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3
 mins read

Day 3 in the snow: battling unpredictable oceanic weather

published
December 16, 2022
location
NEW ZEALAND
discipline
Skiing

Day 3 in the snow: battling unpredictable oceanic weather

Day 3 in the snow: battling unpredictable oceanic weather

published
December 16, 2022
location
NEW ZEALAND
discipline
Skiing
3
 mins read
WORDS
11th Hour Racing
PHOTOS
Mickey Ross

When it comes to playing outside in New Zealand, the weather is always in charge. 

‍

When we came back down to Glenorchy (and then Wanaka) the chat turned immediately into what the weather was going to do next. Tom pulled up his four weather apps (yes, to get some sort of accurate understanding of the weather in New Zealand you need four apps): fortunately, there were a handful of storms on the horizon. Unfortunately, all of the storms were tracking relatively from the north from the Tasman Sea, and we needed the storms to come from the south and the Southern Ocean. Just like in sailing around the world – the best stuff comes from the bottom of the world. 

‍

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Janina Kuzma
“Everyone was expecting the champagne powder and unfortunately, we didn't get that, but everyone made it work really well with what we had.”

Tom Vialletet also explained to us the elements we were coming up against: “The weather in New Zealand is interesting, it's the oceanic weather. Snow here is more oceanic; it’s wet and quite dense. It’s not dry like the snow in Japan and Colorado. Then, you usually get hit by different types of storms from the north, south, west, and east. There's nothing protecting us from any storm coming either. It changes fast, but at the same time you can predict it a bit more, especially if you know what the systems are going to do.”

Day 3 ski carousel 1 image 2
Day 3 ski carousel 2 image 1
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11.10.2023
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Listen to Jack ...

With even warmer weather on the horizon, including quite a bit of rain, it meant the team would need to go on standby for the next southerly weather system. Already the six-day long high-pressure system turned last week’s fresh snow into fresh river water. By the time we got back down, the mountains appeared greener and the snow was even more variable and uncertain.

“When it comes to playing in New Zealand, the weather is always in charge.”
Day 3 ski carousel 2

But the taste of the project has the entire team in full stoke mode. We pulled together the best possible people in the area, and everyone jelled both professionally and personally. And a good team is everything when working in unpredictable mountain conditions. From the guides who made the final calls about the weather (and subsequent risks) to the creative team, everyone trusted one another. This naturally allowed everyone to do their jobs to their best capacity, and with each operating to their best, the whole production was able to flourish.  

“The taste of the project has the entire team in full stoke mode.”

But the taste of the project has the entire team in full stoke mode. We pulled together the best possible people in the area, and everyone jelled both professionally and personally. And a good team is everything when working in unpredictable mountain conditions. From the guides who made the final calls about the weather (and subsequent risks) to the creative team, everyone trusted one another. This naturally allowed everyone to do their jobs to their best capacity, and with each operating to their best, the whole production was able to flourish.  

But the taste of the project has the entire team in full stoke mode. We pulled together the best possible people in the area, and everyone jelled both professionally and personally. And a good team is everything when working in unpredictable mountain conditions. From the guides who made the final calls about the weather (and subsequent risks) to the creative team, everyone trusted one another. This naturally allowed everyone to do their jobs to their best capacity, and with each operating to their best, the whole production was able to flourish.  

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QUESTIONS
11th Hour Racing
ANSWERS
Mickey Ross

When it comes to playing outside in New Zealand, the weather is always in charge. 

‍

When we came back down to Glenorchy (and then Wanaka) the chat turned immediately into what the weather was going to do next. Tom pulled up his four weather apps (yes, to get some sort of accurate understanding of the weather in New Zealand you need four apps): fortunately, there were a handful of storms on the horizon. Unfortunately, all of the storms were tracking relatively from the north from the Tasman Sea, and we needed the storms to come from the south and the Southern Ocean. Just like in sailing around the world – the best stuff comes from the bottom of the world. 

‍

Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
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11.10.2023
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8.17.2022
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No items found.
Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
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8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
Listen to Jack ...

Tom Vialletet also explained to us the elements we were coming up against: “The weather in New Zealand is interesting, it's the oceanic weather. Snow here is more oceanic; it’s wet and quite dense. It’s not dry like the snow in Japan and Colorado. Then, you usually get hit by different types of storms from the north, south, west, and east. There's nothing protecting us from any storm coming either. It changes fast, but at the same time you can predict it a bit more, especially if you know what the systems are going to do.”

Janina Kuzma
“Everyone was expecting the champagne powder and unfortunately, we didn't get that, but everyone made it work really well with what we had.”

With even warmer weather on the horizon, including quite a bit of rain, it meant the team would need to go on standby for the next southerly weather system. Already the six-day long high-pressure system turned last week’s fresh snow into fresh river water. By the time we got back down, the mountains appeared greener and the snow was even more variable and uncertain.

No items found.

But the taste of the project has the entire team in full stoke mode. We pulled together the best possible people in the area, and everyone jelled both professionally and personally. And a good team is everything when working in unpredictable mountain conditions. From the guides who made the final calls about the weather (and subsequent risks) to the creative team, everyone trusted one another. This naturally allowed everyone to do their jobs to their best capacity, and with each operating to their best, the whole production was able to flourish.  

“When it comes to playing in New Zealand, the weather is always in charge.”
No items found.
“The taste of the project has the entire team in full stoke mode.”
No items found.

When it comes to playing outside in New Zealand, the weather is always in charge. 

‍

When we came back down to Glenorchy (and then Wanaka) the chat turned immediately into what the weather was going to do next. Tom pulled up his four weather apps (yes, to get some sort of accurate understanding of the weather in New Zealand you need four apps): fortunately, there were a handful of storms on the horizon. Unfortunately, all of the storms were tracking relatively from the north from the Tasman Sea, and we needed the storms to come from the south and the Southern Ocean. Just like in sailing around the world – the best stuff comes from the bottom of the world. 

‍

No items found.
Previously unseen
ABOUT THE PROJECT

To highlight the connection between water and sports, we’ve brought together an internationally renowned freediver, a world champion freeskier, and professional offshore sailing team. Like water, these athletes move in unison with their mind, body, and the present moment. Together, these athletes bring to life their fullest expressions– like water, they flow.

ABOUT THE TEAM

We chose athletes who are not only the best at what they do but also align with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to protect and restore the ocean. We hired local storytelling teams who are also some of the best in the world. Each part of the production was carefully considered to come together as one holistic story.

Behind the Scenes

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