Snowboarding in August

This weather is the reason we didn't go snowboarding on the first day. It was rainy and snowing with high winds up top all day. It was also good to get everyone accimated and over the difference in time zones too.

We went to "Have a Shot" where we did some target shooting, golfing on the driving range, and general rural fun.

JP trying to hit the television set you can see about 50 yards away. If you broke the screen on the TV, you won $40. No one did, but JP came within 2 inches twice.

Then we went to Oak Creek, where they have about six outdoor hot tubs and two warm swimming pools.

Tuning the boards in the garage for tomorrow's snowboarding.

The next day:

We went to "TC" - Treblecone - today. We went freeriding because of the new snow, and possible low visibility at Snowpark. It was an AWESOME day! We rode powder, jumped off some cliffs, and had a great time. We worked on warming up our riding legs, getting centered, and catching air on natural features. There was about 15 cm (6 inches or so) of new snow, but it was windblown on certain aspets and piled up to two feet or more. Treblecone is treeless, with steep gullies and cliffs all over. There's only two chairlifts, but you can go anywhere you want, and there's lots of wide-open terrain. The views down into the valley and Lake Wanaka are unreal as you can see.

There are these "Kia" birds all over - very tame and wanting either your leftover food or the rubber off your car. They are mountain parrots - dark green with a big curved beak and red under the winngs when they fly.

Me drinking some european style coffee in the lodge at lunch. I like my coffee. Get a "short black" or a "long black" and it's like espresso with water. Mmmm...

Lake Wanaka from the ski area. And below, from the shore on the drive back.

Tomorrow we're off to Snowpark to hit some wicked jumps and the halfpipe. I'll be shooting video and still photos. See you tomorrow!