Winter underway in Mackenzie Country

6 July 2011

The quirky and the traditional is what visitors can expect from an events lineup designed for winter fun amongst the breathtaking beauty of the Mt Cook Mackenzie region.

Lake Tekapo’s famous Alpine Springs is iced up and ready to host slick Ice Skating and Ice Disco moves. Ice Hockey and Curling is already underway and a brand new 69 metre long magic carpet carrying visitors to the top of 150 metre long by 50 metre wide Snow Tubing slope will be open for visitors to hurtle down just as soon as the snow arrives.

Ohau Snow Fields opened on July 1 with its traditional Pirate Night at the Lake Ohau Lodge bar. The Scurvy Dogs provided local and visiting ‘buckos’ all the usual fun and live entertainment.

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This weekend (July 9) is the 25th anniversary of the Irish Hooley being held at Ohau and again the celebrated Ohau Hooley and special Irish Winter Olympics will be held. Expect all sorts of shenanigans on the snow field and some good Irish ‘craic’ with the Black Velvet band playing in the lodge at night.

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Roundhill Ski Area is set to open on this weekend (July 9) and the legacy of Karl Burtscher Senior will be celebrated on July 30 with a Giant Slalom race. Dress up in lycra, fluoro and leg warmers on August 6 for the legendary Roundhill 80’s day, complete with hilarious water jumps and entertainment. Roundhill’s extreme Surface Ski ‘Who’s your Daddy’ Downhill competition takes place on August 13 and features the mountain’s Heritage Express Rope Tow – this one’s not for the faint hearted.

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Don your kilt and head to Ohau on August 13 for the Ben ‘Ohoo’ Highland Games and Scottish Night in the Lake Ohau Lodge restaurant. They’ve got all things Scottish going on with plenty of tartan, haggis, bagpipes and the infectious tunes of The ‘Mac’ Black Velvet Band.

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Skiers and riders can get involved at the Soul Surf and Skate Snow Jam on August 20 at Roundhill with a slopestyle competition held in Central Park. Spectators can watch the action from the deck of the Two Thumb Café.

The legendary one and only Ohau Snow Ball is an event not to be missed. It’s a fancy dress party that takes place on September 10 at Lake Ohau Lodge. The fun rolls into the next day with people and costumes galore on Ohau Snow Fields.

Young guns will tear down the slopes on September 10-11 for the Inter-field junior ski race series at Roundhill and the Dynastar Chill Gromfest on September 17. The Gromfest is an opportunity for young ‘uns to get to grips with the Central Park terrain park.

On September 17, Mt Dobson Ski Area will celebrate the Rugby World Cup with its premiere ‘20 Below Rugby in the Snow’ tournament – seven a side, men’s and mixed teams competing in the snow.

Finally to celebrate the end of the season retro style it’s ‘hot diggidy dog’ Hot Dog Day on September 25 for the closing day of Ohau Snow Fields – this is another chance to show off your fluoro one piece suit – we know you love it.

The Mount Cook Mackenzie Country is home to some of the country’s most majestic scenery and is the ideal destination for your winter holiday whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family holiday with the kids – there’s something for everyone.

For more information about events or winter holidays in the Mt Cook Mackenzie region visit: www.mackenziewinter.co.nz.

Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo have teamed up with Roundhill Ski Area and put together some great short break ski packages, to check these out go to: http://www.peppers.co.nz/bluewater/packages/.

Ohau Snow Field is open and the regions other ski fields are set to open in true Mackenzie style at Roundhill this weekend (July 9) and Mt Dobson (July 15).

ENDS