Snow, Snow, Ice and more Snow

June 24th, 2007

Getting from Christchurch to Queenstown on Friday night proved a challenge. A huge storm hit, dumping 20cm of snow all over the South of the South Island, causing crashed, road and airport closures and other general mayhem. On the plus side, it meant that there was loads more snow on the slopes, so off we went anyway, hoping to find some open roads….. A quick call to the Land Transport hotline suggested there was possibilities (and also said non essential travel should not be attempted).

We drove most of the way to Dunedin before turning inland - without seeing snow. As soon as the road climbed though it started to get a little white and then more and more slippy. It all got interesting when we stopped on a hill and started to slide back - with 2 scared women in a 4×4 in front of us. I had to turn their car round for them as they were about to slide off the road (nerve wracking) and then I fitted my snow chains and began a really strange 200km drive on snow and ice.

All the way the car would snap into ruts, powerslide, lock up and just generally mis behave. Good fun! Eventually I arrived in Queenstown after 600km and 11 hours - and awake for 24 hours straight.

The next 2 days were spent on the slopes - I seem to remember how to ski which is a bonus! I suck in powder and on jumps though, so thats something to work on…..

Entry Filed under: New Zealand, Random Ramblings, Travel