Super Moon!
If you happened to step outside last night you may have noticed the amazing full moon – last night we witnessed a ‘perigee full moon’, which happens approximately once a year. According to astronomers the moon was 15,300 miles closer to earth than usual last night, and appeared to be 14% bigger and a massive 30% brighter!
As I happened to be up and outside at a ridiculously early time this morning (!) I was lucky enough to witness the moon lighting up Lake Wanaka before it set behind the mountains. Unfortunately my phone camera would not focus properly on the moon itself, but I thought the photo below showed how beautifully the lake was lit up! Truly a breathtaking moment.
Lake Wanaka voted world’s BEST new adventure hub
We are extremely excited to let you know that Wanaka has been voted the world’s best adventure hub by high-profile US publication “Outside Magazine” as part of their 2012 Outside Travel Awards.
Wanaka has been receiving a lot of positive international publicity lately and we have found this year there has been a marked increase in bookings for our winter (read adventure!) season. While we can’t be sure that this is directly related to an increase in overseas exposure we certainly won’t complain either way! Outside magazine is a highly influential magazine with a large readership based not only in the US but also around the world so we can only hope this exciting award will bring many more tourists to our beautiful part of the world.
Lake Wanaka ranked top ski town
We were thrilled to open our morning paper and read that Wanaka has been ranked as the top ski town in the Southern Hemisphere. It is an honour to appear on a list that involves destinations such as Aspen and Chamonix!!
Every year we see a marked increase in the number of overseas skiers, both professional and recreational who travel to Wanaka for the winter months, and with such great exposure we are sure we will be getting a lot busier in the next few years! Already bookings are flying in thick and fast for extended ski holidays for the upcoming season, and plans are being laid by friends overseas to spend the ski season in Wanaka. We have also noticed that every summer more and more local skiers are heading overseas and ski at stunning destinations in America and Europe.
Even though I am not a great skier (to put it mildly!) I have to say Winter is my favourite season but even I don’t think I could manage two Winter seasons in a row. I would love to hear whether this is something you would do or have ever done and what your experience was like. I have a younger brother who is in Colorado until April and he said that it was the best decision he has ever made – he was lucky enough to go skiing in Aspen on Christmas day with a group of friends on an otherwise empty ski field and having seen the footage of them flying down the slopes and dodging pine trees in perfect weather I have to admit it wouldn’t be a bad way to spend Christmas morning as opposed to the windy, humid summer weather we are accustomed to in Wanaka over Christmas!
Also in the press was the article below, with a little gloating directed at Queenstown!
Beautiful Wanaka
Sometimes it is easy to take the beautiful landscape around us for granted, we get so caught up in day to day life that we don’t take the time to stop and appreciate our surroundings. This photo I snapped on the way home from work yesterday made me stop and appreciate how stunning Wanaka really is and just how lucky we are. It also made me want a motorbike!
Hello Sunshine!
Another bright sunny day – it seems Winter was gone before it even began! The ski fields have now closed and suddenly our thoughts have turned to boating, water sports, BBQ’s and of course tanning!
I’m happy to report all Clearbrook staff made it through the season without breaking any bones on the slopes, although that could be because we didn’t get time to go up the hill very often! We had a very busy Winter season despite the snow taking it’s time to arrive and issues with the volcanic ash cloud delaying many flights. Bookings are already flying in for next winter which is a great sign!
We are now taking advantage of a slightly quieter period to get stuck into some spring cleaning and prepare for what looks to be a busy summer.
To give you a sneak peak of what is in store, here is a photo I took on my walk to work a few days ago. The best of both worlds – snow on the mountains but the sun shining and the lake still and calm. What’s not to love?!
Seasonal Staff
Well the entire country has been covered in a blanket of snow, but we aren’t complaining! After a slow start to the season the extra powder was very, very welcome. And just in time for the NZ Winter Games – we’ve had more than a thousand athletes descend on us for two weeks of action packed events and some great parties! Today marks the second day of competition and already Wanaka’s own Jossi Wells has scooped two second place spots on the podium. If you are currently visiting Wanaka I urge you to try and checkout the action on the slopes, it’s not often we get the opportunity to witness some of the world’s best in action. And if you prefer to stay dry and warm (like me!) then head down to Kai on Ardmore street from 5:30pm onwards for the Winter Games prize giving’s and great live music. (Not to mention the occasional fire dancer!)
With the Winter season in full swing we are extremely busy here at Clearbrook, to the extent that we have been forced to employ some slightly unusual seasonal staff to cover the front desk … I’ll let the photos speak for themselves!
And finally … Snow!!
Clearbrooks newest staff member!
Zoe Rosa Innes.
Summer is well and truly gone!
Zero degrees and heavy frost on the ground – it feels like winter is here already! We are sad to say goodbye to Summer but we are already looking forward to a fantastic ski season.
There is nothing that quite matches the beauty of a sunny, clear winter day with bright blue skies and snow covered mountains as far as the eye can see. Bookings are flying in thick and fast so if you are thinking about visiting Wanaka to take advantage of the amazing ski fields on offer don’t delay.
Personally I can’t wait to hit the slopes again – it has been a very long five years and I am just hoping that I can ease back into the powder and avoid broken bones – if you see me in the office in plaster then you will know why!
If you have any questions regarding ski fields, transportation to the ski field, hiring/purchasing gear please don’t hesitate to contact us – we are more than happy to help make your Wanaka experience one to remember!
March special!
Please note that this special only applies when making bookings directly through our office. To make a booking and secure these special rates, please email info@clerbrook.co.nz or call us on 0800 443 441. Specail valid until March 31 2011.
