To finish up this winter season for Diaries Down Under, we (Nick Hyne, Nick Brown, Mack James, Vaughan Brookfield and myself) flew twelve minutes from Queenstown with Heli Tours to a private Hut on the Northern side of Mount Larkins.
Vaughan Brookfield and I enjoying the luxury of floating while Paul from Heli Tours does all the work
Steepwhite was the location we were flying to, we weren’t sure what to expect. There had been a few dustings of snow up high, but the storms were also followed by warm periods which we thought would have crusted everything up, making the journey to come a tough one as far as getting epic footage.
We were pleasantly surprised however, as when we arrived not only did we get a good look at some of the heaviest looking chutes we’d seen in a while but the snow was relatively powdery making them a possibility. The location has everything you’ll ever need. From rolling terrain with wind lips, to mellow open slopes, to steep chutes that will challenge even the professional riders.
Mack James, ready to drop
Dan Kelly and his wife Christine Grant own and operate the hutt. Their local knowledge and laid back and friendly personalities provide an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to escape the crowds and get up into some real back country terrain. Their season runs from June till November and with the way the ridges run from the hut, it makes for an easy hike to some next level free riding.
The cheeky Kea. This guy got angry at me when I told him off for chewing on my tripod
Lake Wakatipu gets a light drizzle, time to get back to the hut.
If you have a few days next winter and would like to do something different, go and spend 3 days with Dan and Christine, you won’t regret it. I can’t wait to go back.
This season wasn’t the greatest for snow levels. It was very warm for a month with little to no precipitation. Still though, Diaries Downunder has produced another season of episodes, showcasing Queenstown and proving that even in a bad winter, you can still get those memorable days that you wouldn’t trade for anything.