Infinity Merino Muster 23rd August 2008

 

The Infinity Merino Muster is one of the best kept secrets of cross country skiing in Australasia.  There are three distancesﾅ 7km Straggle Muster, 21km Snow Rake and 42km Merino Muster.

 

The terms:

 

Muster - an organised gathering of sheep in the high country and especially the autumn; bringing the sheep to the valley floors away from the snowy mountain tops.

 

Straggle Muster - clever sheep try to avoid coming to the valley for summer and the musterers go out several times after the main muster to check the country is clear.

 

Snow Rake - if a snow fall occurs early the sheep become trapped on the

Mountains.  The farmers stamp paths in the snow to allow the sheep to walk to the lower country.

 

New Zealand’s only freestyle cross country citizen race held annually on the rolling hills of the Pisa range of Central Otago.  Snow Farm hosts this event and provides professionally groomed trails, snow making capabilities and lodge with a range of accommodation, ski hire, catering and extensive balconies overlooking the start/finish area for both competitors and spectators.

 

The race is timed to complement the Kangaroo Hoppet, one of the World Loppet races.  Competitors have the opportunity to therefore complete two international citizen races and include New Zealand on their air ticket at little extra cost.

 

The race is now in its twelfth year and has a range of trail options that exist if snow conditions were to prevent use of the normal route.  The facilities are exceptional and far beyond what would be expected given the small New Zealand cross-country skier base. 

 

The Infinity Merino Muster caters for team competition for the short 7km race.  It celebrates a great High Country tradition of mustering the sheep down to lower levels in autumn, an event that features in much of our South Island literature and song and formed a right of passage for many of the rural communities young people. 

 

The location of the race was once itself a sheep station and Central Otago, the district in which Wanaka is situated, is the heart of merino sheep country.   The longer races still have their share of fun competitors but also allow the competitive skier to test their skills against rivals.  Distances are 21km and 42km respectively.