Aardwolfs Natural Ice Reports
7th July 2010 5.15pm

Aardwolfs Ice Hockey Club

aardwolfsice.com

DISCLAIMER:

These reports are based on: phone calls, emails, trips to the ice, lakes and ponds.

Please NOTE that YOU SKATE AT YOUR OWN RISK and these reports only give you an idea of what to expect when you arrive. Conditions can change very quickly in the mountains and though we make every effort to keep these reports current in season, please be careful when skating.

Remember: ICE SKATING on NATURAL ICE can be dangerous.
Make the effort to go you wont regret it!!!!!!!
We RECOMMEND always having a means of retrieving people who may fall through the ice.

Having a tow rope on hand works well for this. More Safety Tips

HELP US TELL YOU WHAT ITS LIKE ON THE ICE

If you have been to the Ice Recently. Please Ring: 03 3238293,
Txt :0274504399 or Email clive.m48@gmail a report to me, Clive Murphie
This allows everyone to benefit from your experience and may encourage new people to enjoy Ice Skating.

Remember to hit the REFRESH button for the latest version of this page.
For videos of Natural Ice Skating check out the Aardwolfs YouTube website, and some of the Photos pages
http://www.youtube.com/user/Aardwolfs

Ice Skating Locations
Click Here to see a NZ Map with all skating locations marked.
Access and Photos
Below is a list of places to skate, how to get to them and some photos and videos.
South Island

Mt Lyford:
Lake Stella, Photos
Mt Lyford Holiday Homes Rink
Photo

Arthur's Pass:

Lake Lyndon
, Photos
Red Lake East and Red Lake West, Photos

Ryton Station/Mt Ida:
Lake Ida, Photos
Lake Self, Photos

Lake Evelyn
, Photos

Lake Clearwater:
Lake Camp and Clearwater, Photos

Lake Ohau:

Lake Middleton, Photos

Lake Pukaki:

Pukaki Overflow Spillway, Photos

Pukaki:

Holbrook Pond, Photos

Tekapo:

Petersons Terrace, Photos

Naseby:
Coal Pit Dam, Photos
Horseshoe Lake
, Photos
Hoffman's Dam, Photos

St Bathans
The Blue Lake, Photos

Wanaka:

Diamond Lake, Photos

Oturehua:

Idaburn Dam, Photos
Poolburn Dam Photos
Mathias Dam
Photos
Eweburn Dam Photos


Alexandra:
Lower Manorburn Dam
, Photos
Butchers Dam
, Photos

Mount Cook:

Tasman Glacier
, Photos
Hooker Lake, Photos

Current Ice Rinks Outside

Stavely:
Staveley (Natural Ice), Photos

Fairlie:

Fairile Ice Rink (Natural Ice), Photos

Mt Cheeseman:

Mt Cheeseman (Natural Ice)
, Photos

Tekapo:
Lake Tekapo Photos


Naseby:
Maniototo Ice Rink

Alexandra:
Alexandra Ice Rink Photos


Cardrona
Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds


Current Ice Rinks Inside

Christchurch:

Alpine Ice Sports Centre

Dunedin:
Dunedin Ice Stadium

Gore:
Gore Ice Skating Rink

Queenstown:
Queenstown Ice Rink


Synthetic Ice Outside
Wanaka

Old Ice Rinks No Longer In Use
If you have any old photos, movies or information on Ice skating in NZ we would really appreciate your assistance in building this historical resource. Please contact us.

Christchurch
Centaurus Ice Rink

Alpine Ice Rink (Papanui)

Hororata
Hororata Domain Rink

Timaru
Timaru Ice Rink


Dunedin
The Big Chill

Albury
Opawa Homestead


Arrowtown
Arrowtown Ice Rink

Queenstown
Bush Creek
Rum Gully
Downey's Dam
Queenstown Hill
Early Queenstown Rinks

Garston Ice Rink

Alexandra
Early Alexandra Rinks


Mt Harper
Mt Harper Ice Rink

Tekapo
Early Tekapo Rinks

Central Otago
Irishman's Creek

Invercargill
Glace Ice Rink

North Island
Auckland:
Paradice Ice Skating Rinks Botany Downs and Avondale

Ice Rinks No Longer In Use

Hamilton
Hamilton Ice Rink

Wellington
Ice Palace

Archives of Natural Ice Reports
2009(3)
Thursday 9th July to
Saturday 15th August
2009(2)
Tuesday 30th June to
Tuesday 8th July
2009
Sunday 6th June to Saturday 28th June

2008
Saturday 31st May to
Sunday 27th July

See older Photos on the Photos Pages for the individual locations for Ice Skating.

Natural Ice Reports for 2010

Skate Hire Staveley: Staveley Store: 03 3030 859

Wednesday 7th July 1.30am: Lake Evelyn/Ida
From Clive Murphie
Next planned night skate will be Thursday if the weather holds, snow or a North-West'er could change that. Watch this space.
Wednesday 7th July 1.30am: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Great last minuet skate at Lake Evelyn tonight, still mushy round the edges, we managed to get on to the ice with the assistance of some wooden boards, 70-100mm of ice cover over 1/3-1/2 of the lake, great fun and a wet foot skating through the rushes!!!!!

Another great night done and dusted, Photo by Ron James
Tuesday 6th July 7.30pm: Lake Evelyn/Lake Ida/Little Lake Ida From Ron James, verbally
Great Ice at Evelyn, Ida and Little Lake Ida, the Main Lake at Ida has frozen more than last night and the ice is firm.
Tuesday 6th July 1.45am: Lake Evelyn/Ida
From Clive Murphie
16 skaters and a dog had a great evening at Lake Ida tonight. Lake Evelyn was very marginal with little access onto the ice pack. After a 20 min walk we ended up skating at Lake Ida, a perfect night, with bright stars and many acres of superb ice. 2/3rds of the Lake is frozen with excellent skating over 80% of what's there, very little movement in the 100mm or so of black ice. This ice will last well if there are no Northwest winds.
Late Night Skate at Ida & yes it was cool. Photo by Ron James

Skates on....Go...Photo by Ron James
Monday 5th July 2.50pm: Poolburn Dam
From Alan Knowles by txt
Poolburn has velvet fine frosted black ice today.
See what you do when your are bored with skating:

they are under the ice!!! Thanks to David Young for the link.
Sunday 4th July 8.04pm: Lake Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by txt
Clearwater Ice Holding good skating over the weekend according to Greg Brake.
Sunday 4th July 7.30pm: Lake Lyndon, Lake Ida, Little Lake Ida and Lake Evelyn
From Chris Rusk by txt and Phone

The Crew at Ida today, Photo Fred van Slooten.
Lake Lyndon has very little Ice and then only on the SW end, we had a skate on Lake Evelyn (40mm): about half the Lake is frozen with about a 1/3 of what's there skateable another frost will improve this considerably. Lake Ida was good (70mm), as is the Ice Hockey rink, however the Enclosure was not, it has a river forming a pond in the middle of it. We then walked through to Little Lake Ida and had an awesome Skate, the whole Lake is frozen with about 90mm of Ice.
The bad news is the second gate on the way to Ida was locked today which meant a 20 min walk in to Ida.
Probable Night Skate tomorrow at Lake Evelyn.
Nikki, Nigel and Chris showing their skills at Ida 4th July 2010 Video by Joe Morgan
, more video here
Sunday 4th July 7.15pm: Poolburn Dam
From David Young by txt.
See Pictures & read more on his Free Skating Down South blog here
Poolburn was sensational again today. Great Ice, though the track in was getting very muddy in warm day temperatures.
Sunday 4th July 4.09pm: Idaburn Dam
From Glen Cameron by pxt

Kush on Idaburn Dam another perfect day.
Photo by Glen Cameron
Sunday 4th July 10.51am: Manorburn Dam
From Glen Cameron by pxt

Skating Manorburn Black Ice, Photo by Glen Cameron
Sunday 4th July 10.05am: Mt Lyford Ice Rink
From Claudine Barnes by email.
Mt Lyford ice rink will be open for ice skating today and tonight
Sunday 4 July. Here for more info or Phone: 03 3156523
Sunday 4th July 1.44am: Poolburn Dam
From David Young on his blog
See Pictures & read more on his Free Skating Down South blog here
Poolburn Dam turned on a great days skating today. Good coverage of locked in ice in the main bay and around 60-70 mm around the whole dam. Great skating everywhere on smooth ice, in sunshine with clear blue sky and great scenery. Ice softened a little and became creaky in places in the afternoon. As good as it gets!
Saturday 3rd July 10.05pm: Manorburn Dam
From Ryan Hellyer by txt.
Just finished a night skate at the Middle basin of the Manorburn Dam, good ice.
Saturday 3rd July 9.11pm: Lake Ida
From Warren McKie by email.
Lake Ida today, great ice to skate on, but pretty noisy, should be good tomorrow all going well. Be careful around the far edge under the Beech trees and by the gap in the enclosure stop bank. About 1/3 main lake frozen. If we get a snow dump this week then the other end may well become usable

The Car Park

Nice Ice

Lake Ida on the 9th July 2010, Photos by Warren McKie.
Saturday 3rd July 6.15pm: Poolburn Dam
From Jeff Peacock by ph, pxt and email
Fantastic skate today at Poolburn, 20 plus km skate round the outside edge, took about 4 hours, Ice a little crusty but some beautiful black ice. Clear blue sky perfect day
Skating at Poolburn Dam, Photo and Video by Glen Cameron
Saturday 3rd July 6.15pm: Idaburn Dam
From Jeff Peacock by ph and email
Thick Ice but rough to skate on

Ted at Idaburn Dam, Photo by Glen Cameron
Saturday 3rd July 6.15pm: Manorburn Dam
From Jeff Peacock by ph
Ice was dodgy to stand on, air temp 8degrees and Ice was thawing, may be OK tomorrow in the morning with another frost.
Saturday 3rd July 5.10pm: Lake Evelyn
From Chris Rusk by Phone
Almost enough ice to skate on, may have to go over in the shadow of the hill to get on, will be better with another frost tonight.
Saturday 3rd July 5.10pm: Lake Ida
From Chris Rusk by pxt. and Phone
Enclosure, hockey rink and about a half of the main lake has ice, 50-70mm, you can skate on the Hockey rink and about a quarter of the main lake. The good news is both gates were open today, so you can drive down to the lakefront. Tomorrow "Sunday" looks to be good for a skate before the southerly arrives.
Black Ice at Ida.......like walking on water. Photo by Chris Rusk
Saturday 3rd July 9.10am: Idaburn Dam
From David Young by txt.
Pictures & read his Ice Skating blog here
Thick Ice at Idaburn Dam this morning, some rough but good skating.
Friday 2nd July 4.51pm: Lake Evelyn, Red Lakes, and Lake Lyndon  From Ron James by txt
Lake Evelyn, The Red Lakes and Lake Lyndon have insufficient ice for skating on, there was more Ice at Mt Hutt today!!!!!
Friday 2nd July 1.28pm: Lake Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by txt
Very good Skating on Lake Clearwater today, I Skated out to the Island,  the ice is growing thicker (55mm) with each frost forecast looks good for the weekend.
Thursday 1st July: Southern Trip: Search for Natural Ice
From Glen by Phone.

If you have nothing planned for the weekend and want to do lots of skating, Glen and Kush are organising a trip south this weekend (3rd 4th July) searching for Natural Ice, for those of you who haven’t seen the News, Central Otago have had a hoar frost for the last 6 days, it started clearing today.
Ted has a van and there are some seats available, they will be leaving ” Very Early” this Saturday morning and returning Sunday evening, your costs will be: travel, your food and accommodation, the plan is to head down to Alexandra find some accommodation and the look for ice from there. If you are interested in going contact Glen on Hm: 03
3664833 or Mobile: 021 1146050.

Thursday 1st July: Lake Camp and Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by txt
Good Skating on Clearwater and Emma today, 45mm. With 2 more frosts forecast Sat will be great. Early start recommended. Daytime temp 8degrees.
Tuesday 29th June: Lake Camp and Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by txt
Lake Clearwater is half frozen, -7 deg last night, -4 and -3 the previous nights. If it freezes tonight we will get a skate tomorrow.
Thursday 24th June: Lake Camp and Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by email
No Ice at Lake Clearwater or Camp yet, the surrounding area is covered by 12cm of snow that is thawing.
Tuesday 22nd June: Press Article: Chasing Wild Ice
by Alan Knowles
A great Article on Natural Ice Skating by Alan Knowles one of this websites regular Ice Reporters. It appeared in the Press Weekender on Saturday 7th June 2010. Article here
Saturday 19th June: Idaburn and Poolburn Dams
From Dave Young via email
Idaburn Dam - Snow ice in main skating area. Pack is 75mm plus but weakening in the sun. (warm day) Edge melt and river flowing strongly in the gorge. Needs a couple of days of frost.
Poolburn - 15mm of ice melting fast in the warm conditions. Bit of snow ice at northern edge. Track muddy. Bring on the frost!

Idaburn: How to get on the ice without falling in!!!
Photo Dave Young


Poolburn Dam: Snow Ice Melting, beautiful day.
Photo Dave Young
Friday 18th June: Lake Evelyn and Red Lakes, Lyndon
From Ron James via Phone
A thin covering of ice in the west corner Evelyn, and the South end of Lyndon, it needs lots more frosts for a skate, Red Lakes, liquid...
Northwester forecast with large amounts of rain for the next 2 days.
Lyndon Southern end; Photo by Ron James

Evelyn with a touch of ice, Photo by Ron James
Thursday 17th June: Lake Clearwater
From Alan Knowles via Greg Brake by email
Lake Clearwater is half covered in ice this morning, albeit a bit thin. -8deg is as cold as it has got so far.
Friday 14th June: Locations Page Update
From Clive Murphie using SlapShot.net.nz's Map

Check out our new Location Page its a Google based Map showing locations throughout NZ our thanks to Ryan Hellyer and the Team at SlapShot.net.nz' for the use of it.

Friday 12th June: Blue Lakes
From Ron James by email
You Can stand on the Blue Lakes but its all snow Ice so no good for skating.
Snow Ice on Blue Lakes, Photo by Ron James.
Friday 12th June: Tasman Glacier Lakes
From Ron James by email
Good news The Tasman Glacier Lake is not covered in Snow: Bad News The Tasman Glacier Lake is not covered in Ice!!!!.....Soon ????
Tasman Glacier "Lake"...Not Frozen!!!, Photo by Ron James
Friday 12th June: Pukaki Pond
From Ron James by email
First  Lake Skate for the season goes to Ron James  on a Pond about 1km down stream of the Pukaki Spillway, Ice Report,: very thin and very noisy. Pond location on Google Earth: 44'12'2221S, 170'09'4244E
1st skate for the season: Ron on Pukaki Pond,
Photos: Ron James
Thursday 10th June: Mt Lyford Holiday Homes Ice Rink
From Clive Murphie, Via Claudine Barns by email
A new small outside Ice Rink based in Mt Lyford, they freeze the snow and Ice on their Double Tennis courts, hire skates are available. Check out their information and add this to your "places to visit" list. In the evening they skate under lights with music. There is a bonfire next to the rink should you want to warm up or have a toasted marshmallow (compliments of Mt Lyford Holiday Homes). Ice skate hire is available in a good range of sizes from adult to children's.
They have (homemade) curling stones available for a fun game of curling. Details/prices
Here or see directions on how to get there by clicking on the the link to the left of this page. They will have a message on their answer machine giving details of when they are open. Phone: 03 3156523
Saturday 5th June: Lake Evelyn
From Ted Howard, verbally
About a third of the lake has thin ice over it (nowhere near enough to skate on) which is disappearing quickly as the Northerly blows Temperature about 10 degrees, ice not expected to last till Sunday.

Friday 28th May: Alexandra's Iceinline Rink
From The Otago Daily Times.

The ODT reported on Friday that Alexandra's outside rink opened on Friday. Viability and feasibility studies are being sought to enclose the rink as costs to keep the Ice frozen are now prohibitive. Read the article here
Saturday 29th May 8.17pm: Tasman Glacier Lake
From Adrian Clarke, Via Fred van Slooten by email
The Glacier Lake has already frozen over but its probably a good idea to wait until mid June or so then it will be nice and thick. We also have about 35cm of snow here already. It's slowly melting away though.
Archives
2009(3)Thursday 9th July to Saturday 15th August
2009(2)Tuesday 30th June to Tuesday 8th July
2009 Sunday 6th June to Saturday 28th June

2008 Saturday 31st May to Sunday 27th July
See older Photos on the Photos Pages
 for the individual locations for Ice Skating.

Some of the events above may have no  association with the Aardwolfs Ice Hockey Club
All graphics and written material (c) Aardwolfs Ice Hockey Club 2004
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