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Report from Down Under

Bookmark and Share            By Lou

New Zealand backcountry skiing.

New Zealand

This weekend we heard from WildSnow’s Director of Year Around Skiing. Louie is ensconced at Cheeseman ski field, working as staff “up” there doing everything from repairs to ski patrolling.
 

“The internet we’ve got is half the speed of dialup,” he said, “it’s been snowing for three days, everything is above timberline and we spend all day in whiteout blizzard conditions — it’s great. Oh, and sorry about the core shots in your Mount Bakers…I’m holding the Coombacks in reserve till the snowpack builds up.”

This from his Facebook page:
“It’s sweet! It has been good powder the last few days, although a bit thin, since it is early season. Mt. Cheeseman is actually pretty good terrain, better than I expected. The work is pretty fun, just getting everything set up in the morning, then skiing around as ski patrol the rest of the day. They have a lodge up here that I am living in at the moment, it is great, perched up on the mountainside with great views. They have amazing looking backcountry skiing around here. On my first day off, I am going to do some exploring. There are lots of other ski fields in the same mountain range that are within touring distance (Craigieburn, Olympus, Broken River, and some others). The people here are super chill also, it is an amazing place.”

Posted by Lou on July 6, 2009 | Filed Under Trip Reports 

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Comments

4 Responses to “Report from Down Under”

  1. pete anzalone July 6th, 2009 7:26 pm

    Lou,

    You’ve got a great kid and he’s got a great great title!
    Live it large Louie, you’re a fortunate young man!

    -PA

  2. Lou July 6th, 2009 8:56 pm

    Thanks Pete!

  3. Randonnee July 6th, 2009 10:43 pm

    Way to go Louie! You worked hard at school and now enjoy it! Ah, to remember the days when I was a carefree young skier living on very little, and with a full head of hair….

  4. Jules July 10th, 2009 3:37 am

    Louie – great to hear you went to kiwiland. Really good decision, from all reports Cheeseman will be a great place for the season. Hopefully you will get to do some touring and visit the other club resorts.

    We expect reports!

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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