Monday 12 June 2006

Picturesque early winter snow-fall blankets Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve

Visitors to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve today have been treated to a white welcome, after an early morning dusting of snow.

Graeme Abbot, General Manager of the Reserve, estimates around 1.5 inches of snow has fallen to date and it continues to fall.

“It’s still snowing now and everyone is having such a good time. The pools are a warm welcome from this cold weather snap. The kids are having a wonderful time throwing snowballs, before plunging in to the pools to defrost,” says Graeme Abbot. Graeme Abbot says there are also a large number of international tourists visiting the complex today, many of whom haven’t seen snow before.

“It is very exciting for some of our international visitors. While snowfalls are becoming second nature for some of us at Hanmer Thermal Springs and Spa, it is still a novel and unique experience for many.”

“We love it when it snows here,” says Graeme Abbot. “There’s something really cosy about a swim in the snow and, let’s face it, there are few places where such an experience is possible,” he added.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, New Zealand’s largest thermal pool complex, has been named a finalist in the ‘Innovation in Eco-Tourism’ and ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ categories in the New Zealand Tourism Awards for 2006.

ENDS

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