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Jan, 2012 - Snowplanet Long Drop....you'll #### yourself on the way down!
Dec, 2011 - Amputee set to take on World Stage
Dec, 2011 - Snowplanet Snowboard Coach named New Zealand Selector
Nov, 2011 - Santa in the Snow

Snowplanet Long Drop….you’ll s* yourself on the way down!**

If you need an adrenaline rush these school holidays then Snowplanet in Silverdale has just launched the Snowplanet Long Drop. The Long Drop is an 8 metre free fall into a Big Air Bag. Marketing Manager Kara Hyde says “we use the Big Air Bag inside for Snowboarders and Skiers to practice their jumps and someone said, how about setting it up outside, so we have.”

Crash Test Dummy Josh Hirst (Snowplanet Snowboard Instructor) was the first to try the Long Drop and quickly proclaimed it as a must do, “its sick” says Hirst, with a big smile as he heads back to do it again.

Snowplanet Resort and HR Manager Melissa Drower said that all safety precautions have been taken, and appropriate procedures will be followed. The jump is only available to 8 years and older.

Hyde says that the Long Drop will be open from Saturday 14^th January and that a bike jump will be added shortly.

The Snowplanet Long Drop is open during the school holidays with opening times and pricing on the Snowplanet website www.snowplanet.co.nz.

For more information contact:
Kara Hyde
Sales & Marketing Manager
Phone: (09) 4270164
Email: kara@snowplanet.co.nz

Amputee set to take on World Stage - Dec, 2011

“I went home from school that day and told my parents I'd had enough and wanted to amputate”. These were the chilling words of Byron ‘Buzz’ Raubenheimer, a young man born with Paraxial Fibula Hemimelia where one leg is significantly shorter than the other.

Buzz was born in South Africa and immigrated to New Zealand with his parents. While most children are running around enjoying life Buzz spent his formative years in and out of hospital with numerous surgeries in an attempt to lengthen the bone in his right leg. Following years of distress Buzz, while still at school, made the brave decision to have his leg amputated. Buzz recalls the moment, “we went to see Dr Nicholl and he said the amputation could take place in 2 weeks, I was terrified!” The operation was a success and required considerable rehabilitation work. “I will never forget my first steps on my prosthetic, as I’m sure any amputee will tell you they are both terrifying and rewarding at the same time” Buzz said. As Buzz’s confidence grew he joined in competitive sports, taking 2 wickets in his first game of cricket, and finding a new passion in downhill mountain biking. “This is definitely what got me into extreme sports. I also started rockclimbing. After a few years of being an amputee I had to have a second amputation because I had grown too much and my bone was going to start pushing through my skin”.

It was after Buzz’s second amputation that Auckland met a rainy day and he and a friend decided to learn how to snowboard at Snowplanet. After a few faceplants Buzz was hooked, he bought his first Snowboard and went to Snowplanet every week to learn tricks. When winter arrived Buzz went to the Mountain for the first time where he saw a flyer for Adaptive snowboarding and got in contact with Carl Murphy (World No. 2). “He was excited to hear from me so invited me down to Ruapehu to ride with him”. Buzz made further contacts in the industry as they were impressed with his riding and enthusiasm. He eventually met Jamie Lane (Snowplanet Head Freestyle Coach) and began training under Jamie. “Buzz’s raw talent is incredible and he has an amazing attitude, he is going to achieve great things” says Lane.

Earlier this year Buzz began training for the Para-Snowboard World Cup, which was part of the NZ Winter Games. While training he was nominated for 'Emerging Talent of the Year' at the Snowsports New Zealand (SSNZ) Annual Awards. Then came the moment of truth, competing on the world stage. “I survived my first ever run in a Professional race with no mistakes!” Buzz went on to finish 5^th, an incredible result for a ‘newby’. Competing in World Cup events means travel, which requires money. Buzz approached Snowplanet for assistance, Tony O’Regan, Snowplanet CEO, recalls ‘this big athletic guy approached me and said he wanted to win a World Cup event. When I heard his story I thought we have to help this guy’.

Today a life size cut-out of Buzz fills the Snowplanet reception area where guests can donate a small amount to help Buzz achieve his dream of bringing home a medal to New Zealand. “I have no doubt he will achieve it” says O’Regan.

For donations and further information please contact:

Kara Hyde

Sales & Marketing Manager

Phone: 09 427 0164

Email: kara@snowplanet.co.nz

Snowplanet Snowboard Coach named New Zealand Selector - Dec, 2011

Jamie Lane, Snowplanet’s Head Snowboard Coach has been named a New Zealand Team Selector by Snow Sports New Zealand. Lane, who is presently studying coaching and management at Unitec, has been teaching and training snowboarding for 14 years and coaching competitive athletes for two years. Lane said he was ‘delighted and humbled’ to be selected.

“It is a great honour, and I am very excited about the development and potential of the next generation of New Zealand Snowboard athletes” said Lane.

Snowboarding is growing in popularity and is a recognised Olympic Sport with slopestyle, boardercross and halfpipe all featuring in the 2014 Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia. New Zealand has never produced a Snowboarding Olympic medal and Lane hopes, that with access to facilities such as Snowplanet, and the support of Snow Sports New Zealand, our first podium finish is not too far away.

“We have a number of quality athlete’s coming through our programmes and with concentrated support working to create a strong professional element in NZ snowboarding and furthering the sport, we are very optimistic about where we are going and what we can do,” said Lane.

Lane, who is also a member of the New Zealand Snowboard Committee, is the Head Snowboard Coach for Snowplanet’s 365 Training Centre. Snowplanet CEO, Tony O’Regan, was delighted with the news of Lane’s selection.

“This is great recognition for Jamie, who is a committed and quality individual. We are delighted to have him at Snowplanet and it just shows what great opportunity young athletes have here” said O’Regan.

Snowplanet 365 Training operates each term with specialised programmes designed to develop individual athletes. Snowplanet’s programmes are endorsed by Snow Sports New Zealand.

For further information please contact:

Vivienne Heering

Ski & Board School Manager

Phone: 09 427 0162

Email: Vivienne@snowplanet.co.nz

Santa in the Snow - Nov, 2011

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Well the great news is that Santa is coming to Snowplanet, New Zealand's only indoor Snowdome. Snowplanet is the only place in New Zealand where you can experience Santa in real Snow and take a picture that will last a lifetime.

Kara Hyde, Snowplanet Sales & Marketing Manager, explained; “This year will be a special treat, we have built a special snowcave for Santa who has agreed to make a grand entry on Ski’s! Kids will be able to meet Santa in the snow, have their picture taken, and receive a little treat. We are very excited.”

We were unable to contact Santa however a representative had this to say, “Santa is very excited to be coming to Snowplanet and meeting all the kids. He is very happy that it will be in the Snow because he finds the Summer too hot in his big red suit. Santa looks forward to meeting all the boys and girls”.

Santa will be at Snowplanet at the following times and dates:

Sat 3 & Sun 4 Dec
Sat 10 & Sun 11 Dec
Sat 17 & Sun 18 Dec
Mon 19 to Fri 23 Dec

Between 11am – 1pm

And all day Sat 24 Christmas Eve (11am – 5pm)
Keep checking our website for additional times

All children will receive a picture and a small gift and a small fee applies as follows:

$10 with any Snowpass purchase

$15 for Santa only visit

For more information contact: