New Zealand - Schools In

Hello again, I warned you all this was a work in progress so here we go with Episode 2. Monday morning dawned with snow falling in Queenstown. Temp was around -2 and we were all ready to start our big adventure - First day at Ski School. We had decided that we would start our lessons at The Remarkables. A decision I'm sure we all queried later that day. The road to the Remarks is all part of the adventure and after seeing some of last years footage, the night before, we started up the mountain with our hearts in our mouth. (Well some of us did - BB & me). To say that it is steep is an understatement, with sheer drops all the way up on gravel road, mixed with snow & ice today. The chains went on at about the 8km mark and we kept going, Bett & I rather quiet in the back.

On arrival at Base camp (-5) we all headed off to be fitted with our ski boots (mine henceforth to become known as 'those damn boots') poles & ski's. Once all kitted up we joined the experts, Marg & Pete who suggested we try and put them on so we could get a feel for them. Ha, my first fall happened right there, one foot off the snow and down I went. What hope do I have, thinks me. Still we had a lesson to go to so away we all trudged to Beginners Lesson #1. It was actually fun and by the end of the 1 1/2 hrs we could all stand up, ski down (well sort of) & most importantly stop somewhere in the vincinity of where we wanted to. We also learnt to use the tow rope, Peter M, who was a little apprehensive about this due to an incident last year managed it better than all of us and from then on there was no stopping his ups & downs the slope. Now at this point I must tell you all that the weather decided to close in. Normal people would have returned to whence they came but not this party of intrepid skiers. We had a 2nd lesson to attend to at 2pm.

Lunch beckoned but with the change in weather all the nice warm seats inside were gone so we ate our sumptious soup on the deck sitting at snow covered tables and the hot soup became a chilled delicacy within about 2 mins. At 2pm on the dot our little beginners lesson #2 began in driving snow and wind. (Wind chill -19 someone told us). At least I had something to blame for not being able to go down the hill in a straight line. It seemed I could only go right. Problem was that was where the tow rope was. After a couple of near misses I managed to sort of avoid it but still not sure how. As the 'Blizzard' increased in intensity Bett & BB sensibly left the slopes for the warmth of the cafe, Marg & Pete had given up on recording the 'event for posterity' and were there as well. Bill, Peter M & I were still hard at it. It only took our instructor Mintu, to tell me that I was doing OK and to just ski down to where my friends were to look and see the reality of the situation. I could not see the end of the beginners slope let alone my friends - visibility had decreased to not very far in front of me and on that note I said 'I can't even see them, I'm going home'! I think the two guys should get a medal for finnishing the lesson in such extreme conditions. So after a warm drink and the joy of removing 'those damn boots' we headed back to the cars for the dreaded trip back down the mountain.

I could only imagine if I was terrified coming up then it would be double terror going down. The weather had closed in and each car was being checked for chains before we left and we went in convoy the whole way down at about 6-10 kph. Part way down we turned at one corner and saw the most amazing sight, the whole valley was white. It had snowed down there while we playing in the weather up the top. It was such an amazing sight that both Bett & I forgot to be scared on the way down and just marvelled at the stunning views. I think Peter & Pete were rather glad actually. BB in the other car had his seatbelt off and one hand on the door handle ready to bail if neccessary. He was never to travel that road again. We did go back (minus Bett & BB) on the following Sunday and it seemed almost a pleasant Sunday drive after the 1st time.

Our safe arrival home, our mammoth efforts (how clever we all were to be able to ski), and no broken bones were celebrated that night with a yummy dinner cooked by Marg, lots of celebratory drinks and gales of laughter at the 'daily rushes' a nightly feature of our time away.

So now I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seats waiting for episode 3 so until next time........