rajeem 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 Any Australians of NZers out there who might be able to tel us about the wonders of skiing down there when we are all boiling up here. I am thinking of going to visit a friend who lives in Sydney for a few weeks over Japan summer holiday and it would be ace to be able to go skiing down there. Any tips? Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 Go and find out! You won't be dissapointed! From a Kiwi. Link to post Share on other sites
rajeem 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Author Share Posted April 3, 2002 Can you give us a bit more than that mogski?!! Where's the best place to check out? Link to post Share on other sites
snobee 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 Good idea Rajeem. Who can handle The summer here? Last year I took a small group of locals to Mt.Hotham in OZ and had a great time. 5 days of Blizzards but the good stuff comes with those conditions. NZ is pretty well recognized as a snow destination, but OZ isn't (not internationally) so I can reccomend as a variation from the North Am./Euro scene. Last year suffered from the same problem as Japan this season - unusually too warm. BUT, hey 2 years in a row. The big resorts in OZ are wide, with all terrain catered and off piste pretty much the norm. Too much to say here, so just check out this great site to get the low- down on the ho-down. http://www.ski.com.au/ or simply punch in "sno-info". I'm planning to go again in August (The best month). If anyones interested, drop a line. Bewdy! Link to post Share on other sites
belle 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 I spent 4 seasons at Perisher Blue Cow, a resort about 7 hours drive west of Sydney. When there is good snow, it is just beaut. More often than not though, the season is not crash hot and snowmaking abounds. Patrol are pretty relaxed, so long as you don't go out of bounds, they take a she'll be right attitude. Threadbo which is quite nearby to Perisher rates highly too, but tends to be better later in the season (September-ish). Best thing to do if money is an issue is to stay in Jindabyne (Jindy to the locals) and commute up to the slopes - not very far and there is more of a night life in town. If money is not an issue, stay at the Novotel Lake Crackenback - lovely cabin accomodation with open fire places and easy snow access. A lot of people swear by Mt Hotham and Mt Buller (in Victoria, closer to Melbourne). I haven't been there myself, so no comment. Try and avoid school holidays in September, otherwise there are a million schoolkiddies just dying to get in your way and who have attitude galore when they take you out and it is their fault! Skiing is probably still more popular, but boarding is definitely on the increase. I hear amazing things about NZ, am off there to check it out this season - love to hear comments on the South Island resorts. Have fun! Link to post Share on other sites
mogski 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 Mogski is sometimes person of few words. I beleive actions speak louder than words. Therefore for all you who want info on NZ check out this place http://www.nzski.com/nzskicom/ Or run search on the forum for some stuff on NZ I posted on a similar topic a while back. GO AND YEE WILL FIND [This message has been edited by mogski (edited 03 April 2002).] Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 I don't know what what sort of car Belle was driving, but you can be in Perisher in 4.5 hours if you drive late at night, and the Snowy mountains are NOT west of Sydney(thats the Blue Mountains,which doesn't get snow)it is more south,and to clear up another point,Thredbo,is lower than Perisher, and it is not very often that good in Sept.,but when Thredders is top to bottom, it is the BEST mountain in Aus.by far,so with those few points cleared up, I hope that you never have to represent me in court Belle Link to post Share on other sites
belle 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 Klaus, my learned friend - I stand corrected on a few points. I am not from Sydney so I am the first to admit that my geographical knowledge of the roads and driving times is imprecise. I was based in Canberra whereupon it is only a 2.2hr drive to Perisher or Threadbo. That said, if you leave early morning from Sydney it takes a hell of a lot longer, so yes, leaving at night is quicker. But as most people tend to drive at bloody stupid speeds killing the kangaroos and the wombats on the roads at night, a slower speed around 90kmph is not unreasonable even if it results in a longer drive. In the 4 seasons that I spent at Perisher with trips to Threadbo, the September snow was the best. It may well have been otherwise in your times there, that's the way it goes eh? And I would most certainly agree that when Threadbo is top to bottom, it is absolutely awesome. No need to get narky now, mate. Belle ps - 1979 VW golf if you must know. Link to post Share on other sites
el diablo 0 Posted April 3, 2002 Share Posted April 3, 2002 . . . lousy roadhog wombats . . . Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted April 4, 2002 Share Posted April 4, 2002 There is a thread here somewhere discussing the NZ season and resorts. Try looking at this site nzsnowboarder.nzl.com/ it has detailed info. For an outsiders perspective have a look at the latest issue of Onboard or last months(I think) Transworld snowboarding-both have articles on NZ and how it stacks up against European/Nth American resorts. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted April 6, 2002 Share Posted April 6, 2002 How many resorts are there down there? Link to post Share on other sites
Davo 1 Posted April 6, 2002 Share Posted April 6, 2002 Check the address above or do a web search-maybe 40 odd in NZ alone-plenty of choice and worth it just to leave the summer hell behind even if it isn't an epic snow year. Link to post Share on other sites
Mobi 0 Posted April 6, 2002 Share Posted April 6, 2002 There are actually only 26 ski fields here in NZ, and only 12 of those are commercial fields. The rest are small club fields, but worth a look at if you don't like crowds. Try these sites: www.snow.co.nz & webcams: www.nzxsports.com (take a look at the Mt Hutt cam) Link to post Share on other sites
cal 6 Posted April 10, 2002 Share Posted April 10, 2002 Will anyone on here be going down south for the season at all? Kinda interested... Link to post Share on other sites
Panda 0 Posted April 13, 2002 Share Posted April 13, 2002 In Oz, as far as lifted resorts goes, there's really 5 majors and 4 minors and 2 almost inconsequantials in Tasmania. Plus a couple of nordic resorts. www.ski.com.au is the go. try the Q&A forum on forum.ski.com.au is you want more info. Link to post Share on other sites
alan-w 0 Posted April 26, 2002 Share Posted April 26, 2002 Some superb riding to be had down here. I'm going to miss much of it this year to go to the heat in Japan! But definitely worth a look. Link to post Share on other sites
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