American Express Winterfestival 2011

Another year bites the dust, well it seemed it with the lack of snow but in all we came away with a banger.As every year the Winterfestival brings madness and havoc all around Queenstown. Now with Coronet Peak and The Remarkables have finally opened eager tourists and locals lined up to collect the passes.

Osaka Monaurail on Marti Gra night

With a 3rd year on the Winter festival team doing photography it was great to see some new events pop up along with a wicked mini ice rink setup in the middle of Queenstown. It held an event Stars On Ice where Skater were throwing down crazy spins and lifts.

Ariel Nadas & Grant Howie, Snr Pairs National Champs 2010 finish with a lift

A new event to MoreFM's Day On The Bay was Quiksilver's stand up paddle board and longboard race on Lake Wakatipu. Its not just an oldies sport, the groms were amongst it but to get dominated by some hard locals keen for more boardies from Quiksilver.

Not much snow, the lake won't be inviting either if tempted.

On the other hand there was a sweet event the AJ Hackett Bungy NZ Cyclocross Championships. Super stocked to have this event added to this years list, it made up for the not being able to hold the gnarly Budget Rent-a-car Mountain Bikes On Snow. We had the man himself Henry Van Ash competing against some of Queenstown's and New Zealand's best Scarlett Hagen, yeah and why not soak the sloping bank leading to a sharp corner to add some carnage to the flavor.

Perfect backdrop with a little less snow.

Another Sweet one is the Mountain Scene's Thriller In The Chiller Charity Boxing, Straight up sick. Sugar Ray leonard didn't make an appearance this year but none the less crowds were rarked up leading to the final bout between the local rugby boys, Arrowtown's rugby captain Aidan "The Assassin" Winter and Wakatipu's rugby coach Kelvin "The Bone Crusher" Middleton.

Lee Exell bloodies Pete Buckley

If your out for a rowdy cheer to the local Stampede Ice hockey Games make sure your there early when the puck drops, so do the gloves.

Stampede's captain Simon glass takes a beating.

With The Remarkables that opened on Saturday rails and snow was rallied together for the Quiksilver's BoxZilla Rail Comp on Sunday. Local legends came together to give it their all showing what they got on a wack setup, a variety of 6 rails and rails joint as one and 3 more added for a larger display.

Dan Jenkins taking out first place.

Those were a few of my fav photos covering some sweet events from the festival. Big thanks to the Winterfest crew for another year of madness along with sponsors (big ups to quiky to us rugged up) and vollies for extra hands. Bring on winter, Bring on the SNOW!!!
Enjoy, Stefan Haworth.