SnowPlanet - The Skiing Center , Auckland

I had been to SNOW PLANET , the skiing center located at Silverdale, Albany, near Auckland, this weekend, along with my Kiwi office mates,
Well it’s was organised by IBM ( or may be Vodafone ), as part of continuing to build the relationships between the Operational Support Teams in Vodafone NZ and IBM.

Snowplanet is New Zealand’s first and only all-year indoor snow resort where Aucklanders and tourists alike can experience the thrill of snowsports
and atmosphere of a snow village close to Auckland. Snowplanet’s giant snow hall features 50 centimetres of real powder snow, three lifts,
a terrain park for snowboarders and separate learner area, for a fun day out irrespective of Auckland’s weather.

The Mountain View Restaurant & Bar with panoramic views onto the snow hall, snowsport shop, rental centre and Snow Academy complement
the excitement in the snow to offer an unforgettable day out, unlike any currently available in New Zealand!

Skiers of all levels can find a challenge at the 200 metre long slope with different levels of steepness to suit various skill levels.
The steepest part at the top of the slope is over 25% steep (e.g. 1 metre vertical for every four metres horizontal) and offers even advanced skiers
an exciting thrill. The lower parts of the slope are less steep and provide beginning skiers with a suitable gradient to improve their techniques.

The snowhall is over 40 metres wide, or 35% wider than most other snowdomes allowing skiers to do wide carving turns and
get the most out of the latest carving skis offered in the rental centre, definitely not for novices like me :-) . Snowplanet also offers freestyle skiers an exciting
fun park with a big jump and a number of rails. Don’t worry if you have forgotten your gears, because the rental department offers the latest Rossignol skis
And boots for those who don’t bring their own gear (all included in the entry charges).

Beginners, like me who can’t take the risks of diving from heights to depths, have to take some lessons, and snow planet provides a safe place for beginners...
Snowplanet is the perfect place to get introduced to the exciting world of snowsports. A fenced-off learner area at the lower part of the slope
offers a safe environment to have a first snow experience. This learner area is serviced by a special ’’skimat’’ learner lift, making the first day on the snow a breeze.

The Snow Academy offers a range of courses and private lessons for all levels that will enable learners to acquire and improve skills and confidence.
In fact, we offer ’’first time packs’’ including slope access, 1-hour lesson and rental equipment from only $39! After flexing your muscles (and is my case,
after breaking my tendons and ligaments.) on the chilling snow, one can have some hot stuff in the attached bar.

So, if by any chance, you are in Auckland, don’t forget to visit this place.