Snowboarding

Think there's at least a couple of people on here into it, and I'm getting excited about an 8 day trip I've got planned in Austria in a few weeks, so a thread for it now.

I'll start it off with a couple of questions:

Going to be back in Aus in Feb and will be looking to buy a board for the coming winter, does anyone know of some cheap places to buy one in Aus?

Never been to the snow fields in Aus or NZ, what are people's preferences?

Have only been in Aus so can't compare the two. From what I've heard though it isn't that much more expensive to go to NZ and you're guaranteed much better powder. Only problem with NZ is I'm pretty sure they don't have any resorts on the mountains so you have to travel up to the slopes every morning - could be wrong though.

I'm definitely keen to go after vintage this year so if you're back and want to go on a bit of a trip, I'm DEFINITELY in.

I vote the more people who come visit me whilst im working in Hotham the better!!

And the bonus of Hotham resorts is you are ontop of the mountain so there isnt travel to the mountain from accomodation which is awesome.

I kind of viewed that as incentive to get as far from Hotham as possible.

Ssssh!

Yea, that's pretty much what I heard too. The Aussie guy working in the ski shop in Hopfgarten last year was from Adel and he said he used to spend a grand for a week in the resorts in Aus, or a grand for two weeks on the South Island.

And yea, keen to get over to NZ this winter mate. Be good to catch a couple of the Kiwi's I met over here for a beer too.

Might even get an extended weekend in Aus sorted with some other mates back home as well.

Whatever you plan count me in as super keen.

Has been way too long since I last went and have all this snow gear that is currently being wasted.

Awesome. Was going to start looking into NZ when I get back.

You gotta love it when you travel. As soon as you get back you're already planning the next one lol.

Haha, yep 

Snowboarded in Aus, NZ and Europe before.  Severely jealous about the Austria trip, you are going to love it mate.  In regards to NZ/Aust boarding...

Aus - much more expensive on the mountain but you can live up there so wake up to snow each morning.  The snow can be quite shitty and warmer temps can ruin a good dump, sending it icey the next day.  Best spot if been to is Thredbo, Hotham is also good with heavy falls.  Good tree runs at these spots too...  Crowds generally suck on the weekends. 

NZ - The snow doesnt compare to Europe but its better than Australia and cheaper once you get there.  Overall it is a bit extra $ but well worth it if you can put up with the accent!  Way better scenery too.  Ive only been to the 4 resorts near Queenstown, all of which are above the tree line.  Treble Cone good for advanced, Cardrona wicked intemediate runs + great rails/pipes etc, Remarkables heaps of good runs and good snow, Coronet Peak is wicked but needs a decent amount of fresh snow.  If you are a hardcore there's also Snow Park to go to - near Cardrona.  There is very little accomodation on the mountain (if any), I prefer to stay in Wanaka rather than Quenstown as it is less touristy.  In winter there are flights into Dunedin which is a 4/5 hr drive from Queenstown/Wanaka, much better than driving 8 hours from Christchurch.  Flying into Queenstown direct was too expensive to bother last time I went, might be worth looking into though.   

i know a few crew who go to nz and always hit up queenstown area.

wicked little town aswell, i loved it. i was there doing a gig in october 08 and when i went outside afterwards it was snowing!

driving around nz is the go, easy as to get to spots

im working in hakuba, japan at the moment. so far its been unreal. so much powder.

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So have completed 4 days in Mayrhofen so far. Got up early yesterday and was rewarded with the first snow they've had here in a while and my first fresh powder run. Got two runs in where I didn't see anybody else. Got up early today too, but it was sunny, very rocky and I was a bit tentative on sore legs so am taking the day off.

Loving it this year even more than last time - have found the boarding a little easier and started to get a few easy tricks in.

looks mad Mister Fiend 

You should talk to my Bro if your interested in going to Hotham. He has done the last 2 seasons there in the Ski school and will be doing the same again this year. He skis backwards better than i do forwards 

Nuff said

Haha, na, skiers do some nuts stuff, but fuck do the gay-outfit-wearing wanker ones hate boarders. Been told it might be worse here in Austria though as they are a traditional skiing country, but the rudeness I've encountered on my two trips here has been ridiculous.

took my camera up the top of happo the other day. thought id chuck a few photos up

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if you want lots of powder you should definitely come to this country

anyone been boarding in nz? got a rough estimate on how much it would cost to fly/stay/snowboard there for a week? got $2500 worth of travel vouchers that i won at work, just been somewhere hot so now im thinking i need to go somewhere cold and i have been meaning to go snow boarding for ages... nz seems like the best option and i've heard it would probably cost the same/slightly more and have better conditions than some of the aussie spots.

Yep been a few times. 2500 is around the ballpark but add a little extra if you want to live it up or stay longer.  Im planning on a 4th visit this winter...

so thats what they do with all my overdue fees on my mobile.