Aussie/NZ Snow/Skiing holiday for a family

[samh004]

Flights now booked. Only took 67 mins on the phone to get it sorted! Amazing how an AAirline AAgent can tell you outright that they can;t do something they have clearly done multiple times before.

Now to figure out how to get my $47 back ... but that is another story.

Now 120,000 AA miles lighter and US$803 poorer.

120,000 miles for 6 return tickets? That’s not bad.

 

[NM]

Booked the car rental today. A large 4WD (Toyota Prado or similar) should be good for the destination. Found a good price from Thrifty, which was around $300 cheaper than Hertz and Avis had no availability for more than 5 seats.

 

[QF WP]

Good to see that is is coming together NM.

You are reminding me that over Easter, Mrs LW and I have to start planning her 40th over in UK/Europe for May/June 2011. I'll be looking for similar assistance from AFF members and have similar issues like booking 3 x J Award seats + 1 infant through AA. Hope I don't need to be on the phone for that long....:shock:

 

[NM]

GHope I don't need to be on the phone for that long....:shock:

It is a good think I have an IP phone here on my desk with USA out-dial, so using the US 1800 EXP desk number just cost me time (and some internet usage of which I never get close to my monthly quota anyway).

 

[NM]

Two rooms booked for last night before morning departure from AKL at Holiday Inn Auckland Airport. So now 30,000 PC points lighter.

 

[S.A]

Just saw this thread through the AFF Gazette so I can't add anything useful now to the choice of destination debate, but for the NMs there is a wealth of information at Main Page - WikiSki. The immediate most relevant links are the 'new to the snow' and in the resort guide you'll find links to Whakapapa/Mt Ruapehu.

Most ski places don't hire goggles, hats, gloves or socks so those are what you'd need to get sorted (bought/borrowed) before you go.

Accommodation near the hill - http://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/accommodation-activities/

 

[kiwitripper64]

best of luck with the trip. When are you comming over? We have 3 helmets if needed ( AKL)
Tips for skiing enjoyment
1. Fitness. Get those thighs tight.
2 Dress in layers. Ruapehu can be fine and warm or freezing with bitter wind. Take a day pack and leave outside by lifts and you can add or remove a layer or 2. Merino wool tops are fantastic.
3. Everyone stops for lunch at 12. The cafeterias and tables are full to overflowwing and the lift queues are minimal. Stop at 11 for morning tea, ski through lunch and stop for afternoon tea at 1.30.
4. Mobile phones may work on mountain, but it depends where you are. Dont rely on them to catch up with each other.
5. If its a nice day you will get sunburnt and dehydrated. Take drinks including drinks for drive down the mountain. And snacks. Takes about 30-40 min to get down to town
6. Check the beginner Ruapehu packages. Are they for both Whakapapa and Turoa skifields. As they face in different directions thay can have very different snow conditions and weather conditions, so it is worthwhile checking forecast night before.
7. Rentals. You can rent from Ohakune village or National Park rental shops. Benefits of hiring in town is you can go in night before and get all the skigear sorted and packed. Usually much more civilised and personal than getting gear on the mountain. Options include 1 day or multiday rentals. Problem with multiday is you pay for days even if mountain closed. You can also buy lift tickets form ski rental shops that saves even more time next day.


Rotorua
See Kuirau Park. Geothermal hotpools, footspa ( take a towel) mudpools and its free.
Hope these tips help

 

[lakeman]

The NMs are considering a winter skiing holiday this year and as we have little experience in their area, I am looking for some suggestions around the following topics:

1. The best time to go, keeping in mind we have two kids in high school. This always raises the debate of holidaying in school holiday periods vs taking the kids out of school for a week or so.
2. How long to go for? I am thinking around 5 days in the snow and a some travelling time to get thee and back from Qld.
3. Where is best for a family of beginner skiiers, including 5yo and three teenagers? We are happy to drive the NM family b*s to NSW or VIC fields. Should we be considering NZ?
4. Suggestions for accommodation. Stay on the mountain vs off-mountain and commute. "Family" rooms acceptable and we don't need 4/5* accommodation.
5. Where is best to hire skis, boots etc? At the skiing location (so can exchange if any problems), in the towns around the ski fields, or here in Brisbane before leaving?

We want to keep costs in check and don't have a bottomless budget. Its a shame we can't use Priority Club points for accommodation or FF miles for lift tickets etc.

So any suggestions will be welcomed .

Hope you have a great time with your trip to NZ.
Skiing is surely addictive and i am sure you will have some different ideas for your next trip.
I only used to take 3 kids to the snow and my main concerns when I look back were making sure everyone was warm enough and could find all their equipment and turn up for their lessons on time.
Often they were too wet,cold or tired and having accomodation on snow really came in handy.
Thats why I would suggest looking at Falls Creek/Mt Hotham Lodges or planning a trip to Niseko next time.
I have been to Turoa , though a long time ago and can say I enjoyed the drive down from Aukland and I believe you can use your tickets at Whakapapa (?spelling) if you want a change of scenery.
Some of the packages like skirider at Perisher can be good for the teenagers and they enjoy the prospect of travelling around a large resort, but again that would be for next time.
Good Luck

 

[samh004]

You bring up some very good points that I’d like to elaborate on.

2 Dress in layers. Ruapehu can be fine and warm or freezing with bitter wind. Take a day pack and leave outside by lifts and you can add or remove a layer or 2. Merino wool tops are fantastic.

A good thermal layer and a windbreak layer and then a waterproof later is sometimes all you need (though I’ve occasionally skied in a lot less). If it’s a particularly cold day, another fleece layer should do the trick, but the right base (thermal) layer will wick away sweat and keep you warm and cool at the same time.

3. Everyone stops for lunch at 12. The cafeterias and tables are full to overflowwing and the lift queues are minimal. Stop at 11 for morning tea, ski through lunch and stop for afternoon tea at 1.30.

This is a very good point. If you’re in a lesson it’s unavoidable you’ll be in the cafe at the same time as everyone else, but if you can avoid it, you’ll find space to eat and rest much easier. Also, if someone arrives early and saves tables and chairs, that’s useful.

4. Mobile phones may work on mountain, but it depends where you are. Dont rely on them to catch up with each other.

Have you seen those Motorola short-range radios? They’re brilliant, when we started using them there weren’t many others using them, but these days there aren’t enough channels. If you do have some though, they’re very good (and incidentally, cheap in Hong Kong - where we got ours).

5. If its a nice day you will get sunburnt and dehydrated. Take drinks including drinks for drive down the mountain. And snacks. Takes about 30-40 min to get down to town

Finally, be wary of police. It’s great to have a beer as you drive down from a long day of skiing, but the pigs like to wait at the bottom of the hill and breathalise you. Annoying as it backs up traffic, but also if you just want to unwind and really aren’t a danger

Also, not that I would expect this of you NM, be wary of having an Irish coffee or chocolate in the morning as you drive up to the field, they like to do the same on the way up.

And of course, I’m not saying we do either of those things, but just be wary.

Oh… and finally, if you’ve not driven much around NZ: The dreaded right-turn-right-of-way rule is useful to know.

 

[kiwitripper64]

I dont know waht time you get in to AKL, but prob 14.50. There is a Foodtown supermarket at airport of George Bolt Dr. This will be your best place to buy snacks, softdrinks and alcohol for the week. The skitowns are small and dont have a lot of retail shops.
You probably wont have time on way down but these are worth a look at if you can fit them in.
Glow Worm Caves | Waitomo | New Zealand

kiwi bird New Zealand | Otorohanga Kiwi House | NZ birds

Otarahonga is probably the best place to stop for a meal on way down to Ruapehu.
And finally if the snow is good and the crowds turn up, book a table at a restaraunt. On BUSY days limited restaurants plus large numbers means a VERY hungry wait til dinner at 9pm.

 

[NM]

Thanks again for all the wonderful advice, suggestions and recommendations. Accommodation is now booked at Ohakune using Ruapehu Chalet Rentals.

 

[samh004]

Thanks again for all the wonderful advice, suggestions and recommendations. Accommodation is now booked at Ohakune using Ruapehu Chalet Rentals.

Time to start rollerblading then so you can excel at skiing from the moment you get on the snow

Or alternatively, skateboarding if you have any aspiring snowboarders.