Welcome to the latest edition of Manganui Notes, the e-newsletter of Manganui Ski Area and Stratford Mountain Club.
Well this time last year we were off and running, being the 1st ski area in NZ to open - on May 12 no less! What a contrast a year makes; a smidgen of snow at the top of the hill at present. However, like last year it only takes a southerly storm to change all that.
The Annual Ski Swap is on Thursday 27 May at the New Plymouth Yacht Club, more details below.
In the snippets of interest section, The Banff Movie Tour is heading your way, THIS FRIDAY!!!
And Warren Miller's Dynasty tour is coming to to the major centres. See our feature article section for more..
In this issue...
GOINGS ON' Around the Manganui Ski Area - SMC Ski Swap, Warwick Brown building re-roof/re-clad project update, New Safety Services Coordinator for 2010, George Mason Trust recipient, Manganui Ski Area Staff & Volunteer Staff Training Day, this Sunday 23rd May...
4 Mustang Dve Bell Block New Plymouth phone and fax (06)755 0005
GOINGS ON’ Around the Manganui Ski Area
When: 6pm, Thursday 27th May Where: NP Yacht Club, Ocean View Parade, New Plymouth Entry: Gold Coin donation, $10 for sellers
Drinks and nibbles will be available.
All proceeds go to the SMC Junior Ski Racing and Training Squad.
sponsor of the Ski & Board Swap
Warwick Brown building re-roof/re-clad project update
Progress is just about complete, with the new roof on, and all the cladding completed...
WB building looking good at Manganui 1260m now...
All that is left is a bit of tidy up work, sanding soffits, staining (George's Goo) and painting of decks handrails doors, blockwork etc.
the retrofitted Warwick Brown building
Steelformers is the only locally owned and operated roofing manufacturer in Taranaki. They supplied the roof and gutters for the Warwick Brown building upgrade and also for the DoC Public Shelter. The Public Shelter roof was installed by Central Roofing (the preferred and recommended installers of all Steelformers products).
The Warrick Brown roof installation was done entirely on a volunteer basis by club members over 2-3 weekends.
A big thanks goes out to TONY (te captain) COOK, SCOTT (pirate)BRADSHAW, TOMMY(tweaker) DYET, BRUCE NEALE, and MIKE REEVE, who all made the roof happen, in trying conditions! Also to Tony Cook & Bruce Neale for the use of their scaffold.
Also to Lars, Biggie, Paul Allen and all the others who helped take the scaffolding down.
The new roof on the DoC public shelter
...and of course a big thanks to TSB Community Trust Taranaki Electricity Trust NZ Community Trust for funding the major cost.
Steelformers is a local company based in Stratford. 3466 Mountain Rd ph 06-765 5191
New Safety Services Coordinator for 2010
SMC is pleased to announce that Nicholas Fountain has been emplyoed for the 2010 season. Nicolas is from Crested Butte, Colorado, and has spent last NZ season in New Zealand at Temple Basin.
His background consists of ski patrolling, guiding, avalanche course instruction, independent college studies in (stability evaluation, hazard evaluation, mountain weather and snow climates, and mitigation techniques), and of both recreational and professional backcountry experience.
Nicholas replaces Brad Carpenter, who is at Porters ski area for the 2010 season.
George Mason Trust recipient - Thornton Davies
Thornton is a student in Year 12 at Francis Douglas Memorial College and as part of his Physical Education subject he applied to the SMC to do the NZMSC Avalanche Level I course at Whakapapa in August and also a FEC Medical First Aid Course as a prerequisite to the Level I course.
He was successful in gaining a scholarship from the George Mason Charitable Trust to the value of $1,000 for Season 2010. The SMC wishes to thank the Trust for their support in the area of junior development in the club.
Certainly good that SMC can promote young members keen to further their knowledge of ski area operations, and that we can, through the trust, help those seeking a possible future in the ski area industry.
Manganui Ski Area Staff & Volunteer Staff Training Day, this Sunday 23rd May
At at the ski area at 10:30am. Those who operate our lifts, and those wishing to learn how, are required to attend, to be trained in general ski area operations, basic avalanche response, first aid response etc.
SMC thanks
TSB Community Trust Taranaki Electricity Trust NZ Community Trust
for their contribution towards the Warwick Brown Building refurbishment/upgrade project.
WORKING BEES
Working bees of late are being well attended, with plenty up the hill contributing to pre-season maintenance. It is all looking pretty good up there. Still a bit to do so, your help would be much appreciated.
As described on the previous e-newsletter issue 43, working bees are now required to be completed in order to qualify for discounted season passes.
See below for our full working bee schedule.You should also be receiving in your inbox each Thursday, 1 page emails detailing the working bee scheduled for the upcoming Saturday and/or Sunday; what the jobs are, what is involved, who to contact if you are keen.
Remember that for the working bee qualifiers, you still receive a working bee ticket, each ticket being valid for 1 nights accommodation at the Manganui Lodge, or 1 days skiing.
Working bees are 6hrs duration, and commence at 10am on the mountain, giving attendees time to get up to the area.
Note that below is a list of jobs with project organisers, and not a roster as such. If you wish to be involved in an upcoming weekends working bee, then please contact the person associated with the project. Their contact details are listed below.
Date (Weekend of)
Project Organisers
Contact numbers
Working Bee
May 22-23
Todd Cations-Velvin Mark Braddock
0276634014 0276898149
Staff and Volunteer Staff Training
May 29-30
Brendon Edwards Rhys Williams
7527011 7539627
Lower field rail slides (remove/repair)
outstanding work from above tasks
Lodge appliances (TV fix to work properly etc)
June 05-06 (Queen's Birthday Weekend)
Lars Binsbergen Justin Keenan
0273220092 0272484085
Lodge (window latch repairs, prep/paint reveals on Lodge windows)
outstanding work from above tasks
June 12-13
Dave Smithers Brooke Fletcher Lars Binsbergen
0272243506 0274398871 0273220092
Replacement of top tow rope (stretch and splice)
Lodge maintenance (entertainment centre repairs)
June 19-20
Brendon Edwards Mark Braddock Justin Keenan
7527011 0276898149 0272484085
Jnr Ski racing gear check and test
SMC PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Well you know what they say about a later start to the ski season. When it comes it stays!!
The preparation of the ski field for the 2010 season is progressing well. The tee bar slopes have been groomed, many thanks to the Padutt family and Nev Christianson. Spring box’s and tees next on the list. Learner rope is out and ready to go. Dave Smithers and crew have carried repairs to safety fencing and ramps, and the access lift is ready to be fired up. The new top tow rope is on the ramp, ready to be put out. Hopefully the weather will allow us to carry out the necessary splices this coming weekend. The Warrick Brown building is looking a picture with its recent reclad and reroof. Many thanks to Lars Binsbergen for getting this major project off the ground. Also many thanks to Bruce and Cookie and Mike Reeve for pushing this project along. Not forgetting the many members who scraped, stained timber, batons, ply sheeting and assembled and disassembled scaffolding which had to be humped to flying fox and back again. We have also recently employed a Mountain manager for the upcoming season. Nicholas Fountain is soon to make his way from over the States and along with our local members assist us with the day to day running of our local ski field. Many thanks to Mark Braddock, Justin and Todd in making this happen. There has also been many people doing many things and to many names to mention. The Stratford Mountain Club is very grateful of your help and thanks you. The snow won’t be far away, so hope to catch up on the slopes soon.
Regards Kevin Rowlands.
WHAT THE SMC COMMITTEE IS UP TO
The SMC committee has and or is working on a number of projects. These include…
Warwick Brown building re-roof/re-clad project
Top Tow maintenance - on going, top tow get on ramp repairs, more pulleys etc
Lower lifts maintenance
Junior ski racing and training strategies/events for thiscoming season
Safety Services pre season stocktake
Manganui Lodge building WOF
General machinery maintenance/servicing
interviews/selection of Safety Services Coordinator candidates
funding applications for Safety Services Coordinator wages
SNIPPETS OF INTEREST/ADVERTORIALS
Banff Movie Tour of New Zealand 2010 - New Plymouth
Location: Citywest Church, 62C Poplar Grove, Westown, New Plymouth Date: 21 May 2010, 7:30pm - THIS FRIDAY!!! (the Friday before the Ski Swap!)
The Banff Film Festival has continued to be well supported and has become a regular annual event for many Taranaki people. This year NZAC - Taranaki Section are again bringing this popular event to New Plymouth.
The exclusive ticket outlet for this years event is Kiwi Outdoors Centre, 18 Ariki St New Plymouth. Tickets are available on the night but it is strongly advised to pre-purchase.
Prices: $20 Adult $15 Children (15yrs and under) $15 NZAC members (current membership card required)
FILM PROGRAM:
1. Introduction – 2 mins Highlights of the ‘Best of Banff’
2. World Record Waterfall Descent – 3 mins – Kayaking In this short but unforgettable film, Tyler Bradt sets the new world-record waterfall descent at 60m.
3. Revolution One – 10 mins – Unicycle Follow world champion unicyclists Kris Holm and Dan Heaton as they take a look into the history, people and places that have defined the rapidly emerging sport of off-road unicycling.
4. First Ascent – Alone on the Wall – 23 mins – Rock Climbing After gaining international climbing renown for his landmark free-solo of “Moonlight Buttress” in Zion National Park, Utah, 24-year-old Alex Honnold moves on to his next big challenge: the first free-solo of the “Regular Northwest Face” route on Yosemite’s Half Dome.
5. Take a Seat – 46 mins – Cycling Dominic Gill’s mission to cycle the 32,000 kilometres from the northern coast of Alaska to the southern tip of South America, on a tandem bike, picking up random strangers on the way. A gripping tale of two years and two continents, full of extraordinary characters and incidents.
6. Ultimate Skiing Showdown – 4 mins – Nordic Skiing The final sprint showdown between the fastest skiers on Earth in juxtaposition with a stunt performer showing some of the sickest moves on Nordic skis. A lot of fun!
7. Kranked–Revolve – 11 mins – Mountain Biking The coolest human-powered adrenaline tool ever invented – the mountain bike? “Revolve” blasts in cinematic glory from the French Alps to the lush coast of B.C., incorporating dirt jump, trail, freeride, slopestyle and downhill.
8. Ten-A Cameramans Tale – 36 mins –Free Skiing/Snowboarding This snowboard/ski freeride documentary gives an insight into the world of freeriding through the lens of cameraman Guido Perrini. Featuring some of the world's best freeriders in locations from Alaska and Canada to Chile and Russia, the film delves into the passion, joys and dangers that are an everyday part of freeriding.
9. Mont Blanc–Speed Flying – 9 mins – Skiing/Parapenting Six speed riders fly from the upper slopes of Mont Blanc down to Chamonix in one continious 10- minute shot.
10. Hunlen – 12 mins – Waterfall Ice Climbing What happens if you show up to climb one of the biggest frozen waterfalls in Canada – but it isn’t completely frozen? Will Gadd and EJ Plimley battle to do the first ascent of B.C.’s remote Hunlen Falls. Falling ice, crashing water, fear, big fun!
11. Project Megawoosh – 4 mins – Water Slide Bruno Kammerl, a German engineer, works to perfect the world’s tallest human water slide.
Feature Article
Sixty years ago, an adventurous man with a pair of wooden boards strapped to his feet and an 8mm-movie camera in his hand changed the way we thought about snow. Today, Warren Miller is the most recognised name in the ski industry, and Warren Miller Entertainment® (WME) hosts the largest action sports film tour on the planet. This winter, we celebrate 60 years of filmmaking with the release of Warren Miller’s Dynasty. Fresh cinematography and immeasurable talent explodes from Dynasty, showcasing the experience, the influence, and the originality that has grown from the action sports filmmaking institution that is Warren Miller Entertainment.
In May and June this year, Ice Edge Marketing brings you Warren Miller’s Dynasty for its nationwide film tour. Narrated by Jonny Moseley and presented in striking high-definition, Dynasty highlights winter’s most gripping explorations and ultimate challenges…the new, the old, and the unknown…the steep, the deep, and the unthinkable. All of the action in this anniversary edition is set to an unmatched, innovative soundtrack, including music from Incubus, Silversun Pickups, and Band of Horses. Warren Miller’s Dynasty takes you on a breathtaking global tour of China, Alaska, Norway, Colorado, British Columbia, and more. Join legendary WME athlete Chris Anthony as he treks into China’s interior on a search for the birthplace of skiing; follow mountaineering marvel Chris Davenport to Norway’s highest peaks; reunite with the pride of the Midwestern ski community, Luke and Adam Schrab; and catch a rare glimpse at historic clips from Warren Miller Entertainment’s vault of vintage footage.
When asked about Dynasty, the film’s director and producer Max Bervy said, “Warren Miller's Dynasty reveals the past, present, and future of winter sports. It is a film that gathers the generations under one roof, from the Crist family patriarch to Daron Rahlves, and the explosion of young terrain-park talent they've inspired. It's like a family reunion, held in neck-deep pow, with mandatory air required for entry. It leaves no snowball unturned in celebrating everyone who has, is, and will forever be a part of Warren Miller's Dynasty.” Warren Miller’s Dynasty tours Australia and New Zealand as a limited release and stops in more than ten cities, including Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, Queenstown, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. With limited screenings, Warren Miller films attract a cult-like following and mark the official start of winter for sports enthusiasts everywhere. Warren Miller premiers are an experience, a party, and a phenomenon not to be missed. Come and celebrate with us…60 years of breaking trail! Check out warrenmillerfilms.co.nz for tour information, videos, photos, and more.
Corporate Information Warren Miller’s Dynasty is Warren Miller Entertainment’s 60th anniversary feature film, adding it to the legacy of Warren Miller Entertainment’s® pioneering influence in action sports cinematography. The national tour of Dynasty is presented by the all new BMW X1 and co-sponsored by Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat, snow.co.nz, Club Med and Ski Travel. In addition to producing an annual feature length film, Warren Miller Entertainment has a thriving television development and production division and is a leading source for action sports stock footage.
Dates/Venues
Auckland: Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Cnr Gillies Ave & Silver Rd, Epsom Thurs 20 May 6.30pm & 8.45pm Fri 21 May 6.30pm& 8.45pm Sat 22 May 6.15pm & 8.30pm Sun 23 May 4pm & 6.15pm
Wellington: The Embassy Theatre, Kent Terrace Fri 11 June 8.30pm Sun 13 June 5pm
Christchurch: Hollywood 3, Sumner Beach Fri 28 May 6.30pm & 8.45pm Sun 30 May 4pm & 6.15pm
Dunedin: Hoyts Cinema, The Octagon Fri 4 June 6.30pm & 8.45pm Sun 6 June 4pm & 6.15pm
Queenstown: Reading Cinemas Fri 25 June 8.30pm Sun 27 3pm & 5.15pm
SMC had an offer for a free double pass to an Auckland showing, via our facebook page, to the first SMC member who replied to the post. The winner was Karl Lapwood, who is off to the Saturday 6:45pm showing at Auckland.
thanks to Stephanie for the double pass.
If you would like to post a classified advert (buy/sell gear etc), please post it on the SMC 'Garage Sale' page of our website.
PHOTO OF THE ISSUE The new top tow rope on the ramp awaiting hanging out, stretching and splicing. Also the ramp extension out re-furbished and ready to roll. Friday 14 May
5 Day Snow Forecast
