The final day of YES NZ 2014 brought us blue skies and more good skiing.  The Saddle was skiing great with good groomers on South Ridge and Saddleback.  The snow was still skiing great in the gullies with soft snow brought in from the wind.  The groups all had a great day getting in the last of the challenges.  Payback, Gunbarrel and Superpipe all offered that final test.  Another great week full of numerous incidents like: chair mis-loads, long slides down gullies, near misses, temper tantrums etc.  As always a big thanks to Chris for getting up and down the hill safely.  This years adventure was over far too soon and we look forward to doing it all again next year.  Safe trip home and we'll see you on the slopes again soon.

                         The bus driver heading down Superpipe  

                                            Euro-carve down the Gunbarrel

                                                Jason in the Krags

                                              Bottom of the Superpipe

                                               YES Friday Night Quiz Nite

                                                     until next year……..

A quick note to relect on what a great 2 weeks it was.  When Chris came to pick us up at Queenstown, snow conditions were sketchy at best.  By the time we came back over the Crown Range it was snowing so intensely we almost had to put chains on.  That set us up for a great two weeks at Treble Cone.  Fast forward to the Saturday of our departure and the news was that the Saddle Quad had broken down and they were evacuating people off the chair.  Which meant that they then had to hike out back to Home Basin.  So to re-cap, YES arrives and brings the snow.  YES leaves and the whole place falls apart.  Coincidence??????  

The first day of week 2 brought bright blue skies and warmish temperatures.  We have a new recruit this week as local legend Al has joined the ranks of YES Coaches.  Most of the groups headed straight over to the Saddle to take advantage of the great conditions and no crowds.  Rafills and South ridge were groomed to perfection as the first few runs were spent on working on some technical drills.  Then it was off to the gullies to play around and test the mornings teachings.  

                                                  View off the Saddle chair

                                                  Looking down the Bullet

Most groups stopped in for a late lunch and then headed straight back over to the Saddle for some more play.  Bullet, Saddleback and Mineshaft were all skiing great and the lift lines were virtually non-existent.  The day finished with a run down Gunbarrel and Powderbowl.  The bus ride back to the Edgewater was very quiet as the group was tuckered out from a big day on the slopes.  A few made it to the decompression session in the Edgewater lounge before heading off to dinner.  Another great day awaits tomorrow.

                                       heelside above Lake Wanaka

                                               rock formation in the Saddle

               Our thoughts go out to those involved in the helicopter tragedy on Saturday

New Zealand brought out the sunshine for the last day of week one, but the wind remained fairly strong.  Saddle was delayed in opening and the 6-pack had moments of wind hold.  The skiing was great as the snow had blown in and settled in the gullies.  After a warm-up down Main Street if was off to explore the different chutes in Powder Bowl.  Magnum was true NZ skiing as the snow was good but you had to dance around some tussock at the start.  

                     Maya charging down one of TC's many chutes

                                        Leanne heading down Shooter

The Saddle was the playground for the afternoon.  The wind had stripped some of the approaches of all their snow but once you got to the runs themselves, the wind blown powder was great.  The groups challenged themselves with runs down Mineshaft, Payback, the Crags and all the gullies in between.  A great day to wrap up the week as their were smiles all around on the bus ride down.

                                                     Linc in Payback

                                                 Barry with the money shot

                                           Linc's group skiing down Payback

After a quick stop to shower and change it was off to the Edgewater for the final apres.  With Barry leading the way, the coaches all told stories about the week.  After a few pre-dinner drinks it was off to Sargoods for dinner.  The long dinner ended with the volume turned up and a cleansing ale at the bar.

As always the week went by way too fast.  We are sad to see the people leaving us but look forward to skiing with you again soon.  A new crew rolls in tomorrow to start the shenanigans all over again. 

                                        Rich admiring the view

The YES Crew awoke to a beautiful bluebird day and fresh snow on the slopes.  Snow line was below the parking lot and the excitement was high for the day.  That enthusiasm was slighty tempered as an electrical problem delayed the opening of the 6 pack.  

                                       the line as we wait for the 6-pack to open

Some of the groups headed right over to the Saddle while others stayed on the front side to work technique.  The snow was in great shape and some fresh lines were found.  Conditons were great as the groups explored areas like the Camel, Saddleback and the many gullies in between.  Most of the groups decided on a later lunch to take advantage of the smaller line for the Saddle chair.   Challenges such as Mineshaft, Powder Bowl Chutes and Gunbarrel were conquered and smiles were seen all around.  A bunch of tired legs hopped on the bus for the ride home and the buzz of the day was still in the air as everyone (who was awake) compared notes.  

                                            the Saddle Basin first thing

                                    Rich in the powder of Lower Sundance

                                             Tracey enjoying some powder turns

After a few hours to clean up, it was go time again as the group met up at LaLa Land for pre-dinner drinks.  Relishes once again put on a great menu and many a bottles of vino later it was time to head home.  Some grabbed a rare Wanaka taxi while others braved the night air and walked home. (some with shoes, others…..)  Tomorrow being a rest day it will time to re-charge the batteries for another assault on TC Thursday.

                                        and I'm spent!

Well it's that time of year again when the YES gang descends upon New Zealand and the sheep start to get nervous.  The coaches got a sneak peek at the conditions on Friday and the skiing was pretty good.  The Saddle had some good snow and the gullies where holding some good wind packed powder.  See video.   Other areas had a bit of wind deffected snow but the coverage was good.  Main Street was in good shape for the way home but the off-piste on the Home Basin was still tussock dominated.  Most of the crew arrived on Saturday (some were delayed 24 hrs due to weather) and were welcomed to the Edgewater with some impromptu drinks.  It was good to see some familiar faces along with some new recruits.

Sunday morning had Chris driving the bus up to TC for a find the ski legs guiding day.  Rob helped out with the groups splits on his board and did his best not to corrupt the skiers too much.  Conditions were great and the snow was good.  There were more than a few tired legs by the end of the day and the laws of physics were tested with the result being stationary solid object wins.

Welcome re-hydrating beverages were had at the Edgewater with the official welcome drinks.  Groups were handed out and Barry did his thing before everyone broke off to go to dinner or crash in their rooms.  Early night as the show starts in the morning and the forecast is for snow over night.  Here's wishing for freshies in the morning.

                                                  Traffic on the way home.