Winter

Unseasonable snowfalls, causing havoc in New Zealand’s central North Island, at least have a silver lining for winter sports enthusiasts who’re keen to make the most of spring skiing and snowboarding.

After three days of extreme exploits, American freeskier Ted Davenport, of Aspen (Colorado), has raced away with top honours at the World Heli Challenge in New Zealand.

Canada’s winter athletes carried off the team prize as the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games closed yesterday (30.08.09) at Coronet Peak, in Queenstown.

Canada’s snowboarding elite took some time out from the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games to relax Queenstown-style – jumping off bridges and careering through canyons.

New Zealand’s South Island resort of Queenstown will live up to its party reputation next week as hundreds of gay men and women celebrate Gay Ski Week NZ.

The record-breaking 2009 winter season that’s kept New Zealand ski resorts humming is set to ramp up as the inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games get underway this weekend.

Over 200 of the world’s top snowboarders will be on the slopes at Wanaka next week for the Burton New Zealand Open.

Visitors to Mt Hutt ski-field, in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, are catching some spectacular ski action as the ‘capital of speed’ hosts international teams in training for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

One of New Zealand’s smaller South Island ski-fields, Ohau in the Mackenzie Country, is the second-time recipient of a supreme award for hospitality and expertise in tourism operation.

Dunedin’s decadent mid-winter sweetener, the irresistable Cadbury Chocolate Carnival is ready to roll from 11 – 17 July, in the southern New Zealand city.