruapehu which is open to the public. amount of snow than the South Island - and also means the season sometimes extends through to November. Heli-skiing - what a way to fly SKIMAX Extreme weather can mean the fields have to be IMAGINE having a huge pristine slope to yourself. closed for a couple of days, but there’s plenty more to That’s the reality offered by a number of operators  do, with the area an “extreme sports mecca” offering in NZ who specialise in heli-skiing - giving access to bungy jumping, untracked big mountain terrain from the air.  NEED TO KNOW canyon swinging, Heli-skiing is suitable for a range of ability levels, horse riding, ranging from extreme “steeps and deeps” to mellow ONE DAY LIFT white water rolling glaciers, and an extensive range of off-piste  TICKET (PEAK) rafting, kayaking skiing is available in the Southern Alps through the Turoa/Whakapapa and even the winter, including on Mount Cook (departing from Adult NZ$86, Youth Alpine Crossing, Queenstown) and the Methven area further north.  (age 5-18) NZ$52. Kids <5 ski free. where you cross See www.wildernessheli.co.nz. GETTING THERE Air New Zealand, SNOW TUBING Qantas, Emirates, Pacific Blue, Jetstar FOR non-skiers wanting an and other carriers offer direct adrenalin rush or those just flights from Australia to Auckland. wanting a break from the slopes, Mt Ruapehu is about half way why not try snow tubing. between Auckland & Wellington. Sitting or lying in an oversized Car hire is an option, and there’s inflated rubber inner tube, you also the Naked Bus shuttle which glide and spin your way down a stops in Turangi (more info at www.nakedbus.com). For a specially built course propelled by picturesque trip the Overlander your own weight . train operated by Tranzscenic is In Australia you can tube at spectacular (www.tranzscenic.co.nz) Perisher, Selwyn, Falls Creek and and there are also flights Call SKIMAX 1300 136 997 Mt Buller (free with a sightseeing email [email protected] operated by Mountain Air to a pass) - while The Remarkables in visit skimax.com.au private Whakapapa airfield - NZ has the Ozone Tubing Park mountainair.co.nz. *Conditions apply. Book & pay by 30 April 2010. Valid which even offers a dedicated rope for travel 15 Jun – 10 Oct 10, surcharge will apply for travel during peak season and school holidays. tow pulling riders to the top of the Prices are twin share, subject to availability and exhilarating course. change. Photo: Miles Holden, Mt Hutt.

• Closest to Christchurch • Exclusive access to Mt Cook National Park • NZ’s widest range of heliski terrain • NZ’s highest peaks & longest runs • Open July - September • Open July - September phone: 0011 64 3 3028108 phone: 0011 64 3 4351834 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] MethvenHeli.co.nzM ›› WildernessHeli.co.nzW ››

Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 6 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU South America South America - the new ski frontier THERE are big opportunities for travel agents selling range of recent investments to improve the resort. skiing in South America, with a number of wholesalers Daily ski school programs are available in English adding the continent to their programs in recent years and there’s also a terrain park with a half pipe. NEED TO KNOW following the debut of direct Qantas flights to Buenos CERRO BAYO is also accessible from Bariloche, Aires in Argentina. with skiers staying in the picturesque lakeside base LIFT TICKETS The strength of the Australian dollar also makes town of Villa La Angostura. South American skiing very competitive price-wise. It’s then a short shuttle ride to the resort which (PEAK) Popular resorts are located in Chile and Argentina, offers 12 lifts, tree runs and a snowboarding park. As a general guide, daily tickets at most dotted among the Andes mountains. Cerro Bayo is undergoing a massive $60m upgrade South American resorts cost Argentina and expansion including more lifts, snow-making about A$60. But wholesalers all and on-mountain accommodation in the pipeline. CATEDRAL ALTA PATAGONIA is located near offer lift passes as part of their ski LAS LENAS is located further north in the centre of South America packages. Bariloche, about a 2 hour flight from Buenos Aires, the Andes, about 45 minutes from Malargue and is the largest and most developed ski resort in GETTING THERE Airport, and can be a bit of a culture shock with no South America. Qantas offers non- trees and 65% advanced terrain. It has an on-snow mountain village with a range of stop flights between Its top elevation of 3430m gives the resort a very accommodation offering direct access to 5000 acres Sydney and Buenos long season and there are 60km of trails with lots of of skiable terrain - with amazing views at every turn. Aires, while LAN Airlines operates steep slopes, extreme powder and long runs. daily between Australia and Catedral Alta Patagonia offers 40 ski lifts, with a Santiago via Auckland, while Chile Aerolineas Argentinas also flies VALLE NEVADO is just 90 minutes from the five times a week to Buenos capital, Santiago and claims to offer the largest Aires from Sydney. skiable area in the Southern Hemisphere. Internal flights and transfers will It’s linked to the adjoining La Parvas and El be organised by wholesalers as Colorado resorts, and skiers can upgrade lift passes part of any South American ski to cover all three ski areas. package. Valle Nevado is an upmarket resort with a quaint EQUIPMENT HIRE village and three full service hotels, and is located at South American ski around 3000m giving excellent snow quality. resorts all offer a wide PORTILLO is the oldest ski area in South America, range of ski and and caters for all standards, with 80% of its terrain boarding equipement for hire. If taking their own gear, clients groomed every day. should keep in mind luggage It caters for a maximum of 450 guests at a time at restrictions imposed by carriers. Portillo its one hotel - and offering 14 ski lifts is often Valle Nevado ,ES,ENASLas Lenas described as a “private ski club” experience. VISAS Australians must be in Termas de Chillan Portillo is about two hours from Santiago and i offers a great ski-in, ski-out holiday experience. possession of a valid Cerro#ERRO"AYO Bayo TERMAS DE CHILLAN is about 400km south of passport with at least Catedral Alta Patagonia six months valididy for most Santiago, and offers nine ski lifts and South South American countries. America’s longest run at a cruisy 14km. Visas are not required for There’s also lots of off piste terrain and tree runs, Australian citizens travelling to and most village hotels offer free access to the local Argentina or Chile but if thermal hot pools for fabulous apres-ski relaxation. passengers are also travelling to There are many other smaller resorts in South Brazil a visa will be required - see www.brazilsydney.org. America and wholesalers specialising in the destination include SkiMax, Travelplan and Deep Powder Tours. ASK AN EXPERT: VICTORIA PATCHELL Snowcats whisk you to the top Victoria Patchell is BDM for Value Tours in Vic and THE Arpa Resort in Chile Tas, but before joining the wholesaler also spent - about 100km from a lot of time boarding the slopes of South America. We asked her for her tips. Santiago - doesn’t have Why would you choose to ski South America? any lifts at all. I love the culture, the people and definitely the Instead, it specialises in awesome terrain and fresh powder. snowcat skiing, with a What’s your favourite resort there? maximum of 20 riders My absoloute number one is Termas de Chillan It’s about six hours south of Santiago and covers travelling each day in two empty runs and many steep powder chutes and bowls. Sitting on snowcats to find the best two active volcanos, there are lots of natural hot springs and the slopes across 4000 acres dry powder that comes across the Andes is second to none. of extreme Andes powder. Why do you love it so much? It’s an ideal day trip Photo: PowderQuest The ultimate experience of hiking a ridge for an hour, having the best ride of my life and then jumping in a hot spring at the bottom! from Santiago with the exhilarating ride taking adventurers to see Any tips for Aussies? unbelievable mountaintop vistas before enjoying a 1km vertical descent Take lots of thermals and really good gloves - it gets down to -20°C. of extreme untracked off-piste terrain - see www.skiarpa.com. Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 7 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue 4RAVEL$AILY 2010 Southern Hemisphere Ski Issue (KTUVYKVJVJGPGYU Who to Contact Planning your ski holiday? Ski Operators Ski Information Deane’s Snow Holidays Falls Creek www.deanes.com.au - (02) 9979 7955 www.fallscreek.com.au - (03) 5758 1200

Deep Powder Tours Mt Buller www.deeppowdertours.com - 1300 305 451 www.mtbuller.com.au - 1800 285 537 Ski Express Mt Hotham www.skiexpress.com.au - 1300 130 524 www.mthotham.com.au - (03) 5759 4444 SkiMax Holidays Perisher Blue www.skimax.com.au - 1300 136 997 www.perisher.com.au - 1300 655 822

Snowscene Thredbo www.snowscene.com.au - 1300 766 911 www.thredbo.com.au - (02) 6459 4294

Travelplan Ski Selwyn Snowfields www.travelplan.com.au - 1300 754 754 www.selwynsnow.com.au - 02 6454 9488

Value Tours NZ Ski www.valuetours.com.au - 1300 361 322 www.nzski.com

Airlines Ski Lake Wanaka Aeropelican - www.aeropelican.com.au www.skilakewanaka.com Air New Zealand - www.airnewzeland.com.au Mt Ruapehu Emirates - www.emirates.com www.mtruapehu.com

Pacific Blue - www.flypacificblue.com.au Queenstown New Zealand Qantas - www.qantas.com.au / Jetstar - www.jetstar.com www.queenstownnz.co.nz WIN A QUEENSTOWN HOLIDAY FOR TWO EXCLUSIVE for this special ski issue, Travel Daily is giving readers the chance to win an amazing ski holi- day to Queenstown in New Zealand. This fantastic prize for two people from Value Tours, Air New Zealand, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown and NZSKI.COM includes: return economy airfares with Air New Zealand from Sydney; five night’s accommodation at the Rydges Lakeland Resort in Queenstown including a daily buffet breakfast, return airport transfers; daily ski bus transfers to either Coronet Peak or The Remarkables ski areas and daily ski hire. For your chance to win this spectacular holiday, simply send in a caption to go with the photo pictured to the left. Email your answers to: [email protected]. Entries will be accepted until close of business on Monday 3rd May and the winner will be announced in TD on Wednesday 5th May. Photo: 2009 The Remarkables Spring Carnival The person who sends in the most creative caption CLICK HERE FOR TERMS & CONDITIONS for this photo will be the lucky winner of this prize!

Travel Daily Australia | 1300 799 220 | www.traveldaily.com.au | April 2010 Page 8

719 Stanley Street WOOLLOONGABBA QLD 4102

Ph: 07 3392 1722 Fax: 07 3392 0741 www.snowscene.com.au

Dear Valued Agents,

Snowscene have released their SNOBUS NZ Group Tour brochure!

• 10% Commissionable • 3 Departures available – 04 July, 07 August & 05 September, 2010 • Return direct economy flights with Air New Zealand (ex Brisbane) • 7 nights in Queenstown with 5 days skiing PLUS bonus inclusions • Services of a Tour Guide for the week • Group Tour • Hot Breakfast daily • Prices start from:- $1769.00 p/person • Unique product not available through another wholesaler

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