Member of the Month

Biffbarf
February, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

NZ/Australian Summer Ski Trip Advice

profile picture
butteredpretzel
Posts: 1485 - Karma: 866
Hey NS fam,
I'm planning on taking a week or two to ski in either NZ or Australia this summer and I was hoping to get some advice on which area would be best.

Which has a better park setup, Cardrona or Perisher/Thredbo? I've seen awesome edits from both areas, but I'm wondering what people suggest. What is the best time of summer to visit for the most developed terrain parks?

Where would I stand to have the most fun as a 23 year old traveling by myself?
I'd definitely be staying in a youth hostel wherever I end up going, and I'd prefer to travel to a place where I have the best chance of hanging out with similarly-aged locals or traveling Americans.

Finally, if anyone has any tips for traveling down under or suggestions for things to do while I'm there I'd love to hear them.

Much appreciated!
-ButteredP
8 years ago
6 0
profile picture
JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
Cardrona anytime through august you are garunteed to have a good park. Multiple jump lines of carying sizes, tons of rails 2 pipes potentially a 80something ft booter.

Wanaka the town where you'd stay is beautiful, like seriously breath taking.

I can't talk for perisher or threadbo as i haven't been but cardrona is super rad, and New zealand is a sick country!
8 years ago
3 0
profile picture
dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,658
If you're coming from north america, go to NZ

Going to Aus is like going to the east coast from the west

NZ = real mountains. Plus you can stay in either wanaka (more chill but prettier) or queenstown which has tonnes of partying australians at all times
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
HeathR
Posts: 4360 - Karma: 1,382
JibbaTheHuttCardrona anytime through august you are garunteed to have a good park. Multiple jump lines of carying sizes, tons of rails 2 pipes potentially a 80something ft booter.

Wanaka the town where you'd stay is beautiful, like seriously breath taking.

I can't talk for perisher or threadbo as i haven't been but cardrona is super rad, and New zealand is a sick country!



Solid advice. Wanaka and NZ in general is amazing. Park at Cardrona will be good all the way to closing day in October. We have had all the parks open on closing day for the last 8 years that I have been here. Not as warm as Aus so things hold up pretty good in spring. I would say Cardrona has the best park overall but I am obviously biased.
8 years ago
1 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
Australia not worth it unless you just want to shred some decent park. In which case, from what I understand, thredbo & perisher are good. Victorian ski areas are meh.



In NZ, Cardrona is where you go to ski park (and to a lesser extent, Remarks?)



But park is stupid, so don't do that.

If you want real skiing.. on real snow with real skis and real mountains an real realness..

Treble Cone & Remarks if you're a bitch and need chairlifts or the club fields if you want the good shit (Craigieburn, Mt Olympus, Temple Basin, etc) For those, bring your climbing harness, because you'll be riding some hardcore nutcrackers all day, and they're way more comfy to ride with a harness rather than the strap they give you.


Also, you have Ruapehu on the north island, which has some sick terrain, but expect some mother fucking ICE.



Case & Point: https://vimeo.com/107386712



Either way, the southern hemisphere is a giant ball of ice with no big trees to mitigate wind (Even in So. Murica). Learn to use your edges, and sack up or stay home down here.
8 years ago
3 0
profile picture
auski
Posts: 733 - Karma: 1,071
Australia has trees. Perisher the pick in Aus for park. It's bigger than thredbo too but really disorganised (I prefer thredbo overall)
DingoSeanEither way, the southern hemisphere is a giant ball of ice with no big trees to mitigate wind (Even in So. Murica). Learn to use your edges, and sack up or stay home down here.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
marrows
Posts: 399 - Karma: 656
Australia sucks
8 years ago
2 0
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12579 - Karma: 117,275
If you are hostelling in Wanaka, its usually hard to get to the hill without a ride. Try joining fb groups to get a rideshare but be prepared that there will be days where no one will offer you a ride. Also, if you have the cash, you can always take the bus back to town.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dropimg
Posts: 89 - Karma: 109
+1 for nz
If you come you should definitely check out the smaller 'club Fields' which have on mtn accommodation relatively cheap.
If your keen im at mt cheeseman most weekends ($35-$90 per night including food)
Living costs in qtown and wanaka are massive, and fuels more expensive than the usa, so expect to be broke in a few days)
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
zingo
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
Hi all,
Borrow the thread.
Also going to NZ in September for skiing (first time) for 14 days. Only fix is Craigieburn at the moment.
Is it possible to rent ski and skins in the area of Christchurch or shall I take own gear (approx 500 us dollar extra on flight).
Maybe do heli-skiing if there is leftovers in the budget or is it a must and were?
@Dingo Sean regarding climbing harness does this work or?
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1554/2851/products/651068_lava_momentum_front__web_2048x@2x.jpg?v=1497870656
all the best and thx
zingo
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346
Neither NZ nor Aus has any summer skiing I'm afraid.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dropimg
Posts: 89 - Karma: 109
zingoHi all,
Borrow the thread.
Also going to NZ in September for skiing (first time) for 14 days. Only fix is Craigieburn at the moment.
Is it possible to rent ski and skins in the area of Christchurch or shall I take own gear (approx 500 us dollar extra on flight).
Maybe do heli-skiing if there is leftovers in the budget or is it a must and were?
@Dingo Sean regarding climbing harness does this work or?
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1554/2851/products/651068_lava_momentum_front__web_2048x@2x.jpg?v=1497870656
all the best and thx
zingo


Presuming your the adventures type, there a great route from temple basin(small ski field) down to the mingha deception route(aka goat pass) and yhen a walk put to the road. Alternatively you can drop off the back of cragieburn/br and go down to Cass saddle in good snow. Good luck finding a good set of touring gear to rent tho, wither bring your own or expect to have to buy.
Heli is real expensive, and not woth it in unless you go more southern
I know of a few fun routes if your keen to know more
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
dropimg
Posts: 89 - Karma: 109
For those looking at buying gear, use https://trademe.co.nz/search/category=391
To find your gear, as retail costs a ton,
And for skis, the condtions are so variable, go for a stiff pair between 90-110 mm waist for general stuff. Bring as much gear as you can, and save some cash.
The majour outdoor retailer in nz is http://www.torpedo7.co.nz
That should give you an idea of retail prices.
If any of you come to chch, i can give lifts n shit.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
zingo
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
dropimgFor those looking at buying gear, use https://trademe.co.nz/search/category=391
To find your gear, as retail costs a ton,
And for skis, the condtions are so variable, go for a stiff pair between 90-110 mm waist for general stuff. Bring as much gear as you can, and save some cash.
The majour outdoor retailer in nz is http://www.torpedo7.co.nz
That should give you an idea of retail prices.
If any of you come to chch, i can give lifts n shit.


Thx a lot for the info really appreciate it.
Sorry no adventure person,only need a good flow then I ski that's it.
Looks like the retailer do the safe side of brands and gear.
Here in Scandinavia we go to the local store or order it from
https://www.sport-conrad.com/ or https://www.sport-bittl.com/
Anyone doing kite-skiing?
Here is a good ski movie done by Norwegian.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6087964/?ref_=nv_sr_2
If you have some more info of good places pls share.
All the best zingo
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
cydwhit
Posts: 5077 - Karma: 43,062
dropimg+1 for nz
If you come you should definitely check out the smaller 'club Fields' which have on mtn accommodation relatively cheap.
If your keen im at mt cheeseman most weekends ($35-$90 per night including food)
Living costs in qtown and wanaka are massive, and fuels more expensive than the usa, so expect to be broke in a few days)


Yeah, if I was going to do NZ on my own dime I'd definitely just head to Cheeseman, buy the one ride ticket (like $5 or something?), and skin sidecountry all trip, with maybe a day at Porters and a day at Temple.
8 years ago
1 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
auskiAustralia has trees. Perisher the pick in Aus for park. It's bigger than thredbo too but really disorganised (I prefer thredbo overall)

Sorry mate.. but gum trees are more bushes than trees. They do nothing to retain snowpack or deflect wind. Also, they don't grow much above 1700-1800m so they do nothing.
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
JibberinoNeither NZ nor Aus has any summer skiing I'm afraid.

Ruapehu
8 years ago
2 1
profile picture
auski
Posts: 733 - Karma: 1,071
theyre obviously not as good as a tall conifer but a few days of wind and low visibility in NZ will have you wanting anything

I'm going to NZ in a month BTW.
8 years ago
1 0
profile picture
PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 30,003
Just wait till late july and august and NZ begins to get springtimey
8 years ago
1 0
profile picture
avarda
Posts: 60 - Karma: 215
If anyone is considering going to AUS/NZ definitely wait a few weeks before booking. I live in AUS and we are having one of the slowest starts to a season in 20 years. Not saying the whole season entirely is going to be bad, however could be a late start. Definitely keep checking the long range snow forecast before booking!

i'm heading over to NZ at the start of August so hopefully they will get a few good dumps before then.

But yeah, i'd definitely look to come late season as opposed to the next few week so that there is a better chance of good snow.
8 years ago
1 0
profile picture
zingo
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
dropimgI know of a few fun routes if your keen to know more


Possible to get a update of the snow-situation in the area.
The abstinence begins to become untidy for my environment
All the best
zingo

**This post was edited on Jul 11th 2017 at 5:04:32pm
8 years ago
0 0
profile picture
avarda
Posts: 60 - Karma: 215
For those wondering - Its currently bucketing down in Aus/NZ.

Over the past few days all Aus resorts have received 40-50+ cm. Over the next week, there is an estimated 50+ cm to come.

Cold temps have allowed for snow making (not really needed at this point), but should be good for a number of weeks assuming temps stay cold which I dare say they would.

NZ is in the same situation. On the south island about 20cm has fallen in the past few days, with the same cold front expected to hit in the next few days after it hits Aus. So quite a bit of snow to be added. No danger of rain or hot temps so NZ looking good.
8 years ago
2 0
profile picture
dropimg
Posts: 89 - Karma: 109
Just jad real sendy pow day at treble cone, will be a good season.
More snow is still on the way.
8 years ago
3 0
profile picture
JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
dropimgJust jad real sendy pow day at treble cone, will be a good season.
More snow is still on the way.


Can add, had a pretty loose day at coronet peak sending natural hits in next to no vis, pretty loose to say the least. Tomorrow should be hopefully a little clearer so should be good and friday looks good too
8 years ago
3 0
All times are Eastern (-5); Currently it's 5:10PM