The ski season is finally upon us and we had the staff training on
the mountain at Porters the past weekend. All in all the entire
experience was actually rather fun, considering that training is
mostly boring in nearly ever job. But this one saw us meting pretty
much the entire crew on the mountain and getting out on the mountain
to have a look at how the lifts operate. At the end of the three days
all of us had a good idea of what to expect and what is expected.
The next week saw us
settling in to our house at Benmore station and meeting all the
others that I'd be living with in that time, too. We have Mark, an
English guy I have stayed with at the hostel before, Nick (American
from California), Lena (German), Flo (German), Chris (German),
Gershon (err, don't really know, lot's of places), Hans (Kiwi) and
me. The house we are in is really good to. We had a fire and TV
installed whilst we were there and the heat the fire puts out is just
ridiculous. The owners are also friendly, all being farming kiwis and
looks like we got a good deal here (plus we are on the way to the
Porters ski field and don't need to use our own cars).
Between going to
Christchurch rather regularly and buying shopping and other gear a
few of us managed to get a bit of skiing in on the our neighbouring
mountain of Mt. Hutt. Due to location reasons they already have
enough snow to open, but not enough for all runs. Most of the others
managed to go to the mountain fairly soon, but the day all of them
went my ski gear had not yet arrived from Germany (thanks to mum for
that). They arrived the day they were all gone, and after a few
parties to meet up with our other colleagues and a Rugby game between
the All Blacks (NZ) and The Lions (UK), Hans, Lena and me managed to
get a ski in to Mt. Hutt.
Awesome day to start of
with it, too. Most of the Canterbury Plains was covered in a thick
layer of clouds and Mt Hutt was sticking out of it. So for the better
part of the day we skied above the clouds. Well “skied”. I'm the
only one of the group that skied that day, as Hans and Lena both
snowboard. But after some awesome views and fun carving the day was
coming to an end.
Back at the house most
of the others left for a party again (bit to soon for me and I was
knackered from skiing) and Nick and me were the only ones left at the
place. Shortly after it was bed for me, but a brilliant first skiing
in New Zealand.
