http://transalpine.fire.org.nz....!

The Transalpine fire region truly is a region of contrasts, spreading over 6.5 million hectares of widely diverse topography. From the broad Canterbury Plains to the highest mountain (Mt Cook), from the country's second largest city to some of the remotest, smallest communities, the range of risks and potential incidents is almost limitless.

From Alpine Ranges to miles of sandy beaches, you can choose to ride a snowboard or a surfboard, even on the same day if you want.

The contrast between the east and west coasts is obvious to anyone who has been there. The higher rainfall in parts of the west coast is offset by the drought-prone climate produced by the renowned north-west winds across the Canterbury Plains. On the West Coast, travelling from the glaciers in the south to the sub tropics in the north, is about the same distance as travelling from Wellington to Auckland. The snow capped alpine terrain combines with aquifer shingle plains to naturally produce water which is some of the purest water in the world.

Visitors are attracted by a wide range of activities that include skiing, surfing, fishing, hunting, mountaineering, tramping, camping, motor sports, boating, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, gold panning, hot air ballooning, Tranzalpine train expeditions, not to mention spectacular and near unique scenery.

A major winter tourism market is our early skiing, Mount Hutt Ski Area traditionally being the first to open in Australasia. In 1998 it had the longest ski season in the Southern Hemisphere.

We even have our own Wizard to influence outcomes of important sporting events; to date he has proved very effective!

Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigades Association