Aardwolfs Natural Ice Reports
5.45pm Sat 10th August 2024

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 2024
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 10th August 5.25pm: Lake Ida
From Michelae Reeve by Messenger
Ida still fully frozen end to end. 100-120mm in middle 70mm around the edges. Snow ice, very soft in the sun so best to stay in shaded areas and advise if skating tomorrow, to get in early. By 12pm it was getting super vocal. Frost tonight so should be fine to hold. Ice is fall proof haha

Not a bad day at the office....Photo by Tash Tilbury
Monday 5th August 6.43pm: Lake Lyndon
From Sebas Murchison by Messenger
Warm up at Lyndon very little chance of a skate as the ice is  melting fast.

Lyndon from the main road. Photo by Sebas Murchison
Monday 5th August 5.46pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Josie Dawber by Messenger
The Ice was the same as Sunday. It was very warm though, with a NW wind. By the afternoon the top end of the Lake was getting softer. The snowy bit we were skating on Sunday was starting to melt.
When I walked over to Little Lake Ida the ice was solid there and it was in the shade at 1.00pm.

Lake Ida looking at the Chalet end. Photo by Josie Dawber.

Little Lake Ida looking from the scree. Photo by Josie Dawber.
Monday 5th August 12.20pm: Lake Lyndon
From Matthew Reid by Messenger
Lyndon is 80% frozen and strong enough at parts to stand on.
Wouldn't Skate though, lots of rocks the car park side. Walked round the side of Lyndon and it was quite smooth there.

Lyndon from the main road end. Photo by Matthew Reid.
Sunday 4th August 7.30pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Clive Murphie
Great day at Ida today with a good crew. There was a surprising amount of Sun on the ice during the day. The whole lake is frozen with slightly rough surface, fine for skating but not as smooth as it has been. The ice consists of about 70mm of good ice with about 30mm of snow ice, well frozen over the top. It made for some interesting sounds during the day and the odd soft spot to avoid while skating. With warmer temps expected over the next few days it will be interesting to see how the ice lasts.
On the way in the track was snowy, with some ice, but reasonable walking and muddy with some snow on the way out.
Saturday 3rd August 4.49pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Josie Dawber by Messenger
I skated Ida today. The ice is rough, but very skatable, a bit like the end of a public session.
We skated all day and I am going back tomorrow.
The track was snowy rather than icy, and muddy on the way out.
The whole lake is frozen and at least 50mm thick.

Ida in sunlight with the whole lake frozen, Photo by Josie Dawber.
Friday 19th July 7.05pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Josie Dawber by Messenger
Went for a skate at Ida today. It was very wet and rough but still had some good thickness to the ice. It was also quite mild up there with no frost on the ground....not a good sign!

A very wet Ida today. Photo by Josie Dawber
Lake Evelyn looked very wet we didn't go and stand on it.
I would highly recommend a change of clothes if skating tomorrow.
Fingers crossed for a frost tonight.

Still ice on Evelyn but wet. Photo by Josie Dawber
Thursday 18th July 5..52pm: Lake Camp and Lake Clearwater
From Joshua Starling by Messenger
Lake Camp is very vocal and wont be skatable tomorrow(19th), Ice is 50mm thick but warm water and air temps are making for fragile ice.
Lake Clearwater, we walked around to the Island but the ice wasn't strong enough. It was still 50mm but the water was luke warm, we got wet feet testing the ice 3-4mts from the edge.
Wednesday 17th July 5..52pm: Lake Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by email
Skated from the Eastern end to beyond the Island but not across to the village on hard fast ice that started to get noisy at 10.30am.

Charlotte Woods (R) and Annette Jordan (L) heading back to the Island. Photo by Alan Knowles
Wednesday 17th July 10.30pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Quentin Strydon by email
Had Lake Ida all to ourselves today. the ice is still a good 200mm thick but the surface is pretty rough from hordes of weekend skaters.
Track was slippery and muddy.
Still worth the effort.

Quentin, Megan and Eva at Ida.  Photo by Quentin Strydon.
Tuesday 16th July 5.52pm: Lake Clearwater
From Alan Knowles by email
Ice depth varying from 50mm-100mm softening at midday. Skated from the Eastern end to beyond the Island but not across to the village.

Clinton Wadsworth Check the Ice at the Island
Photo by Alan Knowles
Monday 15th July 9.38pm: Lake Camp
From Alan Knowles by email
Superb skate on Lake Camp with between 80-100mm over 2/3 of the Lake from the eastern end. Temp -3deg at 9.30am

Clinton Wadsworth Skating  Photo by Alan Knowles
Sunday 14th July 10.30pm: Lake Camp
From Clive Murphie
While talking to one of the people at lake Evelyn over the weekend they mentioned that Lake Camp had about 75mm of ice......
This has yet to be confirmed.
Sunday14th July 11.00pm: Hooker Lake
From Reubin Van den Berg on the Natural Ice Otago FB Page
Incredible day on Hooker Lake today. Got in at 10am and stayed for 2 hrs. Ice very solid 100mm ++ all around.
Pictures on Natural Ice Otago
Sunday14th July 12.00pm: Lake Roundabout
From Jeroen van der Bosch on the Natural Ice Otago FB Page
Smooth Ice on Lake Roundabout. Refrozen Ice. About 50mm where we skated. Few sections of 30-40mm, stopped exploring from there.
Pictures on Natural Ice Otago
Sunday14th July 12.00pm: Idaburn Dam
From Scottbro Pounsford on the Natural Ice Otago FB Page
Skated Idaburn, only about 50mm, An old mate had cones out marking the safe area, probably wont be skatable next week.
Pictures here:  Natural Ice Otago
Sunday 14th July 10.30pm: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Great Skate on Sunday at Lake Evelyn, 1/2 of the Lake is frozen with between 65 and 120mm, the Ice is firmer on the Ida side as it has seen less sun. Conditions were changing when we left with the whole Lake being in sunshine for several hours. Access on to the Lake on the Western end.

Early in the day at Lake Evelyn.  Photo by Clive Murphie
Sunday 14th July 10.30pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Clive Murphie
Large crowds at Ida this weekend with a full car park between Lake Evelyn and Lake Self and lots of people with a key to the gate and driving in.
Conditions were cold and the ice was well skated on the main lake and Little Lake Ida. the main lake is mostly frozen with a small amount of water showing the western/scree end. Ice depth 100-200mm
Friday 12th July 5.10pm: Lower Manorburn Dam
From Natural Ice Otago FB Page
Fantastic skating on the Lower Manorburn Dam all weekend with hoar frost conditions on Saturday.
See the photos on the Natural Ice Otago FB Page
Friday 12th July 5.10pm: Lower Manorburn Dam
From Dave Young by Natural Ice Otago FB Page
Plenty of People skating Lower Manorburn today.
Pictures here:  Natural Ice Otago
Friday 12th July 7.15pm: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Great night skate at Lake Evelyn last night, 50mm good ice over half the lake. It will be even better tomorrow with a heavy frost expected overnight.
Access the lake from the West end (closest to Lake Self)
The sun may soften the surface later in the day..
Friday 12th July 7.15pm: Lake Ida and Surrounds
From Clive Murphie
Lake Ida is mostly frozen with 100-150mm of Ice, rock solid and should last well into the weekend. Be careful skating close to the edges and there has previously been a spring at the west end of the lake by the middle of the scree. be aware of the potential for thinner patches of ice in this area.
Thursday 11th July 5.08pm: Hooker Lake
From Emma Garmey by Messenger
We skated Lake Hooker today and it was the most amazing skate of my life. The ice had frozen 6cm over night according to Alan and it is supposed to be just as amazing, if not better tomorrow. Most of the ice was 11cm and the green ice was around 6cm thick.

Ellen enjoying a rest during a perfect day on Hooker Lake
Photo by Emma Garmey
Wednesday 10th July 6.10pm: Lower Manorburn Dam
From Dave Young by Email
Hooker is still going strong and a fantastic skate today (Wed)
Lower Manorburn has skatable ice in Rushcutters Corner. It will work tomorrow with a frost. The rest of the dam is thin at the moment.
Dave's Photos here: chipofftheiceblock
Wednesday 10th July 5.08pm: Hooker Lake
From Alan Knowles by Email
Hooker Lake is still superb skating, the ice appears to be getting thicker, 100mm. Today we got to within 200m of glacier snout on broken up and refrozen sheet ice. Great skating everywhere. Its -.6deg at White Horse Hill 5pm and fine still night so anticipate a good frost. Likely good skating until Sunday. I am exhausted and unlikely to be around after tomorrow.  Bring micro spikes the track is slippery.
Wednesday 10th July 7.19am: Lake Evelyn
From Jeremy Robinson by Txt
Lake Evelyn has about 40-50mm of Ice. Enough to stand and skate on. A little dodgy round the edges where the tussocks are that grow through the water.
Wednesday 10th July 7.19am: Lake Ida
From Jeremy Robinson by Txt
Had a really good early morning skate at Ida, Its about 30mm thicker than it was on Monday morning. 100mm min thickness over the whole lake , other than just against the shingle scree. It has frozen there now but not quite thick enough to skate.

It doesn't get much better than that. Photo by Jeremy Robinson
Tuesday 9th July 8.20pm: St Arnaud
From Ange Boyes by Facebook

St Arnaud,  Pictures from Ange Boyes
Tuesday 9th July 8.12pm: Lake Evelyn
From Josie Dawber by Messenger
Evelyn could possibly have been thick enough, but I didn't fancy falling in, so walked to Ida. I went and stood in the reeds and it was thick enough to not budge when I jumped on it.

Frosty Evelyn Photo by Josie Dawber
Tuesday 9th July 8.12pm: Lake Ida
From Josie Dawber by Messenger
Had a skate on Ida today. A couple of other guys were up there too.
I'm thinking of going over again tomorrow the Ice was so good

A fresh crack on Ida, Photo by Josie Dawber
Tuesday 9th July 8.00pm: Bush Creek Rink
From Bush Creek  via Facebook
Open today, check Bush Creek to see it we are open tomorrow.
Tuesday 9th July 8.40pm: Hooker Lake
From Dave Young From chipofftheiceblock
For today's conditions on the Hooker Lake and more fantastic Pictures check out Dave's Blog at: chipofftheiceblock
Tuesday 9th July 6.20pm: Lake Evelyn
From Sebas Murchison by Messenger
Early this morning Evelyn was not skatable, very close but!!!!

Not quite enough Ice Photo by Sebas Murchison
Tuesday 8th July 6.00pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Forest Lodge via Facebook Reels
Forest Lodge Facebook Reel (May Expire)
Monday 8th July 8.33pm: Hooker Lake
From Dave Patchett by email
More great skating on Hooker Lake today. Surface stayed hard enough for hockey skates all day through the sun. Likely to be good again tomorrow morning at least.
More Photos and a fantastic video : FB Natural Ice Otago

A perfect day on Hooker Lake. Photo by Dave Patchett
Monday 8th July 1.10pm: Sealy Tarns Mt Cook
From Roseanna Gamlen-Greene by Txt
Magical skate Sealy Tarns on Saturday July 6th (just the big tarn) snow ice but very thick and hard, and surprisingly nice and smooth for skating!
Check out more Photos and a great video on FB Natural Ice Otago

Roseanne on Sealy Tarn. Photo by Tom Moore
Monday 8th July 5.44pm: Lake Ida
From Jeremy Robinson by Txt
Almost all of the Main Lake is frozen. Only a little chunk by the scree was water. At the least a 3 inch average I would say. We were able to skate from the beach by the Chalet almost to the top of the Lake, solid as.

Lake Ida from the west end, looking towards the Chalet.
Photo by Jeremy Robinson.
Sunday 7th July 5.44pm: Lake Lyndon
From Glen Cameron by Messenger
The Ice at Lake Lyndon today is about the size of a Netball court and 20mm thick, There was a lot more on Saturday, but its windy here today.

Lake Lyndon with a little ice. Photo by Glen Cameron.
Saturday 6th July 5.44pm: Mt Cook and surrounding Lakes
From Jeroen van der Bosch by email
Andrew Henderson and I had a bit of a mission:
Epic skating at Mt Cook today.
Decent ice on the Southern end of Lake Tasman. Skated till 11.00am when we started to get a bit of a bow wave going on underneath the sheet of ice.
Checked out the Blue Lakes on the way back and think they could be skatable early morning Sunday, particularly the last Lake.
Had an absolute ball on Hooker Lake. Skated a good part of the Lake in the afternoon, just as the sun started to set behind the mountains. We think that Sunday morning the entire lake should be frozen, but that will depend on tonight's weather.
Check out FB Natural Ice Otago for the full story.

Skating the Hooker Lake through the Icebergs.
Photo by Jeroen van der Bosch
Saturday 6th July 8.40am: Lake Clearwater and surrounding Lakes
From Alan Knowles by email
Fri 5th July, After a series of -7deg nights Lake Roundabout had 40mm of weak black ice for an uncomfortable skate, and a pond nearby provided diversion. Ditto Spider Lakes, very low water level and deep mud around the shore. No frost overnight but temp at 8.00am today is -3deg, I am off out to check Lake Clearwater eastern end (ice visible around the island).
Prognosis not good.

Alan Knowles enjoying a skate on a small pond.
Photo by Alan Knowles
Saturday 6th July 8.40pm: Lake Ida
From Clive Murphie
Today we skated Lake Ida on about 2/3 of the Lake with 40-50mm of good black ice (Thanks to Sebas M for an early morning Starlink video cal from Lake Evelyn) The Enclosure the Hockey Rink and Little Lake Ida are good for skating and should remain so for Sunday, if there is any frost tonight, The temps were dropping and it looked promising at 4.30pm as we were leaving.

Lake Ida the Enclosure. Photo by Clive Murphie

Lake Ida, the way to Little Lake Ida (20mins walk) .
Photo by Clive Murphie

Lake Ida the Hockey Rink. Photo by Clive Murphie
Looking West Lake Ida 2/3 frozen. Photo by Clive Murphie
Saturday 6th July 8.40pm: Lake Evelyn
From Clive Murphie
Lake Evelyn was about half frozen today with 15-25mm of ice, more frosts needed for a skate.

Looking East from the Ida Track over Lake Evelyn
Photo by Clive Murphie
Saturday 6th July 8.40pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Forest Lodge via Facebook Reels
Cheeseman Rink is frozen and good to skate,
Checkout the Forest Lodge FB Reels
Thursday 4th July 5.30pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Forest Lodge via Facebook Reels
Friday 28th June 2.53pm: Lake Ida
Txt Message
Today's visit to Lake Ida We got to the Lake around midday, a light layer of ice over half the Lake, around 6-10mm thick around the edge.

The Ice at Lake Ida today, Thanks for the Photo.
Wednesday 22nd June 10.29am: Lake Evelyn
From Sebas Murchison by Messenger
Looks like a bit of ice. One of more frost and it could e good to go.

West end of Evelyn a skim of Ice. Photo by Sebas M
Friday 31st May 3.30pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Forest Lodge via Facebook Reels
Today's Facebook Reel/Story from Forest Lodge: (Follow them to see updates and Reels they post.)
With the warm temperatures today the Cheeseman Rink is going to be liquid for the weekend.
Tuesday 28th May 3.26pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Matt Talbot by Messenger And Forest Lodge via Facebook
Today's Facebook Reel/Story from Forest Lodge:
Follow them to see updates and Reels they post.
Cheeseman Rink is all go.
Sunday 12th May 5.36pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Cheeseman: 40mm of ice in some spots, 35mm in others. Another frost very likely tonight. Good Skate

Cheeseman Rink from the west end. Photo by Liam Ashby
Friday 10th May 2.33pm: Lake Evelyn, Lake Ida and Little Lake Ida
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Evelyn is still water, Lake Ida, no ice, the Rink and Enclosure are fully frozen but need at least 2 more frosts. Water Levels are very low.
Little Ida is half frozen and  also needs 2 frosts, but good conditions are on the way.
Friday 10th May 2.33pm: Cheeseman Rink
From Liam Ashby by Messenger
Editors Note Congratulations:
First Natural Skate of the 2024 Season to Liam and Mike
Cheeseman today, 35mm and very noisy Needs another 2 frosts.

Beautiful day at Cheeseman Rink today.  Photo by Liam Ashby.

2023 Last Seasons Ice reports  from:
Friday 9th June-Saturday 13th July
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
2023 Friday 9th June-Saturday 13th July
 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