Boarders hit in pocket by lack of snow

JESS PARKER/Timaru Herald

S'NOW GOOD: A snowless season in South Canterbury has forced keen snowboarders Andrew Bartlett, left, and Daniel Turner to travel further afield.

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Skifield owners are not the only ones feeling the pinch of a snowless season, keen skiers and snowboarders have had to deepen their pockets and leave their home slopes to get a snow-fix elsewhere.

Following a record season on the South Canterbury slopes last year Timaru snowboarders Dan Turner and Andrew Bartlett were aiming to get back up the mountain this year.

However, despite fields in the North Island and lower South Island boasting plentiful snow bases, their closest mountain to home remains bare and rock clad, forcing them to travel further afield.

Mr Turner said the terrain park at Roundhill had provided some good fun but when they wanted a bit more of challenge they had to travel hundreds of kilometres.

The pair have made numerous weekend trips to Mt Hutt but have been disappointed to find all the runs on the mountain have not been opened.

In order to get a good few days amongst the snow the pair last week took off to Queenstown where they boarded Coronet Peak and Remarkables, both with at least half a metre snow base.

While admittedly any hobby has a cost, this builder and electrician don't even want to think of the money they have spent – or lost on their travel and admission to fields this season.

Prior to the start of the season Mr Bartlett purchased a "chill-out" multi-pass for $665, which is valid for several ski-fields in the Southern Alps including Roundhill but excluding Mt Hutt. So far he has only used $135 worth of the pass.

Mr Turner bought his Mt Dobson season pass in an early bird offer for $375 (now worth $475) but with the field still unopened he has not had the chance to get even a cent of his credit.

Mt Dobson owner Peter Foote said in a case where the holder did not use the pass at all it could be rolled over to next season, but once used they would not get their money back.

However, it was not time to panic just yet, as the season could go right through until October 6 there was still another two months left.

"There's still two thirds of the season to go."

He said the season pass was also only based on six days skiing so people would still get their moneys worth.

- © Fairfax NZ News