4 January 2009

There’s always been a lively debate about which side of the Tasman offers the most for Australian skiers and boarders.
Does the ski in/out accommodation offered by our domestic slopes outweigh the fun of an international holiday?
Where are the best terrain parks?  Where is the most reliable snow cover?  And ultimately, which destination offers the best value for money?

We’ve heard many arguments for and against – from those over in WA who have to get on a plane to go anywhere, so ‘why not to NZ?’, to staunch Vic Alps supporters who can jump in their car at a moment’s notice of decent snowfall.
Perhaps it’s all got to do with the time of life that you’re at – for example, a week in Queenstown with beginner 5 and 7 yr olds (and all their equipment) might not be as much fun as it was when you were 24 and accompanied by as many mates?!  Maybe it’s just your general mindset and you’d enjoy the snow wherever it fell?

Either way, here at Snow Business, we thought we’d run though some of the major points and put some arguments forward:

Beginners

For those not familiar with all the equipment and organisation required to get onto the snow, we think that the proximity of your accommodation to the slopes is a number one priority.  You can race back to get the gloves or goggles, retire gracefully when the legs give out or give up and go home at a moment’s notice when a white out looks set for the duration.  There is limited accommodation available on any Kiwi snow field, whereas every major Australian resort offers on snow lodging.

Snow cover is, of course, important.  Australian resorts have put huge resources into snow-making, which means the major resorts offer reliable cover for beginners.  New Zealand has the advantage of higher mountains, but is only just catching up on the snow making front...

Australia 1

Family Holidays

This is a bit more intricate.  Depends what you want out of your family holiday. 
If it’s time together with some experiences thrown in and low on the list is time in the snow; then perhaps NZ, with its world renowned adventure activities, breathtaking views and big (in the case of Queenstown) base towns is the destination for you. 

If ease of getting your wee ones onto the snow and into ski or board school lessons (and home again when screech level reaches top notch) is numero uno, then invest in some well-placed accommodation in one of the Australian resorts.

Australia 1, NZ 1

Mixed Level Group of Friends

Another difficult one!  If mixed level means that some of you require lessons, then bear in mind one of the attractions of NZ is being able to visit several snow fields on one lift ticket (not necessarily helpful if half the group are restricted to one field for their daily instruction). 

However, if mixed level means all pretty okay on their planks and some of you are just along for the fun holiday time, then a Queenstown based holiday is going to give so much more.

Australia 1, NZ 1

Advanced/Expert Opportunities

Mmmm.  Although we truly believe that if you can ski Hotham (with bits of Thredbo and Buller thrown in), you can prepare yourself for anywhere in the world, there is nowhere in Australia that offers the steeps and deeps of some of the smaller NZ snow fields. 

NZ 1

Heli-Skiing

Yes, well.  Short entry this one…
Unless you count the helicopter shuttle between Hotham and Falls Creek?  No…

NZ 1

Short Breaks

Whilst not really a legitimate option for those from WA (except if you are over east on a trip and do a ‘tag on’), the eastern states have a great chance to enjoy snow in short bursts several times a winter. 

If you live in Melbourne or Canberra (regional centres aside), you can be on the snow in just a few hours, reacting to ‘dump SMSs’ at speed.  A day trip is definitely in the ranks – Mt Buller for those from Melbourne, Perisher Blue or Thredbo for Canberra.

Weekends away are equally feasible to all major Aussie resorts, especially with the addition of the airport at Hotham.  And the resorts themselves have reacted to the phenomenon of short breaks by offering some really great deals for stays of 3nts midweek or weekend.

However, since you are 90mins from Methven (base for Mt Hutt) when you land in Christchurch and you can also fly into Queenstown directly from Sydney and Melbourne (also via Christchurch connections for all flights), NZ has a fair amount to offer for a short break or two over the season as well.
Don’t get us started on Brisbane!  Since the advent of Pacific Blue, flights and packages to NZ have never been as easy to get hold of (and the Kiwis are enjoying our hospitality in return!).

How about a short break in both destinations, a couple of weeks in South America and then a month each in Canada, USA, Japan and Europe?!!

Australia 1, NZ 1

Multi-Destinational

New Zealand, with its ‘cover-all’ ski pass offers has a handle on visiting several snow fields in the same amount of days.  Mind you, that’s because you have to drive to and from them in most cases!  Still, this also has the advantage of having one accommodation base with many snow options.

In Australia you can stay in Jindabyne and visit Thredbo or Perisher, or jump on a chopper between Falls Creek and Hotham, but, as yet, there is no lift ticket letting you select the where and when.

NZ 1

Relaxation

Okay, so this one depends on what you mean by the term.  For us it’s sitting on a lift, getting our breath back before another cracking descent, but we have lots of friends that swear by a decent massage, followed by the papers and a coffee.
The introduction of alpine spas in the Australian Alps has opened a whole PB of options for indulging in both of these – many packages including such things as free massages or treatments alongside lift tickets and accommodation. 

Over the Tasman, whilst Queenstown is self-styled action centre of the world, Wanaka is a much quieter destination and both destinations have relaxation treatments on offer and tranquil views across the lakes and mountains to enjoy.
Your call on that one!

So, all in all, both destinations have much to offer the consumer.  Time to consume!