Awesome Autumn - News 23rd April
KIA ORA!
Welcome to our autumn newsletter! The weather on the mountain is definitely getting chillier, and moving with the seasons, we’re all thinking about winter and how fantastic those first turns will be!
It has been great that many of you have gone for gold and already bought your Earlybird Porters passes for this winter, plenty of familiar names coming through, as well as many new families and friends.
Read on for your April update from the crew at Porters…
PORTERS SEASON PASSES 2010
Many of you have got in early to secure your passes for the winter ahead. All Early-Bird rates are available up until midnight on the 30th of April, so a reminder to all still wanting passes at those unbelievable rates - you have about a week!
Piri the Porters Penguin is on the case, he was spotted at Kowai Bush near Porters completing his application online for his 2010 season pass. You’ll be sure to see him up at Porters in 2010 – we’ll keep you posted with any further sightings!
NEW FOR 2010! We’re all about the families up here at Porters, so for 2010, we’ve introduced our ULTIMATE Family Season Pass - this has to be the best deal on offer from any NZ commercial ski area. For just $995, you get full season passes for two adults and two youths, plus you can add additional youth passes for just $100 each (conditions apply). Each family pass is for immediate family members only - adult passes can be parents, grandparents, or adult children. Family passes are only available until 30th April 2010. Apply now!
All other Porters season passes are also available via our online store. 2009 pass-holders receive a $50 discount off 2010 Adult and Student full-season Early-Bird rates (excludes mid-week passes). For full information and pricing, get online to our Season Passes page.
Get in quick, there’s only 7 days left! Be sure to pass the message on to your friends and family who may want to lock in the best season pass rate for the 2010 winter.
FROM THE MOUNTAIN
It’s getting colder? As autumn continues to take hold, I watch the weather data coming off the hill and feel for the Porters Operations team up there working away in the cold.
Final maintenance and preparations for the upcoming winter are underway, and it won’t be long before the ground starts to freeze down and the snowmakers fire up. The snowmaking and operations team will be working hard to take full advantage of predicted temperatures and conditions in May.
LEIGH EDWARDS – PORTERS FREERIDE COACH
Fresh on the scene for 2010, the Porters Snowsports School have secured freeride coach and instructor Leigh Edwards hot off another great season at Mammoth Mountain in Tahoe. The ever popular freeride team at Porters is sure to be even more so this year, with qualified coaching and instruction from a talented skier.
To read to full article about Leigh and the Porters Freeride team, please Click on the link below.
Porters Secures Mammoth Freestyle Coach
WINTER CREW – DAVE LUNDIN, PORTERS PATROL
“Hey, I’m Dave; I’m the patrol director here at Porters. I started out as a volunteer patroller at Mt Hutt while studying outdoor recreation at Polytech back in 2000. Winter 2010 will be my eleventh season ski patrolling, four of those seasons being at Porters. After working in both hemispheres over the years, the challenging terrain the Craigieburn Range has to offer has brought me back to Porters for a fifth season.”
We'll have an update on the Porters website very shortly with more from Dave, and information about the Porters Volley Patrol programme for 2010. If you're interested, we'll more informtion and links in our next news feed. Stay tuned.
EARLY WINTER PREDICTION
It’s this time of year when we all start to make our predictions for the winter ahead, and after a long hot summer, sometimes we stray slightly from reality in our anticipation of the long awaited turns we long for.
In reading through some of the content, it seems that many of the indicators point towards a fairly good winter, with some good storms to bring us some fantastic snowfalls. There are some more calculated and scientific predictions around, below are snow snippets and some links to more information.
Metservice.com are mentioning; ‘This El Nino pattern is expected to weaken away during the next few months. As this El Nino fades away, the controlling influence of the Pacific Ocean on our weather pattern weakens. This increases the amount of variability and the possible extremes for our weather pattern.’
Similarly, Ken Ring at Predict Weather has forecasted some extreme weather events for this year, including a fairly significant snow event for Christchurch! Have a read of the article below for more information.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10593960
We’ll keep you posted with more weather information as we get it!
GEAR BUYING TIPS - SKI SALES
Buying 2nd hand gear is a great way to keep skiing costs down, but it can be a bit hit and miss in getting the right equipment. If you’re able to get into one of the ski shops to talk to the professionals, they can assist you in figuring out exactly what you’re looking for to match your ability and skiing preference.
A few tips to keep in mind when at the ski sales.
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There are a wide range of assistants in the 2nd hand areas and reps from the local stores at the sales. They are there to help, and have a wealth of info to help out. Don’t be afraid to ask!
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The condition of the equipment can have a huge effect on the performance. Don’t shy away on price to find yourself with poorly tuned gear – you get what you pay for. Also, talk to the ski shop reps who may be able to offer you a special ‘ski sale’ rate on a full tune up once purchased.
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Check all edges, ensuring that there are no cracks or dents. This can be very expensive to repair.
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When selecting boots, don’t over shoot the mark! Skiing or snowboarding in boots that are too big or too small makes it difficult and dangerous. Look for a snug fit that is also comfortable, without pressure points. Boots are a key element in your set up, stay away from cheap and nasties!
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The sales are a great way to get the kid’s geared up, and the cylces of hand-me-downs can save a lot over the years. Investing in good gear for the older kids will benefit the younger ones as gear passes down.
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Talk the talk! Don’t be afraid to talk to everyone at the sales. Most involved in the industry can provide valuable information for you to help in gear purchases
ARE YOU A PORTERS FAN?
We’ve rolled up the sleeves and will be hard at work keeping you updated on Facebook this winter. From up-to-the-minute snow conditions to the latest posts on all Porters events, you need to become a fan for the freshest info from the Porters Team.
Even better, you could be a winner! To encourage you to join us, we’ve put a 2010 individual full season pass up for grabs. To be in to win, all you have to do is become a fan before the 30th of April. We’ll randomly select the winning fan on the 1st of May, and notify the winner via Facebook and our website (by 15th May).
You can still purchase your 2010 Early-Bird pass in the meantime - if you’re selected as the winner, you’ll receive a full refund of the price you’ve paid for the individual pass.
HEARTY MOUNTAIN RECIPE – GLUHWEIN
As it is autumn, and the weather is cool, I thought a nice warming and easy recipe to start! A hot glass of Gluhwein will warm you up in anticipation of the winter ahead – enjoy!
Ingredients:
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1 (750 ml) bottle red wine
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4 whole cloves
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1 cinnamon stick
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1/2 - 1 lemon, rind of
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1/4 cup sugar, to taste
Directions:
1. Pour wine and sugar into deep pot and heat until just before boiling.
2. Do not boil.
3. Wrap Cinnamon, Lemon Peel and cloves in Cheesecloth and tie off tightly.
4. Add to wine and sugar mixture and simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. Serve immediately in coffee or tea mugs.
CHILL PRAY FOR SNOW WEEK: May 1st – 7th
The first week of May represents the start of all things winter and the CHILL crew feel that is definitely something to celebrate. The CHILL ‘Pray for Snow Week’ is a week full of awesome events that celebrates the anticipation of winter. See the date’s below, there’s plenty of cool stuff going on, get into it. For more detail on all the events taking place, check out http://chillout.co.nz/news.php.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
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Up to April 30th - Early Bird Season Pass sales, including ULTIMATE Family Pass.
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Up to April 30th - Become a fan on Facebook.
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April 30th - May 2nd - Snow and Surf Sale, Canterbiry Horticultural Centre.
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Launch Party – CHILL Disc; Double Happy, Sat 1st May 8:30pm
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SNOWRIDE Sports Workshop; Introduction to ski/snowboard tuning, Tues 4th May 6-7:30pm
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QUEST “For her eyes only”; Thurs 6th May 6-8pm
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CHILL Pray for Snow Party; Winnie Bagoes (city), Thurs 6th May 8pm
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May 15th/16th - CSA Snow Show and Sale. Winner of free season pass notified.
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June 1st - Cut off day for all Porters instructing programmes applications.
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June 25th - Porters anticipated Opening Day 2010.
YOUR NEWSLETTER - FEEDBACK LOOP
We'd love to hear from you, and what you'd like to see in the Porters Newsletter. If you've got an idea on something related to Porters that you'd like more information about, drop us an email to marketing@skiporters.co.nz. We'll take your ideas on board, and we'll do our best to incorporate them into our news messages.
COMING UP IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER...
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Porters biggest facebook fan announced!
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Winter Crew introductions continued.
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New additions at Porters.
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Porters Events 2010 – the breakdown.
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Fresh shots and info from the mountain as winter gets closer.
THANKS - SEE YOU SOON!
Our anticipated opening date for this winter is the 25th June.
For those of you who are about, keep an eye out for us at the 2010 Snow and Surf Sale (April 30 - May 2) and the CSA Ski Sale (May 15 & 16). We have a display at these events, will have a fresh Porters Brochure for your viewing pleasure, along with some posters for the young ones, and plenty of advice if you need it!
Thanks,
THE PORTERS TEAM.
