It’s been a bumper season for the region’s three ski fields, Mt Dobson, Roundhill and Ohau, and all have great spring skiing with a snow base of between 100 and 150cm. Mt Dobson and Ohau are planning to remain open for the duration of the school holidays and Roundhill plans to be open for the first weekend (last ski day 27 September).
Mt Dobson will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its first opening day this Saturday (19 September) with a “Back to the ‘70s” theme. Lift passes are ‘70s prices ($20 for an all day all lift pass) and those hitting the slopes are encouraged to dig out some flares and disco down to great ‘70s tunes.
Ohau will round off its winter season with plenty of fun and games at its annual “Hot Dog Day” on Saturday 3 October. It’s a great excuse to break out some retro gear and shimmy down the mountain on skinny skis or old-school snowboards.
Off the snow there’s plenty to do, including luxuriating in hot pools, roller/inline skating, hiking and mountain biking. The more relaxed can enjoy spa treatments, sample amazing local food and wine, or just sit back and absorb the majestic surroundings.
Scenic flights are particularly spectacular in spring with turquoise blue lakes, emerald green valleys, the snow-capped Southern Alps and New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, towering above it all.
Stargazing is another great year-round attraction in the Mt Cook Mackenzie region which is renowned as New Zealand’s best stargazing spot. Its uniquely dark skies are devoid of city light pollution and there are a high number of clear nights with atmospheric stability and transparency. That’s increasingly rare as other countries lose their starry skies to light and air pollution.
Warm spring weather has prompted an early start to the iceberg and glacier cruising season for visitors to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Normally Glacier Explorers is still closed during school holidays but high levels of winter snowfall combined with an early spring ‘melt’ have caused an early lake thaw, allowing the company to resume operations six weeks early.
Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie Winter Marketing Manager Prue Blake says the region’s diversity and affordability makes it the perfect place for families to come and enjoy quality time together during the school holidays.
“It’s a great destination for a family holiday. Families can enjoy excitement and adventure or peace and quiet – as well as accommodation ranging from backpacker to top-of-the-range hotels. Spring is a particularly good time to come because you get a great mix of winter and summer activities as well as spectacular scenery.”
Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie General Manager Phil Brownie is delighted with the way the winter season has gone and says it bodes well for next year.
“We’ve experienced a 7.6% increase in bed nights over the last 12 months and a comparison of bed nights for last July and this July alone shows we’re up 33%. This is a fantastic achievement given that bed nights are down 3.1% nationally,” he says.
For those still keen to book a holiday in the region, Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie has extended its winter holiday competition until 9 October. Be in to win a fantastic accommodation prize package for two adults or two adults and two children by registering online at www.mackenziewinter.co.nz or by texting 'winter' to 244 (texts cost 20 cents).
For more information about winter holidays in the Mt Cook Mackenzie region visit www.mackenziewinter.co.nz.
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