Hayden Muter.

Race poles were hauled out of the ceiling and Blair Muter set a challenging course between Ski Racers’, Iwikau and Victoria clubs.

 With Anita and Grace Muter absent the Muter skiing dynasty was broken, although Blair took out senior men’s skiing. Thomas Hart was a close second and is a serious contender for top spot next year. Thomas Hawkins took out the junior boys’ skiing in a close finish with Hayden Muter.

No mistakes here (L-R) Hayden Muter, Blair Muter, Yvonne Holcombe, Neil Ranford.

 Ashton Dempsey won the senior men’s snowboarding and Shea Holcombe the junior boys’. President Yvonne Holcombe took out the senior women’s skiing.

 To everyone’s surprise and delight the weather cleared to nearly perfect conditions complete with a good 20cm of new snow. Some great runs were had on the ridges above McKenzie’s Mistake and Tenants Valley.

 The post-race dinner was a cracker – thanks to the Dempsey crew for the delicious pork roast (complete with cracking and apple sauce) and Blair and Hayden Muter for the spectacular “Bombe Ruapehu” (complete with flaming Contrieau).

Blair's Bombe Ruapehu.

Thanks to the participants and organisers. Look forward to a repeat performance next year.

 Jude, Club Captain.

A hot doggin' Thomas Hart.

Thomas Hart (left) and Thomas Hawkins modelling the latest retro look.

Thomas Hart and Thomas Hawkins turned a few heads with their very own ‘retro day’ last Saturday. Thomas Hart modelled a very stylish ‘70s neoprene one-piece racing suit in fire engine red with matching jacket while Thomas Hawkins sported a very fetching cropped bomber jacket in navy blue (compete with action gusset).

I hear they are keen to repeat the fashion show at the Otaihape race day in 17 September.

 Jude, Club Captain

Gary and Sue Hawkins enjoying a bluebird day at Whakapapa.

The school holidays ended on a high note today with blue skies and calm conditions. It was great to see the hut so well occupied over the holidays. The bluebird conditions are forecast to last all week - an ideal time to sneak in some midweek skiing and boarding.

Jude, Club Captain.

OAC coated in ice and snow.

It has seen snowing steadily at Ruapehu for the last seven days. The base has gone from a paltry 45cm to nearly three times that. There’s still a few days left in the current storm cycle, but skies should clear early next week – just in time for the school holidays! See you up here.

Jude, Club Captain

Looking up Skippers towards the Waterfalls

Jude, Club Captain

Weather forecasters have been saying since May the snow would be late in coming but there would be ‘regular top-ups’ throughout the season. Some are comparing it to the 2008 season which was late to start but ended up with regular big dumps throughout August and September. Let’s hope so, as the 2008 season saw a four metre snow base and some of the best skiing and boarding for years.

Getting the hut ready for the 2011 season.

Work parties earlier in the year have ensured the hut is all ready to go for the season. The finishing touches to last year’s lounge refurbishment have been compeleted with the intallation of new lino in the kitchen.

 Snow is forecast for the rest of this week – fingers crossed and here’s hoping we get some good falls before the school holidays start in just under three weeks.

Look forward to seeing you all this year.

Jude

Club Captain

I was met at the air bridge by JAL staff who told me my flight to Christchurch was being diverted to Auckland; unfortunately they had no information about my onward travel to Wellington.  

After a 10 hour overnight flight I arrived to a chaotic Auckland Airport. Fortunately it was easier for me to get a direct flight to Wanganui, where I am living, than trying to fly into Wellington. I was home and sitting in the sun by 1pm.

Home.

At the moment I am watching TV footage of the devastation in Christchurch.  My heart goes out to the people of Christchurch the terrible situation they are facing. If you have family or friends there, I hope they are safe and well.

On a happier note, I am looking forward to the upcoming ski season and seeing my Otaihape ‘family’ again.

Jude, Vice Club Captain.

Young guests digging snowcaves at Annupuri Oasis Lodge, Japan....

Like all adventures, my life in Japan has had ups and downs. Highlights include learning to ski powder and meeting some great people from around the world. The downsides were getting to grips with the slightly chaotic way the lodge was set up and run and the frustration differences in language and culture can bring.

...and Shea Holcombe doing the same at OAC, Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand

On the whole it has been fun and sure beats life behind a desk dreaming of skiing.

I’m now looking forward to seeing my friends and family, working in Wellington (good to give the brain some exercise while earning some money), and preparing for another season at Ruapehu.

 Jude, Vice Club Captain

 As a reward the lodge owner, Scott, shouted me three nights in a nearby boutique ryokan (Japanese inn) hotel – Kanronomori – which is adjacent to the Moiwa skifield.

Dinner at Kanronomori.

Mt Annupuri from Moiwa skifield.

I was one of the few Western guests staying at the hotel and was treated to impeccable service, an eight course Japanese dinner every night, and fabulous onsen (hot pools). When I wasn’t eating or ‘onsening’, I spent my time at Moiwa.

Moiwa is a small two-chairlift skifield renowned for its powder and local feel. As it is not part of the wider Grand Hirafu lift pass system it is not plagued by hordes of Australians; instead it is the place locals go to get away from visitors!

 Unfortunately, sunny skies and warm temperatures meant I didn’t get to sample Moiwa’s legendary powder although I did enjoy the lack of crowds and the laid-back atmosphere.

 If the weather forecasters are right, we should get some new snow in the next day or so. All the more reason to go back to Moiwa!

 Jude, Vice Club Captain.

A measure of the snow that's fallen in the last three days.

 The new snow means powder. Not being used to it, I was finding it a real trial. I found that my usual Ruapehu technique of hard edging and carving just didn’t work. At least it doesn’t hurt as much as hard pack ice when you fall, but frustrating and not much fun at all. What is all the fuss about powder skiing I thought.

 Thank goodness for Google and You Tube where I picked up some tips. Seems like my lazy/non-existent pole plant is the problem, along with being weighted to far forward, not extending and flexing enough through the turns, and of course the hard edging.

Annupuri quad station.

 Today I went out and tried out what I’d learned and to my delight it worked. It felt great and I didn’t fall over, even in thigh deep powder! The technique is very subtle and you have to get into a rhythm and let the skis run.

 There’s heaps more snow in the forecast and I’m looking forward to getting more ‘powder time’.