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South Island Snow Sports
After the heat of summer, it's time to cool off in the South Island snow. June and July are when the fun really begins, whether you want all the trimmings of a commercial ski field, the peace and quiet of a club field, or an adventure based snow experience.
No matter where you're based, there's great snow close by - and your hire car can take you there. If you're staying near Nelson, Blenheim or Picton try the Rainbow Ski Area overlooking Nelson Lakes National Park. Christchurch offers a short drive to renowned fields like Mount Hutt, Porters, Mount Cheeseman, Hanmer Springs, Mount Olympus and Broken River. Queenstown and Wanaka also have a selection of great slopes nearby, including Treble Cone, Cardrona, the Remarkables Ski Area and Coronet Peak.
Most fields offer slopes and terrain to suit beginners through to experts, with a big selection of on and off piste. If you'd like a few lessons before you hit the powder, it's not hard to find an on-field ski and snowboard school. And once you're feeling confident, try something more challenging like the vertical drops at Porters, the high powder runs and chutes at Rainbow, the natural pipes at Treble Cone, or the mogul runs at Coronet Peak. Or try skiing and boarding at night - a popular activity at fields like Broken River and Mount Olympus.
But if you want even more adventure, there are plenty of opportunities. Back country trails, heliskiing and heliboarding are all available. Mount Hutt offers back country skiing and helicopter pickup, and there are a range of packages you can choose from to access the majestic Southern Alps. The beautiful Tom Thumb and Hazard ranges are popular heliskiing and heliboarding spots, as is the Tasman Glacier. Here you can enjoy a day of great skiing and also explore the glacier's ice caves and natural ice sculptures.
At the end of the day you'll need to relax and replenish your energy. Luckily there's usually a cafe or bar with refreshments close at hand. If you're on the snow in Hanmer Springs, warm up in the alpine thermal resort hot springs and spas. And no matter where you're based, there's a wide range of accommodation to choose from, both on and off the mountain.
So when you want a ski or snowboard vacation that makes the grade, grab your hire car and head for a South Island slope near you!