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Need advice - where and when to ski in New Zealand
Dear far-faraway friends,
I need your advice, where to go in NZ to have best possible powder skiing. At last we are starting planning of our trip to New Zealand – and that fact makes me very happy. I’ll be very happy to get your advice.
A little info about us, it will help you to understand what do we need…
We are not bad skiers, had lots of experience in Alps, Elbrus-Cheget (Kaukaz Mountins), last New Year went to NISECO Japan (it was remarkable). Best thing for us is the place where it is easy to reach powder area from the lift without walking too much. We will be very happy to try Heli-skiing experience for couple of days, but we do not need extreme runs
We are from Russia – Moscow, a little far from you, 26 hours of flight)))
Thanks in advance,
Egor Sorokhtin from Moscow
ruapehu and coronet peak both have reliable powder conditions year round
Striking an actual powder day on a skifield is a bit of a gamble if you are not free to ski everyday of the season. Heli Skiing would offer you the best chance of powder.
There are heliski operations from Methven (Mt Hutt), Queenstown and Wanaka.
South Island would be better for chance of pow and more likely nicer (less windy) days, southern lakes (Queenstown & Wanaka) would give more options of commercial ski fields and heli skiing.
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Winter is always coming!
Oh and I think Remarkables has the best back country (slack country) lift accessed and serviced areas (Homeward)
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Winter is always coming!
and coronet peak is amazing.
Gotta walk for all the best terrain at Remarks, but when it's good, it's good.
Originally posted by: southernthrash
Gotta walk for all the best terrain at Remarks, but when it's good, it's good.
better than good, worldclass
On its day.
Originally posted by: southernthrash
On its day.
every day from june-october
I guess survival riding becomes enjoyable when you do it often enough.
some people spend 10000s travelling just to do this
Queenstown is a good location, plenty to do if the snow isn't any good and yes lots of heli ski companies to choose from.
Info on queenstown on www.queenstown-nz.co.nz
Thanks for everyone, decided to come from 21 July - 4 August, spent 4-5 days in Wakana, then 4-5 in queenstown! C u
thats Wanaka
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ooopsss, sorry! Wanaka ofcource
We all know the place to get the best terrain and deep soft powder is Mt Olympus. Don't go to the north island you will never get powder. 
I can just see carloads of skiers and boarders previously unaware of Mt Olympus status as best NZ feild for terrain and powder, changing there travel plans and heading your way this season
So much for that pow will be infested and tracked out quick as
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Not true that you don't get powder at Ruapehu, you just get it less often (maybe) and weather is less consistant,
But on the good days. It has the finest terrain and backcontry you'll find almost anywhere with the longest runs in the hemisphere. Seasons over last 5 years at least have been from june to Nov. Best times to ski in NZ is Sept. Sorry no one in NZ seems to agree on best fields and times, there is alot of luck involved. Hope you enjoy your stay.
Originally posted by: sandymc
We all know the place to get the best terrain and deep soft powder is Mt Olympus. Don't go to the north island you will never get powder.
Obviously never heard of Big Tuesday last year...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyf540AK5Ig [youtube.com]
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IT Hack & Genuine NutJob
Originally posted by: Freshie
I can just see carloads of skiers and boarders previously unaware of Mt Olympus status as best NZ feild for terrain and powder, changing there travel plans and heading your way this season
So much for that pow will be infested and tracked out quick as
shame its already like that then.
Originally posted by: Snoopyes ruapehu is one of the top 5 fields in the entire universe
Not true that you don't get powder at Ruapehu, you just get it less often (maybe) and weather is less consistant,
But on the good days. It has the finest terrain and backcontry you'll find almost anywhere with the longest runs in the hemisphere. Seasons over last 5 years at least have been from june to Nov. Best times to ski in NZ is Sept. Sorry no one in NZ seems to agree on best fields and times, there is alot of luck involved. Hope you enjoy your stay.