Once again the team at Round Hill are thinking ahead, and have spent the summer rebuilding an old but loved lift from the early years. The snow sure back bowl has been reconnected with a new T Bar. In the 70s a rope tow stood here. The back bowl has always had a reputation as a friendly powder area, and we are thrilled to see it reopen once more.. well done.
Tekapo Springs in Lake Tekapo has recently opened the country’s first summer tubing facility at the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools and Day Spa complex on the shores of Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Country.
Riders use the winter snow tubes, but the base of the tubes are reinforced for use on the artificial matting. There is an existing Magic Carpet conveyor lift to take people quickly up to the top of the 150 metre slope.
The facility has been installed on the winter snow tube park on the lower slopes of Mount John. It uses synthetic carpet with the same slippery properties as snow, and curves, corners and slopes on the thrilling ride-on-gravity.
Cathy Hemsworth, Business Development Manager for Tekapo Springs, said summer tubing had proved so popular in Europe and North America that 500 facilities had been installed in just a few years.
“It’s become a real craze and we’re delighted to be the first in New Zealand to offer such a great summer adventure ride that’s safe for all the family. They are incredibly popular in Europe where they’re operating in urban and rural settings,” Cathy tells us.
“The summer tube experience will add to the roller and blade skating attractions and the three hot pools we offer, . I’m sure it’ll be a very popular combo for families here and there will be a lot of younger people who will want to tube and talk about it on their social networks.”
“Tubers get the thrills and spills of an exciting downhill ride in a safe environment, and as operators, it means we can use the same slope and conveyor lift for both winter and summer rides.”
Nestled on the eastern shore of Lake Tekapo and with a backdrop of the Two Thumb Range, the Lake Tekapo Regional Park offers an array of recreation and leisure opportunities.
Vested as a soil conservation reserve, the park is covered by coniferous forest allowing for a play and leisure area starkly contrasting the surrounding landscape.
Views across the lake to Mount John and up to the Godley Valley, which leads to the highest section of the Southern Alps, add to the visitors’ experience.
The Park can be accessed by car from Lilybank Road or by foot and bicycle from the Lake Tekapo Township along the lake edge or from Cowans Hill.
The newest of Environment Canterbury’s Regional Parks, the development of park infrastructure has only commenced over the past year. However visitors can experience walking and cycling trails, access to the lakeside for swimming and kayaking and; cross country skiing during the winter months. There are also numerous picnic spots throughout the park.
During the current year the park will be enhanced with new disabled access toilet facilities, upgraded walking and mountain bike trails and improved access to and along the lake edge.
Visit the Enviroment Canterbury Website for more information.
No Work, no traffic, no stress….. no problem! Lake Tekapo Regional Park.
