Ruapehu

A wintry blast has dumped a deep snow blanket across New Zealand’s mountains over the past week, leaving ski fields in the north and south in superb shape for the winter season.

Skiers and snowboarders are clapping their gloved hands and kicking up their snow boots – kei te heke te hukapapa (it is snowing) and the New Zealand ski season is underway.

New Zealand’s forthcoming ski season is shaping up to be another major success – with more flights, attractive deals and positive exchange rates adding impetus to the already strong Australian visitor market.

A group of Kiwi champion skiers and surfers has scored a world first in an ambitious feat thought to be only possible in New Zealand – skiing five different mountains and surfing five different breaks in just five days.

Snow sport enthusiasts are taking to the Canterbury hills to make the most of spring snows and escape the rumblings following the recent earthquake.

The biggest gay alpine party in the southern hemisphere is celebrating its eighth birthday this year in Queenstown, New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital’.

Cycling Nga Haerenga - New Zealand’s national cycleway is a step closer with funding approved for eight sections destined to provide “great rides” through some of the most picturesque locations.

On yer bike - the first of the seven ‘quickstart’ projects for New Zealand’s national cycleway was officially launched today (02.07.2010).

The first New Zealand ski field of the season is set to open tomorrow morning (5.06.2010) – just in time for the long Queen’s Birthday weekend.

New Zealand’s national cycleway project is off to an exciting start – with the first of seven ‘quickstart’ projects launching in July.