Snow Safety Services Coordinator Intro/Report
My name is Bernhard “Bezi” Freinademetz” and who heard my snow phone messages knows I come from a german speaking country.
I am a 38 year old UIAGM mountainguide from Tirol, a small Austrian Province in the heart of Europe.
My hometown is Innsbruck, the capital of Tirol. It is close to the german, Italian and swiss border.
That’s why my English accent is sometimes connected to Switzerland (yes there are really people who do say I have an accent… hmm… well I really might do have a bit of an accent!)
I am involved in the SMC since June 1st and had my first rope tow experience some days ago… loving it!
As the snow came quite late there was some maintenance work to do on the 5$ hut and on the Gorgetrack.
There was a kick off meeting here In the lodge some weeks ago, where I talked a bit about risk management in the mountains and some avalanche theories.
I am truely impressed by the motivation and good work that is done from the dedicated skiclub members – it is great to see how everybody shares time and knowledge to make IT happen! I love the terrain around the Top Tow, its great skiing up there – thanks for all the ski club members who showed me some of the beautiful runs.
Thanks to Lars, who is responsible for snow safety in the committee. He is always there to help and answer my questions.
There was some avalanche activity a couple of days ago (12 July), the steeper, South East orientated face above the Monster went naturally down, and Curtis had some Debris as well.
I hope the odd weather pattern happens and we will have a great time on the t-bar. Looking forward to meeting more wintersports enthusiasts here on the skifield.
I will be up here at the lodge during the storms, so feel free to visit me in these times and spend some days up here in the peace of the mountains.
Ski You Soon!
Manganui Lodge Accommodation Bookings
Just a kind reminder to book your stay with the booking officer Rob Needs, before your intended stay.
Please ncYou can do this by either:
Ski Area Power Supply Issues
Tuesday 26th July saw the ski area blanketed in snow, but not able to operate...
Taranaki's top winter tourist spots say the latest snow dump has highlighted the need for an underground cable to power mountain facilities.
Both the Stratford Mountain House and the Stratford Mountain Club on Pembroke Rd have suffered financial losses from power cuts caused by Monday's whiteout.
Lines company Powerco says the cuts were caused by branches cracking under the weight of snow and falling on powerlines. Powerco spokesman Neil Holdom said that in the next two or three years, it would remove overhead lines on Pembroke Rd and lay underground cables.
"The long-term plan is to put a cable from the edge of the park to the mountain," Mr Holdom said.
Powerco had already spent $280,000 laying a cable from the Stratford Mountain House 2.8 kilometres up the mountain to a communications hut, he said.
The Stratford Mountain Club missed out on valuable day of business on Tuesday when the Manganui skifield had plenty of snow and sunny skies overhead but no facilities operating due to the power cut.
Club president Kevin Rowlands was pragmatic about the situation.
"Obviously it's disappointing but you're at a whim to the winter elements," Mr Rowlands said.
He praised Powerco for the hard work they had put in to try restore power.
"The power company have been excellent. They have tried everything to make it work."
The small skifield, which was run entirely by volunteers, had already got a number of good days' skiing in this year.
reference: http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/5351093/Too-much-white-leaves-them-in-the-dark
Taranaki Primary and Intermediate Schools Snowboard and Ski Race Day
Maybe this year it might happen, after two years of waiting in vain! Hopefully, the race day this year will be held on a suitable school day early in the third term, the secondary schools taking the first suitable day. “Suitable” means adequate snow cover and fair weather. We should be ready to go any time from the first week on. We will need to be ready to move at a couple of days notice. Clive Saleman, the Stratford Mountain Club Racing Coordinator, has kindly offered to assist us in this race day as he has in previous years. The event will take place on the Manganui Skifield as in previous years.
The format will be:
• Intermediate Girls Ski
• Intermediate Boys Ski
• Primary Girls Ski
• Primary Boys Ski
• Open Girls Snowboard
• Open Boys Snowboard
In some previous years we have not had huge numbers participating, so schools have entered as many competitors as they have wanted to. Last time there were about 50 entries. If the numbers are similar the status quo will remain. I will let you know definitely once I have had feedback from schools who wish to compete.
Competitors will need to be able to use the T-bar with confidence, independently, and have access to gear.
All competitors, teachers and adults will be entitled to buy tow tickets at club prices, unless you already have a season pass.
If your school wishes to send a team to these races, please ring, fax or email, as soon as possible, to the following address. Please include Name, Gender, Class level, Category (Skiing or Snowboarding) of students participating.
Phone: 06 7527719 (Oakura School, attn Ray Priest)
Fax: 067527951
Email: ray@oakura.schoolzone.net.nz
Or contact Ray Priest after hours 067527684 or email jrpjpriest@gmail.com
As it can be changeable, risky environment, we need to ensure that you have a ratio of at least one competent mountain adult per child during the whole day, supervising from start to finish. It is your responsibility to ensure all children are suitably dressed, equipped and have their own food and drink supplies. The sun leaves the mountain early in the afternoon and it can get cold quickly, so warm weatherproof jackets, pants and hats are a must! A spare pair of gloves / mittens is a good idea in case they get wet. All competitors must wear a helmet when racing. The mountain club does have some available to borrow. Appropriate footwear with good grip to walk around the gorge is essential. Walk quickly round the avalanche area.
The Ski Patrol will be on duty during the event and the club facilities will be at our disposal.
Please be very clear in your communications with those people taking part that, while all care will be taken for the children’s safety, neither the organisers nor schools can take responsibility for accidents that may occur either on the ski-field or in transport and walking to and from the ski-field and mountain.
Please keep an eye on the Stratford Mountain Club’s website for ongoing news and updates (members can also check email newsletters from the club)
• www.skitaranaki.co.nz or www.snow.co.nz/snowreports/manganui (go to the Manganui link)
• Or the snowphone: 7591119
Thanks to Clive for his assistance in running this event. It is always rather difficult getting information out quickly to all the schools involved, especially if we get very little advance notice about weather and snow conditions. So please frequently check the website and the snowphone. I’m hopeful we can have yet another wonderful day’s skiing and boarding on our beautiful Maunga Taranaki with our upcoming snowsport stars.
Looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible if your school is wishing to participate.
Regards
Ray Priest
5 Day Snow Forecast
