A Brand New Experience in the Hills

Matt’s story August 2003

A Brand New Experience - Skiers on the "Main Street" just in front of the Snow Farm Lodge.

Friends of mine back in the OTMC [Otago Mountaineering and Tamping Club] about 20 years ago did a lot of cross country skiing (mostly in the Rock & Pillar Range); but I never quite got around to getting a set of gear.

 I got together with a few of the my regular running mates and we went up to the Snow Farm to do the annual Half Marathon [the Snow Farm Southern Muster – run every first Saturday of the new year].  It’s a summer event designed to make use of the 60 odd kms of ski trails when there is no snow.  We were so taken with the scenery and facilities that I spoke to Mary Lee about a bunch of us going up for a weekend of Running, Mtn Biking & dining. As it transpired it didn’t happen, but Mary had stressed that we should all be up there in winter making the most of the superb aerobic properties of Nordic skiing - claimed to be the best sport in the world for this outcome.

The Annual "Southern Muster" - Half Marathon and fun runs.  Run the first Saturday of each New Year.

So... I organised a “try-out day” for the Triathlon & Multisport Club.  A whole bunch of us went up. My mate Dennis & I went up with my kids and [once we got the gear sorted – there is superb rental ski equipment] we got straight into a 1 hour lesson. The 3 kids went into their own group with an instructor & Dennis & I joined 8 other “newbies”

Within a very short time we were making good progress, but also noting that after a couple of circuits up modest slopes; most of the rest of the group were complaining of being shot! Its hard work when you’re not used to it!  We took the kids around a few of the easier trails near the base and after lunch, when they were happy to do their own thing, Dennis & I set out on some longer trails.

Ski Hire - Superbly Maintained Equipment Updated every year.

The day was superb and the vistas of a large chunk of the Otago Mountains were tremendous. We later heard the field was “very busy”, but to us it was really quiet – no "other-full" on [ downhill ] skiers or boarders to worry about.  In fact it was, almost dead quiet (with only the varied squeaks of the skis on the snow).  There was sufficiently variable terrain on all the different trails to entertain us.

Heading Northward on the River Run

The “crowd” is noticeably devoid of the “labels” & “attitude” that you get on a conventional downhill field –everyone is unfailingly polite and relaxed. I’m hooked.  I’ll be back at least 2 or 3 more times this year! - The other great possibilities are the 2 or 3 huts you are able to ski to (& stay at overnight).

After 4 hours of this completely new sport, the old body felt great the next day.

Get up & give it a try (about 20 million Scandinavians are onto something here)!

                                                              Matt Sillars

(Matt is a veteran hill country hiker, and is currently - July 2006- Librarian for the Southland Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club).

Bob Lee Hut at the top of the Loop Track.