Mid-winter madness hits the Mackenzie

Mid-winter madness has hit the Mackenzie region with a host of crazy events on and off the snow.

Kicking it all off is the infamous Ohau Hooley and Irish Winter Olympics tomorrow (Saturday 25 July). There are all sorts of shenanigans up on the ski field during the day and the evening’s knees up promises to be a good ‘craic’ with the band Black Velvet playing at Lake Ohau Lodge.

Roundhill ski area hosts the Dash for Cash on 1 August. Then the following weekend they bust out the music, passion and some decidedly dodgy fashion at their hilarious ‘80s day. Don’t stop ‘til you get enough - head to Alpine Springs,Spa and Winter Park and get into the groove at their ‘80s ice disco from 7.30pm to 10pm.

There’s plenty of action on the ice at Lake Tekapo throughout the winter months. The local ice hockey games every Friday night at Alpine Springs, Spa and Winter Park are free to watch and make for a great family night out. There’s also some top level action - some of the country’s top players will go head to head on 14-15 August and the Mackenzie Cup, the local ice hockey tournament, is sure to get a big turnout on 29-30 August.

Mt Dobson is the place to be on 9 August – its Ski Club Fun Events Day promises lots of fun, races and entertainment for all ages.

Over at “Ohoo”, people will be donning their kilts for the annual Highland Games and Scottish Night on 15-16 August. There’ll be plenty of haggis, porridge, bagpipes and caber tossing as well as the chance to highland fling your lassie round at the ceilidh to the infectious tunes of the Macblack Velvet Band.

Break out the bling for Twizel’s ‘Glitz and Glamour’ Annual Winter Ball on 15 August at the Events Centre Sports Hall.

If tricks are your thing then don’t miss ‘Strait up: $ for Trix’ at Roundhill on 22 August or the Central Park Slopestyle on 29 August. Roundhill will also host the CHILL Grom-fest on 12 September.

The Ohau fancy dress SnowBall is on 12 September and the party continues into the next day with people and costumes galore up the mountain.

Then it’s “Back to the ‘70s” at Mt Dobson on 19 September to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its very first opening day. Lift passes are ‘70s prices so dig out some flares and disco down the slopes to great ‘70s tunes.

The winter season rounds off at Ohau’s Hot Dog Day on Saturday 3 October. Celebrate the end of the season retro-style – pull on the fluoro one piece suit, drag out those skinny skis or first snowboard and ride just like you did in the good ‘ol days.

For more information about winter holidays in the Mt Cook Mackenzie region visit www.mackenziewinter.co.nz.

ENDS

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