The team at Grasmere contribute so importantly to our guests experiences we have decided to follow the tales of the team throughout the year. Our staff have a special sense of ownership for New Zealand, having lived and breathed it most of their lives. It is through experiences we have all developed a love and passion for our country, which in turn, should naturally rub off on to our guests who should go away with a sense of what life is like being a kiwi. Of course we are spoilt living in such a magnificent slice of the South Island, yet we all try to make the most of each day taking advantage of our great outdoors.

Every couple of months or so, we will tell the ‘Tales from the Team’ to give you an idea of what adventures shape us as a group and as individuals.

Tale one: Winter 2010
Winter at Grasmere is most often one of the most pleasant times of the year. Often settled sunny weather will sit over us for weeks on end and this year has been no different. One of the Lodge ponds froze over with the crisp clear weather and chef Derek tentatively donned his ice skates for the first time and danced on ice. The enormous cracking sound which soon followed saw Derek off the ice in record time!!

Canterbury Aviation has been flying fixed wing aircraft in and out of Grasmere for some time and this year Tom & Jo took the opportunity to take a mid-winter flight down to Milford Sound for a cruise.

An 8am takeoff from the Grasmere strip meant we were able to take in the last of the sun-rise as we headed South right down the back-bone of the South Island…. The Southern Alps!
The scenery was absolutely breath-taking from the moment the plane took off.

Countless mountain ranges and river valleys were soared over and to watch the sun slowly melt down Mt Cook (NZ’s highest peak) in pinks and reds was a highlight, what a view! Past Mt Aspiring as the decent to Fiordland began, the view changed dramatically. From snowy mountains to thick rain forest to the Tasman Sea in what seems like no time at all. Descending in to Milford was great the great Mitre peak in all her glory and seemingly just metres away.



One of the great things about New Zealand at this time of year is how quiet most tourism operators are. As we boarded our vessel, no more that 20 other passengers got on with us, it seemed we had the whole boat to ourselves.



Dolphins were never too far away and whilst there were not too many waterfalls in full flow, the scenery is still moving. A short wander back to the airport and we were off on our way, this time on the Eastern side of the Alps. A quick fuel up at Lake Pukaki and we were off again and home in time for afternoon tea. This would have to be one of the most memorable trips possible out of Grasmere.

The skiing has also been swinging in to action with the local area Porters having a great start to the season. Tom has been fortunate enough to get in a couple of half days… but the best skiing is usually in August, so we’ll wait and see.