Hazel is a keen mountaineer, ski tourer and author. She recently released 'Solo' a book chronicling her adventures in the New Zealand backcountry.

We spin yarns about many and varied topics; sliding down Mt Ruapehu on a rubbish bag learning to ski in Germany, and summiting Ruapehu and skiing back down again. Rad!

01:20 First memories of snow

02:00 Learning to ski in Germany

04:20 What’s kept you coming back each season, uni days skiing around Otago

08:30 Favourite send

11:15 International adventures and attempts at snowboarding

12:45 Ski touring and mountaineering - getting into it

14:51 Tips for aspiring ski tourers

16:25 Reconciling risk with recreation and enjoyment

18:11 Learning from other’s mistakes, group dynamics

25:15 Gender attitudes in Skiing & Mountaineering

29:30 Ruapehu; spirituality, culture, place in the community 

32:55 Most memorable day on the snow

34:57 Backcountry snacks  

36:45 Injuries

39:45 Favourite bit of kit 

42:00 Improvements for the sport/industry at large 

43:45 Yarn about an invincible cactus backpack 

49:30 ‘Solo’ Book and other writing exploits 

53:30 If you could ski one place until you die…

The Send is a podcast for New Zealand’s skiers, snowboarders and whoever else wants to listen. Subscribe if you want to hear more!

Check us out on social media:

Facebook: @thesend.nz

Instagram @thesend.nz

If you have any ideas for an episode, or would like to come on the show for a yarn, email will@thesend.nz

Theme music credit: Dirtbox Charlie 'Cat Called Charlie' used with permission. https://dirtboxcharlie.bandcamp.com

Caleb is a diehard skier from the Manawatu. He joins us for a cracker yarn that ranges from; one-piece toddler ski suits to sending it Panorama, Canada. We had this yarn over a couple of beers, so there may be an expletive or two in the mix...

This episode is largely unedited, but if you want to skip to a certain section, click on one of the timestamps below:

(00:40) First memories of snow 

(03:10) Helmets & first concussion

(03:45) Fluoro mohawks

(04:20) Snowboarding - general banter & giving it a go

(05:40) Skiing in the South Island

(08:15) Skiing Mt Ruapehu 

(10:20) Game of Gnar, skiing heroes 

(12:35) Friend’s injuries

(14:45) Scorpions and other assorted sends

(29:00) Skis (Line Sir Francis Bacon)

(31:00) Most enjoyable day on the snow

(31:55) Favourite tunes, iPods, UE Booms, AirPods 

(36:00) What would you change about the sport pt 1

(37:50) Steam train yarns 

(39:03) What would you change about the sport pt 2

(41:20) Run ins with the law (and ski patrol), skiing and working at Panorama, Canada

(49:15) Skier demographics & ski gear yarns continued 

(54:10) Skiing the clubbies in NZ

(56:10) Favourite bit of ski gear & demo days

(01:05:55) DJ Lifties

(01:07:35) Burgers at Turoa

(01:08:30) Skiing Whakapapa

(01:11:10) If you had to ski one place until you die…

(01:13:50) Favourite club skifield in NZ

(01:14:45) Volcanic alert levels 

(01:17:15) More gear chat

(01:18:05) Closing remarks & guest requests

The Send is a podcast for New Zealand’s skiers, snowboarders and whoever else wants to listen. Subscribe if you want to hear more!

Check us out on social media:

Facebook: @thesend.nz

Instagram @thesend.nz

If you have any ideas for an episode, or would like to come on the show for a yarn, email will@thesend.nz

Theme music credit: Dirtbox Charlie 'Cat Called Charlie' used with permission. https://dirtboxcharlie.bandcamp.com

Hugh McLaren is an experienced Skier and Outdoors instructor. He first learnt to ski in Canada and didn’t enjoy it (what?!) After having another crack in Switzerland he caught the bug and skiing has now become a big part of Hugh’s life.

During our conversation we traverse a few topics; Learning to ski, Hugh’s favourite sends, the dangers of the sport and losing friends, what could be done to make the sport better and the ultimate yarn - Skiing Mount Ngaruahoe!

Timetamps:

(01:05) First memories of snow in childhood

(04:25) Learning to ski and Hugh’s journey of becoming an instructor

(07:15) Skiing and ski culture in Europe

(10:20) Being an outdoors instructor in New Zealand

(12:30) What’s kept Hugh coming back each season

(13:50) The best snow Hugh’s skied on

(18:05) Trying snowboarding 

(20:30) Hugh sending it 

(28:15) Skiing with kids 

(30:10) When things go wrong; injuries, losing friends

(35:05) Dealing with loss, nerves and going skiing again

(37:50) Days per season at peak

(38:50) Perceptions and thoughts about the ski industry and community

(40:35) Opening up skiing to those the don’t have access

(42:00) What would Hugh change about skiing? 

(45:40) Skiing Mt Ngaruahoe 

(54:15) Favourite bit of ski gear and recommendations

(56:50) If you had to ski one place until you die, where would it be?

The Send is a podcast for New Zealand’s skiers, snowboarders and whoever else wants to listen. Subscribe if you want to hear more!

Check us out on social media:

Facebook: @thesend.nz

Instagram @thesend.nz

If you have any ideas for an episode, or would like to come on the show for a yarn, email will@thesend.nz

Theme music credit: Dirtbox Charlie 'Cat Called Charlie' used with permission. https://dirtboxcharlie.bandcamp.com