Prelude to Aspiring: Or, what to do when there’s no snow in paradise

WELL, it’s been what the Europeans call a “green winter” so far in the southern part of New Zealand round Queenstown, where I live.

For instance, my editor took these photos of the 1863-vintage goldminers’ pub at Cardrona, and a horse trough just east of Queenstown, in May.

The Cardrona Hotel

A horse trough, for passing horses to drink from, back in the days before the horseless carriage.

It’s July, and things are still like that. We should have lots of snow by now. But apart from the odd light dusting, it hasn’t happened yet.

A few days ago — more in hope than expectation — I went up to the glamorous Coronet Peak skifield, which can be seen from the airport and some of the eastern suburbs of Queenstown. They do night skiing there, with brilliant lights on during the season. It’s really something to behold.