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  5 of 5, "Hidden Gem of NZ Ski Areas" 01/04/2010 @ 23:54 |
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| Times Visited |
| 15 Times + |
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| Review Detail |
Ohau means 'Place of Wind' in Maori. It can get windy but it compensates in many other ways. Ohau is a small commercial field two to three hours north of the bigger resorts in Wanaka/Queenstown. It has an amazing view of Lake Ohau - feed by glacial deposits making the colour like something from a different planet (someone once asked me if it was poisonous).
The road leading up to Ohau is about as bad as you can get, after driving through a ford at the bottom it gets scarier as you go up with a narrow road and steep drop offs from the edge (no barriers here!). Once again the views are outstanding if you can bear to look through your fingers.
There is a tiny base area with a lovely homely day lodge serving what is in my opinion the best value food you can get at any ski area in NZ. The home made gourmet pies, soup and brownies are delicious and do not break the bank. There is a roaring fire to warm your toes in front of too. The staff here are excellent - very friendly and most of them do two or three different jobs around the ski area.
The ski area itself is pretty small but has a great range of terrain available for all levels. A nice little learners area with a magic carpet satisfies the beginners and for those a bit more confident there are a couple of nice groomed runs. There are loads of hiking opportunities for more advanced skiers or snowboarders from the top of the chairlift up to the ridge. From here you can see amazing views in all directions, the Southern Alps to one side and Lake Ohau on the other. From the ridge there are a number of ways down depending on how far you fancy walking. You are all but guaranteed fresh tracks all day here (party due to the windblown powder and party due to lack of people). Ohau also has a nice little terrain park with a couple of great learner features.
If you come on a weekend Ohau is much busier but during the week you might only count 5 or 6 other people on the slopes. It is a great place to practice technique without fear of crazy people flying past you at breakneck speed and for this reason also a great place to push your own boundaries and try out terrain that you have never tried before.
I would definitely recommend Ohau to anyone planning a ski trip to NZ. There isn't anything really negative I could say about it and everyone that we have taken up there on our tours loves it. |
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| Strengths |
| No lift lines, friendly staff, great views, wide range of terrain - no people! |
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| Hot Spots |
| Trudging up to the ridge from the chairlift gives you some great lines and fantastic views. Cafe - yummy food. |
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| Weaknesses |
| Road is dodgy, only one slow two seater chairlift but this adds to teh charm. |
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| 5 of 5, "Ohau I Love to Ride" 22/11/2007 @ 10:11 |
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| 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: |
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| Revision #1 (Last edited: 22/11/2007 @ 10:14) |
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| Times Visited |
| 6-15 Times |
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| Review Detail |
For anyone who's only ridden the big resorts in Europe / USA etc. Ohau would be a bit of a shock at first. One lift, a 2nd hand 2 man chair, slowly takes you up the centre of the valley. Time to chill, take it all in, scope out your next line, love the scenery.
Go there midweek and you've pretty much got the place to yourself. I was up there one day this season with only 14 others on the whole mountain! Lift queues? What are they?
Hike up the ridge (10mins+, depending on how far you want to go), plenty lines in bounds, but you'll need backcountry kit if you go right over to the left. Great views of Mt Cook (NZ's highest mountain) over the back, beautiful Lake Ohau down in front of you.
Cafe's great too - friendly staff, good food + coffee. Stay at Lake Ohau lodge down the bottom by the lake - great value + location.
Could write loads on this place - is up there in the best NZ has to offer!
I've written a bit more on Ohau here:
http://www.gnarlyboarders.co.uk/tags/Ohau/default.aspx
and pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/le_sloth/tags/ohau/ |
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| Strengths |
Powder - gets awesome dry stuff that lasts for days after other resorts have been tracked out
Chilled
Friendly people - everyone's loving it, no attitude
Terrain - pretty much ride where you want, not much in the way of pistes
Carrot Cake
The drive down there - best scenery in NZ
It's Free to ride there with an NZ Ski season pass! |
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| Hot Spots |
| Now that would be telling! |
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| Weaknesses |
| Takes forever to get there as it's properly in the middle of nowhere. Actually, that's a strength |
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| Similar Resorts Visited |
Mt Potts
Porters is slightly similar I spose |
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