[Junnifer USA]

Hello,
Almsot packed - waiting for stamps! Leaving from the Deep South of the USA!

Can you tell me what the weather is Feb - May. When do you start needing sweaters and warmer clothes...when does autumn start?

We wont have our shipment till about May. And, I dont want to be buying stuff in the interum period.

Would you let me know how you might plan for the weather ?
Jennifer

[Timbo]

The usual thing to do for a trip to NZ is cover all bases. The weather is so changable, you can and probably will get caught out. Take a bikini AND a sweater AND waterproofs. :uhoh

[deebat]

Junnifer, I think you'll find the weather right now to be somewhat similar to what you're accustomed to in South Carolina. I went to NZ from SC a couple years ago in February; it was a little chillier, but quite comfortable. By May, though, you might want to get your heavy sweaters (if you have any there in SC!) ready.

HTH,
Dan

[Moorf]

*Looking out of the window*.. it's a beautiful day! Jan thru March is "summer" but then we haven't had one yet.. although it does seem to be warming up considerably.

However, the winds can bite and in the shade it can get freezing.. so, as Timbo said, you really need to bring clothes for any eventuality - layers preferably so you can strip down to a t-shirt at a moments notice and then pile on layer by layer as it cools down! And remember that often you burn more on overcast days, hot or not, .. so bring that sunscreen - even with factor 30+ I have tanned :P

This week we are looking at temps of 24 - 26 degrees and clear skies... but that can change in an instant.. and it also depends on where you will be in NZ..

Moorf

[Tanya]

31 Degrees when I left Moorf's place this afternoon!! :nice1

[shagen]

Wow! That really feels like home :yes

[xanctus]

Wow! That really feels like home :yes

hahahaha you mean Indonesia or Malaisya Shagen? or about the same thing eh?

[Moorf]

.... and now, at 5.30pm looks like rain! With cool breeze.. cardigans on!

:?

[Jo and Andy]

Well whoever said I was moving for the weather.

Sounds like a British Summer (well warmer but as changeable).

Whats the Ski Season around Christchurch like?

Thanks

[Tanya]

.... and now, at 5.30pm looks like rain! With cool breeze.. cardigans on!

:?

Yeah but it didn't rain though did it - and this morning another bright blue sky with not a cloud in the sky!!

Tanya

[Moorf]

Yep.. another scorcher for which I shall cover up after the burns from yesterday!

Re Ski Season - Veronica's the one to answer this.. :nice1 however I believe Mt Hutt is a great resort on the South Island just about 1 hours drive from Chch. The season finished (or "should" have finished) c. October, not sure when it starts up again though.

Moorf

[veronica]

ski season is the same as everywhere, very variable. the last two years have been reckoned to be good but late seasons, supposed to run from mid June to end of Oct. The ski fields are an education. older style lifts for the main part and although there is a lot of skiing out there the individual fields tend to be small. The novelty for us is the fct that you can get up, check the weather and then decide to go skiing for the day. the club fields are open to everyone although the name seems to imply they are private, and there are loads of them. check out www.snow.co.nz

[Jo and Andy]

Well definately check it out, as family loves skiiing. Looking to book our last trip to the European Alps.

Husband used to be ski instructor when young, me good but still have fear, daughter 7, no fear and getting really good.

Skiing is one of the reasons chosen christchurch.

Is it just loads of button lifts.

Thanks

[Moorf]

http://www.nzski.com/mthutt/

Alot of buttons but not too archaic... ever go to Aviemore before the train went in? :laugh

[veronica]

they have chairs too, and rope tows and nutcrackers and a lot of people go backcountry skiing. As I said, its going to be interesting for you.

[Jo and Andy]

What on earth is a nutcracker, it sounds painfull.

Can't wait though. Is it quite expensive to go skiing regularly. Can it be a weekend thing?

Veronica
Did I read before that you have a ski shop, if yes how much is ski equipment etc. As you will have to visit your shop.

[veronica]

a nut cracker describes it well but thats not what it does. It attaches to a waist harness and is flipped and gripped around a rope tow. Haven't tried it yet myself but it sounds like its one of those things that you have to get the knack of, like riding a bike, but once its done you've got it forever.

[shagen]

Speaking of skiing, is it difficult to take up? For someone never did any skiing at all?

It will be a waste to be so near to skiing and yet not be able to enjoy it!

[Moorf]

You can start at ANY age Shagen... my mum didn't join the my dad on the slopes until she was about 40 and she now LOVES skiing (she's now 56).

Shame that it took my dads heart attack at that time to make her want to try such things... but she learnt v. quickly and she wasn't a particularly active person before and had no probs.

Apart from a stint at school of skiing I have always boarded and I am going to go back to ski school to learn to be a 2-planker again :laugh :laugh never too old!

:nice1

[Jo and Andy]

You have got to try it Shagen. The kids will love it as they have no fear.

I really enjoy it fresh air, cool breeze, nice tan, and a few nice drinks on the slopes.

Not tried snowboarding yet, Andy is a diehard skiier, and I will admit to not liking snowboarders who have not had lessons, you meet sooo many in Europe who think they can do it and nick all my snow, so I get Ice.

The ones who have lessons and have learnt to do it right, fly past looking very graceful and it looks fun. The others just seem to scrape snow and sit on their bums (must be cold).

Hope I didn't insult you Moorf, I am sure you are one of the graceful ones.

might have to give it a go.

[Moorf]

Ohh the old skier/snowboarder debate - not going there.. annoyances on both sides methinks :laugh

[Jo and Andy]

Totally agree, I will be understanding of all, have been knocked over by skiiers as well.

Didn't mean to upset.

[veronica]

We've always gone in a mixed group and never had any probs. But going back to the weather in Chch...............it could be anything. So definately go for layers 'cos it will probably be everything in one day

[Moorf]

Have heard that Chch doesn't get snow as such - except on rare occasions where they might get a thin layer - so where is the snowline? Methven level?

[veronica]

depends how cold it is, snowed in chch last winter and the year before they had quite a dump of the stuff. doesn't stay around for long though.

[Annierobrigado]

skiing sounds fun, but are there any ice skating rinks around? i mean, we don't have snow in the philippines but we do have ice skating here :mrgreen: how's that! SM Mega Mall has i think the best ice skating rinks this side of the tropics :nice1 and in fact we've raised filipino ice skating champs through the mall's rinks.

but i've always wondered about the real thing... and if snow is hard or soft. and how do you clean your snow gear - dry clean or plain washing machine?

:oops: :oops: got a lot to learn from northern parts of the world.

:cheers
annie

[veronica]

snow in its natural state is soft but to ski on it it is often compacted by a machine. At present there is one skating rink in chch but it is proposed to build another in the new brighton area