Ty's Odyssey to NZ: Part 3

Hello All,

Another day another epic….Since my last update life has changed exponentially. I've found new roommates and a house. Goodbye trailer hello central heat!!! I found my roommates by placing an add in the weekly newspaper saying I was a "chill telemarker looking to share/rent a room. I'm here for the whole Season!! Non-smoker, non-party animal, clean, easy going, great sense of humor." The add worked and I found some awesome housemates. I live with three other people in a four bedroom house. Katherine and her boyfriend Simon own the house and are renting the downstairs rooms to Chris and I, the third bedroom is used just to store adventure gear. My roommates love the outdoors and are all multi sport athletes, mainly skiing, mountain biking and kayaking so we have quite a few things in common. Last weekend I was the support crew for three teams in the Peak to Peak adventure race. Chris and Katherine did great and the all girls team that I supported won their division while the third team also placed well.

I've also started working part time at Treble Cone and at Cardies. My job at Treble Cone has gone great after working just one day they gave me all exclusive staff pass and a pretty flexable schedule (It's big in NZ to get a staff pass if you are only part time). I've also picked up a part time job working the events/race department at Cardrona Resort. Everyone seems really laid back and I only have to work four days a week, plus I get a pass for two of the best mountains in New Zealand for free!!!! I've also crocheted the world's coolest hat (It's the sweet white and blue one I'm wearing in the picture.) That's right crocheting, I picked it up while i was shivering in the trailer.

The rest of the time has been spent skiing, volunteering for the adaptive program at Cardrona. The Adaptive program is the New Zealand equivalent to Challenge Aspen. I assist clients who are non-able bodied skiers. My duties range from helping people with cognitive disabilities to people with physical impairments. It is very cool and rewarding to share the outdoors with people of all abilities.

The ski conditions here are great for racing and learning how to carve on bombproof rock hard ice. The skiing is a little different here but I really have seen my skiing improve. I've also now had plenty of practice tuning my skis after running over lots and lots and lots of rocks. I'm working on my technique and posture while carving but have still gotten in some epic powder days. I'd never though I'd be skiing powder like this in August. Hope everyone is having a great summer in the States and I'll send another update when something interesting happens.

Until next time,

take care,

Ty