We tried out the snow scooters last week at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu. The first time I have ever been in the snow I was looking forward to see how it would go. And I am happy to say it was awesome. As soon as jumped on the snow scooter I was able to balance without any problems whatsoever. After 10-15 mins I had learned how to turn and stop and I was carving up the slopes. When you consider this compared to up to 2 to 3 daysto learn how to ski or snowboard this is incredible. We had a meeting with Management at Ruapehu and hope to be offering tours for corporate, educational and tour groups on the mountain shortly. Visit www.snowsportz.co.nz for more info on the snowscooter.
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Going snowscootering for a mid-week break wasn't something I had even considered as a vision impaired sailor. I was reassured that if I knew how to ride a push bike I would be fine.
After an early morning start on a crisp wednesday morning we, four of us, drove to National park village, unpacked the car and headed up the mountain. It was a disgusting wet and rainy day but our enthusiasm made up for the weather and the mood was bright.
After buying out lift pass we scrambled up a very short slope to the first chair lift. I had a 5min lesson on sliding and stopping then up we went. Once at the top a further 10min to reinforce the earlier 5min lesson with a little more speed and we headed to the start of the 'rocky garden'. Not a very heart warming name for a nervous blind skier. It took a few minutes to have the other people waiting head on down and then we were off!!!! Aaaaah hey this isn't so bad. It took about half an hour to get down with only a few very minor spills. Not even enough to get my legs wet.
I had a blast but unfortunately the weather (and a rather nasty cold) got the beter of me and after only a few trips down the mountian I needed a break. A lovely hot chocolate soon had me feeling better.
After a good nights rest and an unexpected extra day in front of the fire due to mechanical problems, I was ready to go again as was everyone else in our group. We woke up with beautiful sunshine pouring in the window and after a lovely porrige breakie packed everything up and went up the mountian again.
We had a GPS with us which showed we did 30.2km/h. This is really quite fast on a snowscooter on only your 2nd attempt. It was so much fun and extremely exilerating to have the freedom and control with only a voice guiding me down the slopes.
I had the most fantastic time. Everyone can use a snow scooter, it's really not that hard at all. I had the most fun I'd had in years. Give it a go, oh and guys, a HUGE thanks from the blind chick!!!!
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