2018 Winter Olympic bid

"Queenstown, New Zealand, is believed to be considering a bid for either the 2018 or 2022 Winter Olympics. Queenstown is referred to as the adventure capital of the world due to large number of adventure tourism activities on offer. Queenstown is also home to the largest ski fields in Oceania. Furthermore the resort town is undergoing huge redevelopment which will add another 12,000 to the population. Christchurch is also a possible New Zealand candidate city. Factors in its favour are its large population and expertise."

(also more reliable and greater snowfall and NZ's only Olympic grade ski field)

What would Queenstown do with all the venues after the events? Surely it's mighty 18,000 strong population wouldn't make them viable and they would most likely be built in CHC anyway. But I thought the idea of a Christchurch bid was to use Queenstown if we needed them, not the other way round?

Maybe the change of council will see some proactive thinkers and planners in all the right places and will help Christchurch get its ass into gear!
__________________

Thanks to Cartel for finding and posting this - I think it deserves it's own thread and poll :banana: :)

Voted yes of of coarse but some questions.

The "Olympic grade ski field" - which one is this?

Maybe the post Olympics facilities would be better serviced from Christchurch, due to population. However ZQN does have a very large "transitory population" :). I can just see the ice luge becoming a massive tourist attraction by it self :).

And a massive indoor ICE rink! Wow, it would service the whole SI and most likely the whole country. ZQN's own Vector Arena anybody?

Fantastic! But lol only really one option in that poll :)

Nana and Auntie Thelma have already working on new Designs for Willy Warmers ...they plan a new Retail outlet in Christchurch if it all goes ahead , an exciting new concept , one where the client is measured up first :ohno: Clients would then be served Tea and Scones whilst the Willly Warmer is Knitted on the Spot :banana:

http://www.yourdailymedia.com/i/u/0Ghr7W0v.jpg :lol:

:lol: Nice one Marky! haha

I has said before this is one of my ultimate dreams! Eh I guess one can only dream...

I have the full amateur Christchurch bid book for 2018 but it was created in 2005 - I think in part by some SSC members. Some interesting points....
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http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i599680_2018.JPG (http://www.imagehosting.com)

Wellington --- New Zealand, July 12th 2005


To
Mr. JACQUES ROGGE
President of the International Olympic Committee

Mr. President,
I wish to express the Government of New Zealand’s support, as well as my own personal support, for Christchurch’s bid for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. New Zealanders love sport, it has helped shaped our national identity and we are committed to sporting excellence. The Government of New Zealand has always been a major partner in the advancement of not just sport in NZ but the pacific region and the world. We have also been a major partner in the organization of sporting competitions, ensuring financial support and the delivery of government services. We will be proud to do the same for Christchurch in 2018. The Government of New Zealand is fully aware of the important responsibilities and obligation that will
accompany the great privilege of acting as host country for the 2018 Olympic winter games. We will fulfil these completely to ensure the success of the Games.

Sincerely,

Helen Clark --- Prime Mister of New Zealand.


Financing

Government Contribution


The New Zealand National Government, Wellington has agreed to provide the necessary financial backing for the completion of the necessary venues and related infrastructure for staging successful
games. All venue regions have declared that the planned sports facilities are available for the duration of the planned Olympic Winter Games. We have also received this agreement from The Christchurch City Council, Methven Council, Queenstown City Council, Canterbury District Council, Southern Lakes District Council, New Zealand Academy of Sport and Sports Destination Christchurch. Further, The New
Zealand Government and City Councils are currently negotiating a agreement to provide the
necessary support of the provisionary access to police, emergency services, National and Territorial
army, security and disaster recovery planning, immigration, medical and other related services that fall
under their jurisdiction. For the construction of new sports facilities, a joint financing program among
National, regional and municipal Councils and Sports Destination Christchurch will be established.

Revenue Potential

Sponsorship, Suppliers, National Sponsoring, Licensing US$150M
Philately, Merchandising, Donations and Lotteries US$80M
Ticket sales US$65M

-US$285M

Voted yes of of coarse but some questions.

The "Olympic grade ski field" - which one is this?

Mt Hutt & it's one of the few if not the only in the southern hemisphere I believe. Many Northern Hemispere olympic and related teams train there during their summer - and southern teams during our winter. It also hosts many national and internation competitions. Although Porters Heights would also be brought up to Olympic standard in the event of a bid.


Maybe the post Olympics facilities would be better serviced from Christchurch, due to population. However ZQN does have a very large "transitory population" :). I can just see the ice luge becoming a massive tourist attraction by it self :).

And a massive indoor ICE rink! Wow, it would service the whole SI and most likely the whole country. ZQN's own Vector Arena anybody?

Indeed, although Christchurch does need a larger ice venue as ice sports continue to grow here but in this case an ice racing venue would be built in Queenstown and a nordic skiing venue in Wanaka - with the rest in CHC. In the case of either city bidding it will essentialy be a South Island bid I think CHC would most likely have the title though as the majority of....stuff would be there.

lol Yes the bid book was put together by myself for a internet fantasy bid competition. All

Even though I do dream that one day NZ might be in a potition to bid for the winter games, we have a long long way to go. The fact is currently we don't have enough clout in the winter sporting world to place a bid. Our winter athletes are no where near up to standard, nor are out facilities or infrastructure. If NZ started to invest in this winter sporting athltes now as well as bidding for more world championship on skiing/snowboarding circut we could start looking into bidding as early as 2018 onwards maybe.

I think an area like Queenstown has to potential to become as some what winter sporting mecca for the southern hemisphere. Many of the venues used for winter olympic sports dont not exist south of the equator so having these facilities here could meen big $$$ from holding international events. Also things like Bobsleigh tracks and ski jump towers would tie in perfectly with Queenstown's adventure capital image.

2018 - XXIII Winter Olympic Games

(from various sources)

Krakow, Poland
Sofia/ Serbia, EU
Reno / Tahoe, USA
Denver, USA
Tromso, Norway
Annecy, France
Charmoix, France
Gap, France
Grenoble, France
Changchun, China
Christchurch, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand

People, please note that the Winter Olympics have never been held in the southern hemisphere.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Winter_olympics_all_cities.PNG

20 times now and never south of the equator. Is some kind of discrimination?

NZ shouldnt underestimate what holding a Winter olympics entails. It's not just having a bit of snow on a mountain.
Developing the infrastructure would be at a scale and cost that NZ has never seen before. NZ has to start from scratch as far as facilities go (indoor and outdoor). Preparation for a Winter Olympics will have to start basically from year 0 as far as NZs wintersport infrastructure goes.

Funding? Hmmm. Who?
TV Rights? Forget it. It will take place in the middle of the northern hemisphere summer holidays. Don't expect huge TV audiences.

Venue. Should definitely be Queenstown. No other location will do.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9223/winterolympicsak4.jpg

^^
Oeps!
Forgot Bobslee and Luge. Lets put that next to 7. Up around Coronet Peak.

Funding? Hmmm. Who?
TV Rights? Forget it. It will take place in the middle of the northern hemisphere summer holidays. Don't expect huge TV audiences.

Didn't you read my previous post saying that central goverment had agreed to fund all venues etc...



Venue. Should definitely be Queenstown. No other location will do.

What's wrong with Canterbury?

Didn't you read my previous post saying that central goverment had agreed to fund all venues etc...


Yes I did. I think the total bill incl general infrastructure will be around $1 billion though. Even that could be a bit conservative.




What's wrong with Canterbury?

Nothing. But not for a winter olympics.
For a good Olympics you need an alpine location. Using CHC as the main location just aint going to show case NZ the way one would want it. I think using CHC would be a huge mistake and anyway, I dont think NZ would get the olympics awarded if they did. Queenstown/ Lakes District is the only real option.

Yes I did. I think the total bill incl general infrastructure will be around $1 billion though. Even that could be a bit conservative.

Even if it did go over that figure. If they are thinking of giving Auckland another $3 billion for a bridge I'm sure they could fork out a mere $1 billion for the south island to host the olympics.


Nothing. But not for a winter olympics.
For a good Olympics you need an alpine location. Using CHC as the main location just aint going to show case NZ the way one would want it. I think using CHC would be a huge mistake and anyway, I dont think NZ would get the olympics awarded if they did. Queenstown/ Lakes District is the only real option.

Definetly see your point but strongly disagree. I don't see Queenstown able to pull it off for many reasons, even if it did grow another 12,000 people the stadia would just become big white elephants. CHC also has the advantage of an international airport and the infrastruture to accomidate a large influx of visitors. Everything could be done in Canterbury but most likely and what I would hope is that some events would be held around Queenstown anyway - so it would be showcased to the world.

Also remembering the areas immediatley west of CHC has heavier and more reliable snowfall.

^^
Agreed that the Q'town / Lakes District population is on the low side but I have an idea about the venues.

1. Queenstown: Figureskating. Reason, Q'town is centre of activities, entertainment, nightlife. Figureskating fits into this perfectly. The venue: Rink with capacity for 7-9,000 spectators. Learning from leasons learnt from Sydney the tribune can be taken away after the Olympics leaving a smaller facility. The rink remains as a recreational facility. The venue can also be developed with entertainment and congress facilities.

2. Wanaka: Speedskating , Short Track. The venue: Fully covered, 400m long oval speedskating track, capacity 6,000 specators, short track rink, cap 500 specatators. After Olympics. Middle roof section removed to create open central area for football/ rugby/ hockey field. Speedskating track converted to athletics track. Tribunes reduced in size.

3. Cromwell: Ice Hockey. Indoor venue, Ice Hockey Rink with capacity for 8-10,000 spectators. After Olympics, retained as ice rink, tribunes broken down, entertainment, sports and congress facilities (like Q'town)....or convert to indoor sports/ fitness centre.


Airport
ZQN has a 1900m runway. Long enough for 767 / 787 flights from Australia. Connections to CHC and AKL gateways with 737 or 767/787 aircraft. = no problem.

WKA could also have its runway expanded to handle 737s.

ZQN 2 hours coach ride from Invercargill which could easily be expanded to handle one off wide body long haul charters (747,777 etc).

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3389/wanakaskatenu9.jpg

OK I probably should have made a stronger argument but yes, it is possible for a city 1/20 the size of CHC to host winter olympics. (though I still think Canterbury has more to offer both in urbanity and naturally - better snow, mountains etc) For 2014 (I don't think Sochi has a chance) given the situation in Russia. Salzburg & Pyeonchang are the only real candidates - the latter having a pop. of just 45k. And towns around the same size of Qtown have held the games before. Lillehammer 1994 has 25k & Albertville 1992? just 17. Basically I will be happy if either city puts foward a strong and realistic bid as it would benefit and promote the whole island but I'm backing CHC 100% as there's nothing I want more for the city than to host the winter olympics.

^^
Good one Cartel.
As much as I like ChCh I think its more of a Commonwealth Games location than a Winter Olympic city.
I think Q'town/ Lakes District will be able to handle it in 11 to 15 years time and look bloody good too.

What a location!

http://www.richardandjo.com/images/queenstown.jpg
http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~hjhuang/New%20Zealand/Wanaka/Wanaka%20from%20Mt%20Iron%20websize.jpg

Some examples of venues that would be required.

Speedskating

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Olympic_Oval_Aerial_1.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/58/Olympic_Oval_Panorama1.jpg/800px-Olympic_Oval_Panorama1.jpg

Figureskating

http://www.raisport.rai.it/RaiSport/pub/static/88600/20051208Torino2006Palavela2.jpg
http://www.comune.torino.it/torinoplus/files/Image/olimpiadi/olimpiadi-18.jpg

Ice Hockey

http://www.leitner.it/redman/storage/98765432109876543210_649.jpg

Ski Jumping

http://www.cavinguk.co.uk/holidays/OsloLive2005/normal/HolmenkollenSkiJump.jpg

2018 - XXIII Winter Olympic Games

(from various sources)

Krakow, Poland
Sofia/ Serbia, EU
Reno / Tahoe, USA
Denver, USA
Tromso, Norway
Annecy, France
Charmoix, France
Gap, France
Grenoble, France
Changchun, China
Christchurch, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand

Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria

^^ Lol. Yes they are thinking about a joint bid with Serbia.....I should have said that the "/" indicates joint bids. sorry!

And yes the very prospect of it is very exiting! :banana:

Another BIG problem.
NZ dosent have a decent downhill course.
The one at Mt Hutt is a joke (with long traverses required to get the distance) and certainly not in the top league (as required). A totally new location has to be found. I selected a spot for the Downhill and GS on my little map but it really remains to be seen where it could be held. They need to find a bloody high mountain and build good access there (the Downhill is one of the biggest events of the games).

Another BIG problem.
NZ dosent have a decent downhill course.
The one at Mt Hutt is a joke (with long traverses required to get the distance) and certainly not in the top league (as required). A totally new location has to be found. I selected a spot for the Downhill and GS on my little map but it really remains to be seen where it could be held. They need to find a bloody high mountain and build good access there (the Downhill is one of the biggest events of the games).

Porter Heights? It's an amazing little field and has the potential for many new long runs (which is being realized by it's new owners) It also currently has the longest ski run in the southern hemisphere! - Big Mama. But don't know the olympic requirements in terms of length for a downhill run...

There's no specific requirement, but the course should be fast and dynamic.
The current runs at Mt Hutt and Mt Ruapehu are too short verticly so they have to do these massive traverses to make up the distance which (as you can imagine) is not good at all.
How steep is the ''Big Mama'' at Porter Heights? Long is one thing, it's got be steep too.
Just to illustrate the problem. A decent downhill course would be double the distance from Coronet Peaks chairlift base to the peak.
What ever the case. No current skifield has such a course. Will be interesting to see what the solution might be.

This is all very exciting.

I would like to see any Winter Olympic bid be hosted more as a South Island and New Zealand venture. I would see Australia being a player in the scheme as well, as the spin off in tourist would benifit both countries, and we could do with the experience and expertise that our Aussie cousins have in hosting MAJOR international events.

I like a lot of your ideas Kaas, and I can see what you are saying. I think both Christchurch and Queenstown would be best in hosting such an event. Simpley, the opening and closing of the games, indoor events would be best held in CHC, simply because of the population and post games, these venues could be well utilised. Christchurch with AKL would be the entry and exit points for all international vistitors and the accomidation is here and being developed.

Queenstown does need to be shown off to the world and I would love to see a lot of the out door events held in this Kiwi Paradise. It would be great to have an event on the North Island too! I don't think that should be ruled out - the games would be for all Kiwis :banana:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/NZJuly06336.jpg?t=1178915878

Taken from Christchurch International :banana:

Calgary hosted the 1998 Olympics, and just like CHC is a city not actually in the hills. From memory its about a 1 hour drive down the highway to Banff.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g226/DavidEugene/DSCF2503.jpg?t=1176206685

Good to see I’m not the only one who feels as passionate about a winter games in NZ!

Queenstown could very well host a games much like the ones in Albertville, France (1992) and Lillehammer, Norway (1994) with many of the venues spread out of a area of small towns and resorts in the region.

Even if it did go over that figure. If they are thinking of giving Auckland another $3 billion for a bridge I'm sure they could fork out a mere $1 billion for the south island to host the olympics.

Just like all the money they are forking out for the 2011 RWC?

Aren't you all forgetting something?

Lillehammer in Norway isn't all that big. When I was there in 2004, it felt like a small sleepy town, far less vibrant than Queenstown.

Also, Note that not all of the events have to held in the Queenstown Lakes district - Even the Sydney Summer Olympics had events staged in Canberra.

It is possible that the outdoor events such as Slalom, Ski Jump, X-Country etc could be held in Queenstown, but the indoor events that require large arenas like figure skating would be best held in Christchurch. Some events could be held at Mt Hutt too.

Note that this idea of splitting certain events and distributing across a few places isn't a new idea - it is a frequently used idea which helps distribute the burden of financing the event, and also makes the facilities more justifiable.

Note also that the IOC does have as part of its requirements to host their events, a viability plan which takes into account the sustainability of the facilities post event.

It is possible that the outdoor events such as Slalom, Ski Jump, X-Country etc could be held in Queenstown, but the indoor events that require large arenas like figure skating would be best held in Christchurch. Some events could be held at Mt Hutt too.


The IOC tends to prefer games that are as "compact" as possible.

This is all very exciting.

I would like to see any Winter Olympic bid be hosted more as a South Island and New Zealand venture. I would see Australia being a player in the scheme as well, as the spin off in tourist would benifit both countries, and we could do with the experience and expertise that our Aussie cousins have in hosting MAJOR international events.

I dont think you'll get the Aussies on board with the finance except entrepreneurs out to make a buck


I like a lot of your ideas Kaas, and I can see what you are saying. I think both Christchurch and Queenstown would be best in hosting such an event. Simpley, the opening and closing of the games, indoor events would be best held in CHC, simply because of the population and post games, these venues could be well utilised. Christchurch with AKL would be the entry and exit points for all international vistitors and the accomidation is here and being developed.

I think Christchurch has to take on the supporting role here. ie: Airport and a host for some indoor events. Queenstown has the location and alure of a true Winter Olympic ''city''. Using ChCh as THE main location wont sell to the IOC in my opinion. The Olympics is as much about image and prestige as about sport. Queenstown has it, ChCh dosent.
The opening and closing MUST be held in Queenstown not Cristchurch. Think of the opening at Lillehamer with that lovely setting by the ski jump. It was wonderfull! Imagine holding it up at Coronet Peak in the snow, at night with great lighting effects. Much beter than marching around the QEII athletics track. Christchurch = yes, but in a supporting role only.


Queenstown does need to be shown off to the world and I would love to see a lot of the out door events held in this Kiwi Paradise. It would be great to have an event on the North Island too! I don't think that should be ruled out - the games would be for all Kiwis :banana:

NO! Leave the N.Island out of it. Too much fragmentation. Would be a nightmare for visitors wanting to see various events.

In summary. It makes no sense to sell a winter olympic bid on the strength of a city surrounded by green farmlands when NZ has a FANTASTICALLY SPECTACULAR alpine location already. No offence, but as a international viewer not familiar with NZ, if the opening were held in ChCh I would be thinking WTF!?

Btw. Lillehamer in Norway is not far from Oslo but yet the games were titled the Lillehamer games.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3743/southislandlocationseu8.jpg

Calgary hosted the 1998 Olympics, and just like CHC is a city not actually in the hills. From memory its about a 1 hour drive down the highway to Banff.

One HUGE difference between Calgary and Christchurch is that Calgary actually gets snow in the winter. The city is covered with the stuff for months every year. This meant that events like the ski jumping were actually held just on the outskirts of the city. You couldnt do that in ChCh.

A winter olympic city needs snow. Buckets of snow, truckloads, mountains of snow. Snow, snow, snow. Unfortunately there is no city or town in NZ which can boast having snow in the streets for months at a time. However you do have a much higher chance in Q'town and its just a short hop to the snow line when there is no snow in the valley. And even in the absence of snow in the town, there is always a backdrop right there with plenty of the stuff.
Christchurch is just too ''green pastures-ish''.

This is the ideal..
http://www.bestwestern.co.nz/lower_south/lowsth_images/qtn_snowmall.jpg

This is all very exciting.

I would like to see any Winter Olympic bid be hosted more as a South Island and New Zealand venture. I would see Australia being a player in the scheme as well, as the spin off in tourist would benifit both countries, and we could do with the experience and expertise that our Aussie cousins have in hosting MAJOR international events.:

DEAR GOD please leave the Australians out of this!


Queenstown does need to be shown off to the world and I would love to see a lot of the out door events held in this Kiwi Paradise. It would be great to have an event on the North Island too! I don't think that should be ruled out - the games would be for all Kiwis :banana:

DEAR GOD please leave them out of this! Yes of course it would be good for all kiwis but it would be in the south island!

Just like all the money they are forking out for the 2011 RWC?

Quite.

I dont think you'll get the Aussies on board with the finance except entrepreneurs out to make a buck

Agreed.


NO! Leave the N.Island out of it. Too much fragmentation. Would be a nightmare for visitors wanting to see various events.

Agreed my friend. It's a stupid idea. Sorry David:ohno: but you really didn't think that one through did you?


In summary. It makes no sense to sell a winter olympic bid on the strength of a city surrounded by green farmlands when NZ has a FANTASTICALLY SPECTACULAR alpine location already. No offence, but as a international viewer not familiar with NZ, if the opening were held in ChCh I would be thinking WTF!?


Offence taken!!!.:bash: Maybe a bit out of line but fuck it I'm in a meticulously bad mood. KAAS don't take it personally......I apoligize for whatever it may or may not be worth.......

Calgary hosted the 1998 Olympics, and just like CHC is a city not actually in the hills. From memory its about a 1 hour drive down the highway to Banff.

Valid point my friend.

It will be great for NZ but let's face it - NZ can't arrange a piss up in a brewery .... just look at the arrangements for RWC 2011 - pathetic !

It's horrible but I tend to largely agree Enigma - though I prefer the saying - can't organise a good shit even if they stood in one.

It's time to wake up and smell the bacon.

It's horrible but I tend to largely agree Enigma - though I prefer the saying - can't organise a good shit even if they stood in one.

It's time to wake up and smell the bacon.

Not to mention NZ will struggle to win a medal which would be rather embarrassing! Places like Norway have a strong record in winter olympics, nz has only won one medal ever, and never a gold. We just don't have the tradition. Commonwealth Games would be more interesting to me.

Ideed, NZ has no real winter-sports tradition so it would be a real challenge. One would hope that should NZ put in a bid, that there will be extra effort made to get the NZ participants up to scratch (or at least to have a NZer competing in every event).
Just another Commonwealth Games that nobody watches? Sure.
I would love to see a Winter Olympics held in NZ at some stage.

Btw. With regards to the Rugby World Cup. It is Auckland, not the rest of NZ that's buggering around. The other cities are all sorted out.

Btw. With regards to the Rugby World Cup. It is Auckland, not the rest of NZ that's buggering around. The other cities are all sorted out.

Its not Auckland fault, its the Government and Dullard.
Wouldn't want you to carry on under a misapprehension now, would we :)

This thread would be good in a Kiwi SKYBAR thread. Pitty we don't have Kiwi SUBFORUMS.

Im an Olympic nut, I would love to see Crikers host an Olympic Winter Games, but it's the kind of event that would surely run smack into the RMA. We have enough trouble building one lone stadium or structure at any given inner city location, with the Winter Olympics, we are doing alot of development in a natural environment. And Im sure few countries in the world have a dimmer view of ruining the landscape.
Especially when it comes to constructing the luge/bob and skijump hills.

Unfortunately, I think there is abit of naivety in the minds of the people who have mooted the bidding idea before. First of all, big ups for the Bruce Ullrich's of this world for having the vision to go for it. He is awesome. But their plans about what they would do, just dont cut it in the current world of Olympic bidding. I remember reading their bid plan for their 2006 Olympic Winter Games bid. They wanted to hold some rediculous locations. Ok, maybe they are logically great, but what is the point of being logical if it is never going to get the votes. They wanted, for instance, to stage speed skating in a converted container terminal in Lyttelton. That just wouldnt fly in the eyes of the IOC.
However. I do remember that international experts said that we were ok with the mountains. While development at Hutt would need to take place to lengthen the run (at thjat time, move into a parking area at the bottom), they said that we could do it from that point of view.

I dont know, a Commonwealth Games seem more do'able for me. But heck, wouldnt it be awesome to have the Olympic cauldron burning in NZ.

One can only hope :cheers:

Yeah, WELCOME :) I love the username - so appropriate ;)

Or maybe a fan of Shanken Stevens.

haha. thanks guys.
First time poster, long time viewer *he says in a suburban voice ringing up Radio Pacific*
lol.

But yeah, I do wonder if bruce ullrich is still on the case of a Winter Olympics at some stage in the Southern Lakes and/or Christchurch.
They even had a cool lil logo made back in 2005, a Fiordland Crested Penguin with a big grin on its face. haha

I dont know, a Commonwealth Games seem more do'able for me. But heck, wouldnt it be awesome to have the Olympic cauldron burning in NZ.

Yeah welcome on board bro! Bring on that olympic bid CHCH woop woop!

^^
Sorry if I sound like a broken record (or scratched CD for that matter) but I don't think a bid based in ChCh has any chance of success. Any bid should have Queenstown as the main venue with ChCh (among other locations) as candidates for possible supporting roles.

Welcome Shakey.

Hi Shakey and welcome. Are you from CHC??

I love Christchurch being refered to as Chrikers :lol: :lol: :lol:

^^
Sorry if I sound like a broken record (or scratched CD for that matter) but I don't think a bid based in ChCh has any chance of success. Any bid should have Queenstown as the main venue with ChCh (among other locations) as candidates for possible supporting roles.

Welcome Shakey.

Yes very broken record dammit! But I'm sure I sound the same:nuts:

Hi Shakey and welcome. Are you from CHC??

I love Christchurch being refered to as Chrikers :lol: :lol: :lol:

Nah, im actually at the Mt.

Nah, im actually at the Mt.

^^ ?????:)

Queenstown will be a fantastic choice for the Winter Games but will it be able to handle the influx ? Speaking of which, I heard via the grapevine that NZ is going to host a NZ Winter Games in Queenstown every year ... I will se if I can find out more.

yeah, someone from the NZOC wants to hold a winter Games in 2009 I think, and in the future, in the year leading up to the Olympic Winter Games.
Held in the Queenstown Southern Lakes region, and with ok from the international federations. Should be interesting.

LOL:cheers: ^^ ?????:)

*the* Mt. haha
Maunganui

Why don't they make an ice skating rink at the Bromley ponds?:nuts: :nuts:

You were trying to avoid Nanas Free Scones followed by a spanking weren't you ? :lol: Well I don't blame you :lol:

*the* Mt. haha
Maunganui

Maybe ''the Mt'' could do a bid?

Cross country pentathalon on White Island?

Hi....

I am a huge fan of the WInter Olympics being hosted in Queenstown. Your invited to join a facebook supporters group called “Queenstown, New Zealand Winter Olympics 2018 Supporters Group” Check it out.

Ideally the major venues would be clustered close to the town and the lake. I know there is not a lot of land but I have spotted a good place. I am sure if QLDC, Ngai Tahu and the government got together then the site could be secured.

People have said Queenstown couldn’t do it. Well I totally agree. Smaller towns have pulled it off. What it takes is support from the key stake holders and then it cold be successful.

My plan would be to cluster the 5 new indoor venues (Short track, Long track, Curling, Ice Hockey & figure skating) together on this site with the athletes village immediately adjacent. Other new construction would be temporary training facilities, media centre, new transport networks and obvious on mountain improvements.

It will be fantastic when it happens.

There is an amazing legacy that these games will leave for Queenstown. Firstly the permanent venues that are constructed will mean there is finally a world class training and competition venue for the off season. Top winter athletes will be based in NZ during the northern summer. Also the facilities and infrastructure upgrades will provide the backbone of the development the fast growing Q-Lakes district needs. I also see some of the athletes accommodation becoming affordable worker accommodation. This would be a big plus to a community desperately short of this type of accommodation. There are plenty of other big benefits too.

I see a couple of challenges to be met.

Firstly is NZs relative weakness in the international Winter Sport arena. This will reduce the ability to get the bid successful and also the success of the games in NZ. If this is to happen money needs to be put into winter sport to ensure NZ has a credible team in 2018/2022. The second and bigger hurdle is the RMA. For the olympics to occur special legislation is going to be needed to super speed the RMA, perhaps getting all the issues out in the open and dealing with them in a single hearing of the environment court. A big ask but the current process would mean nothing would be built. These and other challenges can be over come and I know NZ would get behind a Winter Olympics in Queenstown.

Looking forward to your support on the facebook campaign I am coordinating.

Cheers Quintin

I am certainly in favour of anything positive which will promote New Zealand on the international stage. However a lot is going to depend on how successful we stage the Rugby World Cup and how much support this bid will get. My view is that 2018 is far too early and that it maybe better to attract major winter sporting events over the next decade or two. Sports like speed skating, ice hockey and bobsleeding etc are relatively foreign to New Zealand. While we certainly have the ideal landscape and climate for these sports these are activities which are relatively new to us. Until the Winter Olympics can feature on the Kiwi pysche in the same way the summer olympics and America's Cup do this bid will struggle to get the suitable support it deserves.:ohno:

The Winter Games planned to be held in Queenstown/Wanaka on a regular basis will be great way to test NZ's skills at hosting winter events plus hopefully it will boost winter sports in New Zealand. I agree that 2018 is probably too early but 2022 would be OK. There needs to be some strategic work now to plan for this. Like securing sites for construction of the major indoor facilities and developing proposals to enhance the queenstown skifields and plan for a future ski jump and luge track. All this will take some time to plan and construct, btu will be a huge benefit to the region and NZ.

So.......could it possibly be 2022????

It should be a Christchurch/Queenstown bid:yes: Christchurch being a city with a major international airport (resent major expanision a big plus) should host all those big indoor venue sports e.g. ice hockey, ice skating & speed skating while Queenstown hosts all the alpine events e.g. skiing, nordic, bobsleigh & freestyle plus the ski jump, Treble cone in Wanaka can host the downhill & super G. Sure NZ putting in an official bid for the Winter Olympics is at least 15-20 years away because natually it's going to take that many years to build all of the infrastructure but it's off to a positive start with it's NZ Winter Games that event can be built on over time...and just 1 final point the opening in Christchurch but with the Olympic flame lit in Queenstown the cauldron set high up on the Remarkables mountains overlooking Queenstown...what a sight:shocked: and thoses pictures going around the world, and naturally the closing in Queenstown:cheers2: NZ don't waste your time with the Comm Games:down: they're now a non event focus all your attention on the Winter Olympics, look NZ you may never be able to host a summer games like Australia can but you can hold a winter games, which natually is something that Australia will never have:moods: Think 2018/2022 is too soon NZ should aim for the 2026/2030 games:okay:

You are all DREAMERS!!!
There is not inferstructure to support this!!!! The Olympic comitee will have to be stupid to select NZ in its current state..and i dont see it changing in the near future.

Another BIG problem.
NZ dosent have a decent downhill course.
The one at Mt Hutt is a joke (with long traverses required to get the distance) and certainly not in the top league (as required). A totally new location has to be found. I selected a spot for the Downhill and GS on my little map but it really remains to be seen where it could be held. They need to find a bloody high mountain and build good access there (the Downhill is one of the biggest events of the games).

Treble Cone, Wanaka

Mr KF - could we put this thread with all the other general NZ topic threads so it is more accesable to anyone who visits Kiwiscrapers :)

You are all DREAMERS!!!
There is not inferstructure to support this!!!! The Olympic comitee will have to be stupid to select NZ in its current state..and i dont see it changing in the near future.

Welcome NapierMan - thanks for the positive input! :cheers:

DREAMING is our SPECIALITY :banana::lovethem:

You are all DREAMERS!!!
There is not inferstructure to support this!!!! The Olympic comitee will have to be stupid to select NZ in its current state..and i dont see it changing in the near future.


If people didn't have dreams, great things would never be achieved now would they. :)

A NZ bid? I thought this was a conversation on a South Island bid.

A NZ bid? I thought this was a conversation on a South Island bid.

Are you being your usual arrogant, rude and obnoxious self again ?

Davee asked if this could be moved into the main forum and I agree with him. Just in case you didn't know it, South Island is part of New Zealand and therefore involves the entire country.

If you have a bone to pick with me send me a pm bit I will no longer tolerate your blatant crassness. Is that understood ?

There is a diference between a dream that could be realised and a dream that is completly fictitious. :ohno:
With the current state of the government at the moment - another blow out on the budget for big project like RWC 2011 would be irresponsible and the last thing the government needs is millions of dollers spent for a sporting event as big as olympics - im not negative, just a realist. The government is borrowing milions just to keep the country running. Wealthy countries host the olympics- WAKE UP! this is a poor nation that is heavily in debt! We are in no situation to hold this event like this in the next 10 years - unless someone discovers vast amounts of oil that we could control- it is a wasted dream bound for disapointment. :storm:

There's no specific requirement, but the course should be fast and dynamic.
The current runs at Mt Hutt and Mt Ruapehu are too short verticly so they have to do these massive traverses to make up the distance which (as you can imagine) is not good at all.
How steep is the ''Big Mama'' at Porter Heights? Long is one thing, it's got be steep too.
Just to illustrate the problem. A decent downhill course would be double the distance from Coronet Peaks chairlift base to the peak.
What ever the case. No current skifield has such a course. Will be interesting to see what the solution might be.

There are specific requirements for a FIS course

http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/ICR04.pdf

Downhill
701.1 Vertical Drop
701.1.1 Men's Courses
For Olympic Winter Games, FIS World Ski Championships, FIS World
Cups and FIS Continental Cups - 800 m (in exceptional cases 750 m, for Continental Cups 650 m) - 1100 m.

Big mama is around 620m

Currently no ski field in the country has 800m vert, In the south island it would require lift access and formed trails from either Treble Cone Summit, or North Peak at Mt Hutt, and even then it would only just scrape in.
(Yes there is a little used rule that allows you to split the race in two part if your poh-dunk country does have high mountains,but I cannot ever see it being used by the FIS)

The current course in Whistler has 959m of vert. (Whistler-blackcomb has a total of around 1600m vert)

Also NZers simply wouldn't turn up to watch the events, Vancouver is already getting grief over the low attendances at the alpine events, due to it being so far from Vancouver City and they have a population of around 2.4million in the metro area. - A World cup downhill race in Europe last month had 32,000 spectators, where would Wanaka/Methven put them all.

I would absolutely love this to happen, but sadly the IOC would be VERY reluctant to hold the event outside of Jan/Feb.

^^ How come?

^^ How come?


I would imagine that it fits into the US winter sports TV market quite well, All the pro Hockey teams take a break so they can play for their respective countries.

Holding it in the southern Hemisphere tends to mean it would intrude on Baseball or NFL/Basketball

^^ How come?

Aside from the fact Australia and NZ are the only two nations in the southern hemisphere to have won medals (NZ one silver in 1992; and Australia 1 bronze in 1994; 1 bronze in 1998; 2 golds in 2002 and 2 in 2006) we hold little persuasive power to bring it down here.

I know the AOC itself would throw huge support behind an NZ bid, but I can't see it winning votes - or even being shortlisted.

Look at it logistically from the IOC's perspective. I am sure they would love to bring it to NZ or South America - but the reality is that the disruption it would cause to leagues, training, etc.. for major powers like North America, Europe, Japan/Korea/China is not enough.

Are you being your usual arrogant, rude and obnoxious self again ?

Davee asked if this could be moved into the main forum and I agree with him. Just in case you didn't know it, South Island is part of New Zealand and therefore involves the entire country.

If you have a bone to pick with me send me a pm bit I will no longer tolerate your blatant crassness. Is that understood ?
Boy aren't some people a little sensitive; you're like a parking officer who tells people to tuck their shirt in. This isn't a NZ bid so why is it part of the threads title?

Thanks Mr KF x

Boy aren't some people a little sensitive; you're like a parking officer who tells people to tuck their shirt in. This isn't a NZ bid so why is it part of the threads title?

The reason I asked Mr KF to move this thread to here was because it's not really about CHC. Even though I would love to see CHC take a major lead in any bid for the Winter Games it would -as you say - be a South Island hosted event. However - something as big as this would just have to involve all New Zealanders getting on board and taking ownership of the dream. The front page of KiwiScrapers is the best place for this - it's a great place to get more people involved in the discussion and air their views.

Boy aren't some people a little sensitive; you're like a parking officer who tells people to tuck their shirt in. This isn't a NZ bid so why is it part of the threads title?

At any rate how serious can anyone here really be about us getting this event... But if it isnt a NZ bid and just a Sth Island one great, look forward to you and your limited population funding both the application and event should "you" be successful....

There are specific requirements for a FIS course

http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/ICR04.pdf

Downhill
701.1 Vertical Drop
701.1.1 Men's Courses
For Olympic Winter Games, FIS World Ski Championships, FIS World
Cups and FIS Continental Cups - 800 m (in exceptional cases 750 m, for Continental Cups 650 m) - 1100 m.

Big mama is around 620m

Currently no ski field in the country has 800m vert, In the south island it would require lift access and formed trails from either Treble Cone Summit, or North Peak at Mt Hutt, and even then it would only just scrape in.
(Yes there is a little used rule that allows you to split the race in two part if your poh-dunk country does have high mountains,but I cannot ever see it being used by the FIS)

The current course in Whistler has 959m of vert. (Whistler-blackcomb has a total of around 1600m vert)

Also NZers simply wouldn't turn up to watch the events, Vancouver is already getting grief over the low attendances at the alpine events, due to it being so far from Vancouver City and they have a population of around 2.4million in the metro area. - A World cup downhill race in Europe last month had 32,000 spectators, where would Wanaka/Methven put them all.

Yes:yes: first of all you are correct about the downhill, right now of course NZ doesn't have an Olympic standard downhill, but over time all of the venues will be developed...remembering it's a good 20 years away at least, the entire Treble Cone mountain in Wanaka would need to be totally redeveloped to get that 950m vert. Remembering it's the Queenstown Winter Olympics not Wanaka, Wanaka will just be a satellite town to Queenstown hosting the Downhill & Super G at Treble Cone and Nordic at Snow Farm. Naturally NZ & Australia being sports mad countries will get right into these events...it'll be no great surprize to see more Aussies than Kiwis attend the events, by then flights from Australia will be daily into Queenstown.

The reason I asked Mr KF to move this thread to here was because it's not really about CHC..... The front page of KiwiScrapers is the best place for this - it's a great place to get more people involved in the discussion and air their views.

Thank you Davee

If NZ ever hosts a Winter Olympics, it will only be if central government gets behind it on behalf of ALL New Zealanders. But of course, in following with the theme of there being a 'host city', I would think that Christchurch is the obvious choice, but actually I think that the official host city should really be Queenstown as it is far more recognised internationally as a 'Ski Resort' town. This is much the same how Lillehammer hosted it instead of Oslo for example.

From an infrastructure perspective, I don't think there will be any problems in hosting it - We're 12 years away from any potential 2022 Games which is more than enough time. NZ has enough places where some events could be held, and enough places where the remaining facilities 'could' be built which have a realistic future life after the games. The only exception as has been pointed out is the downhill run but this isn't an insurmountable problem now that snow making machines are readily available.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for NZ is that while NZ is a mountainous country, curiously, we're not a big Winter Sports country in the way that European countries are. Of course big events like this only work when there are people willing to pay for tickets to attend. The IOC won't be keen to see major events broadcast around the world with hardly any spectators on site.

According to Wikipedia, some 1.2 million tickets were sold at the Lillehammer Olympics. Lillehammer is also a small town (Pop. ~20k) and is a couple of hours or so from Oslo which has around 800,000 people.

At face value the South Island is similar - Chch in 2022 will have say around 500,000 in its metro area and the South Island as a whole, 1.1 million. But of course you have to factor in that Europe is on Lillehammer's doorstep... The South Island is miles away from anywhere.

So can we do it? I think yes, but it won't be an easy task.

Correct^^ As with all things...let time pass.

Thanks KD ;)

I agree with what you say........nicely summed up.

Btw. Lillehamer in Norway is not far from Oslo but yet the games were titled the Lillehamer games.



If you condsider 3 hours by car not far, then yes it isn't far.

Lilliehamer is kind of like a boring Norwegian version of Queenstown. Queenstown beats Lilliehamer hands down for accommodation (it also beats Oslo), restaurants, nightlife, value for money. Queenstown also has an airport which Lilliehamer doesn't. The Lilliehamer games are widely recognised as one of the best ever Winter Games, so considering the town and the general laziness of the Norwegian people I'm positive NZ could put on a far better games.

You are all DREAMERS!!!
There is not inferstructure to support this!!!! The Olympic comitee will have to be stupid to select NZ in its current state..and i dont see it changing in the near future.

There was no infrastructure in Lilliehamer either, all the venues had to be built specifically for the games.

Look at it logistically from the IOC's perspective. I am sure they would love to bring it to NZ or South America - but the reality is that the disruption it would cause to leagues, training, etc.. for major powers like North America, Europe, Japan/Korea/China is not enough.


How do they get around this issue for the Summer Games whenever it goes south of the equator? It's not an insurmountable issue IMO.

Look at it logistically from the IOC's perspective. I am sure they would love to bring it to NZ or South America - but the reality is that the disruption it would cause to leagues, training, etc.. for major powers like North America, Europe, Japan/Korea/China is not enough.[/QUOTE]

All of the major winter sports nations in North America, Europe and Asia will be told to adapt by the IOC to a future winter olympics being staged south of the equator.

How do they get around this issue for the Summer Games whenever it goes south of the equator? It's not an insurmountable issue IMO.

It's only been in the southern hemisphere twice. The first time in 1956 there were no major professional leagues to disrupt - and the games were held in the SH summer proper. (in Dec IIRC)

The second time in 2000, with pro-sport to well established in their windows - the games were held in Sydney in September - which is effectively the NH summer anyway (they are usually held in August anyway).

You can't do that with the Winter Games in NZ - it would be comparable to holding the Winter Olympics in Queenstown in March. The weather is important.

All of the major winter sports nations in North America, Europe and Asia will be told to adapt by the IOC to a future winter olympics being staged south of the equator.

LOL. Tui add moment.

All of the major winter sports nations will be told to adapt by the IOC. Yeah right.

All of the major winter sports nations in North America, Europe and Asia will be told to adapt by the IOC to a future winter olympics being staged south of the equator.

Source?

How do they get around this issue for the Summer Games whenever it goes south of the equator? It's not an insurmountable issue IMO.

The summer Games are a completely different ball game. Far more negotiable for months, with a window of staging it from June to October.

The Winter Olympics will never be staged outside Jan/Feb/March.

Like any Kiwi, I would love to see the Winter Olympics in the South Island - but when you realistically look at the situation, I'm almost 100% certain it will NEVER happen. The odds are just too far against countries like NZ and Chile hosting.

'Sprawl' claim over ski-field land swap

A land swap with DOC has paved the way for a $250 million expansion of Canterbury's Porters Ski Area.

The proposed revamp includes New Zealand's first on-snow village and a gondola.

Porters confirmed it signed a memorandum of agreement to swap 15 hectares next to the Department of Conservation-owned Lord's Bush Scenic Reserve, near Springfield, with 21ha on the ski area's access road.

Porters Ski Area owners say the 15ha square block has a 1.8ha "tongue" of important forest remnants and they plan to spend more than $400,000 over the next decade on ecological restoration.

However, conservationists believe the deal is "inappropriate" and that building an alpine village at the foot of the existing ski area is "the worst example of tourism sprawl in a very special place".

Porters Ski Area managing director Michael Sleigh said expanding the 700ha ski area into the adjoining Crystal Valley and building European-style accommodation for up to 3000 people was essential for the business's survival.

"Without some form of significant development of this kind, Porters is a marginal ski-field."

Blackfish, a consortium of New Zealand and Australian investors, has pumped about $1.2 million into the ski area – which is on a perpetual "ski lease" from DOC – since buying it three years ago.

Sleigh said development consents would be lodged by the end of the year.

Up to 1000 jobs could be created through planning and construction work, as well as permanent and seasonal positions.

Consultant ecologist Vaughan Keesing, of Boffa Miskell, said the addition of the 15ha block would make DOC's Lord's Bush site more viable.

The 50-year vision for the site was reintroducing rimu and totara, creating wetlands and public walkways, and spending up to $439,000 on restoration over 10 years.

DOC Waimakariri area manager Kingsley Timpson said lowland forest was under-represented in Canterbury and, outside of Christchurch's Riccarton Bush, the Lord's Bush area was the next-largest piece available. "We're not seeing a loss of any of that significant landscape. It's a world-renowned ski-field and we're supporting that concept by allowing for appropriate activities to take place on conservation land."

However, Forest & Bird South Island conservation manager Chris Todd said the exchange was "quite inappropriate" and a village did not fit well with the primary purpose of the adjacent conservation land.

He did not think the conservation values at the Lord's Bush site were particularly high.

Conservationist Lesley Shand called the exchange "a major land grab".

The Selwyn District Council anticipated more development between Springfield and Arthur's Pass by putting land aside at Castle Hill, which was not fully developed.

"[Castle Hill is] a far more appropriate village site because there's sewerage there, streets, footpaths, street lighting and an existing community – and it's a mere seven kilometres down the road," she said. "I consider it's [the proposed development] the worst example of tourism sprawl in a very special place."

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince said the Porters expansion would cement the South Island as "the place to ski" and enable Canterbury to better compete with Queenstown.

Darfield farmer John Morten, Selwyn district's deputy mayor, said the "ambitious" development would not be possible without a change in attitude by DOC, adding: "I can't see any negatives about the proposal."

^^That sounds interesting so if Porters does receive a major redevelopment over the next couple of years so to become Canterbury's major ski hub, i wonder if Mt Hutt will one day also receive a major redevelopment to finally have an Olympic standard downhill, i know at the moment Mt Hutt just serves as an off-peak training base, if it wishes to join the world cup circuit it will need that facelift first. This is just the basics first, but one day if the IOC does move away from it's small Winter Olympics window...who knows? maybe in another 20 years or so we may get a stand-a-lone Christchurch-Canterbury bid.

I would always go for a "city"/SI bid with a strong inclusive NZ feel. If we get all parochial, we'll just end up with the Auckland verses the rest of NZ situation and that's not good for the country or a games bid :(

Yeah word!!

NZ DONT GIVE A CRAP ABOUT WINTER SPORTS, THOSE OLD SCHOOLERS ARE TOO CONSUMED BY BORING RUGBY TO RECOGNIZE OTHER GREAT SPORTS IN NZ. SHAME ON YOU OLD SCHOOLERS. MOVE ON!!!

With the new planned 250 million Porters expansion, which gets underway end of this year, its gonna bring NZ ski fields to more of a world class standard. Also, theres five other awesome club fields down the road from Porters.. thres Broken River, Craigieburn, Mt Olympis, Cheeseman and in Arthurs Pass there's Temple Basin.

http://www.skiporters.co.nz/mountain/project

I reckon Springfield Canterbury, being the closest town to Porters, will have a massive transformation. I heard investors are already snapping up land there... I saw some land advertised for only $75000!

I don't think well have enough snow consistence to host winter Olympics, especially the cross country which is a lower altitude. It just wont happen.

Sianara Auckland.. Kia Ora Springfield

.... DUH!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2907831/Dohhh-the-donuts-done-for

I think that it would be great to see New Zealand holding the Winter Games, although the northern hemisphere want like the time difference for their viewing audiences.

There is a report by the IOC Candidature Acceptance Working Group to the IOC Executive Board which gives the requirements for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

http://www.turin2006.com/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_1073.pdf


The subjects covered include:

1. Government support, legal issues and public opinion
(including compliance with the Olympic Charter and the
World Anti-Doping Code*)
2. General infrastructure
3. Sports venues
4. Olympic Village(s)
5. Environmental conditions and impact
6. Accommodation
7. Transport concept
8. Safety and security
9. Experience from past sports events
10. Finance
11. Overall project and legacy

A read of this would give us a good idea of what is required for New Zealand.

^^ That is a very interesting article. Going by this, I would still think that it would be possible to host a South Island Winter Olympics, but I agree that it will be a hard ask:

My analysis of the document suggests to me that:
1) Queenstown could not do it alone
There isn't the transport links into queenstown to make it possible. There is no rail, the roads are limited and the main transport connection link from Christchurch is too far and slow. The airport at ZQN isn't big enough and would not really be feasible or possible to make big enough. There is probably not the justification in building all the required indoor venues etc either.

2) Christchurch doing it alone would be fine from a transport perspective with the govt's 10 year RoNS road building programme and the airport upgrade. Accomodation and indoor venues are not likely to be an issue either but outdoor venues are a problem due to the lack of mountains. The closest mountain area is Mt Hutt/Porters etc which I don't think would be capable as the supporting infrastructure isn't there such as roads and accomodation and limited ability to build and enhance sports venues.

3) Christchurch-Queenstown joint hosts is challenging
The ideal option is Chch be the host city as above and have queenstown as the host of all the outdoor sports. Queenstown is the ideal location for a winter sports carnival and has plenty of accomodation and other facilities that could be built or enhanced for winter olympic requirements. The real problem is that transport to and from Queenstown and Chch is just too far by road, no rail and the airport has limtied capacity and very prone to being closed with bad weather etc.

So I think that yes, it could be done but it would be a very hard job to pull it off. If Queenstown was say only an hour or two from Chch (by a good road) then that would be a different story as I'd think that we would definitely be in with a chance.

I don't think well have enough snow consistence to host winter Olympics, especially the cross country which is a lower altitude. It just wont happen.


There isn't much snow in Lilliehamer this year compared to previous years, Sochi doesn't get a lot of snow, this year they have had almost none, it doesn't look good for 2014.

And Vancouver had its warmer winter in ages but still survived

^^Queenstown/Wanaka has more consistant snow than what Sochi will ever have, Wanaka has a very reliable and high standard Nordic venue in Snow Farm which natually over time with all of the NZ Winter Games venues will be improved of. Remember a Winter Olympics bid coming from NZ's southern lakes region is at least another 25 years away, all the basic infrastructure needs developing e.g. road networks, redevelopment of QIAP, links between ChCh-Queenstown-Wanaka, and last but not least the venues. Be patience New Zealand if Canada, Russia, South Korea and Germany can, then you can too...remember all goods things come to those who wait...LET TIME PASS.

http://www.skiexpress.com.au/newzealand/images/Wanaka_000.JPG
http://www.lakevista.co.nz/images/snowfarm.jpg

Regarding Queenstown airport Kane, I believe they've updated the landing system. I recall reading last year that Invercargill would go from getting 50 diverts a year to only a handful, and anecdotal observations support this, so it seems that airport closure is no longer much of an issue in Qtown.

Regarding Queenstown airport Kane, I believe they've updated the landing system. I recall reading last year that Invercargill would go from getting 50 diverts a year to only a handful, and anecdotal observations support this, so it seems that airport closure is no longer much of an issue in Qtown.

Yes you're quite right Richard7666 - though for it to work, the aircraft must have some additional equipment fitted. From memory, the only ones who have done this are Air NZ. Jetstar and PacificBlue, despite having newer planes don't

Also, I'm not sure if this landing system allows night time flights or not - I thought it was only daytime - Not sure... In any case, the thought of flying around in a plane in the dark of night while being surrounded by mountains that you can't see doesn't sound particularly appealing anyway - Jet slams into mountain range after navigation system fails, everyone on board killed... yah-de-dah.... has a certain ring about it really. :)

^^Dear Kane stop with those morbid thoughts you'll scare off those Aussie tourists...come the ski season Queenstown +:cheers2: + Aussies=$$$:okay:

Yes you're quite right Richard7666 - though for it to work, the aircraft must have some additional equipment fitted. From memory, the only ones who have done this are Air NZ. Jetstar and PacificBlue, despite having newer planes don't

Also, I'm not sure if this landing system allows night time flights or not - I thought it was only daytime - Not sure... In any case, the thought of flying around in a plane in the dark of night while being surrounded by mountains that you can't see doesn't sound particularly appealing anyway - Jet slams into mountain range after navigation system fails, everyone on board killed... yah-de-dah.... has a certain ring about it really. :)

The issue regarding night flights is that the airport is in a residential area (Frankton), the Southland Times opinion section was full of NIMBY arguments on this when it was mooted. I can't forsee the council allowing it tbh.

The issue regarding night flights is that the airport is in a residential area (Frankton), the Southland Times opinion section was full of NIMBY arguments on this when it was mooted. I can't forsee the council allowing it tbh.

Have to say I agree with the Nimbys on this one..

Tbh so do I

Remember a Winter Olympics bid coming from NZ's southern lakes region is at least another 25 years away, all the basic infrastructure needs developing e.g. road networks, redevelopment of QIAP, links between ChCh-Queenstown-Wanaka, and last but not least the venues.


If Lilliehamar was good enough to host a Winter Games then Queenstown is a shoe in. NZ's basic infrastructure is ahead of Norways, we have a much better highway network, Queenstown has far more hotels than Lilliehamar, it's closer to airports (there isn't one in Lilliehamar, Gardermoen is 3.5 hours drive) in Lilliehamar all the major venues had to be built before the games, Lilliehamar didn't have ski jumps, luge track, downhill runs, speedskating venue, everything was built for the games.

^^Yes absolutely agree, it's not if but when there is a Queenstown Winter Olympics...sure still about 15-25 years away yet but so what.

Tauranga should hold it, Queenstown's small and there's nothing to do.

Tauranga should hold it, Queenstown's small and there's nothing to do.

Yeah Mt Maunganui can stage all the alpine skiing events.

If Lilliehamar was good enough to host a Winter Games then Queenstown is a shoe in. NZ's basic infrastructure is ahead of Norways, we have a much better highway network, Queenstown has far more hotels than Lilliehamar, it's closer to airports (there isn't one in Lilliehamar, Gardermoen is 3.5 hours drive) in Lilliehamar all the major venues had to be built before the games, Lilliehamar didn't have ski jumps, luge track, downhill runs, speedskating venue, everything was built for the games.

C'mon, you are taking the piss.

"NZ's basic infrastructure is ahead of Norways" ???
"we have a much better highway network" ??
"Gardermoen is 3.5 hours drive" 3.5 hours to drive 145km?

I honestly still don't know how Salzburg lost out to Sochi when Salzburg seemed to have the much, MUCH stronger bid. Shows that funny things can happen I guess!

I honestly still don't know how Salzburg lost out to Sochi when Salzburg seemed to have the much, MUCH stronger bid. Shows that funny things can happen I guess!

Yes you can assume Salzburg and Munich will scrap it out for the 2018 games, don't be surprized if you see South Korea sneak in behind those two bids and win.

I guess this has been the era of all the major world sporting bodies wanting to appear as if they are breaking barriers - it was an attractive prospect to go to Russia - especially considering that they are one of the most powerful winter sports nations and had never hosted a Winter Games. Compare that to Austria who has hosted previously.
It was also the era when having your President at the bid presentation gave you major brownie points. This is what pushed London ahead of Paris in the 2012 vote, and having Putin playing a major part for Sochi was a real winnner.
I guess also the Russian bid was sexy, the venues which they planned and are building were really impressive.
Finally, it was a repeat bid from Sochi (though this was also the case for Salzburg).

For 2018, it's Munich heading up against Annecy and Pyongchang.
Munich seems to be the favourite with an impressive bid, PC has constantly failed at the final hurdling. Bar a few votes, we would have had the Winter Games in South Korea this year.

MARC GREENHILL - The Press Last updated 05:00 17/01/2011

A mystery group is pushing for a South Island bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The group, New Zealand 2022 Winter Olympic Bid, has created a website, Facebook page, logo and two-minute promotional video.

Talk about a joint Christchurch-Queenstown bid for the first southern hemisphere Winter Games has grown after suggestions of a clash between the 2022 Fifa World Cup and the Winter Olympics.

However, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said there were no plans to move the Games date.

The group, which could not be contacted, is also associated with a Brisbane bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Christchurch skiing identity Anton Coberger said New Zealand as host was "laughably improbable", while the New Zealand Olympic Committee said such a plan would be "ambitious in the extreme".

In 1998, a bid for the 2006 Winter Olympics by Christchurch businessman Bruce Ullrich, a former Olympic and Commonwealth Games administrator, was aborted.

Other sites believed to be considering a 2022 Games bid include Harbin in China, Munich in Germany, Lillehammer in Norway, Barcelona and Zaragoza in Spain, Toulouse in France and Quebec in Canada.

The winner will be announced in 2015.

New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister said those who had been to a Winter Olympics realised it was an "enormous undertaking".

He was "blown away" by the logistics involved with the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

"I took a look at the infrastructure and thought, `This is way beyond us'," Maister said.

"I admire people with passion and vision, and people who want to make things happen, but my initial take is that a Winter Olympics Games for New Zealand is ambitious in the extreme."

Ullrich's aim was a "no-frills Games" in 2006, where competitors would be housed at Lincoln University, with some in "a sub-village" in the Wanaka area, close to skiing venues.

Coberger said Queenstown's 2009 Winter Games, one of the largest snow events outside the Olympics, was "just do-able".

The step up to a Winter Olympics was too large, he said.

"We'll just manage to run the Rugby World Cup, for which we really only have to build a few big stadiums."

"For a Winter Olympic Games you need specialised tracks, all of which need synthetic snow made now."

NZSki chief executive James Coddington, who attended last year's Vancouver Olympics, said it was an "ambitious" concept, but doubted it was feasible.

"It makes perfect sense, if we had the facilities to deliver such an event," he said.

"Just hosting the media alone would tie up most of the Christchurch accommodation, let alone the athletes and support crew," he said.

Vancouver's Whistler ski area spent more than C$80 million (NZ$105m) developing a bobsleigh track.

"You've got a whole host of different events which we just don't currently have the facilities for," he said.

Maister said the cost would be "phenomenal", even just to make a bid.

"It's on a different scale to anything we do here, and we're a little country.

"I'm trying not to be sceptical here, but I just think, realistically, we're a long way from it."

Harbin, China would be awesome, if not frighteningly cold.

Anyone seen the ice and sculpture festival there? Unbelieveable:

http://images.smh.com.au/2009/01/08/342906/Harbin-Ice-Festival-11-600x400.jpg

I want to see it in Munich to be honest.

Interesting reading back over this...

Thought you had some news, but still cool to check out.

I wish I had some news also, but there was talk relating to this thread starting up elsewhere, so I've highlighted this one so we can use it!

I did see in a number of the suggestions when the Share an Idea event was on, that people were saying about the Winter Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. Perhaps CHC could lead the way in some eco friendly events and try and reverse the rediculous costing games that now happen :-(

Unfortunately, the olympics is optimised for the northern hemisphere cities/countries, in both the summer and winter events, but the latter moreso. Having a winter olympics in July-august would need a big change in mindset, and huge challenges in scheduling.

Even the WC football event is better suited to a northern hemisphere venue, which puts the southern part of the globe at a disadvantage.