John Etheridge, General Manager of Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel tested his skiing skills by doing some heli skiing this morning with the Alpine Heli Ski team.  He started his day at around 8.30am by heading to the Glenorchy air strip.  Jason, the pilot after a safety briefing whisked the group to the top of Mount Larkin.

John Etheridge on his heli ski adventure

Alpine Heli Ski

JT the guide gave a quick rundown and the group hit it. John was with three snow boarders and JT on skis. The run was a beauty with about 20 plus centimetres of untracked powder. After two more runs John’s legs were burning and so it was lunch time, a very welcome rest. John met up with the other team including Tim the owner of Alpine Helli Ski and they laid it on. A great chance to rejuvenate though a few were reluctant to hit the chocolate brownies as the fear was as it was so rich it might weigh a person down. John had no such fears and scoffed back a massive piece loaded with chocolate.

Heli Ski lunch

After lunch they hit another run which was, with the first, the best of the day. Around 20 to 30 centimetres of untracked glistening white powder. Amazing, four huge runs John was pretty spent. So much so John had a little sleep in the van on the way back.

Heli Skiing on Mount Larkin

John thanks the Alpine Heli Ski team, Tim, JT and Jason for an awesome day!

Queenstown locals woke up to a white wonderland on Sunday 10 July, 2011 when snow fell to ground level.  

Source: Dave Matthews (local photographer)

Artists unknown - Remarkable Mountains in the background

Source: Dave Matthews (local photographer)

Enjoy 5 star luxury while experiencing the Classic All Blacks vs French Classics Feature match.  Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, located right next to the Recreation Ground, will provide a viewing experience of this exciting clash which is second to none.  The match will take place on 18 September 2011 on the Recreation Ground in Queenstown. 

A lineup of legendary rugby superstars will go head to head in an epic battle when the Classic All Blacks take on the French Classics at this Rugby World Cup festival feature match in Queenstown.  This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to be part of the whole rugby experience and enjoy a fantastic day out.  The team lineups will include former All Blacks, many still playing overseas, who are no longer contracted to New Zealand rugby.  The French team is expected to feature a number of members of the team responsible for the All Blacks’ 1999 Rugby World Cup demise at Twickenham. 

Date:      18 September 2011
Venue:  Queenstown Recreation Ground
Time:     Kickoff 2.30pm

Tickets will go on sale in July 2011.
Visit: www.classicallblacks.com

Keep updated on this topic by visiting:  http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/information/RWC

The Remarkables skifield in Queenstown has finally opened after snowfalls ended a long start to winter without a decent coating.

Source: NZ Ski

Around 700 skiers took to the mountain’s slopes on Sunday.

For more information on ski rental gear, ski lessons and bus transfers please contact hotel@queenstownpark.co.nz