Aardwolfs Natural Ice Reports
5.35pm 7th  August 2017

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

PLEASE HELP US TELL YOU WHAT IT'S LIKE ON THE ICE

If you have been to the Ice Recently, Please send me a report:
Ph: 03 3238293, Mob for Txt :0274504399 or Email clive.m48@gmail.com ,
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.

Clive's Ice Skating List
Want to be added to Clive's Ice Skating list. Email me with "Opt In" in the title line. when we get a few days notice of good conditions I email  telling you when and where we are going.

 Weather information
Recent Rain Radar
High Country Met Service Forecast
Met Service 7day Mt-Olympus
 Arthur's Pass Weather
 Castle Hill Weather
Methvan Weather (from www.findu.com)
Haketere Weather by Weather Underground
Snow Forecast High Country
SouthwestPacific 180hr Forecast
SouthWestPacific Marine Weather
Alexandra Accuweather.com
Met Service 10 day Forecast for Alexandra

Videos of Natural
Ice Skating: YouTube
 Aardwolfs: here
Joe's: here
Glens: here

Natural Ice Reports
from Southern NZ:
 chipofftheiceblock

NZ Map of
Ice Skating Locations
Access Information Photos and Videos

South Island
Mt Lyford:
Lake Stella, Photos
Mt Lyford Holiday Homes Rink Photos
Arthur's Pass:
Lake Lyndon, Photos
 Red Lake East and Red Lake West, Photos
Glenthorne Station:
 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:
 Paterson's Ponds, 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:
Godley Glacier Lake, Photos
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

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
Synthetic Ice Outside
Wanaka
 Invercargill
Glace Ice Rink
North Island
Auckland:
Paradice Ice Skating Rinks Botany Downs and Avondale

NI Ice Rinks No Longer In Use
Hamilton
Hamilton Ice Rink
Wellington
Ice Palace
See older Photos on the Photos Pages for the individual locations for Ice Skating.
 
Natural Ice Reports for 2017
Skate Hire: Clive 033238293: 0274504399 SGI Ice Skate Services
 Looking for a ride Skating or have a spare seat. Check out: this Facebook page.
Sunday 6th August 9.33pm: Mt Cheeseman Rink
 From Ben from the West Coast Curling Club by email
Update from Sunday: unfortunately the rain has hit and temps not looking overly cold this coming week.

Softening, hope its not the end of the season.  Photo by Ben.
Saturday 5th August 9.33pm: Mt Cheeseman Rink
 From Ben from the West Coast Curling Club by email
Brilliant ice at Cheeseman all day Saturday, still very thick, had a great day curling
Saturday 5th August 9.15pm: Lake Ida Access Information
 From Clive Murphie
As we were leaving Lake Ida today, we were were stopped by the Managers Wife of Glenthorne Station and asked what we were doing, and why we had ignored the signage that states Ski Field use only on the Main Gate to Olympus off Harper Road.
She pointed out that Glenthorne Station is a working farm and that use of the Ida road with out permission is not permitted. Contact with the station manager 1-2 days in advance of any desired use is required and keys for the gate are available on the payment of a fee to aid road upkeep. She was very clear that access may not be granted all the time but contrary "her words"  to the "bush telegraph" access is available sometimes but only with permission.
Contact Details  Here: Contact - Glenthorne
Access Information here Public Access - Glenthorne
All other access to Lake Ida should be via the DOC track that leaves from between Lake Evelyn and Lake Self. about 55 mins walk, not suitable for the old, very young or mobility impaired.
I would ask that all skaters observe these conditions and please contact the Glenthorne Station manager for more information.
Friday 4th August  7.32pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
(check Dave's site for a full report and pictures)
Up to Poolburn at first light to find a surprising amount of ice. Mostly smooth hard white ice with big patches of new black ice.
Saturday 5th August 8.15pm: Lake Ida
From Clive Murphie
Another good days skating at Lake Ida today, most of the lake frozen with snow ice on 70% of lake with skatable black ice on 15%.
As the sun gets higher more of the lake is in direct sunshine, with a building Northerly as we left at 2.00.pm the ice was significantly softening. With a NW due for the next 3 days the season may be over.
Friday 4th August  7.32pm: Coalpit Dam and Hoffman's Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
(check Dave's site for a full report and pictures)
Hard Snow Ice over most of the dam. Good skating. Skate with the frost in the morning. Will get creaky when the day warms up.
Friday 4th August 5.45pm: Lake Ida
From Christian Noah Rees by Facebook
Great day at Ida today, A heavy frost had resurfaced and hardened the ice. Still a good 75-100mm thick. Better than the Alpine on a good day.
If frosty tonight it will be just as good tomorrow before the NW winds get it.

Natures re-groom at Ida today. Photo by Christian Noah Rees
Tuesday 1st August 10.59am: Lake Ida
From Mike O'Connell by txt
Ida was not skatable last night, very soft snow ice, was still 150mm but more like snow than ice.
Monday 31st July 5.44pm: Staveley Ice Rink
From their Facebook Page Staveley Ice Rink
Ha all!!, Aug 1st Update: Not looking likely for skating this year sorry, we had a lot of warm rain and now only thin ice. As we progress into August, it becomes less and less likely.
Thanks for all the kind words and following.
Sunday 30th July 7.32pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
(check Dave's site for a full report and pictures)
Poolburn has a huge chunk of skatable ice in the main bay. Could work again tomorrow with a frost. Edges melting in the warmth. Ice Hard and rippled with some smooth areas.
Sunday 30th July 10.18pm: Mt Cheeseman Rink
 From Fred van Slooten by email
Still skatable ice at the Mt Cheeseman Rink

The first signs of sun on the rink. Photo by Fred van Slooten
Sunday 30th July 11.55pm: Lake Ida
From Clive Murphie
Good day at Lake Ida today with skating on 60% of the lake, good thick snow ice with a hard, very skatable surface, there was new black ice on most of the rest of the lake 30-40mm, not quite enough to skate on.

A  Perfect Day Skating at Lake Ida, Photo by Bernadette Dabbak
Saturday 29th July 10.18pm: Lake Ida
 From Fred van Slooten by email
Skated Ida Saturday night.

The Night Crew at Ida. Photo by Fred van Slooten
Sunday 30th July 740pm: Lake Ida
From Liam Ashby by email
5pm Saturday, Ice was bit rough but very firm and solid with 70% of the lake frozen.

Evening Skate at Lake Ida Photo by Liam Ashby
Saturday 29th July 9.15am: Lake Clearwater
 From Jason Dodd by email
No skatable ice, Lake Camp and Lake Emma also melted. Possibly over for the season.

Picture perfect day, but not enough ice!! Photo by Jason Dodd
Saturday 29th July 7.56pm: Coalpit Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock  
(check Dave's site for a full report and pictures)
Snow Ice over the whole dam, most skatable. Hard and bumpy but OK on Hockey skates. go from the shady side.
Saturday 29th July 7.56pm: Hoffman's Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
(check Dave's site for a full report and pictures)
Snow Ice. Hard and bumpy. Watch the edges. Softens in the sun. Skate early. Have a safety plan.
Saturday 29th July 7.56pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
(check Dave's site for a full report and pictures)
For the keen. Hard wind effected hard snow ice with some smooth areas. Watch the ice as snow ice hides hazards. New ice is thin. Check the ice first and have a safety plan. Access track gnarly.
Saturday 29th July 9.15am: Lake Ida
From Kaiden  Fletcher by txt
Skating at Lake Ida last night, Ice was really good in the centre, little bit rough round the edges, 100-150mm thickness over 75% of the Lake, very strong Ice, no wind, -5 when we left supposed to go down to -7. You will have good solid ice for the weekend.
Sunday 23rd July 6.16pm: Mt Cheeseman Rink
From Lehi Olivier by email
Cheeseman has fared pretty well with the rain, with 100mm of snow ice on 3/4 of the rink and with 70mm of soft ice on the other 1/4. The Ice needs a little care but other than that its a good skate.

Better than expected. Photo by Lehi Olivier
Wednesday 19th July 7.25pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
Reformed snow ice on Poolburn today, plenty of ice but thawing.
Be interesting to see if the ice survives the wet weather due over the next few days.
(Editors Note: Full report and great pictures at chipofftheiceblock)
Wednesday 19th July 8.46pm: Lake Clearwater
 From Alan Knowles by email
Good skate today on Camp and then Clearwater with 10mm of soft snow ice over 120mm overall depth.
Clearwater still ice covered but open areas growing. NW all day, +5deg at 8.30pm. Outlook warm and windy.
Tuesday 18th July 9.03pm: Lake Clearwater
 From Alan Knowles by email
Skated the full length of Clearwater today on 110mm snow ice, very smooth around the edges. Good ice on lake Roundabout and Emma with obvious open water areas. Ice did not soften until mid afternoon. -5deg last night and expect the same tonight. 0deg at 9.00pm. Fine calm weather.
Tuesday 18th July 7.20pm: Lake Lyndon
 From Kath Copland by email

Lake Lyndon today taken from a helicopter.
Photo by Kath Copland
Tuesday 18th July 7.01pm:  Coalpit Dam
 From Dave Young from Facebook : Natural Ice Otago
Coalpit Dam has refrozen snow ice. if there is a frost tomorrow morning (Wed) there will be a skate. Start from the shady side. Gets thinner in the middle.
Tuesday 18th July 7.01pm:  Hoffman's Dam
 From Dave Young from Facebook : Natural Ice Otago
Has smooth refrozen snow ice in the main part. If there is a frost it would be good, but be careful.
Snow ice is unpredictable.......test first and have a safety plan! Skate with the frost.
Monday 17th July 1.17pm: Lake Lyndon
 From Kath Copland by email

Lake Lyndon yesterday taken from a helicopter.
Photo by Kath Copland
Monday 17th July 11.16pm: Lake Roundabout
 From Alan Knowles by email
Skated Lake Roundabout in a freezing rainstorm. Fantastic Ice, thawed and refrozen, smooth as.

Clinton Wadsworth on Lake Roundabout. Photo by Alan Knowles
Monday 17th July 11.16pm: Lake Emma
 From Alan Knowles by email
Lake Emma the same as Lake Roundabout, fantastic Ice, thawed and refrozen.
weather at 11.10, overcast, no wind, +6deg. Not looking good after only 0deg frost last night. Softening by midday. Ice thickness 120mm but softening and needs a freeze.

Clinton Wadsworth on Lake Emma. Photo by Alan Knowles
Sunday 16th July 9.28pm: Mt Cheeseman Rink
 From Fred van Slooten by email
We went to the Cheeseman Rink today to find the rink had at least 100mm of snow ice . We groomed the ice and cleared the snow, Temperature went from -3 to +5 in minuets as the Northwester came through.
Ice could end up with a good surface due to a surface thaw and frost.
Sunday 16th July 7.18pm: Lake Clearwater
 From Alan Knowles by email
Ice up to 130mm on Lake Clearwater but surface softening at midday as temp reached +8deg with surface very wet. Air temp at 9.00pm 0deg, no wind

Mark Easton, Chris Holloway, Charlotte and Syd woods, Mary Ralston and Clinton Wadsworth on Lake Clearwater.
Photo by Alan Knowles
Sunday 16th July 7.18pm: Lake Camp
 From Alan Knowles by email

Clinton Wadsworth on Lake Camp. Photo by Alan Knowles
Sunday 16th July 6.05pm: Lake Evelyn
 From Christian Noah Rees by Facebook
Skated Evelyn today, Ice was pretty wet on top and softened up fairly quickly. Wasn't a frost this morning by the looks of it.
Ice was about 50mm thick, hopefully a few frosts this week and it will be good.

Hockey players on Evelyn today, Photo by Christian Noah Rees
Sunday 16th July 11.15am: Lake Camp
 From Sebas M and Ella G by Facebook
Camp is half frozen, ice about 60-80mm and much better skating, though only around the road side of the lake.
Sunday 16th July 11.15am: Lake Clearwater
 From Sebas M and Ella G by Facebook
Good Skate on Clearwater this morning, Thick ice but pretty average to skate on. Good to Meet Allan Knowles.

A morning skate at Lake Clearwater. Photo by Ella Gorden.
Sunday 16th July 6.37am: Lower Manorburn Dam
 From Reuben Cornes by email
Good day skating yesterday in Rushcutters. The ice was probably 60-100mm thick. Good quality ice but there was a few stones and other rubbish in the surface meaning high speed spills were a risk. The rest of the lake was a bit noisy, so I didn't go far out even though it looked like others had. A good day.

Looking down on Rushcutters Bay. Photo by Reuben Cornes

A good day on the Lower Manorburn. Photo by Reuben Cornes
Saturday 15th July 10.20pm: From the Editor
 From Clive Murphie
A quick THANKS to all our contributors, both regular and new, today was our busiest day ever with the most contributions on the most places to skate. I couldn't do it without you.....See you on the ice....:)
Google Analytics tells me in the last 28 days we have had 449 users having a total of 1180 sessions from  7 countries.
Saturday 15th July 9.05pm: Mt Cheeseman Rink
From Lehi Olivier by email
I Skated today at the Cheeseman ice Rink. Ice was a bit choppy and snowy but strong enough to skate on. Snow chains are needed to get there unless you want to walk some of the way.

Blue sky, snowy ice.  Photo by Lehi Olivier
Saturday 15th July 9.05pm: Lake Lyndon
From Lehi Olivier by email
Lake Lyndon has Ice that could possibly be skated on but not very thick. It is also quite choppy. Some people wandered 20Mts out but I didn't feel confident enough of the ice strength to do so.
Saturday 15th July 8.59pm: Lake Ida
From Fred van Slooten by email
Photo from the top of Porters Ski field, Make your own inferences!!!

A snowy Lake Ida about 2/3frozen. Photo by Fred van Slooten
Saturday 15th July 8.59pm: Lake Evelyn
 From Fred van Slooten by email
Photo from the top of Porters Ski field, Make your own inferences!!!
looks like Ice on Evelyn, but hard to judge the extent of the snow.

Ice and snow on the Western end of Lake Evelyn.
Photo by Fred van Slooten
Saturday 15th July 7.25pm: Idaburn Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
(Editors Note: Full report and great pictures at chipofftheiceblock)
Snow Ice on top of hard ice. Hard and bumpy with frost but softening in the sun,
Saturday 15th July 7.25pm: Coalpit Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
Refrozen snow ice, hard and bumpy, would be OK with a frost.
Saturday 15th July 7.25pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young from chipofftheiceblock
Variable, some refrozen ice, snow covered in other places. Beware hidden hazards under the snow. New ice is thin.
Saturday 15th July 7.18pm: Lake Clearwater
 From Alan Knowles by email
Skated all day on 100mm snow ice with a rough surface. Skated the full length of Lake Clearwater.
Frost -14C last night and -4 at 7.15pm tonight with a clear sky, no wind.

Rough Ice, beautiful day on Clearwater Photo by Alan Knowles

Lots of room Lake Clearwater Photo by Alan Knowles
Saturday 15th July 5.00pm: Lower Manorburn Dam
 From Alastair Christie by email
Good Ice today especially in Rushcutters corner. A little bit "creaky" further out in the afternoon.
Skating Manorburn today. Photo by Alastair Christie

Archives
2017 Monday 5th June-Sunday16th July

 
Other Places to visit for Skating Videos and Photos
Aardwolfs You Tube site: here
Joe's You Tube site: here
Glens You Tube site: here
David Young's Blog: here
Ryan Hellyer's Homepages: here
Archives
2017 Monday 5th June-Sunday16th July
2016 Wednesday13th July-Saturday13th August
 2016  Wednesday 25th May-Tuesday 12th July
2015 (3) Tuesday 21st July-Thursday 13th August
2015 (2) Monday 29th June-Monday 20th July
2015 Friday 29th May-Sunday 28th June
2014 Monday 26th May-Tuesday 9th September
2013 Monday 22nd April-Tuesday 16th July
 2012 (3) Wednesday 18th July to Tuesday 7th August 
2012 (2) Sunday 30th June to Tuesday 17th July
 2012 Sunday 28th April to Sunday 24th June
 2011 (2) Monday 1st August to Tuesday 23rd August
2011 Saturday 4th June to Sunday 31st July
2010(3)Wednesday 14th July to Wednesday 11th August
2010(2)Wednesday 8th July to Tuesday 13th July
2010Saturday 29th May to Wednesday 7th July
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