Treble Cone is best known for its world-renowned terrain, its backcountry access and its breath taking views. Treble Cone or TC as its better known to locals has a summit elevation of 2088m and a base area elevation 1260m, it is consistently steep and is well serviced by a high speed 6 seater in the Main Basin and a quad chair in the Saddle Basin. In the main basin you’ll find the base area and some of the funnest terrain on the hill, you can literally get off the chair and head straight down and on the right day have the best run ever. Above the main basin and over the ridge to riders right is the Saddle Basin a fantastic mix of challenging and more challenging terrain. The base area is about a 40 minute drive from Wanaka and the sealed road skirts the lake until you find yourself at the beginning of the gravel access road that switch backs its way up the steep incline. Accommodation is found in the Wanaka township along with nightlife, supermarkets, snowboard shops and a beautiful lake.
[flare gallery=”tc4″ size=”837 x 500″ ids=”3507″]
Click to enlarge
Pow days at TC often end up being a race to see who can jump off the biggest rock first. NIck Brown comes in #1 with a front 5.
Treble Cone is a fun place to shred any day of the winter, there’s always stuff to do whether it’s jibbing your way down triple treat or hiking the chutes in the backcountry. On days when its firm in the main basin often the saddle can still be dry and powdery and the Motatapu chues in turn can be nothing short of epic. The Saddle Basin is a combination of wide open, steep rolling terrain and natural half pipes full of hips, slashes and steep fall lines, spots like third pipe can stay in good condition weeks after the last snow fall.
[flare gallery=”tc8″ size=”837 x 600″ ids=”2970″]
Click to enlarge
You can get to most of this from the lift!
First thing on a pow day is all about tracking out the main basin, starting out straight under the lift, launching the catties and smashing freshies, way too much fun!! After that its time to go left or right and hit Matukituki or the Powder Bowl both are wide open and full of lumps and bumps to pop off, not to mention the odd rock drop. If you want the best lines get up early, powders days can get a little hectic.
[flare size=”837 x 500″ gallery=”TC10″ ids=”3764″]
Wanaka Local Will Jackways leans into a big carve out in the Matukituki
Patrol at TC usually stagger opening after a decent snowfall which can be great because if you miss first tracks at one spot you still have a chance of getting them at the next one. Due to safety concerns areas like the Motatapu chutes don’t open till a day or so after the initial snow. But as you can probably see from the photo they are well worth the wait. As you may also be able to see the chutes are the real thing, although close to the lift avalanche risks are very real and wrong turns can leave you in some pretty precarious positions to say the least.
[flare gallery=”tc1″ size=”837 x 500″ ids=”3511″]
Click to enlarge
Early season Wanaka can be a bit depressing when the inversion layer is around, best thing to do is hit up TC and get over it! Jah Harris and Andy Clarke high above the clouds.
The backcountry at Treble Cone is seemingly limitless, easily accessible, unpatrolled and after a storm no less than epic. This means if you are keen on backcountry riding you’re in for a treat but you need to be prepared. Avalanches are a very real threat and if you get injured you are on your own, the usual rules apply, go with someone who is experienced and knows the area and take the necessary equipment.
[flare gallery=”tc3″ size=”837 x 500″ ids=”3513″]
Click to enlarge
TC is home to a whole bunch of backcountry booter spots, this is a good one,and about 5 minutes hike from the Saddle Quad!. Jah Harris
If you’re in the Southern Lakes and have never been to TC make a point of getting their, the free riding is as good as it gets, the lifts are fast, the backcountry is incredible and Wanaka is an awesome place to get your apre shred on.
[flare size=”500 X 837″ gallery=”TC11″ ids=”3768″]
Click to enlarge
Acid drop off a rock at the top, performed by original ‘cone head’ Olly Burke.