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. 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: |
|
Clive's Ice Skating List |
|
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 |
|
|
|
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 |