Wanaka Edge Suites

How to learn skiing...

by Tripack

Flexion... planté du bâton... Extension... Inflection... Planted stick... Extension...

What a funny ski lesson from the french movie "Les Bronzés font du ski ".

But for your NZ ski lesson head to the local snow school...

How to move down the slope:

Try your first descend. In Turning, keep your Skis in an A shape with enough outward pressure to keep the Edge on digging into the Snow, keeping you from slipping away. Once you are facing down the fall-line, you can let go of the outward pressure. You should now be sliding down the fall-line.

Take your posture in mind: in the beginning you are best of using a stance often called the 'goalkeeper' posture. Keep your knees bent, your arms slightly outwards, and your body leaning forward a bit. This will keep your body in the ideal posture to flex and compensate sudden movements.

Try keeping a good A shape without your Skis crossing each other. If you feel you need to slow down or that you are losing control then push your heels outwards and crouch down some more. You feel that the Skis bite harder into the Snow slowing you down. Make a lot of these practice runs moving your way up and down the slope. You can use the toe lift on the bunny hill to practice longer descends without having to make your way up the whole time. In the beginning, your movements will probably be jerky. As your skills progress, try to make your movements as smooth as possible. Just like on the surface exercises, try to get as comfortable as possible with moving down slope in the A shape...

Crown Range Road

by Robmj

its not off the beaten path, as its the most direct route between Wanaka and over to Arrowtown or Queenstown. It is a very high road and susceptible to ice and snow during winter months, but the views are stunning.

Its only 56kms long with Cardrona skifield and town at the mid point. The other way round (SH 6) takes about 20-30 minutes longer through the gorge.

Rob Roy Glacier Walk

by Robmj

The Rob Roy Glacier Track is in the Mount Aspiring National Park, a stunning place with mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes.

The last bit of the road in has a number of shallow river fords to cross. At the end of this road is the Raspberry Creek carpark and the start of the track.

The track follows Rob Roy Stream through beech forest and then heads up a gradual incline through forest and into alpine vegetation and spectacular views of the hanging glaciers beneath Mount Rob Roy. There is a great view point at the end of the track.

Allow three to four hours to complete this track and its an hour from Wanaka and 1 hour back, so you can spend most of a day or at least half a day doing this. I highly recommend it!!

Lake Hawea

by imstress

Lake Hawea is located just before the town of Wanaka when you come from Haast Pass.

You will be able to see the Mountatins and the beautiful lake.
It is a beautiful backdrop.

Stop by to stretch your legs before heading for Wanaka township.

Wanaka! My fav town in South Island!

by imstress

"Wanaka - I fell in love with this awesome town"

Wanaka is rated as the best town of my South Island trip.

Very beautiful secneries here. There are mountains, lakes and clear blue sky and nice weather. What else could I ask for?

In winter, you could go for skiing as there are many good skiing slopes around here.

It has a unique cinema Paradiso located at Ardmore Street near the Caltex Station. Go there early and select your favourite seat.

I didnt get a chance to visit the Warbirds Museum at the Lake Wanaka Airport. Do so if you have the time.

Take a scenic helicopter ride and see the awesome Mt Aspiring, Wanaka and also the Fiordland.

"The Puzzling World of Stuart Landsborough"

I would love to spend a day at The Puzzling World by Stuart Landsborough. This is a very interesting place for all ages. You wil be fascinated by all the Illusions. It is like a mini Science Centre back home.

"Cardrona Bras"

You will come across a fence with all the bras hanging under the bright sunshine.

I think it started with one traveller who donated her bras on the fences and every other travller alos did likewise.

This amazing sight is not far from Wanaka and very near Cardrona.