Skiing and Taupo weekend

Our first visit to the snow this year was great! We had fantastic weather all weekend and this was the first time we both realised that we actually can ski! Spent most of Saturday on the 'Rock Garden' slope, but we are planning to head to the upper mountain on our next visit (in less than 3 weeks time!).





Finding our feet in 'Happy Valley'




Top of the 'Rock Garden' with the clouds coming in


Unfortunately, two people managed to ski into Gareth (at the same time!) on our last run of the day on Saturday. His knee was still pretty sore on Sunday morning, so we decided not to risk any further injury and headed towards Taupo instead.



Lake Taupo




Lake Taupo with mountains in background

A morning in the thermal hot pools sorted the knee out and we spent the afternoon being tourists. Our first stop was the Craters of the Moon.





Craters of the Moon

Followed by the Huka Falls...



Huka Falls

...and further downstream, the Aratiatia Rapids. The dam is opened three times a day to let the water through and turn the turbines. We arrived just in time for these before and after shots.



Downstream before




Downstream after




Upstream before




Upstream after