SKI & SNOWBOARD ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND- High School Summer Programs

*New Zealand Update: March 24, 2009
Please note that due to changes in flight schedules from Los Angeles, the scheduled dates of all of our South Pacific programs have been changed. All programs will now depart the USA on Tuesday and return on Thursday. The updated departure dates are listed below and any dates in our printed catalog are now incorrect.

Echa un vistazo!
El paseo en la Isla Sur de Nueva Zelanda te permitirá practicar esquí y snowboard en algunos de los más remotos y magníficos paisajes en el hemisferio sur. Únete a una impresionante aventura de “SKIWI” de 10, 17 o 24 días, en la cual podrás visitar unos de los mejores campos de nieve en el mundo y tener la oportunidad de explorar la famosa tierra de la larga nube blanca. Tendrás fantásticas aventuras tanto dentro como fuera de las cumbres!.

Arriba, Arriba y Lejos!
Los viajes de “SKIWI” incluyen entradas a los mejores campos de Nieve de Nueva Zelandia incluyendo: “The Remarkables”, “Coronet Peak”, “Cardona”,”Snow Park” y “Treble Cone”. También podrás tener acceso a algunos campos de nieve menos conocidos que normalmente sólo son esquiados por los lugareños. Este viaje incluye todas las comidas, alojamiento, traslados terrestres, tours, entradas y visitas turísticas. Estarás guiado, alimentado y atendido a lo largo de tu aventura por nuestros excelentes y experimentados guías de esquí de Rustic Pathways.

Un Gran Grupo!
El equipo de “SKIWI” de Rustic Pathways dirija esta aventura repleta de nieve y aire libre. Cada viaje cuenta con un líder de Rustic Pathways por cada cuatro estudiantes y tendrás suficiente atención personal y supervisión. También ofrecemos instrucción básica a todos los participantes sin ningún costo adicional. Aquellos que buscan largos tramos de nieves vírgenes tendrán la oportunidad de hacerlo al escoger realizar Heli-esquí. (Esta es una actividad opcional que tiene un costo adicional.) También puedes optar por hacer un temerario viaje en trineo con vista al lago Wakatipu. Nuestro personal se asegurará de que tengas la aventura de tu vida, tanto dentro como fuera de las pistas!. Nuestras comidas son de tipo familiar y siempre tratamos de asistir a eventos en la ciudad. Todos los días en Nueva Zelanda están repletos de diversión!. Es posible que te deslices en las laderas en la mañana y luego pasees en las colinas aledañas después del almuerzo. Tal vez escojas hacer bungee en la mañana y luego esquiar en las laderas en la tarde y noche. También puedes pasar una tarde explorando un antiguo pueblo minero o visitando yaks tibetanos en la cima de una pintoresca montaña. Por la noche, comparte una fogata con tus nuevos amigos, intercambia historias en una cafetería o pizzería en la montaña o visita algún carnaval de nieve.

Venga uno, vengan todos!
Desafía la blanca nieve durante el verano de los Estados Unidos y afila tus habilidades antes del próximo invierno del norte. No todos en el programa de “SKIWI” son ávidos esquiadores. Tenemos una gran gama de participantes, desde principiantes, hasta esquiadores dedicados (muchos de ellos están en los equipos de esquí de sus respectivas escuelas). Si bien muchos estudiantes traen sus propios esquís o snowboards, puedes alquilar el equipo si piensas que es más conveniente.

Crea tu propia Aventura
Nueva Zelanda es un país hermoso y los Neozelandeses son legendarios por su hospitalidad y sentido del humor. Nuestro programa de esquí y snowboard combina la oportunidad de disfrutar la nieve de Nueva Zelanda con la oportunidad de visitar los principales lugares de interés turístico en el país. Cada semana de “SKIWI” es ligeramente diferente y emocionante. El personal de Rustic Pathways trabajara con los estudiantes para combinar el tiempo en la nieve con otras actividades de interés común. Sea que eres una promesa olímpica, un esquiador o snowboarder intermedio o acabas de empezar en las pistas, esperamos encontrarte acá en Nueva Zelandia.

¿Preguntas? Nos puedes contactar en nz@rusticpathways.com.

Day 01- Depart USA
Your group will depart Los Angeles in the evening. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader escorts all scheduled group flights to New Zealand. The flight across the Pacific will take about 11 hours.

Day 02- In Transit
Today is "lost" as you cross the international dateline. But don't worry too much, you'll get it back on your way home!

Day 03- Welcome To New Zealand
Arrive in the roaring 40*s where you will be met by our on-ground Kiwi staff. You will then head off and get settled into our Rustic Pathways base house, then it’s time to hit the slopes for a ski at Coronet Peak.

On the banks of one of NZ’s largest lakes and surrounded by the Southern Alps, our beautiful base house is the ideal home to experience some of the best skiing available. When you’re looking for a break from the slopes there is no shortage of adrenaline inducing activities for you to sample. As the birthplace of bungy jumping, Queenstown is renowned for the countless adventure activities available to its visitors. If bungy jumping isn’t enough for you, skydiving, jet-boating, snowmobiling, cable flying or parapenting await. Wanaka sets the scene for a stroll in Mt Aspiring National Park. If this all seems a bit much for you more mellow activities such as ice-skating, bowling, cinematic adventures and scenic tours on the lake are also easily accessible.

Day 04- Time On The Slopes
A full day of Skiing or Snowboarding awaits us today. Depending on conditions, you’ll find yourself amongst the pros at The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Coronet, or Cardrona. Awesome snow, wide open runs and access to some back-country opportunities, make for unforgettable skiing and snowboarding experiences. Our groups travel by four wheel-drive and we generally spend the entire day on the slopes.

Day 05- Shotover Jet
Start the day off with an optional wild ride down the Shotover River aboard the famous Shotover Jet Boat. This is followed by an afternoon on one of the many ski resorts Queenstown has to offer.

Day 06- Snow Time
A full day of Skiing or Snowboarding awaits us today. Awesome snow, wide open runs and access to some back-country opportunities, make for unforgettable skiing and snowboarding experiences.

Day 07- Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride
This morning we head to the Skyline Gondola and Luge complex which sits high above Queenstown on Bob's Peak, 790m above sea level. The Complex is reached by gondola cableway. Once on top of Bob's peak the luge race is on! Two 800 metre tracks go down through the trees, accessed by Pomagalski chairlift. A scenic track with viewing bays allows a leisurely trip down whilst enjoying the panorama. An advanced track allows the more adventurous to enjoy the challenge of banked corners, a tunnel, bends and dips. You can also take the option of parapenting off Bob's Peak. This is followed by an afternoon on one of the many ski resorts Queenstown as to offer.

Day 08- Optional Activity Day
A full day of skiing or snowboarding awaits us today. Or you can head off on more alternative adventures. Take the opportunity to heli-ski the wilderness of the Harris Mountain Range or go flight seeing around amazing Mt Cook- New Zealand’s highest mountain. Other fantastic options include bungy jumping, sky diving, snowmobiling, the canyon swing……..the list is almost endless.

Day 09- Hitting The Slopes
Today you’ll find yourself amongst the powder at The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak, or Cardrona. Or you can head off on more alternative adventures.

Day 10- Returning Home or Continuing Onto Your Next Adventure
For those staying more than ten days, today is another opportunity to ski or snowboard. It’s also the chance to farewell the members of your group which are leaving, and perhaps pick up a few Kiwi souvenirs for friends and family. New skiers and snowboarders arrive as well, and the journey starts again, as we chase the best conditions around the South Island of New Zealand.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

Q: Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
A: No, New Zealand’s tap water is very clean and safe to drink.

Q: Do we need to get visas for this program?
A: New Zealand does not require visas for US citizens. Students who are not traveling on a US passport should check with our office regarding visa requirements.

Q: What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
A: Rustic Pathways base is a fully self-contained house, which is located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. All linen is supplied with the house.

Q: What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
A: Please consult your family doctor.

Q: What costs are not included on this trip?
A: Students will require some allowance money for optional expenses such as souvenirs ($100-600), personal phone calls ($5), internet ($3), laundry ($2) and optional activities. Optional activity costs are as follows: Skydiving: $140-220, Bungee Jumping: $99-240 depending on photo package option, Heli-skiing: $400-600, Fishing: $50, Shotover Jet: $50, Lord of the Rings Tour: $80, Panning for Gold in Arrowtown: $2, Parapenting:$140, Addition Luge Rides: $10

Q: Will there be a flight leader to this country?
A: Students traveling to New Zealand leave LAX on our escorted group flight to Fiji and then connect from Fiji to New Zealand. Please note that some of our flights between South Pacific countries may not be escorted flights.

Q: How does this program connect to other programs?
A: New Zealand is located very close to our other South Pacific destinations, making it easy to design a customized South Pacific summer.

Q: How long is the flight to this country?
A: The flight departs Los Angeles in the evening and takes about 16 hours to final reach Queenstown, New Zealand. During your flight take the time to get to know other students on your flight, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival into New Zealand.
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Q: What kind of food will we be eating?
A: Staff take advantage of the great local fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood available throughout New Zealand. We can cater for most diets, including vegetarian, low-fat and diabetic. Please advise our office of any special dietary needs at the time of application.