THE NEXT ICE AGE - NOW!

Record breaking snow
at New Zealand ski resorts
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19 Aug 08 - Huge snowfalls have been recorded on both the north and south islands of New Zealand over the weekend, and Turoa now has the biggest snow base in the history of commercial skiing in the country.

Some buildings were completely buried during the storm (pic c/o www.www.mtruapehu.com)

The resort's snow stake at 2000m above sea level now officially measures 455cm and Whakapapa is also entering record territory at 350cm, the most since 1994.

The huge storm blew in last Wednesday night and lasted over the weekend, dropping over a metre of new snow. In Turoa so much snow has fallen in the last few days that the measuring stick was buried and needed to be extended before an accurate reading could be given!

The Whakapapa side of the mountain also had 350cm of snow, the biggest since 1995.

Mt Hutt reported a 267cm snow base.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10527882
Thanks to Rhys Jagger, Lyn Sanderson, Alan Caruba, Doug McIntyre and Marc Morano for this link