Frosty adventures!

6am is a time usually reserved for sleeping or contemplation instead Pononga were filing into Te Pā full of excitement about the adventures the day had in store. 

The drive up to Mt Hut was exciting some people wanting to take a quick nap but being too drawn to the view to let their eyes close as we went up the winding and steep road to the ski lodge.  

Reaching the top was like a sigh of relief, but it was quickly interrupted by another flood of excitement as we got off the bus and into the snow, taking in the winter wonderland we got ready to ski, grabbing gear and other necessities, we got strapped into our skis and boards and shuffled into the open terrain.

For a lot of us it was our first time on a snowboard and first time skiing, you could see the mixture of fear and excitement in peoples eyes as they took off for the first time, but as the instructor took us through the basics the fear was replaced with confidence.

It only took a  few short practices before we were off some going up to higher levels with Matua Brandon and others sticking to first slopes, rushing down the slope, dodging people and feeling the chill just before reaching the bottom and going back up the magic carpet.

When the end of the day came none of us wanted to leave,  we'd fallen in love with the sense of freedom when you're rushing down the hill, the crisp air that filled our lungs was refreshing and smiling faces were flushed with red as their blood was pumping trying to keep them warm. 

As we drove back to Te Pa I couldn't help but reminisce on what had just happened, laughing with everyone as we talked about the different tricks we'd tried to do and all the times we fell, knowing we would be sore the next day, but the experience was worth it.