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It's like PA vs. Vermont. But with cooler people who can't dance and less -30 days.
If you go to NZ from the US, you'd be crazy not to heli. Cheap as chips mate!
This.
I'm Aussie and I agree. Snow wise, Australia will be better 1/3 of the time, NZ will be better the other 2/3. Terrain - NZ has REAL MOUNTAINS, Australia has rolling hills. NZ north island and Canterbury region in the south island are particularly sick.
Australian alpine areas are heavily protected too, so forget about sleds, helis, etc.
NZ resorts are far less developed though. They're small (Remarks may have 3 lifts?), have shitty non-detachable double chairs, etc. You also need to drive up to the mountain every day for most places; Treble Cone, Snow Park and Cardrona would be maybe 30 min from Wanaka roughly, Remarkables and Coronet the same from Queenstown.
Terrain parks - pick your resort in either country. Cardrona and Snow Park in NZ, Perisher and maybe Falls in Australia
I'll do a couple of weeks in NZ this year and a handful of weekends at Thredbo
Also, consider the exchange rate if your from the US. Australia is probably the most expensive place in the world to ski at the best of times, and with our dollar buying 110 US cents, it's going to cost you even more (long term it's usually around 80)
If you're doing a season, NZ
OP: If you are really picking to go to one of these places to ski...you'd be insane not to pick NZ.
The mountains: Australian mountains are a bitch to get to, and like I said...they're the poconos. They are also very expensive. NZ mountains are more the size of VT mountains and are all above the tree line. Now it is better skiing on average than Vermont, but don't go there thinking they are WC mountains. You will get asked the question "You're American?! Why'd you come all the way here to ski?" at least once anywhere in Oceania.
The Moolah: AUS is pretty expensive. To ski. To party. To do anything. The exchange rate is not too good either. NZ has a better exchange rate and is overall cheaper. Skiing and heli are REAL cheap. On top of that, a slab (case) of beer in AUS is at least $32 AUD...for shit. I once saw a case of Corona there for $72. The beer is also kind of lacking. TUI >> Tooheys.
The people: Australians and Kiwis are awesome. Some of the best people I've ever met come from these two countries...and they'll do fucking anything for ya. Cheers to them! The only difference is probably loudness and attitude. If you blaze, Kiwis are more your speed.
The women: Don't go there for the local women. Find a Swede or Sudamericana
Fly into Queenstown. Fly out of Christchurch. Hit the ski clubs. Hike Ohau. If you're into park tap the Remarkables and obviously Snowpark.
Great advice. Southern Gold isn't bad either.
finest or cheapest? haha - I miss Tui, that's a quality beer.
