Hi, I'm planning a trip with 5 other people late this summer to either australia or south island NZ (i haven't decided, gonna keep my options open). The main purpose is for snowboarding

so where ever there's cheap lodging, reasonable lift tics and awesome powder, we're there!
I need some help from anybody whose been there or lives there to recommend something. I heard queenstown NZ is pretty awesome. I've also heard some pretty good stuff about perisher blues in Aussie land.
Oh and we might need to do some equipment rental too.