After a success full season of ski touring in the Northern Hemisphere it was time to head back to New Zealand. This time I around I would take the long route through SE Asia before arriving. Once back on the South Island it was time to find a place to live. After charting upon the maps it was decided to Move to Fairlie. It was the perfect spot because it was close to Mount Dobson, Round Hill and Fox Peak. Not only that but the only road heading North and South went through town.
New Zealand
Riding an abandoned Treble Cone
With the Treble Cone ski resort closed for the season I decided to take the opportunity to go check it out. I had rode it for a day when I first went to New Zealand almost 10 years back and I wanted to see if my perception had changed.
Attempt at Mount Aspiring
My last ski mountaineering trip was heading up the Matukituki valley with eyes on Mt. Aspiring. I had spent quite a lot of time in the valley throughout the season and I decided to go check it out. I wasn’t sure if or what I would ski but I thought it doesn’t hurt to see how the terrain was up there.
Ski Touring the Franz Joesph Glacier of New Zealand
The day after getting off the Tasman Glacier Ryan Nicol and I were on the West Coast. We were meeting up with some friends and doing a Heli trip up to the Franz Joesph Glacier. Our plan was to ski tour from the Centennial Hut and explore the West Coast Terrain.
Snowboarding the Tasman Glacier and Ellie De Beaumont
After heading out of the Cameron Hut we refueled and stocked up on food for the next trip. It had snowed and it seemed like a weather window was coming. Wanting to make the most of clear skies we decided to head out to the Tasman Glacier in Mount Cook National Park. As the weather window was short we would be using a helicopter compared to hiking 30km up the valley.
Heading up to the Cameron Hut in the Arrowsmith Range
In early October I got the invite from Ryan Nicol to check out a zone based out of the Cameron Hut. There had been a bit of new snow and the weather wasn’t looking so good but the area looked to have lots of options. Soon we were driving from Otago into the Canterbury backcountry.
Brewster Hut in Mount Aspiring National Park
The resorts of New Zealand are absolutely amazing but it’s the mountains that make the place so freaking special. When I arrived I had a bunch of experience in the North Cascades of Washington which are famous for long approaches, steep slopes and deep maritime snowpacks but the truth was that I was completely green in this range. What we call remote they call “Taiga Country” what we call a dismal snowpack they call abundant.
After the resorts shut down it quickly became obvious that we were going to have to work for our turns. This wasn’t something new to me but I was going to have to do a little bit of adjusting to get into the Kiwi style of ski mountaineering.
The plan was to spend a few days out at Brewster Hut in Mount Aspiring National Park. The weather forecast wasn’t looking the greatest but we decided to go for it.
Exploring the backcountry of Ohau Snow Field
On our way back from the Temple Basin Splitboard festival we decided to check out the Ohau snow field backcountry. Ohau is a special place with only one ski lift but the access is huge.
If you are willing to drive up one of the sketchiest roads in New Zealand it is well worth it.
Exploring Temple Basin Ski Area Backcountry and Splitboard Festival
After getting a Kiwi bank account and buying a van it was time to head north to check out the Temple Basin ski area backcountry for the New Zealand Splitfest. It would be my first time heading to the area that I had heard amazing things about. Luckily with our arrival there was new snow to be ridden.
Exploring the Backcountry options around Cardrona Alpine resort
After a great day checking out the Remarkables we decided to head North to Check out the Backcountry of Cardrona Alpine resort. As we drove over the Crown Range from Frankton we were excited to see the area covered with a fresh dusting of snow.