Aardwolfs Natural Ice Reports
8.20pm 1st May 2020

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.

Road Information
 NZTA Road Information

 Weather information
Recent Rain Radar
High Country Met Service Forecast
Met Service 7day Mt-Olympus
 Southwest Pacific 180hr Forecast
SouthWestPacific Marine Weather
Canterbury Weather Stations
Springfield
 Arthur's Pass Weather
 Castle Hill Weather
Upper Rakaia
Staveley
Lauriston Weather
Methvan Weather
Central Otago Weather information
 Met Service 10 day Forecast for Alexandra
Alexandra Accuweather.com
Central Otago Weather Stations
 Naseby
 Ranfurly Weather
Oturehua
 Ida Valley
Moa Creek
 Alexandra Weather
Videos of Natural
Ice Skating: YouTube
 Aardwolfs: here
Joe's: here
Glens: here

Natural Ice Reports
from Southern NZ:
chipofftheiceblock

Facebook Pages
 Alpine Ice Retro Regulars
Staveley Ice Rink
 Natural Ice Otago

 NZ Map of
Ice Skating Locations
 Topographical Map of Ida/Evelyn area

 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 2019
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 18 August, 8.15pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Lehi Oliver by email
Cheeseman has taken on a lot of snow which has hardened up a little. I have cleared a little of it with the time I had, but a lot more works needs to be done for a good surface. The ice surface is about 90% frozen.

Cheeseman Rink with a frozen coat of snow. Photo Lehi Oliver
Sunday 4th August, 6.39pm:Lake Ida
 From Heather Rockell by Messenger
Seen at Lake Ida today: the Idaness Monster.....No ice.

Soft Water at Lake Ida today, Photo by Heather Rockell
Saturday 3rd August, 9.19pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Lehi Oliver by email
Cheeseman once again has not disappointed. 3/4 of the ice is skatable. The ice is 40mm of snow ice at the thin side. The rest of the ice is black ice with 15mm of snow on top. Other than a little bumpy ice, it is a pleasant experience.

Cheeseman Rink under Lights Photo by Lehi Oliver
Monday 29th July, 4.48pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Lehi Oliver by email
Cheeseman had a good 40-50mm of ice over 3/4 of it Sunday the 29th July. The middle section was skatable but softened up as the day went on.

Cheeseman Rink on Sunday Photo by Lehi Oliver
Thursday 18th July, 7.19pm: Idaburn Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
Good to have a Skate in Rushcutters Corner on the Lower Manorburn this Morning. Started before dawn on hard fast ice. Most of RC was good but thinning further out with water in the middle basin.
 Photos and full report at chipofftheiceblock
Thursday 18th July, 6.45pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Ali Pincott by txt
Cheeseman was a No today....lol

Thin Ice today at Cheeseman   Photo by Ali Pincott
Wednesday 17th July, 10.14pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
Very little ice left but after hunting around I found a (just) skatable plate of ice in the far bay. The ice that was left had been covered with snow along with wind affected ice that had been blown together making it just strong enough. Photos and full report at chipofftheiceblock
Wednesday 17th July, 10.00am: Staveley Ice Rink
 From the Staveley Ice Rink Facebook Page
Wed 17th July - ICE UPDATE:
After two weeks of warm weather we now are back to water ponds. Whilst we never say never, the probability of getting ice skating this season is now low. What is needed is a strong snowfall in the surrounding mountains followed by a week of high pressure and harsh frosts. Any change on this situation will be updated on the Staveley Ice Rink Facebook Page
Friday 5th July, 8.28pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Fred van Slooten, by Phone.
About 10mm of snow on Cheeseman Rink tonight, good skating though the surface is a little rough, about 70mm ice. Surface was groomed to remove the snow.

Cheeseman Rink groomed and lit,  Photo by Karl van Slooten
Friday 5th July, 6.42pm: Poolburn Dam
From Russell Clark by Messenger
Access by 4WD only, lots of ice but not strong enough to get on for a skate.
Friday 5th July, 6.42pm: Manorburn Dam
From Russell Clark by Messenger
Plenty of ice but only looks like Rushcutters Bay has been skated.
Looking towards the neck at Manorburn, Photo by Russell Clark
Friday 5th July, 6.42pm: Coalpit Dam and Hoffman's Dam
From Russell Clark by Messenger
No skating to be found in Naseby, some ice on Coalpit and Hoffman's Dams but not enough to skate on.

Hoffman's Dam with very little Ice Photo by Russell Clark

Coalpit Dam with Ice but no skate!! Photo by Russell Clark
Friday 5th July, 8.18am: Manorburn Dam
From Meg and Mike by email
On Thursday Rushcutters Bay was thick enough to skate, but the rest was too thin. Nice smooth ice.

A Thursday skate at Rushcutters, Photo by Meg and Mike.
Monday 1st July, 10.14pm: Staveley Ice Rink
From a post on our Aardwolfs Facebook Page
Staveley has a new Facebook Page: Staveley Ice Rink Facebook Page
Sign up to keep informed on when they are open.
Sunday 30th June, 11.45am: Lake Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by txt
Good skating early on today at Lake Clearwater, between the East end and the 1.5km to the Island , hard sound ice around 55mm, I expect the same tomorrow
Sunday 30th June, 8.15pm: Lake Ida
From Mike O'Connell by Messenger
Ida today was fantastic, 60mm of black, glass like ice, very clear. The west end of the Lake wasn't frozen. Definitely worth the walk in. The ice was weaker in the middle of the lake with the 3 of us having the lake to ourselves all day. The surface was a little rough but flattened during the day.

Lots of Ice for us today, Photo Mike O'Connell
Sunday 30th June, 7.45pm: Lake Evelyn
From Karl van Slooten by Messenger
Evelyn was skatable all day today with about 20 skaters enjoying the conditions. The ice softening only a little in the afternoon. Had a good frost this morning so the ice was hard first thing. No wind today. If the wind stays away it should be skatable tomorrow.
Leaving only marks on the ice with Mt Hennah in the background,  Photo Karl van Slooten
Saturday 29th June, 10.14pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
Big chunk of skatable ice in the main bay, new black ice further out.
Windy and wet by the time we left with the ice starting to creak.
Photos and full report at chipofftheiceblock
Saturday 29th June, 10.14pm: Idaburn Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
60mm over some of the main bay. melting in the wind...
Photos and full report at chipofftheiceblock
Saturday 29th June, 10.14pm: Coalpit Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
50-60mm on some of the dam, thinner on the edges.
Photos and full report at chipofftheiceblock
Saturday 29th June, 10.17pm: Lake Ida
From Peter de Boer by email
I skated on Lake Ida today along with 2 others. It was quite nice black ice, a little rippled but fast. There was water at the far end of the Lake. Only a little wind unlike Lake Evelyn. A very nice day out.
Saturday 29th June, 6.25pm: Lake Evelyn
 From Chris Ruske, by txt.
It was blowing NW at Evelyn when we left this evening, 8 degrees C. some people tried to get on by the fence and fell through, its pretty soft.
If it doesn't refreeze tonight and you are skating tomorrow it may pay to walk to the far side of the Lake and get on there.
Saturday 29th June, 8.15pm: Lake Clearwater and Roundabout, From Mark Eastern by txt
Great Skating on the eastern half of Lake Clearwater this morning with a good 6-7cm of ice around the back of the island. The NW came up in the afternoon and did a lot of damage. We expect maybe 2 degrees of frost tonight and there should still be good skating at the eastern end of the lake in the morning, the earlier the better. The NW had stopped by 5.00pm.
The access gate is unlocked.
Lake Roundabout frozen but "noisy" skating at midday.

Alan Knowles at the eastern end of Clearwater today
Photo by Mark Eastern
Saturday 29th June, 6.25pm: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Great skate on about half of the lake at Evelyn today with about 50 people. 100mm of good ice on the North side of the Lake (in the shadow of the hill) through the reeds, with about 70mm over the main lake The NW wind came up at about 1.30pm, softening the ice, with a lot of wind blown surface water. The ice will need a frost tonight to be skatable tomorrow (Sun). I would recommend skating as early as possible in the morning if there is a frost, if not, consider a walk through to Lake Ida (50mins each way) Ida is also NW exposed but probably has more ice which will last through the wind better.

NHL future # 1 draft pick, in action Lake Evelyn today,
Photo by Hayden Tocker

Early at Lake Evelyn before the NW arrived. Photo by Clive Murphie
Saturday 29th June, 4.25pm: Manorburn Dam
 From the Natural Ice Otago Facebook Page
There was skating at Manorburn Dam today, video and photos at:
Natural Ice Otago Facebook Page
Saturday 29th June, 6.25pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Ben Aynsley West Coast Curling Club   by email.
Cheeseman Rink superb conditions at the moment, 70mm at pond inlet and 120mm + at the far end. Great for curling and skating with Ice Hockey Sat night.

Cheeseman Rink lit up and ready to go. Photo by Ben Aynsley
Saturday 29th June, 9.38am: Little Lake Ida
 From Fred van Slooten by txt
Skated Little Lake Ida on Friday, 80-100mm of black Ice

Little Lake Ida Friday, Photo Fred v Slooten
Friday 28th June, 1.45pm: Lake Clearwater, Lake Camp and other Haketere Lakes. From Alan Knowles by txt
Lake Clearwater: 70mm in Long Arm (east end) and good ice well up the lake on the north side. Access gate locked today.
Lake Emma: 60mm good ice for 500mts east of the car park.
Lake Roundabout: 60mm all over good.
Lake Camp: 40mm at the east end and noisy.
Maori Lakes: 50mm near the car park.
Lake Heron: nothing!!!
Best Skating from 7.00am, softening late morning. Last night -6deg all night and expecting the same tonight. 
Expecting the wind to go westerly from Monday and Ice will break up.
Friday 28th June, 9.00am: Lake Evelyn
 From Clive Murphie
Great night skate at Lake Evelyn last night, 22 skaters enjoyed a fantastic night on just under half the lake. 50-70mm of black ice, with some superb ice under the shadow of Little Mt Ida. Access through the reeds at the West end of the lake was a little wet so take your gumboots.
Skating is looking good for Saturday and Sunday.
Remember to skate safely and have a rescue plan.
Wednesday 26th June, 6.26pm: Lake Ida
 From Karl van Slooten, by Messenger
About 1/2 the lake is frozen with about 50mm of ice on it, should become  very solid tonight/tomorrow night. Was a bit creaky/cracky today but still enough margin to skate. The track in to Ida was muddy in places but not too slippery.


Looking out from in front of the lodge at Ida. Photo by Karl v S.

Skating at the lodge end at Ida today.  Photo by Karl v S.
Wednesday 26th June, 6.26pm: Lake Evelyn
 From Karl van Slooten, by Messenger
Skated Evelyn today didn't venture too far out, looks like 1/3 of the Lake was frozen and had about 40mm of black ice. We got on through the rushes by the road.

West end of Evelyn from the Ida Track today.  Photo by Karl v S.
Tuesday 25th June, 6.01pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Chris Ruske, by txt.
Good Ice on the Cheeseman Rink today, Lodge end and hill side were a bit thin.

Skaters at Cheeseman Rink today,   Photo by Ange M

An aerial view from Cheeseman today.    Video by Joe M
Sunday 23rd June, 6.24pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
.......Probably the most challenging drive I have had to the ice - temps around zero degrees and fog made for a slippery road. A slow trip.........Still patches of water over the lake but we found some skatable ice in the small bay..........Ice was variable though and we had to stay aware of the different ice conditions and how far we could push it.....
Great pictures at chipofftheiceblock
Sunday 23rd June, 6.24pm: Idaburn and Coalpit Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
Idaburn Dam: Thin ice in the main basin with water on top - no skate.
Coalpit Dam: Up to about 10mm over most of the dam.
Saturday 22nd June, 4.09pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Fred van Slooten, by txt.
50mm of fast but weak ice at 4pm today.

50mm of new ice at Cheeseman , Photo by Fred van Slooten
Thursday 20th June, 5.59pm: Poolburn Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
Track up to Poolburn was rougher than usual and into snow at the top. After a bit of scouting round and wet feet, I found some skatable black ice and had a fantastic skate, despite the ice doing a lot of talking!
Great pictures at chipofftheiceblock
Thursday 20th June, 5.59pm: Idaburn and Coalpit Dam
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
Idaburn Dam: half the main bay has about 10mm of ice
Coalpit Dam: about 10mm over most of the dam. Water on the shady side.
Sunday 9th June, 9.30pm: Lake Stella, Mt Lyford Ski Area
 From from their Facebook Page

Lake Stellar Sunday 9th June
Photo from Mt Lyford Ski Area Facebook Page
Sunday 9th June, 9.13pm: Lake Evelyn, Georgina and Red Lakes East From Russell Clark, by email.
Lake Evelyn had ice nearer the middle and top end but getting on would be an issue
Lake Georgina also had a little ice but it was gone an hour later.
Lake Ida access has a lot of snow on the track so I didn't venture on it.
At Red Lakes East there was no sign of ice!!! 
Sunday 9th June, 9.13pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Fred van Slooten, by email.
Ice softening in the afternoon and a bit of warming in the weather.

The crew at Cheeseman today, Photo by Fred van Slooten
Saturday 8th June, 8.20pm: Lake Evelyn
 From Sebas Murchison, by Messenger.
Friday report, part of Lake Evelyn would possibly be skatable with several more good frosts

Some ice at Evelyn  Photo by Sebas.
Friday 7th June, 12.10pm: Cheeseman Ice Rink
 From Fred van Slooten, by phone and txt.
First Skate for the Canterbury area goes to Fred and Karl VS on the Cheeseman Rink, 3/4 of the rink frozen with snow ice.

Fred VS skating at the Cheeseman Rink, Photo Fred van Slooten
Thursday 6th June, 9.30pm: Lake Stella, Mt Lyford Ski Area
 From from their Facebook Page

Lake Stellar Thursday 6th June
Photo from Mt Lyford Ski Area Facebook Page
Monday 3rd June, 5.10pm: Old Dunstan Road
 From Dave Young, from his blog: chipofftheiceblock
After finding some snow ice pools a first effort earned me some wet feet, we found a shallow pond and had a great (but creaky) skate. Hard to get off the Ice.
(Editors Note: Congrats to Dave for first ice skate of the season...:))
Full story and some stunning photos at chipofftheiceblock
First Skate of the Season to Dave Young, Photo by Dave Young

Check out the Archives from
previous years at the bottom of this page
 2018-Friday 27th April-Saturday 4th August

 
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
2018 Friday 27th April-Saturday 4th August
2017 (2)-Monday17th July-Sunday 6th August
2017 Monday 5th June-Sunday16th July
2016 (2)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