With the Winter Olympics just around the corner the camp has attracted Olympic medalist Shaun White, X-Games medalist Torah Bright (AUS) as well as top performing snowboarders Crispin Lipscomb (CAN), Ben Mates (AUS), national teams and representatives from New Zealand, Japan, Poland, Canada and Spain, all looking for valuable training time.

Nadia Ellis, Cardrona marketing manager, said the demand for the private camp is testament to the first-class Olympic Pipe developed at Cardrona: “It has been extremely exciting to have such a high caliber of international athletes training in our very own backyard. The popularity of the camp certainly suggests we have achieved our goal of providing the best freestyle training facility in the Southern Hemisphere. The athletes have been absolutely thrilled with the pipe”.

Olympic Gold medalist Shaun White (USA) flew back to New Zealand specifically for the first week of the private Pre-Olympic Pipe Camp and was grateful for the training opportunity. “I had a great time, it’s awesome to be able to rely on a mountain to have great terrain during the summer time when there’s no snow in the U.S,” he said.

The Japanese national team is bringing in a 900kg inflatable stunt bag next week (the Bag Jump) and with the support of the park crew will build this into the snow to practice double cork and spin combinations that are the emerging standard in competitions.

In the closing weeks of the season Cardrona management was approached by national teams from all over the world looking for a training facility during October. Cardrona was happy to oblige and retained the services of John Melville, Cardrona’s Parks & Pipes manager. The pipe camp commenced on the 5th October and will continue through to the 24th October.

John Melville will then join renowned pipe shaper Steve Petrie from Arena Snowparks in Vancouver to build the 2010 Olympic halfpipe. He will return to Cardrona for the 2010 season.

The 2009 season has been outstanding for the halfpipe competitions staged at Cardrona with the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup Halfpipe as part of 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games and the Burton New Zealand Open where Shaun White landed the first ever back to back double cork 1080 in competition. Judges commented that the competitions have featured some of the most progressive riding seen to date with riders achieving great amplitude off the jumps and increasing level of difficulty.

The season was also a record breaker for Cardrona Alpine Resort for both visitor numbers and accumulated snowfall. The record amount of snow provided excellent on and off piste conditions throughout the season as well as ensuring plenty of snow to keep the terrain park and pipes in prime condition.

For Cardrona Alpine Resort 2009 was a record breaker for both visitor numbers and accumulated snowfall. Winter started early with a huge snowfall in May. With ideal cool conditions and further snow Cardrona recorded its deepest (317cm) accumulated snowfall in the last decade, in August. Skiers and snowboarders from across both New Zealand and Australia flocked to the slopes in record numbers. Elite athletes used Cardrona’s 22ft Olympic halfpipe, the only one in Australasia, to train and compete in the lead up to the Olympics 2010, with renowned snowboarder Shaun White landing the first back to back double cork 1080 in history during the Burton New Zealand Open.

Snow Park NZ successfully introduced New Zealand’s only lift-accessed tobogganing run this season, adding to the wide range of activities on offer including Wanaka’s only night skiing and riding, held on two nights a week throughout the season. The good early snow conditions made for great freeriding on a mountain not traditionally known for freeride terrain. Many national snowboarding teams and top international freestyle skiers trained at Snow Park NZ in preparation for Vancouver.

Treble Cone experienced strong visitor numbers from the start which continued to grow throughout the season. There were plenty of powder days on offer at Treble Cone creating an excellent snow base to last the season. The Spring Fiesta proved to be a hit with the locals attracting big crowds for the live music and great deals. New to the spring calendar were two unique events, the mini MOUNTAIN open and the Triple Comp. Both of the two-day events challenged some of Treble Cone’s best skiers and snowboarders providing a great end of season show.

Snow Farm NZ successfully hosted many overseas teams and cross country competitions. The Snow Farm trails also offer ideal terrain for the running of sled dogs and staged New Zealand Dog Sled Championship in September as well as offering commercial trips.

The region’s event calendar was packed with top-level events for all snow sports athletes. From freestyle skiing and snowboarding, alpine ski racing, cross country and big mountain contests, elite athletes from around the world travelled to compete and entertain the crowds for the inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, the Burton New Zealand Open and the Australia & NZ Continental Cup. 2009 also saw the return of the World Heli Challenge.

Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore is thrilled with the success of the 2009 winter. “The mountains and down town have been buzzing with visitors, from the elite professionals to the recreational skiers and riders enjoying the diverse terrain and snow sports on offer. Good visitor numbers have been reported, particularly from across the Tasman,” he said.

For further information on Lake Wanaka, visit www.skilakewanaka.com.

Spring accommodation deals, from backpacker to luxury resort, gear rental and travel specials provide good value holidays to encourage visitors to the mountains. With internet bookings, great last minute deals and more direct flights to the Southern Lakes region, spring ski trips do not need to be planned too far in advance.

Consistent natural snow falls, pre- and early season, and cool winter temperatures have provided all the mountains with good solid snow bases offering excellent conditions through to the end of the season. Mountain patrol at Cardrona Alpine Resort have recorded 185cm of accumulated snow fall for the season to date with the average over for the last 10 years standing at 160cm for the whole season.

Tiered ticket pricing for day passes at Treble Cone and Snow Park NZ provides great value skiing and riding during the off-peak month of September with adult day passes as low as $65 at Snow Park and $89 at Treble Cone. Both mountains have also launched a Spring Pass from the 1st September costing $399 at Snow Park NZ and $389 at Treble Cone.

Night skiing on Tuesdays and Fridays (5pm-9pm) at Snow Park NZ continues through September with lift passes only $35 for adults. The dedicated 1km-long sled run, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere will also operate through to October, with sleds rented out by the hour and access via the Snow Park NZ chairlift.

A lively and fun selection of events will be staged across the region during the coming months, including: The Billabong Bro Down (28-29 Aug) at Snow Park, a quarter pipe and big air event, Ski Sail Race (10-12 Sept) at Treble Cone and on Lake Wanaka, the Eukanuba NZ Dog Sled Championship (31 Aug-4 Sept) at Snow Farm, the popular Mountain 2 Mountain (12 Sept) multisport race and the Cardrona Kids Festival (30 Sept-2 Oct). The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games is running throughout the region until 30 August.

James Helmore, general manager of Lake Wanaka Tourism believes spring is an excellent time to visit Lake Wanaka, “Visitors get the best of all seasons and can enjoy a variety of activities on and off the mountain. Skiing and snowboarding in the morning to wine tours and or a game of golf in the afternoon, the climate makes for a well rounded trip,” he said.

For September deals in Lake Wanaka, visit www.skilakewanaka.com.