http://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3933361/spend-time-in-the-snow-at-hunter-valley-gardens/?cs=2330

Spend time in the snow at Hunter Valley Gardens Ellie-Marie Watts



FUN: Snow Time in the Gardens will be held at Hunter Valley Gardens between June 25 and July 17.

HUNTER Valley Gardens will transform into a winter paradise in June when Snow Time in the Gardens returns for another year.

The Gardens is pulling out all the stops for this year’s snow and ice event, which has become a popular day out for families.

Snow Time in the Gardens will be held between June 25 and July 17.

The three-week event will give families the opportunity to enjoy all things winter, without having to travel to the snow.

This year the snow time play zone area is double the size, the ice toboggan almost double the length and the ice skating rink 20 per cent larger.

The snow time play zone, toboggan and ice skating rink is open daily between 10am and 9pm.

The specially created ‘snow zone’ gives children, as well as the young at heart, the opportunity to play with snow, build a snowman or create snow angels.

Any member of the family can grab a snow tube and slide down the 40 metre-long toboggan track.

Likewise for ice skating. Grab a pair of skates and head to the rink, which can fit up to 240 skaters at any time.

Skating sessions run for 20 minutes. Skaters move around to music and disco lights.

Between 5pm and 9pm on the Friday and Saturdays the event is on, a silent dicso on the ice is held. All you have to do is pick up skates and headsets and boogie quietly on the ice.

In addition to the snow and ice attractions, the Gardens will feature three big inflatables that children can play on.

New this year is the HVG super slide that stands at 12 metres high and 35 metres long. The inflatables and super slide will also be open 10am to 9pm.

Other activities throughout the event include face painting, a giant snow globe, arcade alley and the snow ball challenge.

Live ice sculpting will once again be done by Kenji Ogawa and there will be an opportunity to meet different breeds of snow dogs during the weekends.

All the activities are free once admission into the gardens is paid.

For more details on Snow Time in the Gardens, tickets and the full program go to hvg.com.au.

The Examiner has one family pass to give away to Snow Time in the Gardens.

To win this pass, send your name and daytime contact details in an email titled “Snow” to ewatts@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

The winner will be notified by 5pm on Wednesday, June 22.