Snowboarding In Australia and New Zealand

Jan 12

Jan 12 Australasia Snowboard Guide

Australia and New Zealand offer some great opportunities for summer snowboard trips. Australia is becoming more accessible and affordable, especially to Epic Pass holders with world-class facilities included on your unlimited lift pass. Perisher and Thredbo are the big names in Australia but there is plenty to explore at; Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Charlottes Pass.

New Zealand offers a fantastic variety from the locals club fields at Mt Cheeseman or Mount Olympus to the world-renowned Cardrona and The Remarkables. Snowboard trips to New Zealand are perfect for road-tripping and following snow conditions. New Zealand is more affordable than its neighbour with early bird season passes for the NZSki Resorts of; Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and The Remarkables costing less than £400!

Australia is best known for its incredible terrain parks with resorts making the most of the man-made snow to shape some of the world’s best features. From the huge kickers at Thredbo to the half-pipe at Perishers Front Valley, Australia brings its park game. With lower vertical drops than most Northern Hemisphere ski areas, Australian resorts are fantastic at using what they have. Overall, facilities in Australia are great with modern lifts and huge investments made in snow-making. You will find resort accommodation with quick access to the snow, although be prepared to pay a premium.

New Zealand has a more traditional laid-back feel than Australia with a large number of smaller local run ski areas known as the Club Fields. In the clubbies, you will sacrifice modern facilities but not your soul with a number of ‘nut-crackers’ or rope tows to access the slopes. The most famous club fields are; Mt Dobson, Mt Cheeseman, Ohau and Broken River but many more exist. Away from the clubbies New Zealand also offers snowboarding at its world-class ski resorts; Cardrona, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt, Mount Ruapehu, and Treble Cone. Queenstown is a great base for a New Zealand snowboard trip with both The Remarkables and Coronet Peak accessible from the town. From Queenstown, you can also access Cardrona and Treble Cone by bus but access is easier from Wanaka. Further north the town of Methven in Canterbury will give the best access to Mt Hutt (regularly named New Zealand’s best ski resort). Whereas on the North Island, Mount Ruapehu and the resorts of Whakapapa and Turoa will be the main attraction.

EXPLORE BY COUNTRY

MULTI RESORT LIFT PASSES

Australia

Perisher has been included on the Epic Pass for a number of years now, but recently Falls Creek and Mt Hotham have been included. This means it is possible to snowboard all summer on your Epic pass and really make the most out of your winter. Thredbo is included on the Ikon but doesn’t have an unlimited option.

New Zealand

The best value pass in New Zealand is the NZSki Pass which covers unlimited snowboarding at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt. Buy early to get your pass for under $600NZD and snowboard at all three resorts. The price for the 3 Peak Season Pass does go up towards the season start dates, but you can find the most up-to-date information here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where do you snowboard in Australia?

In Australia you can snowboard in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. NSW is home to the biggest name resorts of Thredbo and Perisher whereas Victoria hosts; Mt Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.

Does Australia have snowboarding?

Well this article would be pretty pointless if it didn’t. Australias resorts have world class facilities and can be a great way to get summer turns. Australia is particularly popular with freestyle snowboarders and there are a number of professional Australian snowboarders.

What is the best snow field in Australia?

This really comes down to personal preference and what you value the most for your snowboard trip. Thredbo offers the greatest vertical drop in Australia therefore having the longest runs whereas Perisher has terrain across four mountains. Places like Selwyn Snow Fields or Mount Baw Baw are great for beginners.

Is snowboarding in Australia any good?

Again, this will largely depend on what you value but for us at the Snowboard Union we have had a great time in Australia. Although snow conditions can be a bit lacking at times Australian ski resorts are great at making the most out of what they have.

What months does it snow in Australia?

The ski season in Australia is short with snowfall for around 3 months between late June - early September.

What is the best time to snowboard in New Zealand?

The New Zealand ski season is a bit more reliable than Australia with resorts opening mid-late June. The best conditions will be found in August with spring conditions heading into September. Snowboarding in New Zealand can be subject to regular chair closures due to high winds. Use this as an opportunity to explore the local areas.

What is the biggest ski resort in New Zealand?

Mt Ruapehu’s Whakapapa side is the largest New Zealand ski resort. Whakapapa is home to over 40km of pistes. Add to this the Turoa side and the North Island Resort is the largest.

Is snowboarding in New Zealand any good?

Hell Yes! New Zealand is one of our favourite snowboard destinations. From the easy hikes at Remarks to the night skiing at Coronet Peak New Zealand makes a great snowboard trip. There is enough terrain to challenge most at New Zealand resorts and plenty of resorts to make an awesome road trip!