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Mackenzie Country

Page updated: July 17 2009

An Inner Peace of Powder

Mackenzie country July 7 2009
The Powderhound blogger headed south earlier this week for some fun in the Mackenzie country. Rumours across the industry were abound that the best conditions in New Zealand at the moment were at the lesser known Mackenzie ski areas; Roundhill, Ohau, Mount Dobson and Fox Peak. I was a little skeptical as these areas are small by a north island skier’s standards. For example Roundhill only features a single Tbar and a pomma for the beginners. However having ridden the snow in most places in New Zealand the Mackenzie was a glaring gap in my portfolio and it was clearly time it was filled.

I headed to the hill with some old friends and their somewhat younger and rather fit sons and their mates from University. At there young age new school and aerials are what it’s all about. With twin tipped skis and hucking it up the focus.

So on the morning of the 7th it was with some trepidation I got ready for a trip to Roundhill with the group. For an old schooler like me I know my knees had long since left behind the desire to go big. I was however encouraged by talk of lots of new snow and I sniffed the chance of some fresh powder.

The drive from Fairlie to Tekapo was spectacular with a blanket of winter wonder firmly gripping the Mackenzie basin. It really felt like I was in another country and it was a portend of one of the best days I have had on the hill in a number of years.

The drive soon plunged us into a misty cloud emanating from the deep green depths of Lake Tekapo. As we began the ascent to Roundhill ski area we emerged from the cloud to a superb sunny day and the views of the surrounding mountains were plentiful. The Mackenzie truly is the one of the most beautiful places in the land of the long white cloud.

Not long after a quick chain fit to our 4wd we were parked at Roundhill ski area and raring to go. My Ruapehu season pass got me a 20% discount on a day pass which worked out at $48 which seemed a bargain by modern standards. Better still my hosts insisted on purchasing the ticket for me.

Roundhill is a small family friendly ski area with a long and large beginner’s area accessed from a very long platter lift. Truly superb for those just starting to get the feel for the snow. Pictured below.

The main action takes place of a long Tbar that takes you to the top of a not surprisingly ‘Round Hill’. There are a number of very nicely groomed wide runs from the top and a well built terrain park.

Once we arrived at the top I was very pleased to note the absolutely superb snow condition. The snow on the trails had that chalky texture and it squeaked pleasantly as you carved out your turns.

After a quick warm up run our attention soon turned to the deep and inviting powder off trail. With around 30cm’s of new snow now two days old I wondered how it would be to ski. My first run in it revealed just how bone dry the snow is in the Mackenzie country and it was with ease we glided through the knee deep powder.

We found patches of untracked snow in between the tracks of yesterday’s riders. It was not long before the group of new schoolers started to lose interest in the Terrain Park and head for the fresh powder. First to join the old bloke was Isaac. A quick tip on Powder skiing and he was soon floating through it like a pro. It reminded me of the amazing ability of young people to pick these things up at the drop of a hat. I expect my next trip down will see the tips flowing in the opposite direction.

Isaac and I headed over to the south side of the ski area and found a number of faces with untracked knee deep powder just waiting to be plundered.

After a few absolutely superb runs in some of the best snow I have skied in New Zealand others in the group joined us. Jessie quizzed me quickly about powder skiing and promptly implemented the technique with aplomb that I could learn from. Soon the whole group was whooping it up it absolutely the most primo of conditions. We soon dragged Nat away from the terrain park before long he was also ripping through the fresh snow with his grin hidden by his bandanna.



The traverse around the ‘Round Hill’ back to the Tbar was painful at times but our efforts to pioneer a trail in the powder paid off and we were able to rejoin the ski area numerous timeswith our huge grins strong.

Towards the end of the day the two Jessie’s, one on a board and the other on ski’s and I wrapped up our last untracked powder run of the day with a sit down rest in the deep dry snow.

For that moment we just sat there in silence and took in the spectacular view of the Southern Alps including Aoraki Mount Cook. Ironically despite the excellence of the days riding this moment was the best of it all. The moment when the inner peace is released from within by the spirituality of the mountains. The view we got is pictured below.

What a day! Thanks to Alastair, Candy, Hannah the two Jessie’s, Yung, Nat and Isaac for introducing me to the Mackenzie, I sure will be back soon to find more of these hidden powder stashes. I might even be convinced to try some action in the terrain park, unless of course the powder is deep and untracked again which I am told it often is.

Try the Big Mac in 2009 you will not be disappointed. Epic full stop.