Hey this time we are really are in Mt Hutt !

A spectacular flight from Auckland to Christchhurch on Wednesday - picked up our 4WD hire car and headed to Methven.

Oh first we spend 2 hours in the Antartica centre - where we experienced Arctic storms, fed penguins and rode on a Haalstrud thing which could drive up and down 45degrees slopes ( we did ) and across crevasses.

Methven a 1 street town - but feels like a ski resort town. Some great little restaurants and bars and lots of riders hanging out in their beanie hats.

Woke to a cloudless day and drove past lots of sheep ( no surprises there ! ) for 26 km up to the top of the mountain. Most of the road is gravel - hence lots of dust. Spectacular views as you drive up the hill. We were greeted with a bluebird day - pretty chilly ( -3 degrees ) and quite a wind.

Got kitted out which was a pretty efficient system and then up to the top. 3 lifts - a high speed 6man, a slowish 3 man and a midspeed 4 man. Piste conditions in very good condition - a firm crunchy base with lots of fluff on top.

The views were amazing - looking out over the Canterbury plains ( jake called them grandma's slice - in the tin ! ) and you could see as far as the sea.

2 days skiing here and we have skiied most of the skiable terrain with 2 x 7 yr olds. Jake has discovered that he likes the steepest runs possible and Tane just does rails !

3 wks ago there was thigh deep powder down to carparks and lower. But the wind has blown most of that away now - shame !

Fun time had by all. Saturday was a real family affair - lots of groups with picnics and a band to provide some cool tunes.

Off to Franz Josef glacier tomorrow ..