Winter

Star Kiwi snowboarder Rebecca ‘Bex’ Sinclair is a young athlete at the pinnacle of her sport.

New Zealand alpine ski racer Adam Hall thrives on a constant diet of winter – his recipe for turning adversity into triumph.

Classed as the world’s best freeskier, at just 19 New Zealander Jossi Wells has already jumped off more mountains and stood on more podiums than most other sportsmen of his age.

Snow is gathering on New Zealand’s high country, and mountain resorts are grooming their fields as the country says goodbye to autumn and welcomes visitors for another season of uniquely Kiwi winter events.

New Zealand’s southern hemisphere ski fields – renowned for spectacular mountain terrain, postcard scenery, varied snow trails, and popular resorts – are gearing up for the winter 2011 season.

Eating out has fresh appeal in New Zealand with diverse destinations offering diners the chance to laze, graze and star gaze in exotic outdoor settings.

Matariki – the Māori New Year – is a festive season for the tangata whenua or first people of New Zealand.

At 82, Queenstown man Les Brough clocks in as one of New Zealand’s oldest skiers but when he takes to the slopes each day, he’s just one of an exclusive club with “one ski in the grave”.

New Zealand’s southern regions are preparing for an influx of the world’s top winter athletes for the inaugural Winter Games NZ – an international sports event billed as the ultimate lead-up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Calm settled weather, vibrant colour-filled landscapes and a long list of seasonally charged events make autumn the prime time to visit New Zealand.