Snowboarding in the land of the Long White Cloud
New Zealand has a lot to offer for those in search of a memorable winter snowboarding. With resorts scattered up and down the country there’s a lot of options depending on where you are and how far you’re willing to travel to get the goods. The great thing with the different aspect each resort faces, and in turn is sheltered from, is varying weather patterns will deliver a different and unique experience for each resort during a storm cycle. So the KEY to getting the best riding here is to not lock yourself into a set schedule, to be in one place on a set date. Keep it free. For instance you may find yourself in Queenstown with a seven-day pass to a resort there, and find sheet ice conditions the whole time, when a two or three hour drive might find you scoring fresh powder! When the combination of snow and weather are right, we have some of the best riding in the world available to anyone willing to work for it. If you’re not familiar with our resorts there are a couple of things you should know when considering the road-trip to end all road trips: Don’t expect to be riding in the comfort of Gondolas, the only ones we have don’t access resorts (damn it). Don’t even think about covered chairs either, but do bring that extra warm down jacket and your spring shell because the weather conditions can vary and change quickly. Bring your driving gloves, there’s a lot involved here, all of our resorts have access roads that vary from sealed with two-lanes to gravel goat-tracks with tight hair-pinned corners. I’m not trying to scare you, but… it’s true. And if they say you need chains – you definitely need chains! Riding in New Zealand is a unique experience and one you’ll never forget. Most people can’t stop coming back, or just don’t leave once they get a taste for it. As long as you’re willing to take the good with the bad, can handle a few beers at the pub (or not) and have a bit of experience under your belt, you’re set. All in all you want to try and check out as many resorts as you can to get the full experience.
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The ‘Pinnacles’ at Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu..
HELI BOARDING
The Southern Alps of the South Island offer some of the best heli boarding you can find anywhere on the planet, and at very reasonable rates. If you’re worried about safety… don’t. Most of the guides you ride with spend their New Zealand summers guiding in the Northern hemisphere winter. They know our conditions intimately, and will put you into the best conditions on offer on the day. If you’re part of a group, and have serious budget, then chartering a chopper is the way to go. This means it’ll just be you and your buddies, with the machine on hand at all times to whisk you to your next run… sick! Check out Travis Rice’s movie ‘That’s it That’s All’ for a preview of what to expect!
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Eric Themel drops into a sweet chute in the Mount Cook region courtesy of Wilderness Heli…For more info on Wilderness Heli, click here.
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Will Jackways, taligrab over a Methven Heli crevice.
CLUB FIELDS
A New Zealand institution, these ski areas normally use rope tows or T-bars for access and can be challenging, even for experienced riders. Run and managed by ‘unpaid’ club members, they exist on the smell of an oily rag, hence the use of cheap-to-run lifts and facilities. Access roads can be extreme depending on the current conditions that can change instantly, so it pays to heed any instructions issued by the field on the day. The minimum requirement would be chains carried in every vehicle, 4WD recommended. Most of these clubs provide cheap lodge style accommodation with food included… but you may have to assist in preparation and tidy-up as is the code. There’s minimal grooming on most of these areas, so ideally you want to hit them after fresh snow, that’s when they are at their best! The club experience is unique, take an open mind and go with the flow. One thing we do guarantee; if you make the effort (and it will be an effort), on their day some of these club fields will provide the best uncrowded riding you’ll get in New Zealand, at a ridiculously cheap price.
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Mt Olympus is typical of most of the South Island’s club fields…Short hikes to some ‘heli’ style terrain…for a fraction of the budget.
COMMERCIAL
New Zealand has its fair share of long-time established commercial ski areas. From Mt. Ruapehu in the North Island to Canterbury and the Southern Lakes region in the South (Queenstown and Wanaka), there’s a lot of great riding to be had. Don’t expect Whistler or Aspen type facilities, although in some cases the riding can compare. But you can look forward to express chairlifts, amazing views while drinking a flat white, cold beer or mulled wine and depending on where you are, world-class pipes and parks and/or night skiing. You’ll still have to tackle the access roads, which vary from sealed ‘green’ trails to un-sealed ‘black diamonds’ which in saying that is similar to the terrain on offer. There’s also amazing backcountry hiking to be had at most resorts, as long as you know where you’re going what you’re doing. Bring your splitboard, transceiver, probe and shovel!
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Scott Heale, Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu
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Some of New Zealand’s finest lift accessed terrain can be found at Treble Cone.
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KEY
x COMMERCIAL
* CLUB FIELD
# HELI BOARD