Aus/NZ for this summer - Page 2 - Snowboarding Forum

squishydonut · 03-23-2008, 03:51 AM

anyone settle on some summer plans in AUS/NZ? when does the snow get pretty decent?

03-23-2008, 10:37 AM

Have you thought of Chile, last season was unbelievable and I believe that you might be able to do for a lot less money than your other 2 choices.

squishydonut · 03-23-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply^Ride

Have you thought of Chile, last season was unbelievable and I believe that you might be able to do for a lot less money than your other 2 choices.

nope, but it sounds cool. what places should i be researching that are south of the border? any favorites?

03-23-2008, 01:52 PM

Use this website to guide your self Goski.com Chile -

Chile is pretty much all above all tree line, sort of like the alps. I have never been there but my uncles has, Valle Nevado is good, portillo, and antillanca. This are big resorts and to my knowledge much more snow than your other two options. People from chile are very nice and this is the one south American country that is safe and economically stable (I am from Colombia, shame in my country, lol, JK) but yes security should not be an issue there. Think about it, because my guess is that if you fly into Santiago, Chile your flight might be cheaper.

Valle nevado usses french influence you can read about it that web page I sent you.

This season in Colorado, I spoke to some AUS people that were visiting, and they claim that their snow was nothing compared to USA snow, you might want to research that a little more.

This is their summer actual web cam Valle Nevado - webcam This resorts have insane terrain and they have been know to be forced to dig out their lifts often due to constant deep snow. My uncle said that that you cannot compare Chile skiing to anything, it is a completely different experience.

I have to go to work, but I will give you more info later on today.

Here is the trail map GoSki.com Trailmap Page

I forgot, heli riding is available.

squishydonut · 03-23-2008, 02:58 PM

i was planning to take a trip to oz/nz anyways, chile seems like a pretty good option as well though. i hear snow conditions (down un'dah) are not as good as some in the US or whistler etc... but how much worse could it be? kind of knocking out two birds w/one stone.

03-24-2008, 10:23 AM

Well I am not sure about conditions in Australia, or NM are. How tall are their peaks? what are the averages of snow fall? ok I did my research I found this Goski.com Australia - Perisher/Blue Ski Resort
people claim snow is not as good and mostly spring conditions, but to be honest if I am going to Australia I would spend a couple of days riding and the rest of the days in Sydney and diving. It seems to me that continent has so much to do, that keeping busy should not be a problem. If you chose Chile is basically to go riding as this areas are remote and the weather is going to be chili. But Chile does offer you about 6000ft more in altitude and more snow.

Have fun

03-26-2008, 06:22 PM

Hey, I'm going to have to go with NZ and more specifically Southern Lakes region. I grew up over in AUS and moved here a couple years ago, been riding Mt Hutt since. And becoming an instructor down in Queenstown this season.

It's an amazing place! There's great boarding, lots of chilled people, and heaps of other stuff to do (including the best nightlife). If your down in Queenstown your pretty much guaranteed to have a good time, snow or no snow.

I'll do a bit of an overview, this is just my (biased) opinion though. There's 5 resorts down there. Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snowpark.

The first couple are run through NZSki.com Home - NZ's premiere Ski, Snowboard and Mountain Biking Website (along with Mt Hutt) and they're a great combo. Coronet Peak has got lots of varied terrain, and are upgrading the whole base facility and snow guns this season. They also have night riding. Remarkables has been really stepping up their park with the addition of "The Stash" this coming season and the big terrain park last season also when there's snow they have lots of challenging terrain.

Cardrona is "naturally better". Its got a big field with a lot of freestyle options when they get it up and running. I almost didn't visit this one and I'm glad i did, there's lots of fun natural or man made lines and I imagine it would be fun in powder. This is a good all-round field. www.cardrona.com/

Treble Cone is probably the most renowned for powder and they have some good runs (be prepared to hike a lot for the really good stuff). They also have a really nice long beginner/intermediate run. But parts of it can be challenging if theres not much snow. New Zealand Skiing, Treble Cone, Wanaka - New Zealand's Largest South Island Ski Resort

Snowpark is unmissable if freestyle is your thing, but sometimes the crowds get pretty big. Snowpark NZ - ABOUT. Watch the "Method Episode 12" for some sick riding and what they have planned for 08!

In my opinion you can't really beat Southern Lakes, for the best riding, best vibes and stunning scenery!

The only negatives is being such a small town accomodation can be pretty tight and sometimes expensive. If your on a reasonable budget smaller towns (like Arrowtown, Frankton and Lake Hayes) are worth looking into. If your looking for backpacker accomodation Pinewood lodge is a good one (but probably pretty full). And we dont have trees, but i think we make up for it with everything else.

If you are looking for a more chilled out type of holiday..

Further north (Canterbury region) also has some great club fields that are more low key (T-bars, rope tows). If the powder hits theres opportunities to be had, but if it doesn't then Mt Hutt is the biggest field up this way. Its got 3 chairlifts, and some good off piste stuff (But again, be prepared to hike) but it is a smaller field and can get boring after a while with minimal snow. But is still fun, don't get me wrong.

In regards to snow and crowds, we can have some long seasons (06 was early June to late October with 2.5 m). And its worth looking up when the school holidays are if you want to avoid the crowds and more accomodation problems.

PEAK - (Jul 5 - Sept 5)

OFF PEAK - (Jun 20-Jul 4) & (Sept 6 - Oct 4)

Hope this helped

. Wherever you end up going have an awesome time!

03-26-2008, 06:27 PM

Great review. Those are good options. Maybe for next season I can plan something.

Thanks

nzboardlife · 03-26-2008, 08:48 PM

Try to avoid the term gap school holidays... if you want he dates i can ge them for you but you do not want your trip wreaked by the havoc that is the 2 week school holidays

04-10-2008, 08:21 AM

I would be going NZ over AUS, i live in AUS and it just gets way to packed here,
been to NZ last 2 years and going again this July, it is just relaxed over there.
only done south island though. queenstown had great nightlife.

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03-23-2008, 03:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
squishydonut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 496	anyone settle on some summer plans in AUS/NZ? when does the snow get pretty decent?

03-23-2008, 10:37 AM	#12 (permalink)
Simply^Ride Guest Posts: n/a	Have you thought of Chile, last season was unbelievable and I believe that you might be able to do for a lot less money than your other 2 choices.

03-23-2008, 01:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
Simply^Ride Guest Posts: n/a	Use this website to guide your self Goski.com Chile - Chile is pretty much all above all tree line, sort of like the alps. I have never been there but my uncles has, Valle Nevado is good, portillo, and antillanca. This are big resorts and to my knowledge much more snow than your other two options. People from chile are very nice and this is the one south American country that is safe and economically stable (I am from Colombia, shame in my country, lol, JK) but yes security should not be an issue there. Think about it, because my guess is that if you fly into Santiago, Chile your flight might be cheaper. Valle nevado usses french influence you can read about it that web page I sent you. This season in Colorado, I spoke to some AUS people that were visiting, and they claim that their snow was nothing compared to USA snow, you might want to research that a little more. This is their summer actual web cam Valle Nevado - webcam This resorts have insane terrain and they have been know to be forced to dig out their lifts often due to constant deep snow. My uncle said that that you cannot compare Chile skiing to anything, it is a completely different experience. I have to go to work, but I will give you more info later on today. Here is the trail map GoSki.com Trailmap Page I forgot, heli riding is available.

03-23-2008, 02:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
squishydonut Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 496	i was planning to take a trip to oz/nz anyways, chile seems like a pretty good option as well though. i hear snow conditions (down un'dah) are not as good as some in the US or whistler etc... but how much worse could it be? kind of knocking out two birds w/one stone.

03-24-2008, 10:23 AM	#16 (permalink)
Simply^Ride Guest Posts: n/a	Well I am not sure about conditions in Australia, or NM are. How tall are their peaks? what are the averages of snow fall? ok I did my research I found this Goski.com Australia - Perisher/Blue Ski Resort people claim snow is not as good and mostly spring conditions, but to be honest if I am going to Australia I would spend a couple of days riding and the rest of the days in Sydney and diving. It seems to me that continent has so much to do, that keeping busy should not be a problem. If you chose Chile is basically to go riding as this areas are remote and the weather is going to be chili. But Chile does offer you about 6000ft more in altitude and more snow. Have fun

03-26-2008, 06:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
JoshE950 Guest Posts: n/a	Hey, I'm going to have to go with NZ and more specifically Southern Lakes region. I grew up over in AUS and moved here a couple years ago, been riding Mt Hutt since. And becoming an instructor down in Queenstown this season. It's an amazing place! There's great boarding, lots of chilled people, and heaps of other stuff to do (including the best nightlife). If your down in Queenstown your pretty much guaranteed to have a good time, snow or no snow. I'll do a bit of an overview, this is just my (biased) opinion though. There's 5 resorts down there. Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snowpark. The first couple are run through NZSki.com Home - NZ's premiere Ski, Snowboard and Mountain Biking Website (along with Mt Hutt) and they're a great combo. Coronet Peak has got lots of varied terrain, and are upgrading the whole base facility and snow guns this season. They also have night riding. Remarkables has been really stepping up their park with the addition of "The Stash" this coming season and the big terrain park last season also when there's snow they have lots of challenging terrain. Cardrona is "naturally better". Its got a big field with a lot of freestyle options when they get it up and running. I almost didn't visit this one and I'm glad i did, there's lots of fun natural or man made lines and I imagine it would be fun in powder. This is a good all-round field. www.cardrona.com/ Treble Cone is probably the most renowned for powder and they have some good runs (be prepared to hike a lot for the really good stuff). They also have a really nice long beginner/intermediate run. But parts of it can be challenging if theres not much snow. New Zealand Skiing, Treble Cone, Wanaka - New Zealand's Largest South Island Ski Resort Snowpark is unmissable if freestyle is your thing, but sometimes the crowds get pretty big. Snowpark NZ - ABOUT. Watch the "Method Episode 12" for some sick riding and what they have planned for 08! In my opinion you can't really beat Southern Lakes, for the best riding, best vibes and stunning scenery! The only negatives is being such a small town accomodation can be pretty tight and sometimes expensive. If your on a reasonable budget smaller towns (like Arrowtown, Frankton and Lake Hayes) are worth looking into. If your looking for backpacker accomodation Pinewood lodge is a good one (but probably pretty full). And we dont have trees, but i think we make up for it with everything else. If you are looking for a more chilled out type of holiday.. Further north (Canterbury region) also has some great club fields that are more low key (T-bars, rope tows). If the powder hits theres opportunities to be had, but if it doesn't then Mt Hutt is the biggest field up this way. Its got 3 chairlifts, and some good off piste stuff (But again, be prepared to hike) but it is a smaller field and can get boring after a while with minimal snow. But is still fun, don't get me wrong. In regards to snow and crowds, we can have some long seasons (06 was early June to late October with 2.5 m). And its worth looking up when the school holidays are if you want to avoid the crowds and more accomodation problems. PEAK - (Jul 5 - Sept 5) OFF PEAK - (Jun 20-Jul 4) & (Sept 6 - Oct 4) Hope this helped . Wherever you end up going have an awesome time!

03-26-2008, 06:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
Simply^Ride Guest Posts: n/a	Great review. Those are good options. Maybe for next season I can plan something. Thanks

03-26-2008, 08:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
nzboardlife -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,076	Try to avoid the term gap school holidays... if you want he dates i can ge them for you but you do not want your trip wreaked by the havoc that is the 2 week school holidays

04-10-2008, 08:21 AM	#20 (permalink)
whydrift Guest Posts: n/a	I would be going NZ over AUS, i live in AUS and it just gets way to packed here, been to NZ last 2 years and going again this July, it is just relaxed over there. only done south island though. queenstown had great nightlife.