Aardwolfs Natural Ice Reports
12.33am Sun 13th Aug 2023

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 Right Click and click  RELOAD FRAME 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
Metservice
National Rain Radar and Rainfall Maps
National Park Forecasts and Observations
Mt Olympus Ski Field

Windy.com

Canterbury Weather Stations
Metservice.com Weather Stations Canterbury Plains

Springfield
 Arthur's Pass Weather
 Castle Hill Weather
Upper Rakaia
Staveley
Methvan Weather

Central Otago Weather information
 Met Service 10 day Forecast for Alexandra
Alexandra Accuweather.com
Central Otago Weather Stations
 Naseby
Naseby
 Ranfurly Weather
Oturehua
Ida Valley
Moa Creek
Ophir
Chatto

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
 Bush Creek Arrowtown

 NZ Map of
Ice Skating Locations
 Topographical Map of Ida/Evelyn area
Ryan Hellyer's Ice Block contains a list of places to natural ice skate in NZ
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: Facebook
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
Arrowtown
Bush Creek Arrowtown
Arrowtown Ice Rink
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

Queenstown

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 2023
Skate Hire: Clive 033238293: 0274504399 SGI Ice Skate Services
Looking for a ride Skating or have a spare seat. Check out: this Facebook page.
Saturday 13th July 11.10pm Lake Ida.
From Tash and Mish by Messenger
We skated Ida and the Enclosure today, a small area on each at the end of the causeway in the shade of Mt Ida. The ice was too vocal for us to skate out far, we were not sure of the thickness and it was snow ice. It was reasonably solid when we got there at 10am, but by 2.30pm the ice was melting with lots of cracks.
It probably wont be skatable on Sunday, unless there is a big frost tonight.
Having said that the weather for tomorrow doesn't look the best either.

Dodgy ice, don't stand too close. Photo by Tash Tilbury
The causeway covered in snow. Photo by Mish Reeve
Friday 12th July 7.46pm Lake Ida.
From Joshua Starling by Messenger
The Hockey Rink was only 1/4 frozen today (23mm), with Swans/geese swimming in the rest of it!! The Enclosure had some ice (32mm Snow ice) but was about as thick as the ice on Ida (32mm Snow Ice). By the shore outside the Chalet it looked like it had been in the sun earlier in the day.
The walk in was quite slippery with mud and snow.

The swimming rink today.      Photos by Joshua Starling

The Enclosure      Photos by Joshua Starling

Lake Ida.........      Photos by Joshua Starling

32mm of Snow ice on the Main Lake. Photos by Joshua Starling.
Wednesday 9th July 9.46pm Lake Ida
From Joshua Starling by Messenger
Walked into Ida this evening, Ice on the Main Lake was 15mm thick with another 20mm of snow/slush on top. The first layer looked like black ice and was super clear at the edges. There was no ice on the Hockey Rink. Lots of snowfall on the track and it was sticking, I couldn't see my footsteps on the way back to the car. (some snow was wet, while some was dry). Large flakes that came down fast for most of the walk in and out. It only slowed when I reached the car park.

Ida today: The Track In,     15mm black ice,    20mm of slush on top
Photos by Joshua Starling
Sunday 30th July 9.15pm Lake Ida.
From Clive Murphie
Great day at Lake Ida today about half the Lake was frozen with a good third skatable, strong snow ice, over an earlier freeze.
Warm temperatures towards the end of the day suggests that the freeze may be about to end.
The track to and from Ida was slippery with a mix of Ice Mud and Snow, walk carefully and wear good walking boots with plenty of tread.

Some of the 28 skaters and friends at Ida today.
Photo by Clive Murphie
Saturday 29th July 8.15pm Lake Ida.
From Jeremy Pullan by email
Went into Lake Ida today and had a good skate. About half the lake is frozen. Lake Evelyn had about a third of the lake frozen but wasn't quite strong enough to hold us, it might be alright with another frost or two.
Walking the track into Lake Ida was slow going. On the lake Evelyn side the track was covered with ice and snow, we were slipping over often, but in the end, it was worth it.
We didn't go to Little Lake Ida.

Ida today after a slippery walk in. Photo by Jeremy Pullan
Saturday 15th July 10.00am Lake Ida.
From Cody in person.
We went in to Lake Ida on Friday and had a short skate on the hockey pond and end of the Enclosure. After about 30 mins the ice began to break up and sink as we skated over it. It was warm and the ice will need lots of frosts before its good to go again.
Tuesday 11th July 6.20pm Little Lake Ida. Watch Found!!
From the Editor Clive Murphie
On Saturday afternoon some skaters enjoyed a skate at Little Lake Ida, they have contacted me to say they have found a mans watch on the Eastern edge of the Lake. If you have lost a watch please contact me using the details above and I can put you in contact with them......:)
Saturday 8th July 6.20pm Little Lake Ida
From Mia Nicholson by Email
Went Skating today at Little Lake Ida, it was stunning!! The weather aligned perfectly, we were in the rain the whole way there but it cleared about 3 minutes before the car park.

Perfectly aligned weather today. Photo by Mia Nicholson

Little Lake Ida today, looking West. Photo by Mai Nicholson
Saturday 8th July 5.00pm Little Lake Ida
From Mike O'Connell by Messenger
LLI 60mm of ice with a layer of rain on top. Good fast ice.
Ida Rink the same,
The main lake at Ida had 30mm of ice with 10mm of water on top.
The sky was cloudy/clear today with a low mist hanging over the lake.
+6 C today with about 5mm of rain overnight.

Looking East over Lake Ida, rain on ice. Photo by Mike O'Connell

Skating the Ida Hockey Rink. Photo by Tash Tilbury
Friday 7th July 9.55am Little Lake Ida
From Clive Murphie
Thursday night we walked into Little Lake Ida for a moonlit skate. The Hockey Rink and a large part of the Enclosure at Lake Ida has skateable ice, but the main lake only has a 20mm skim over the Eastern end.
Little Lake Ida is good skating and has 70 mm plus ice, with most of the lake frozen. Caution is required on the Western end of the Lake where springs have created several "glass clear" windows in the ice. The ice over these windows is significantly thinner than the rest of the Lake.
At -3.5C while we were there, the ice is still thickening. Watch the weather if skating over the weekend as there is warmer weather and rain due. 
Friday 7th July 9.55am Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Showing signs of thawing, lake Evelyn had about 20mm of ice on the western end last evening with the temperatures dropping. It needs several frosts before being skateable.
Thursday 6th July 9.52am Lake Alta
From Alan Knowles by Email
A skate on rough ice on Lake Alta at 1801m, on July 5th, on the Remarkables Ski field. The clear ice was around the perimeter with only occasional smooth areas. The ice on the interior of the Lake had softened under a cover of snow.

Katja Riedel with Double Cone behind her. Photo by Alan Knowles.
Sunday 2nd July 4.20pm Little Lake Ida
From Jason Knight by Email
Little Lake Ida today had about 40-50mm of Ice.
As it was my 1st time lake skating we didn't venture into the middle, however it was a lot of fun.

First Natural Ice Skate today Photos by Jason knight.
Saturday 1st July 3.39am Cheeseman Rink
From Karl van Slooten by Messenger
Cheeseman is still skatable in the main part of the rink. About 45 mm. A bit noisy though!!

Cheeseman rink looking good Photo by Karl van Slooten
Thursday 29th June 11.00am Cheeseman Rink
From Staveley Ice Skating and Curling Rinks Facebook Page
Editors Note : Not natural Ice but a Notable Achievement...:)
Opening Saturday the 1st July, it's important to get your tickets before you go , just in case they sell out!!!! https://www.staveleyicerink.co.nz/
Friday 30th June 11.00am Cheeseman Rink
From Forest Lodge Facebook Page
Ice is pretty much good to go again!
Definitely not frozen solid on the car park side, but feel free to give it a punt on the far side. #useatyourownrisk
Sunday 25th June 9.35pm Cheeseman Rink
From Lehi Oliver by Email
Cheeseman ice is holding together pretty well considering the weather lately. The rink is 3/4 frozen with 50mm thick ice in the middle with some bubbles throughout , still skatable in the early hours of the morning.

Lehi on remaining ice at Cheeseman. Photo Lehi Oliver.
Sunday 25th June 6.44pm Central Lakes and Dams
From Scottbro Pounsford via  Natural Ice Otago Facebook Page
Went and checked the Central Lakes, Idaburn is looking good, but needs a bit more. No chance at Lower Manorburn and Coalpit Dam had about 20mm. We did find some ice at the back of the Oturehua Domain that is skatable if you dont mind dodging some grass and debris on the ice.

Coalpit Dam today. Photo by Scottbro Pounsford

Oturehua Domain, Photo by Scottbro Pounsford
Tuesday 20th June 10.28am: Bush Creek Rink
From Leah Kissick by Txt.
Monday 19th June 
It was great fun to skate around the recently remade Bush Creek rink just outside of Arrowtown, following in the skatesteps of those 30 years ago when it was last open. I'm not sure how deep it was as it is man made by passionate volunteers, but the ice was of great quality and made a wonderful sound when skated on. This rink is fantastic for all ability levels. Take care on the wooden bridge and frosted pathways or enjoy them as a warm up en route to the better ice, and enjoy!

Leah enjoying the ice at Bush Creek. Photo by James Kissick
Sunday 18th June 7.27am: Red Lakes
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Editors Note:
Before Skating at Red Lakes It is important to seek the permission of the Manager at Lake Coleridge Station as the Lake is on Private Property.
Saturday, 17th Red Lakes both frozen, 80mm of stunningly glass clear ice. Best I've ever been on. Raining and warm as we left though raining overnight will do some real damage along with the wind.

Nice Ice at Red Lakes West Photo by Liam Ashby
Saturday 17th June 8.00pm: Lake Evelyn
From Karl van Slooten by Facebook
Awesome ice over a very large part of Lake Evelyn today, good strong ice with very little movement. Great fun skating through the rushes. Weather due to deteriorate overnight.

Looking East on Lake Evelyn Photo by Karl van Slooten

Looking West on Lake Evelyn Photo by Karl van Slooten
Saturday 17th June 00.51am: Little Lake Ida
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Friday day 80-100mm of Ice and 95% of the Lake frozen, good strong smooth Ice.
Friday 16th June 11.55pm: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Great night Skate at Lake Evelyn this evening, will be good tomorrow with a good frost, 50-60mm strong ice, keep to the shaded side of the lake, weak/thinner towards the middle. Good access onto the ice by the road on the west end.

Night Skate at Evelyn Photo by Julia Egan
Friday 16th June 5.02pm: Little Lake Ida and Ida, Rink and Enclosure
From Jeremy Robinson by txt
Little Lake Ida 100mm of ice today,  Ida Rink and Enclosure also have Skatable ice ...minimal on the main lake.

Liam on the Enclosure at Ida Today Photo by Jeremy Robinson
Friday 16th June 5.01pm: Idaburn Dam
From Dave Young by Email
Good skateable ice that will work if there is a frost tomorrow.
Watch for thin ice and open water, The ice softens as the sun hits it.
Think Safety First,  For Photos check out: chipofftheiceblock
Friday 16th June 5.01pm: Coalpit Dam
From Dave Young by Email
Good skateable ice that will work if there is a frost tomorrow.
Careful getting on, the jetty was safe today. Skate early.
Think Safety First,  For Photos check out: chipofftheiceblock
Friday 16th June 12.32am: Lake Evelyn
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Thursday night, Mike and I had a night skate at Evelyn tonight, smooth black ice over the West end of the Lake, mostly 50mm thick with some noisy 35mm in the middle. We got on by the fence at the West end and skated round the reeds to access the NW side of the lake. Frosty as we left and should be good for a careful skate tomorrow. With only 50mm of Ice be cautious of standing or skating close together.

Night Skate at Lake Evelyn Photo by Liam Ashby
Wednesday 14th June 9.10pm: St Arnaud Teetotal Ice Rink
From Blair Harris by txt
St Arnaud Teetotal Ice Rink has full coverage of about 150mm thick Ice.
Apparently the guy who hires Skates is away and will probably miss the skating season!!!!
Lots of Ice at St Arnaud Teetotal Rink, Photo by Blair Harris.
Sunday 11th June 10.55pm: Little Lake Ida
From Clive Murphie
We enjoyed a great skate at Little Lake Ida today, it started very firm, frozen and a little rough with about 60mm of ice this morning. After some NW wind and warmer temps it ended up a little wet, smoother and quite vocal. It will need some good frosts to repair the NW wind damage to the ice.

Little Lake Ida as we arrived at 9.00am Photo Clive Murphie
Sunday 11th June 10.55pm: Lake Ida, Hockey Rink and Enclosure
From Clive Murphie
With some good frosts over the last few days it was surprising to see just a light skim of Ice on the main lake at Ida. The enclosure and the Hockey Rink had good ice with the Hockey rink the pick for a good surface.

The Main Lake at Ida with skim of Ice Photo by Clive Murphie
Good Ice on he Enclosure, Photo by Clive Murphie
Good freeze over the Hockey Rink Photo by Clive Murphie
Sunday 11th June 10.55pm: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Lake Evelyn had about 35-40mm of ice on the western end today, it was to thin to skate and dodgy standing on it. It will need several good frosts after loosing a lot of ice to the NW wind today before its good to skate on.

Lake Evelyn before the NW Wind. Photo by Clive Murphie.
Sunday 11th June 3.34pm Cheeseman Rink
From Chris Rusk by Txt
Cheeseman Rink had plenty of ice, but quite warm as we skated (6-10C)
A little thin at the shed end but a good Skate otherwise.

Warm Day at Cheeseman today, Photo by Chris Rusk
Saturday 10th June 6.41pm: Little Lake Ida
From Henrietta Read by Email
Ice Update,  70mm on Little Lake Ida. Skated on there last night and today, Lovely Black Ice.. No ice on Lake Ida but the small run off ponds had ice. One was skatable.

A stunning day at Little Lake Ida today, Photo by Henni Read
Saturday10th June 5.37pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Rachel Alexandra by Txt
Cheeseman Rink soft at the shed end and under trees but 75% of it was skatable . Get on from the open side . 12 or so people enjoyed it this afternoon. Needs a few more frosts. In great condition. Well done the West Coast Curling Club on maintaince. There is a box for Donations.
Saturday 10th June 4.48pm: Lake Alta
From Kadin David by Messenger
Lake Alta Queenstown for those who are down here.
Beautiful 70mm thick ice all across the lake. 1/3 was thawed perfectly, best ice I've ever been on! Over the next couple of days the top layer of snow should melt off offering the entire lake.

The perfect view from Lake Alta Photo by Kadin David
Friday 9th June 5.29pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Karl van Slooten by Messenger
Skated Cheeseman Rink this evening, 40-50mm of ice, Noisy.
No Ice at Lyndon on the way here.
Will be another good frost tonight.

Evening skate at Cheeseman, Photo by Karl van Slooten

Friday 9th June 7.35am: Cheeseman Rink
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Amazing Skating at Cheeseman this morning, black smooth fast ice, about 40mm of ice with a few of the usual ping's and cracks.
No Ice at the Chalet end of Lake Lyndon.
Editors Note:
Congratulations to Liam for First Tracks for the 2023 Season
Sunrise at Cheeseman Rink today Photo by Liam Ashby

Liam First Tracks for the 2023 Season. Photo Liam Ashby

2022 Last Seasons Ice reports  from:
Saturday 16th July-Friday 12th August
Check out the Archives from
previous years at the bottom of this page

 
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 Ice Block: here
Archives
2022 Saturday 16th July-Friday 12th August
2022  Tuesday 24th May-Saturday 16th July
2021  Monday 3rd May-Saturday 17th July
2020  Wednesday 27th May-Friday 31st July
2019 Monday 3rd June-Sunday 18th August  
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