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The sad state of Aussie ski resorts ahead of winter holiday season

Ski resorts in Australia have had to get creative ahead of the tourist-heavy ski season after a lack of snowfall, despite plunging temperatures. The ski season begins this year on the June long weekend, running alongside the King’s Birthday on June 8th. Despite expecting a huge influx of keen skiers, there has only been light flurries of snow so far, according to WeatherZone, which melt away quickly and don't settle on the ground for long. In order to accommodate the busy season, Thredbo has had to resort to using fake snow for people to ski on. Manufactured snow happens by combining pressurised air and water through a ‘snow gun’ that gets blasted out into the air. The most ideal time to create the fake snow is on clear nights with low humidity, as the higher the humidity the colder it needs to be to make the flurries. Several photos from ski.com.au's cameras have shown popular ski sites with a disappointing lack of snow, in scenes similar to last year's ski season. “No significant snowfalls are on the horizon for the mainland Australian ski resorts before the official King’s Birthday Long Weekend season opening,” Weatherzone reports. “Snow-making began on the weekend at several resorts and has continued into the working week in the cold dry, air in the wake of the cold front.” According to WeatherZone, high-pressure systems, which have brought constant rain to the east coast recently, have been blocking the snowfall. Image credits: Xinhua News Agency / Thredbo

Travel Trouble

“Bloody ripper of a meteor” lights up Perth skies

A few lucky Western Australians have witnessed the moment a bright green meteor flashed brightly across the state's South West. The meteor was the size of a cricket ball and had a 200-kilometre-long tail, which was first spotted at around 8.50pm on Wednesday after entering the atmosphere over Pemberton. The rare spectacle, which only happens around three times a year, lasted about five seconds and travelled at a speed of 30 km/h before the mix of iron, rock and ice dissolved over the Southern Ocean. “Iron meteors give off that beautiful green glow,” Perth Observatory spokesperson Matt Woods told 7NEWS. Experts also said that this was triggered by the outer layer of the meteor melting because of intense friction. The observatory said that the meteor had set off a flood of messages, emails and calls from the people that witnessed the natural phenomenon. “That was a bloody ripper of a meteor tonight,” they posted on their Facebook page. One witness said that you had to see it with your own eyes to fully appreciate its beauty. “I will say it was way better in person. It looked almost rainbow-coloured. Just spectacular,” commented one person. “Did anyone just see a bright streak of light shooting from the sky? It was too bright to be a shooting star,” another person shared on social media. “It was massive and extremely bright.” Image: 7NEWS

Domestic Travel

Olympian dies at just 37 years of age

It’s a sad day in the world of winter sports and the Alpine Ski World Cup. Italian skier and silver medalist, Elena Fanchini has died at 37 from a tumour. "At the end of a serious illness, Elena Fanchini passed away in her home in Solato (near Brescia)," the Italian Winter Sports Federation said in a short statement. Fanchini died on the same day that fellow Italian skier Marta Bassio won the super-G world championships in Meribel, France; and just two days after Federica Brignone, a former teammate, won gold in combined. Another fellow skier, Sofia Goggia, the favourite for Saturday’s downhill, dedicated her win in Cortina d’Ampezzo last month to Fanchini. American champion skier, Mikaela Shiffrin took to Twitter to share her grief over Fanchini’s death. "This was a day filled with emotions. There is so much I'd like to share... but what weighs the heaviest is the loss of @ElenaFanchini,” she said in her tweet. Fanchini won a silver medal in the 2005 world championships and two World Cup races in her career - both in downhill. Fanchini last skied competitively in December 2017. She was cleared to return to training almost a year late but her condition had worsened. She had to miss the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics because of her condition. Fanchini's younger sisters Nadia and Sabrina were also World Cup racers. Image credit: Getty

Caring

"Just one snowfall away": Aussie ski resorts dismiss doom and gloom warnings

Australian ski resorts have dismissed warnings about the possibility of a below-average snowfall this season as they prepare for opening weekend. Meteorologists have warned that if a number of climate factors combine this winter, the 2023 snow season could be one of the worst in decades. Although images have shown poor snow coverage at NSW and Victoria’s biggest ski resorts, staff have rejected concerns the season won’t pick up. Michael Fearnside, operations director at Perisher Ski Resort, the largest in the southern hemisphere, told news.com.au it is “certainly not doom and gloom” for the industry. According to Fearnside, only time will tell. “This is my 38th winter working in the snow industry and some of our best seasons have begun with low snowfall at the start,” Fearnside said. “Our business is weather dependent but we’re always just one snowfall away, it’s no different to a farmer waiting for the weather to break.” Similar to other resorts, Fearnside added Perisher had made significant investments in snow-making and as a result, they haven’t had to rely on snowfall, with snow guns ready to be deployed “as soon as the conditions are right”. “Our snow-making covers 53.4 hectares across the resort and sets us apart for having the most reliable ski and board experience all season long,” “It’s certainly not doom and gloom, we’ve seen this before and we’re just waiting for the weather pattern to settle down.” Snowy Mountains ski resort Thredbo will need to rely on its own snow-making, despite it and Perisher being the first to see snow in April. Meanwhile, in Victoria’s Alps, the Mount Buller Alpine Resort has been steadily producing a mass amount of snow since the beginning of May and has a network of 341 snow-making guns ready to “kick into action” when necessary. Resort spokeswoman Rhylla Morgan said it is “all hands on deck” to finalise preparations. “In recent seasons there have been bumper early snowfalls and we’ve been spoiled with plenty of natural snow from the beginning,” she said. “And as much as we love to see snowfall at any time, we are taking comfort in the fact that early snow doesn’t translate to a better snow season.” Morgan noted two of the best snow seasons on record at Mt Buller, 1956 and 1958, “had no snow for the season start in June”. “But we’ll leave the forecasting to the professionals and, like all snow enthusiasts, we’ll be watching the forecast closely and hoping for the best.” Victorian resorts, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are hoping to repeat the record-breaking 2022 snow season, the first full return after the Covid lockdowns. Mt Hotham’s general manager of operations Len Dobell said the mountaintop resort had its “best season on record” in 2022. Falls Creek Alpine Resort head of marketing Andrew Eckersley said the resort had “more than 500,000 visitation days” in 2022, and was already expecting similar numbers of bookings in 2023. “Last year there was massive pent-up demand from people not being able to ski as much as they want over the last few years in,” Eckersley said. “The fact there’s not a huge amount of difference shows there’s still the appetite to visit the snow.” Although those numbers could be attributed to earlier snowfalls leading to an earlier season opening, Eckersley said he was hopeful the cold front ahead would bring some snow. Sky News Australia meteorologist Alison Osbourne confirmed that despite there being a cold front shifting across the alpine regions, it is not guaranteed to bring snow. “The best weather systems for good snowfall have the most precipitation after a cool change, so it's cold enough for heavy snow,” she said. “This is the opposite, heavy rain is coming before the cold weather does. The freezing level is far too high. “This rain is very likely to wash away the existing cover and while it remains warm, windy, and wet, conditions for snow-making are unfavourable.” Cooler westerly winds are expected to push over the Alps on June 16, lowering the freezing level in time for the June 10 snow season opening, but not enough for significant snowfall. “The silver lining is that snow-making conditions improve for the rest of the weekend.” Image credit: Getty

Travel Trouble

Who hit who? Gwyneth Paltrow fighting “hit and run” charges

Gwyneth Paltrow has appeared in court as she fights charges over a skiing collision that left a man with permanent injuries and brain damage. The actor-turned-wellness influencer is being sued for $450,000 (AUD) by a retired optometrist, who claims Paltrow violently crashed into him in 2016 while skiing at one of the most upscale ski resorts in the United States. Terry Sanderson, 76, said Paltrow was skiing down the slopes so recklessly that they collided, leaving him on the ground as she and her entourage continued their descent down Deer Valley Resort, Utah. "Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control," Sanderson's attorneys claim in the lawsuit, "knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries. Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured." With the lawsuit now lasting several years, Sanderson is suing Paltrow for the hefty six figure sum, claiming that the accident was a result of negligence, and left him with physical injuries and emotional distress. As the trial began, a central question in the case was posed, wondering which skier had the right of way. At ski resorts, the skier who is downhill has the right of way, so the case is largely focused around who was farther down the beginner's run when the collision transpired. Both Paltrow and Sanderson claim in court filings that they were farther downhill when the other rammed into them. Sanderson has also accused the ski resort of "covering up" the matter by not providing complete information on incident reports and not following resort safety policies. After his initial lawsuit seeking $US3.1 million ($4.65 million AUD) was dropped, Sanderson amended the complaint and he is now seeking $US300,000. Paltrow filed a counterclaim, seeking attorney fees and $US1 ($1.50) in damages, as she claims Sanderson was actually the culprit in the collision, is overstating his injuries, and is trying to exploit her celebrity and wealth. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

"She's really left us": Stunning double rainbow graces the skies

As news of Queen Elizabeth's passing broke, people in the UK took to the gates of both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to pay their respects to the monarch. As mourners gathered arm-in-arm to remember their Queen, they were graced with an emotional and magical sight. A spectacular double rainbow appeared over the dreary skies of London, with devastated Brits saying the Queen "sent us a sign" and that she has "really left us". The double rainbow even appeared over the Victoria memorial, prompting some to say it is "Queen Elizabeth with Prince Phillip". One twitter user said, "The rainbow at Windsor Castle made me cry. The rainbow Queen sent us a sign." Another said, "A rainbow breaks out, as the Union Jack is lowered to half-mast at Windsor tonight. A remarkable image. Farewell, Ma'am." The monarch was under medical supervision due to her deteriorating health but unfortunately died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8th at 8:30pm local time (3:30am AEDT). “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” The Royal Family tweeted. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” The public was notified of her death through the traditional form of a formal message placed on an easel on the railings outside the Palace. Image credits: Getty Images / BBC News

Caring

Michael Schumacher’s family accused of lying about star’s condition

Michael Schumacher's family have been accused of lying about the F1 star’s condition following a scary brain injury incident. The F1 champion’s health has been closely monitored following a terrifying skiing accident at a French resort of Meribel in December 2013. His wife and family have been keeping his condition under wraps as he recovers at their home in Switzerland. However, Schumacher's former manager Willi Weber, 80, has accused the family of preventing him from visiting and speaking to the star since the incident. Weber has spoken to Schumacher's wife Corinna and close friend Jean Todt who repeatedly told him that “it’s too early” and to just “wait”. “I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn't answer," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I called Jean Todt to ask him if I should go to the hospital and he told me to wait – it's too early. "I called the next day and no one answered. I didn't expect behaviour like that and I'm still angry about it. They kept me out, telling me it's too early, well now it's too late. It's been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is. "I could understand the situation initially as I always did everything I could for Michael to protect his private life. But since then we have only heard lies from them." Corrina appeared in the Netflix documentary SCHUMACHER, and spoke about wanting to protect her family after her husband’s incident. “Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength, I find," she said. "We're together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond. "And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will. "We're trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.” Image: Getty

Caring

Devastating reason ski-resort won’t reopen

A ski-resort in NSW won’t be able to open up this winter due to the early snowfall which has now delayed a rebuild that was destroyed in the 2020 bushfires. Selwyn Snow Resort shared the devastating news on Facebook explaining the hurdles they keep overcoming and will come out stronger after this one. The family friendly ski-resort was completely destroyed during the horrific bushfires that blanketed the state in 2020. “We’re deeply saddened that we find ourselves in this situation,” the post read. “Due to unprecedented early snowfalls the Selwyn re-build will not be complete by 2nd July.” Despite occurring during off-season, five of their employees had to be evacuated but with high hopes of reopening. The past seven days has seen some record snowfall and the resort was upset after the builder explained that it would be difficult to complete the renovations and rebuilding on time. “It’s difficult to be here after the hurdles we have faced over the last few years, and we want to thank our guests and the public for your ongoing support. “We know that this is devastating news for our guests, employees and local communities, and want you to know that we share this sadness with you and look forward to a fresh start in 2023.” Guests who purchased products from Selwyn Snow Resort will be refunded in full. Image: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Australia’s oldest living Olympian turns 100

Frank Prihoda, Australia’s oldest living Olympian, is celebrating his 100th birthday today at his home in Thredbo Village in the NSW Snowy Mountains. Born into the Great Depression, Mr Prihoda has experienced both highs and lows across his century of life, including early tragedy, defection, emigration, running a business, and fulfilling an Olympic dream. Mr Prihoda was born in 1921 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and learned to ski as a child with his older sister Sasha. His passion and talent saw him eventually representing a country on the other side of the world, when he competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics Games on the Australian team in the giant slalom and slalom events. Recalling the achievement, Mr Prihoda said inadequate snow cover almost jeopardised the races, held at the Italian venue in Cortina D’Ampezzo. “Because of the lack of snow, we were concerned, would it be held?” Mr Prihoda recalled. “The day before the race, the fire brigade came to the slope and sprayed the whole mountain with water. It froze. It was like an ice-skating rink. “As a result, a lot of racers came to grief [at] the third gate … I managed to hang on but I didn’t really measure up. I finished in the middle of the field.” Mr Prihoda continued to ski until he was 90. “Sometimes I miss it of course,” he said. “You get these moods and think, ‘What a pity, I would love to be up there’. But it doesn’t bother me all that much now.” In his early life, Mr Prihoda faced trials off the slopes. After the unexpected deaths of his parents in 1937, Mr Prihoda, who was just 16, took over the family’s artificial flower manufacturing business and managed it through World War II. When Czechoslovakia became communist, he escaped the country on his skis, entering Austria before he and his family emigrated to Melbourne in 1950. “I knew there was snow in Australia, so I brought my skis with me,” he said. Though he started business ventures involving artificial flowers, furniture, and textiles, Mr Prihoda would take to the slopes at Mount Buller, in the Victorian Alps, when he could. While skiing there, his talent was quickly spotted and he would eventually be selected for the 1956 Olympic team. Years after his Olympic ventures, Mr Prihoda would move from Victoria to the NSW Snowy Mountains in 1974, as both his fellow Olympian sister and a childhood friend were already there. “My sister was a racing star in Europe,” he said. “She and her husband Karel Nekvapil opened a lodge in 1959, which is now called Black Bear Inn. “I had a close contact with Thredbo for many years before I came to settle in.” Mr Prihoda ran a gift shop, Frank’s Store, at Thredbo for 27 years until he retired at 80. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRCmwOPnA-s/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRCmwOPnA-s/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Thredbo Resort (@thredboresort)</a> </div> </blockquote> When Mr Prihoda celebrates his birthday, he will be surrounded by the familiar scenery of snow and mountains. Image: Thredbo Resort

Retirement Life

‘Pink’ supermoon will light up our skies tonight

Looking up at the sky tonight, you can expect to see a full moon making its closest approach to Earth this month in a phenomenon described as a supermoon. In North America, the April full moon is also known as a “pink” moon. Despite the name it actually isn’t pink in colour. According to folklore, the moon is named for the first pink flower of the season. While the Moon will look full for the whole of tonight, the full moon happens at a specific point in time in astronomy, when the Moon is directly opposite the Sun (syzygy). This year, the full moon occurs just after midday on April 26th in every state except Western Australia, where it falls at 11am. 12 hours later, perigee happens, where the Moon comes within 357,378 kilometres from Earth. Because perigee happens within 24 hours of a full moon, it’s also called a “supermoon”. But astronomers prefer to call this kind of “supermoon” a perigee-syzygy moon. Whatever name you choose to call it, you can see the Moon in all its glory from the moment it rises. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COIxVNDhuTb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COIxVNDhuTb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Maus Taus Trading Co. (@maus_taus)</a> </div> </blockquote> “The astronomical full moon is 12 hours away from perigee, but to the casual observer it makes no difference,” says casual astronomer Ian Musgrave. When can I see the supermoon? Though the Moon will look huge as it rises just above the horizon, the time to see the Moon at its closest point will be just before or after midnight, depending on your time zone. For those in AEST time, the Moon will be its largest at 1.22am on April 28, while those in ACST and AWST can catch the phenomenon at 12.52am and 11.22pm respectively. In reality, it can be hard to tell the difference between a supermoon, normal full moon, and mini moon with the naked eye. “But if you are measuring the Moon in a telescope, you’ll see it get bigger as it gets higher in the sky [and] as it gets closer to actual perigee,” Dr Musgrave says. How common are supermoons? Surprisingly, supermoons occur pretty frequently. Last year, there were three supermoons, including a pink one. But, the actual number of supermoons depends on how you define the term, according to astronomer Andrew Jacob of Sydney Observatory. The term was originally coined in 1979 to describe full moons and new moons that occur when the Moon is within 90 per cent of perigee. Some define supermoons by the 24-hour rule, while others believe a supermoon occurs when the Moon is less than 360,000 kilometres from Earth. Under the first rule, there are two super full moons this year. Using the second rule, there are three super full moons and two super new moons occurring this year. The next super full moon will fall in May. Not only will it be slightly closer than the April full moon, it will also be a total lunar eclipse across Australia. This means the Moon will actually change colour as it passes through Earth’s shadow and will be red. Known as a “blood moon”, the colour is caused by sunlight that is filtered and refracted as it passes through the atmosphere.

News

Come ski with us

‘Haere mai - welcome to all our Aussie friends and rellies,’ says Justine Tyerman as the first snows of 2021 dust mountain tops around Wanaka in New Zealand’s South Island. ‘Now the trans-Tasman bubble is open, come ski with us!’ Crack open the bubbly . . . or the beer! This coming winter season, with the long-awaited trans-Tasman bubble now open, we are welcoming our Aussie rellies and mates back to our ski resorts. It will be a time of great celebration! Our Sydney-based family will finally be able to join us so we’re planning a family reunion at beautiful<a href="https://www.buchananlodge.co.nz/"> Buchanan Lodge</a> on the shores of Lake Wanaka. We’re all keen skiers so depending on the weather and snow conditions, we’ll head for either Cardrona or Treble Cone which are both now covered by a single lift pass. <img style="width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840885/2-justine-on-cardronas-southern-boundary-with-willows-basin-in-the-background.gif" alt="Justine on Cardrona's southern boundary with Willow’s Basin in the background. Picture by Chris Tyerman" data-udi="umb://media/d371d59177fa4fd7aaaf7c2429fc5425" /> Justine on Cardrona's southern boundary with Willow’s Basin in the background. Picture by Chris Tyerman Cardrona purchased Treble Cone Ski Area in January, 2020, so the winter of 2021 marks the second season that Treble Cone has operated under the banner of Cardrona Alpine Resorts. Prior to this, Cardrona, 34 kilometres south-west of Wanaka up the Cardrona Valley, and Treble Cone, 23 kilometres north-west of Wanaka on the Mt Aspiring Road, had been arch rivals. Cardrona marketed itself as a friendly, fun field accessible to all levels of skiers and snowboarders while Treble Cone was largely the exclusive domain of experts. Cardrona’s 400 hectares are characterised by cruisy, open, undulating, perfectly-groomed pistes, gentle basins and world-class terrain parks. The field is classified as 25 percent beginner, 25 percent intermediate, 30 percent advanced and 20 percent expert. Treble Cone’s 550-hectare field is famous for its long, steep, uncrowded runs, natural half pipes and chutes, legendary off-piste terrain and spectacular panoramas over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. The resort is classified as 10 percent beginner, 45 percent intermediate and 45 percent advanced. In the words of Cardrona Alpine Resorts’ General Manager, Bridget Legnavsky, the pair are a perfect match. ‘Cardrona and Treble Cone are the yin to each other's yang . . .’ Cardrona is my preferred mountain. It’s more mellow than Treble Cone - I’ve skied at ‘Cardy’ for 40 years and know it so well, I can find my way down in a complete whiteout. I’ll leave Treble Cone’s steep, challenging pistes to my daredevil sons-in-law. Besides, the winter of 2021 brings a real game-changer at Cardrona – there’s thrilling new terrain to explore this season thanks to the installation of the Willow’s Basin chairlift, the first of the Soho Basin developments on Cardrona’s southern boundary. <img style="width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840886/3-soho-basin-and-the-southern-alps-from-the-top-of-cardrona.gif" alt="Soho Basin and the Southern Alps from the top of Cardrona. Picture by Justine Tyerman" data-udi="umb://media/abe0fdfc561045b283a96a1dc9bdb329" /> Soho Basin and the Southern Alps from the top of Cardrona. Picture by Justine Tyerman Real Journeys, who own Cardrona Alpine Resorts, bought the ski field rights to the privately-owned Soho Basin in July 2018. When development is complete, the resort will effectively more than double in size to over 900 hectares of skiable terrain, creating New Zealand’s largest alpine resort. I’ve long drooled over Soho’s wide, pristine slopes which overlook the Wakatipu Basin and the Southern Alps - itching to plunge off the edge of the Skyline cat track and carve lines in the virgin snow. The high altitude, southerly-facing aspect of the Soho field means it receives and retains a great cover of early and late snow. So this winter, skiers and snowboarders will be able to blast their way into virgin territory hitherto accessible only by snowcat. <img style="width: 500px; height: 374.609375px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840884/1-from-this-winter-skiers-and-snowboarders-will-have-access-to-the-wide-open-slopes-and-valleys-of-willows-basin-on-cardronas-southern-boundary.gif" alt="From this winter, skiers and snowboarders will have access to the wide open slopes and valleys of Willow’s Basin on Cardrona's southern boundary. Picture supplied" data-udi="umb://media/3099cca6422345f0ae3aeda77e527a2a" /> From this winter, skiers and snowboarders will have access to the wide open slopes and valleys of Willow’s Basin on Cardrona's southern boundary. Picture supplied Ironically, the Willow’s chairlift – the upcycled, refurbished former McDougall’s Quad that was replaced by the McDougall’s Chondola in 2017 – was originally destined for the Pringles area below Captains Café but the discovery of rare and endangered lizards in the construction zone in 2019 necessitated a radical rethink. I for one, was ecstatic with the news. While the Pringles lift would have undoubtedly unlocked some seriously-challenging terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders, for people like me who only get to ski a week a year if I’m lucky, the cruisy, sunny slopes of Willow’s Basin will be absolute perfection. After all, the experts have a whole mountain to themselves at Treble Cone. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.5px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840883/new-zealand-skiing.gif" alt="Treble Cone is known for its long, steep, uncrowded runs. Treble Cone photo" data-udi="umb://media/81e2e453e61645c5b2c523cd6109c431" /> Treble Cone is known for its long, steep, uncrowded runs. Treble Cone photo Looking down into Willow’s, there’s no sign of the eponymous trees which grow so prolifically alongside Lake Wanaka and the Clutha River. Turns out the basin and the new lift were named after the cult classic film, Willow, scenes of which were filmed at Cardrona in the 1980s. Further lifts are planned for Soho in the future, including a main express chairlift which will link the area to the top of Captain’s Basin. But thanks to the lizards, the Willow’s lift is under construction right now! And there’s more good news — the Valley View Quad will be back in operation for the 2021 season after being out of action last year due to Covid-19 severely restricting Cardrona’s operational capacity. This lift, combined with the new Willow’s Quad, will increase the resort’s uphill lift capacity by 44 percent compared with last season. We’re now on the countdown to Cardrona’s opening day sometime in June. The first snow of the season has dusted the mountain tops and Central Otago’s spectacular autumn colours are a riot of scarlet, gold and amber. <img style="width: 500px; height: 333.3333333333333px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840887/4-cardrona-has-cruisy-open-undulating-perfectly-groomed-pistes-mellow-basins-and-world-class-terrain-parks.gif" alt="Cardrona has cruisy, open, undulating, perfectly-groomed pistes, mellow basins and world-class terrain parks. Cardrona Alpine Resorts photo" data-udi="umb://media/525c3f9f49b248fb9dafe6dbfcefa702" /> Cardrona has cruisy, open, undulating, perfectly-groomed pistes, mellow basins and world-class terrain parks. Cardrona Alpine Resorts photo So make sure to get your Earlybird multi-day pass before April 30 when the sale ends. Apart from saving money, having a multi-day pass (or even better, a season pass) allows you to avoid ticket office queues at Cardrona’s base facilities because you can park further down the road in the Valley View Quad car park or sneak into a small park just above the bottom of the Whitestar lift. It also shaves valuable minutes off the drive up the mountain . . . so you can beat the Aussies to the powder! * For more information go to:<a href="https://www.cardrona.com/winter/"> Cardrona Alpine Resorts</a> * Stay at<a href="https://www.buchananlodge.co.nz/"> Buchanan Lodge</a> overlooking Lake Wanaka * Hire a<a href="https://www.jucy.com/nz/en/"> JUCY</a> Rental vehicle from the depot near Queenstown Airport.

International Travel

See inside Jerry Seinfeld’s stunning Colorado retreat

Jerry Seinfeld’s stunning holiday sanctuary may just be one of the most glorious properties you’ve ever seen from a celebrity. The comedian and his wife, Jessica, are looking to offload the Colorado paradise for $19.65 million (US $14.95m). The 27-acreage is frequently visited by the Seinfelds and their three children as they are all avid skiers. Listing agent Bill Fandel told Mansion Global that the pair have decided to sell as their children are older and due to the fast-moving real-estate market The guesthouse that boasts four-bedrooms and adjoins onto the property is also available for $3.65 million (US$2.77m), reports claims. The Seinfelds bought the ski getaway in 2007 for a cool US$7.55 million. The estate has been up for sale in the past as well, including when Jerry tested the waters in 2011, with a price tag of $24 million (US$18.3 million). The couple then had a change of heart and took it off the market within a few months. Colorado is home to many incredible estates that cater to the rich, and this 1,140 sqm rustic lodge with 11 bedrooms, 11 full bathrooms, and three half-bathrooms, is no exception. Built in 1991, the home is nestled persfsctly into the private enclave and offers a perfect holiday spot for family and friends in the small town of Telluride. Seinfeld purchased the main house in 2007, and the guesthouse a year later to use as a caretaker’s cottage. “After the Seinfelds purchased the property, they did a remodel and re-imagined the whole place,” Mr Fandel said. There is a vaulted great room that comes with a stone-surround fireplace, and even offers unbelievable mountain views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. With an updated, state of the art kitchen and other features including a wood-panelled library, game room, gym and yoga room, and a four-car garage – it almost makes the multi-million dollar price tag sound reasonable. Seinfeld, a New York native, dominated the TV line-up in the 1990s with his long-running sitcom Seinfeld, which ran from 1989 until 1998.

Real Estate

Grace on the mountain: Crown Princess Mary's adorable ski-holiday snaps

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has given royal fans a glimpse of the family’s latest skiing holiday via the Danish Royal Family Instagram account. Princess Mary, 48, relaxed against the mountains of Switzerland with her beloved dog Grace, who has been with the family since 2017. Her son, Vincent, 9, was also shown in another photo relaxing in the snow next to Grace. Princess Mary and her four children Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine began a 12-week spring term last month at the Lemania-Verbier International School in Switzerland. It’s clear that the family are enjoying their time in Switzerland, as the Danish Royal Family Instagram account captioned the snaps “A greeting from Switzerland where Grace enjoys life in the mountains and snow.” The snaps quickly racked up 28,000 likes from royal fans who were excited to see the family relaxing with their dog. Scroll through the gallery to see the snaps.

International Travel

Reese Witherspoon could be her daughter’s twin in stunning ski selfie

Reese Witherspoon’s 20-year-old daughter, Ava Phillippe is growing up to look exactly like her after her mother took to Instagram to share a sweet snap of the duo on a skiing trip. Looking more like sisters rather than mother-daughter, Witherspoon captioned the selfie “Weekend ski bunnies” as the photograph overlooked the mountains. Ava showed her appreciation in the comments, writing, “I love youuuu”. The pair are known to have a close relationship with the actress regularly sharing snaps of the two on her Instagram page. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8orIcvAzGT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8orIcvAzGT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Weekend ski bunnies 🎿</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reesewitherspoon/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Reese Witherspoon</a> (@reesewitherspoon) on Feb 16, 2020 at 9:06am PST </div> </blockquote> Ava, who is currently in her second year of college at the University of California, Berkeley, also shared a photo of her mum while she was visiting her on campus. Phillippe is also her mother’s biggest supporter. In December last year she posted a congratulatory caption on Instagram after Witherspoon was honoured with the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Women in Entertainment gala. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5HYpgFn6kt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5HYpgFn6kt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">quick visit from my cute mama ❤️</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/avaphillippe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Ava</a> (@avaphillippe) on Nov 20, 2019 at 9:15pm PST </div> </blockquote> “Major congratulations to my mama, who received an award today for her leadership in the industry that she cares so deeply about improving. I’m so grateful to have a mom this thoughtful, passionate, and courageous, and I’m glad other people can recognise how special she is!” she wrote. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B58gwMDJcKT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B58gwMDJcKT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Major congratulations to my mama, who received an award today for her leadership in the industry that she cares so deeply about improving. I’m so grateful to have a mom this thoughtful, passionate, and courageous, and I’m glad other people can recognize how special she is! 💐</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/avaphillippe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Ava</a> (@avaphillippe) on Dec 11, 2019 at 12:26pm PST </div> </blockquote> Phillippe’s dad, actor Ryan Phillippe, told Entertainment Tonight in 2017 that he finds it strange to be constantly told how his kids, Ava and Deacon, look exactly like their parents. "I mean, it's weird, because isn't that obvious?" he joked. "Who else are they going to look like, you know? I always find that such a weird thing, like, [Ava] looks exactly like her mother, who else is she going to look like? It's an odd thing that people fixate on that."

Beauty & Style

We have just discovered the world’s most dazzling skies

Active volcanoes, island sanctuaries and breathtaking views sound like a dream to many, but can quickly become a reality when visiting New Zealand’s vast North Island. A location rich in Māori culture, the sprawling farmlands and geothermal wonders will give you plenty to talk about and even more to remember as you journey through a trip of a lifetime. The awe-inspiring enclave is one that must be seen to be believed, and there is no better way to truly immerse yourself in the experience of a lifetime than with <a href="https://www.princess.com/">Princess Cruises</a>. As you make your way around the highly coveted regions of New Zealand, you will feel at ease knowing that you’re touring with a company that prides itself on delivering quality service and an unforgettable experience. Here are three reasons as to why you should visit North Island in New Zealand: 1. The picturesque sights The Great Barrier Island is ideal for those who enjoy stargazing. It’s one of only four Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world, which allows people to witness the Milky Way. A Dark Sky Sanctuary is a location that is known for its distinguished quality of starry skies and is an area that has been protected. Dark Sky Sanctuaries are usually in remote locations and there are few if any, nearby threats to the quality of the dark night sky. This means that stargazing at these locations is ideal, as you’re bound to see everything and anything that the sky has to offer. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825104/great-barrier-island-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e980d6927c784ec2a40792d90c174b1c" /> What the Dark Sky Sanctuary looks like at night As the Great Barrier Island is the sixth-largest island in New Zealand, it’s not the easiest place in the world to get to. Princess Cruises recognise this and have expanded their Across the Ditch program to include access to the Great Barrier Island. Now, It’s no longer a challenge to get out there. Princess Cruises’ Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Stuart Allison has explained the reason behind the expansion: “With New Zealand attracting more repeat cruisers than any other itinerary, we’ve broadened our Across the Ditch Program this year by partnering exclusively with a number of regional experts to offer our guests a number of truly immersive and authentic tourism experiences.” 2. The serene sounds With specific regional adventures at each New Zealand port, a variety of different sounds will be heard. As Princess Cruises takes you through a number of ports across North Island, you will be able to hear traditional Māori chants that come with the Haka War Dance or Poi Dancing. You’re also able to perform these dances yourself! <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7825103/princess-native-ship.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/943c154d344e458a962ac850d7f9db72" /> A Princess Cruise ship on the sea But if you prefer activities that aren’t so high strung, you can choose to experience the complete silence that comes with exploring the glow worms in Auckland, as the Glowworm Grotto will leave you in awe. Princess Cruises has partnered exclusively with a number of regional experts to offer their guests a variety of truly immersive and authentic tourism experiences, like the one mentioned above. Mr Allison explains: “Princess Cruises has a long association with New Zealand and the many regional communities we visit, which share in the success of cruising. We look forward to growing in partnership with communities in ways that support sustainable tourism across culture and landscape.” 3. The immersive experiences One of the many highlights of the trip takes you off the beaten track as you take a ride through North Island’s gorgeous countryside towards Rotorua. Your driver – who also doubles as your guide – will take you to the first stop of the day, which is Agrodome, a sheep and beef farm complete with scenic views wherever you turn. The tour involves activities appropriate for the entire family, such as sheep shearing demonstrations and the opportunity to watch sheep dogs in action. Also included in the itinerary is Te Puia, home of the internationally renowned spouting Pohutu geyser. And to give you the most authentic experience possible, your guide will be of Māori heritage, and will tell you stories and legends of the beautiful country. The last 45 years, visitors have had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Māori culture with the help of the Te Puia’s Māori Arts & Crafts Institute. During your visit, you will enjoy a delicious lunch and the world-famous haka – a war dance used to frighten enemies. To finish it off, your drive back takes you through the stunning Rotorua and kiwifruit country, giving you the perfect opportunity to take photos and relax. The North Island of New Zealand has a lot on offer, and luckily there’s a way to see it all. Princess Cruises offer a range of packages to suit all budget and time allowances. For more information on Princess Cruises, see a licensed travel agent or visit <a href="https://www.princess.com/">www.princess.com</a>. Scroll through the gallery above to witness the beautiful starry sky of North Island. This is sponsored content brought to you by <a href="https://www.princess.com/">Princess Cruises</a>.

Cruising

This is the best place to ski in New Zealand

Justine Tyerman, travel writer from New Zealand, was present at the birth of Cardona and eagerly awaits the latest addition… Riding to the top of a ski resort in a bubble is about to become a reality in New Zealand. My favourite ski area, Cardrona Alpine Resort near Wanaka, is due to open its new $10 million Doppelmayr ‘chondola’, a lift combining eight-person gondola cabins or ‘bubbles’ and six-seater chairs on June 10. The new McDougall’s Express Chondola is the first cabin-style lift on a ski area in New Zealand, replacing the existing McDougall’s Quad chairlift. The high-speed Chondola will increase the lift capacity by 150 percent, with an hourly uplift of 2,550 skiers, snowboarders and sightseers. The new lift is 100m closer to the base facilities, making it faster and easier to get up the mountain. No walking uphill to the lift queue in skiboots with skis on your shoulder. It will be ideal for beginners, allowing first-time skiers and snowboarders the ability to walk on and off a gondola cabin and ride to the top of the mountain on their first day. From the top of McDougall’s they can access the mellow Skyline trail or New Zealand’s longest beginner trail, A Real Journey, over to Captain's Basin. Sightseers can also travel to the top of the mountain in the warmth and comfort of a gondola cabin to view the panorama that still takes my breath away, even after 36 years – row-upon-row of the Southern Alps, the entire Wakatipu Basin and little Arrowtown nestled in the valley below. We’ve skied at Cardrona since its very first season in 1980 and have witnessed the mountain develop into a world-class resort. Waiting out a blizzard last year, I read the entire fascinating history of the resort displayed on the wall of the Captain’s café. Tall, rangy Cardrona pioneer and founder John Lee is pictured there building his non-consented ‘high-quality farm road’ back in the 1970s. The Mt Pisa farmer had a bold vision to one day ‘farm snow’ so he designed the road with a gradual gradient so that busses and cars could manage it with ease. The road today is a testament to John’s methodical planning many decades ago – gentle, wide and well-barriered, I always feel safe on that road. 1980 was the first official ski season at Cardrona but there was so much snow, the new field was open for only 16 days. The following year, they operated for six weeks and purchased a snow groomer. The double lift was installed in 1983 followed by McDougall’s lift and a 200-seat café in 1985. In hindsight, it seems bizarre but Cardrona actually banned snowboarding in the late 1980s, a ban that was only lifted in 1989 when one of the managers got hooked on what was then considered a renegade sport after he was persuaded to take a lesson. The famous blue clock tower was added in 1993-5 along with the Mezz Café, expanded kids’ facilities, apartments and a medical centre. In the summer of 1999-2000, mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing at Arcadia began, heralding a new era of operations at Cardrona outside the winter months. An express quad chair replaced the Captain’s Quad in 2008 and the old Captain’s lift was installed as the Valley View lift in 2010. Real Journeys bought Cardrona Alpine Resort in 2013, and the intermediate jumpline opened in 2014, bringing the resort’s freestyle collection to four terrain parks, two half pipes and a big air jump. The summer of 2015-2016 was Cardrona’s first full summer of operations including mountain biking, hiking, stargazing and the Southern Hemisphere’s first mountain carts. And on June 10, 2017, the Chondola opens, heralding a whole new chapter in the mountain’s development. While gorging on history, I also learned a number of other fascinating facts including that Captain’s is named after an old rodeo horse who was put out to pasture on Cardrona during the 1970s. He was a nightmare to wrangle, so much so that some of the men wanted to shoot him. But John Lee identified with Captain’s tenacious spirit that matched his own, naming one of the ski field’s basins and lifts after the spirited horse. Ironically, John was not a skier, but his wife Mary was a passionate advocate of the sport and can claim many of Cardrona’s first descents. After a massive snow dump late in the season last year, we had one of our best ever day’s skiing on a pristine, cloudless, windless day. Being mid-week and outside the school or university holidays, there were few other skiers so we had the mountain to ourselves. My brand new Dynastars, on loan from my old friend Kazu at Outside Sports in Wanaka, were humming, and my boots were supremely comfortable after Paul, the Scottish boot doctor at the shop, gave them a stretch to accommodate my burgeoning bunions. We skied every possible on-piste and off-piste run and then treated ourselves to a leisurely lunchbreak and a chilled cider in the sun on the balcony at Captains Café. Even after he lifts officially closed, we persuaded the liftie to let us back on for one last run as the sun began to slide towards the snowy horizon, painting the mountains pink. On the way back to Wanaka, we stopped off at the historic Cardrona Hotel and had a glass of hot mulled wine and chips beside the roaring outside fire, as we have done after every day’s skiing for 36 years. The day was pure magic, the stuff of legends. I can’t wait to do it all again this year . . . and ride the bubble. Have you ever been skiing in New Zealand? * Justine skied courtesy of Cardrona Alpine Resort <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.cardrona.com/" target="_blank">www.cardrona.com/</a> and Outside Sports <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.outsidesports.co.nz/" target="_blank">www.outsidesports.co.nz/</a> Outside Sports has shops in Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau. You can pick up your sporting gear at one shop and drop it off at another. Justine travelled to Wanaka in a <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.jucy.co.nz/our-vehicles/motor-homes/casa-plus/%20%20%20" target="_blank">JUCY Casa Plus motorhome</a>, warm and cosy even in the snow!

Domestic Travel

Fabulous Danish royal family album of fun-filled Switzerland ski holiday

Escaping the limelight can be a difficult feat when you’re a member of a royal family, but Princess Mary and Prince Frederick of Denmark have managed to do just that, whisking their four beautiful children away for a ski trip to Verbier, Switzerland. The 45-year-old Tasmanian-born Princess proved quite the photographer, snapping cute photos of her children Prince Christian, 11, Princess Isabella, nine, and six-year-olds Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine enjoying the snow. The family were also joined by Mary’s Aussie nephew, Alexander Stephens. See their gorgeous holiday album above and tell us in the comments, have you ever visited this stunning part of the world? Photos: H. K. H. Crown Princess / Facebook Related links: <a href="/news/news/2017/02/prince-harrys-roadblock-to-marriage/">Prince Harry’s roadblock to marriage</a> <a href="/news/news/2017/02/william-and-kate-visit-paris-first-time-since-diana-death/">William and Kate’s special tribute to Princess Diana</a> <a href="/news/news/2017/02/duke-and-duchess-install-new-security-measures-to-protect-george-and-charlotte/">Duke and Duchess install new security measures to protect George and Charlotte</a>

News

102-year-old skier retires from the slopes

Britain’s oldest skier, 102-year-old Hilda Jamieson, has called time on the sport she loves. Hilda fell in love with the sport in the 1930s, learning on a set of homemade skis. And she’s being skiing regularly ever since! <img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/17997/hilde-ski-in-text-_497x280.jpg" alt="Hilde Ski In Text - (1)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Unfortunately, a degenerative eye condition has left Hilda almost blind, and even though she has attempted ski-runs in recent months with her daughters acting as beacon guides, she’s decided to hang up her skis in the interest of her own safety. “I love it so much, but I’ve had a good innings,” Mrs Jamieson told Metro UK. Mrs Jamieson and her husband David, who sadly passed in 2002, were pioneers of the sport in Scotland, building the Glenshee Ski Centre, which has 27 ski lifts, 36 runs and is billed as one of the best winter sports resorts in the UK. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/03/98-year-old-skier-shares-his-secret/">98-year-old skier is king of the slopes</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/granny-scares-off-burglar-with-martial-arts-sword/">Granny scares off burglar with martial arts sword</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/03/royal-family-vacations/">60 years of royal family vacations in pictures</a>

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The sad state of Aussie ski resorts ahead of winter holiday season

“Bloody ripper of a meteor” lights up Perth skies

Olympian dies at just 37 years of age

"Just one snowfall away": Aussie ski resorts dismiss doom and gloom warnings

Who hit who? Gwyneth Paltrow fighting “hit and run” charges

"She's really left us": Stunning double rainbow graces the skies

Michael Schumacher’s family accused of lying about star’s condition

Devastating reason ski-resort won’t reopen

Australia’s oldest living Olympian turns 100

‘Pink’ supermoon will light up our skies tonight

Come ski with us

See inside Jerry Seinfeld’s stunning Colorado retreat

Grace on the mountain: Crown Princess Mary's adorable ski-holiday snaps

Reese Witherspoon could be her daughter’s twin in stunning ski selfie

We have just discovered the world’s most dazzling skies

This is the best place to ski in New Zealand

Fabulous Danish royal family album of fun-filled Switzerland ski holiday

102-year-old skier retires from the slopes

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