New Zealand
New Zealand Introduction
New Zealand consists of two main islands, North and South. Whakapapa and Turoa are the only commercial resorts on the North Island, so most visitors will use Queenstown, Wanaka and Christchurch as a base for visiting the South Island resorts. Winter season generally lasts between June to October.
There are twelve commercially owned and operated resorts and a dozen or so ‘Club Fields’ run by non-profit club committees.Small, social and New Zealand made, they are a classic piece of Kiwiana and well worth while checking out. In recent years many people have rediscovered the charms and attractions of Club Fields. They are lured by the uncrowded slopes, with the spectacular setting of the Southern Alps, spread out as a back drop.
The commercial resorts have spent big over the last 5 years building parks and pipes. It is now the standard that every resort has a decent park and at least one halfpipe. This has been spured on even further with New Zealands first dedicated terrain park resort, Snowpark, which opened a couple of seasons ago.
Taking a ‘Snowboard Tour’ is a good idea if you’re visiting NZ for a short time, as it would help maximise your time on the mountain. There are a number of companies offering all inclusive boarding tours for New Zealand, shop around because prices are competitive. prices are competitive. If you fancy making a career out it, you could look at doing a snowboard instructor course with SnowSkool down on the south island resort of Treble Cone. Visit www.snowskool.co.uk for more information.
New Zealand resorts tend to have very limited on-mountain accommodation, so you will be most likely staying in some nearby town. Naturally, these vary in size as does the night-life from the busy party towns to the quieter club fields. Queenstown has over 20 bars and clubs and is often referred to as the action and adventure capital of NZ.
NZ’s international gateway airports are, Auckland and Wellington for North Island and Christchurch and Queenstowns for the South Island. The average flight time from London is 21 hours with a few stop overs.
Driving in NZ is an economical way to get around. If you’r e looking to drive to some resorts then you will probably need chains. A lot of the drives to the resorts are on unsealed and very dodgy dirt roads. Car hire services are available at all the airports and when hiring, ask about deals for road trips to the mountains, these can include discounts on accommodation and lift passes. Campervans are a cheap hire option with a five day hire costing from $460. As well as the usual hire companies, there are some that specialise in longer term rental for backpackers, with prices from $25 per day. More info take a look at www.rentalz.co.nz Do check and make sure you are allowed on certain roads with a hire care.
Bus travel in NZ is cheap and convenient, either with a local bus company or one of the majors with most resorts covered. You can travel from Queenstown to Christchurch for around $40.
Most resorts can be reached by train which is not that expensive. However, you will need to transfer by local buses, in most cases under 12 miles.
Winter Games NZ snowboard slopestyle results
Sun 21 August 11The ninth day of competition at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games saw some of the world's top ranked freestyle snowboarders battle it out under picture perfect blue skies at Snow Park
Photo: Camilla Stoddart/Getty Images
NZ Burton 2011 Results
Mon 15 August 11The first 5*TTR competition of the new season, the Burton New Zealand Open, was held at the weekend. Mark McMorris and Jamie Anderson win the slopestyle and Kelly Clark and Ryo Aono win the halfpipe
Treble Cone in NZ announce improvements for 2011
Tue 15 February 11The 2011 Treble Cone season heralds the introduction of a new computerised ticketing system and double shift grooming to enhance the customers’ experience and the ski field’s natural features
Finally some decent dumps in New Zealand
Wed 22 September 10Too heavy snow in New Zealand brings down buildings and closes slopes but builds bases big time. Scandinavian resort aiming to be first in region to open, next week. Two more Austrian glacier ski areas open, Tignes to start its 8+ Month season at weekend. Resorts in Alberta receives big pre-season snowfalls.
The Fins finish the Junior World Champs in style
Tue 31 August 10Peetu Piiroinen and Enni Rukajarvi win the Big Air, the final event in the 2010 FIS Junior World Championships in New Zealand
Junior Snowboard Halfpipe World Champions Crowned
Wed 25 August 10Cilka Sadar of Slovenia and Taku Hiraoka of Japan were today crowned Junior Snowboard Halfpipe World Champions in an exciting day of competition at Cardrona that also saw New Zealand earn its first medal of the Championships.
Halfpipe qualifiers at the Junior World Champs
Tue 24 August 10Over 80 young snowboarders today took on the massive 22ft halfpipe at Cardrona in a bid to earn a prized spot in tomorrow’s semi finals and an opportunity to ride for the 2010 Junior World Championship title
TrebleCone hosts Racers Edge-Volkl Big Air
Mon 23 August 10– A high-calibre field of skiers and snowboarders turned out for the Racers Edge-Volkl Big Air on Saturday, to take on the 40ft big air jump in the Saddle Basin of Treble Cone.
Slopestyle kicks off the Junior World Champions
Sat 21 August 10Snow sports history was made today with the crowning of the first ever snowboard slopestyle junior world champions. Staale Sanbech (17) of Norway and Enni Rukajarvi (20) of Finland
Huge August Snowfall in Swiss Alps, Argentina & NZ
Wed 18 August 10Powder alarms for Cervinia, Saas Fee and Zermatt with up to 45cm of snow in 24 hours. Burton New Zealand Open Halfpipe finals in New Zealand. Snow keeps falling in Australia. Up to a foot (30cm) of new snow in Argentina. Mt Hutt, New Zealand Snow Depth hits Two Metres after 19cm Fall So Far Today.
Useful information
Population:4 million
Capital City: Wellington
Language: English
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Highest Peak: Mount Cook 3764 m
Drugs Information: Cannabis is illegal
Alcohol Drinking 18
Electricity Supply: 240 Volts AC 3 Pin plugs
Driving: Drive on the left hand side
Speed Limits
d
Towns 50kph (31mph)
Motorways 100kph (60mph)
International Phone Code: ++64
Further Information:
New Zealand Snowboard Association
PO Box 18911
South New Brighton
Christchurch, New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 382 2206
Fax: +64 3 382 2106
Web: www.nzsba.co.nz
Email: nzsba@xtra.co.nz
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