Summer Days at Snow Planet

With temperatures rising up to 20º–27ºC in central Auckland over the summer, finding ways to cool off and have fun can be a challenge. A good thing there’s such a place as Snow Planet.

Skiing and Sledding at Snow Planet

If you want to learn to ski or would like to brush up on your skiing, this indoor year-round snow centre is the perfect venue for that. And if going down the slopes on your feet isn’t your thing, toboganning (a.k.a. sledding) can certainly be a thrill, even if your age is beyond 59. The ice slope is 200 meters long and also more than 40 meters wide. That’s almost 35 % wider than those in other countries.

You can spend the whole day and have lunch or refreshments at the Mountain View Cafe & Bar is located within the centre with scenic views of the snowdome, snowsport shop, rental area, and Snow Academy.

Adult pass costs $54, while children can enter for $22 each. Ski/boots/poles hire is $26 per adult and $20 per child, with family, corporate, school, and tourist passes. Pants are for hire, too, but it’s best to dress appropriately. It gets as chilly as -2ºC at the snowdome.

With school almost over, kids on holiday can take the Snow Planet school holiday programme that includes a lesson a day, equipment rental, and a kiddie meal voucher.

Certainly a great way to have fun and get into a physical activity while beating the heat. And it’s just 20 minutes north of Auckland at that.

For bookings or more information, call Snow Planet at 0800 SNOWPLANET or + 64 9 427 0044 or visit www.snowplanet.co.nz or simply drop in the centre, located at 1 Small Road, Silverdale. It’s open 365 days a year, after all.

Photo credit: My friend, Cherry Thelmo-Fernandez, took this photo when she and her family and relatives spent a whole morning at Snow Planet.