For this 50+ year old woman, who is a long way shy of the slender svelte person she was some years ago, the 35 minute drive along a picturesque country road followed by an adventurous 7 km drive up a rather steep well maintained gravel road that can be a little snow slushy on the edges in places, and offers stunning views on corners where there's nowhere to stop and admire them let alone take pics, is the ultimate alternative tame adventure to joining the snow bunnies on the slopes with those long spindly things called ski's.
You eventually arrive at the 'multi level' car park and are directed to a vacant spot where you rug up appropriately and have a quick gawk at the views.
You then make your way through the icy in places car park to the base building where you purchase your ticket for the scenic chairlift that includes a mug of hot chocolate at the top in the outdoor cafe. You know the cafe I mean, the coolest cafe ever!
The staff are helpful if you appear befuddled and will guide you to where you need to catch your ride, the chairlift with all the skiers! This part can be a bit daunting if like me you have your Blundstones on your feet rather than ski boots, your heavy jacket rather than ski clothing and a backpack/bag of some sort carrying the ever important camera. You kinda feel like you stand out a bit like the proverbial pimple on a pumpkin.
The staff tell you where to stand and the chair comes up behind you, so you just kind of naturally (or awkwardly at first) sit on it. There were 4 other skiers seated beside me and I can't say they were a terribly talkative lot, however, I was clearly the odd one out. I sat mesmerised for the climb up the mountain, over the snow and the skiers below. I didn't take any pics on this part of the trip and almost wished I'd gone up again so I could do so. Never fear though, I made up for it on the way back!
All too soon you arrive at the top and jump out (yes, I know that word jump conjures up all kinds of odd images) to make your way across and down the snow to the outdoor cafe. There are barely words to describe the beauty that is situated 1960 metres above sea level. These next pics show the section where you get off the chair lift.
Next up, the ever so cool, outdoor cafe! The best place to enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and a slice of pizza.
Check out those mountains! Every direction you look, you are surrounded by panoramic picture perfect views.
I could have stayed there for hours enjoying those views. I was wishing I was a bit younger so I could be out there on the slopes learning to ski. It wasn't too long before I had some people join me at my table. Both skiers, husband and wife team, she had a similar name to mine and both would have been at least 10 years older than me.
They were from Europe, I've forgotten exactly where and had been skiing most of their lives. I had a lovely brief chat with them before they headed back off to the slopes. I loved seeing families with little ones, children who looked lucky to be 2 or 3 years old learning how to ski. Some of them reasonably good at it too.
I eventually decided it was time to go back down the chairlift again and this time I had it to myself, so I was able to take photos to my heart's content. As previously mentioned, I made up for no pics on the way up!
You can just see the car park below in these next pics and the road winding back down the mountain and into Wanaka.
A few more...
Before too long, the chair lift was back down again. It was a little tempting to go up again and I realised after I could have easily done that because it's an all day pass that you get. Next time! For now, it was time to head back down the mountain and think about what next to explore. This is definitely something I will do again and I can honestly say, it was the best $27 I spent that trip!
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