WANDERINGS – National
Wow! Have you seen how much snow has fallen the past few days? The crazy weather around the country over the past week has dumped snow in the snow fields and there’s more to come!
Winter is the time we all like to snuggle up and hibernate, but it’s such a great opportunity to embrace the seasons and the snow while it lasts before we’re all sweltering away at the beach again. Whether you’re an avid skier, snowboarder or just like to muck around building snow men or creating snow angels it is a magical time of year.
If you’re in Melbourne you should go along and check out the Melbourne Winter Festival which is on at Queensbridge Square, Southbank. This buzzing pedestrain plaza and meeting place will be transformed into an Alpine Village for almost two weeks in August (3-15). The enormous 600 square metre Strepsils Cool Ice Rink will be the focal point with ice skating for all ages and abilities. If Apres skate is more your style, come and enjoy some alpine delicacies and beverages in the village and replica alpine ski hut with live music nightly.
If you’re new to the snow fields there’s a few exercises to prepare you before you go…
10. Find the nearest ice rink and walk across the ice 20 times in your ski boots carrying two pairs of skis, accessory bag and poles. Pretend you are looking for your car. Sporadically drop things.
9. Throw a hundred dollar bill away – now.
8. Buy a new pair of gloves and immediately throw one away.
7. Secure one of your ankles to a bed post and ask a friend to run into you at high speed.
6. Go to McDonald’s and insist on paying $6.50 for a hamburger. Be sure you are in the longest line.
5. Clip a lift ticket to the zipper of your jacket and ride a motorcycle fast enough to make the ticket lacerate your face.
4. Fill a blender with ice, hit the pulse button and let the spray blast your face. Leave the ice on your face until it melts. Let it drip into your clothes.
3. Dress up in as many clothes as you can and then proceed to take them off because you have to go to the bathroom.
2. Slam your thumb in a car door. Don’t go see a doctor.
1. Repeat all of the above every Saturday and Sunday until it’s time for the real thing.
… but in the end it’s all worth it for the runs, the fun and the hot chocolate or beer at the end of the day!
If you’ve never experienced the winter wonder of a white christmas when the snow starts to fall and the flakes hit the ground you need to start looking towards christmas in the northern hemisphere. It should be a ‘To Do’ on everyone’s list. But for now rug up, embrace the scarf, the beanie, the gloves and the freshness of the day and take a day a weekend or week to check out snow!
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INTERESTED IN MORE? Then check these out…
(for more Books , Websites or Events just click the link)
The Snow Guide to Australia and New Zealand
www.winterfestival.com.au – Melbourne
www.ski.com.au
www.ski.com.au/weather – Snow Weather
www.ski.com.au/snowreport – Snow Report
www.ski.com.au/snowcams – Snow Cams
Back2Basics…take a day, a weekend or a week and hit the snow. Take the kids for the first time see it play it and embrace it. If it’s all too far and too difficult try the local ice skating rink and embrace the season while it lasts – feel free to try out some of the snow field preparation exercise while you’re there!
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