Recent snowfalls in the last two weeks have been icing on the cake for what continues to be an excellent ski season at Broken River Ski Area.

"We have fantastic spring snow conditions with superb skiing & boarding in the main Broken River Basin and adjacent Allan's Basin" says Club President Ian Storer.

"Fresh snow has fallen every couple of days over the last two weeks so everyone has been enjoying powder snow as well as great spring corn".

"Spring is a great time at Broken River" says Ian.

"It's the social time of the season. Skiing and riding are mixed with a good yarn on the deck at Palmer Lodge and some great BBQ food. It's a great time for visitors to get to know members - and make sure you bring up your BBQ food! "

Barbequing has long been a favourite past time at Broken River. This year the Club held its inaugural "BR BBQ Cook Off". Five seasoned Broken River BBQ chefs had to produce a mouth- watering BBQ dish for less than $20.00 in 15 minutes.

Each dish was judged on originality, taste, texture, and presentation as well as the integration the mystery ingredient (beetroot) revealed at the start of the competition. The dishes were diverse and sumptuous, ranging from crumbed hare back steaks with a homemade rowanberry and redcurrant jelly, accompanied by vegetable and filled-filled homemade tortillas, to stacked white chocolate pancakes and poached spiked pears with a butterscotch liquor drizzled over the stack and beetroot-coloured ice cream.

The winning chef was Richie Goldsbury with a rump steak stuffed with bacon, onion, and cheese accompanied by pita bread with a cheese and beetroot filling. Other spring events have included the BWMSnow Ridercross. The fun course had banked berms, jumps and a splash pool and made for thrilling, action-packed racing.

Close racing, the pool and aerials from BR's top snowboarders kept spectators enthralled. The "Around the World" theme of the recent Kid's Weekend saw children "visiting" 7 countries including Japan where they had to eat popcorn with chopsticks.

Broken River is well-known for great spring skiing and staying open long into the spring. "For 6 of the last 7 years we have been the last or last-equal ski area South Island open and this is looking likely for 2009" says Ian Storer.

Broken River will be open during the week until the end of the school holidays and then will open for weekends in October, conditions permitting. Accommodation will be available Friday and Saturday nights.