So the season has come to an end, you have packed up your life (how much stuff have you accumulated in 6 months?!) and get ready to head back to the rainy UK.
It is always such a shock coming back to reality after a ski season. You have been living in this little mountain bubble for the last few months, almost unaware of the rest of the world and things going on outside of the resort. It can be intimidating arriving back into a big city in the UK: so many people, so noisy and so much traffic in comparison to what you’ve become used to. It can be bewildering and I always feel a bit blue coming home; no job, no money, no snow, no apres. You’ve expected things to change whilst you’ve been away, after all, you have changed so much (tanned, toned, an open minded mountain goat), but actually, everything is exactly the same as when you left. The worst thing of all is you have become accustomed to looking out of your window and seeing the mountains stretching up around you and all you can see now is John Lewis. With no clue as to what to do next, ideas of another escape start forming quickly in your mind…
So what about carrying on the snowboard dream year round and doing a snowboarding in Hemisphere Season? You can literally snowboard pretty much nonstop if you wanted to, I managed it for 7 years!
The Facts
A good place to start planning your southern hem season is to know a few facts. First of all, where on earth has snow during the summer?! You need to head south of the equator where the seasons are opposite to ours. So during our summer, some countries will be in deep winter. The season starts in June and ends in October, but can vary from resort to resort. The main places snowboarders go for the “summer” season are Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia. The main resorts in Chile are only 2 hours from the airport, so its the fastest destination to get to for southern snow. You can fly directly from the UK to Santiago (the capital) and it takes 14 hours. The currency is Chilean Peso and the language is Spanish. Chile is known as a good value destination, so if funds are low this could be a good place to go. Chile also has one of the highest mountains in the world, so that’s one to tick off the list. Another place to go is Argentina. All the resorts in Argentina are very far apart and remote, so it can be long and difficult to get there from major airports, but do-able and an adventure. The main airport would be Buenos Aires. This takes roughly 13 hours from London. The currency is Argentine Peso and the language is Spanish. Much further afield is New Zealand. NZ takes a little longer to get to, total time in the air is 24-30 hours depending on stops. You fly into Auckland for resorts in the North Island or Christchurch for resorts in the South Island. The currency is the New Zealand Dollar and the language is British. Australia is another option and relatively undiscovered for the Brits (until the last couple years). Oz has an ever so slightly shorter flight time than NZ with one stop along the way. You fly into either Melbourne or Sydney, depending on what resort you are going to. Then it’s still a fairly long journey inland from there to the Snowy Mountains. The currency is Australian Dollar and the language is British.
Australian Eucalyptus Trees
Where To Go?
I have only managed to tick 2 of the above off the list, so let me tell you about them:
New Zealand
New Zealand is beautiful. With its rugged beauty and unspoilt charm, it’s the most popular choice among British seasonaires. English speaking, vibrant towns and laid back mentality all add to its appeal. Even though the weather can be pretty unpredictable, the snow can be epic, especially if you know where you are going. If you have the money, there are a lot of opportunities to go heli boarding too. I’ve spent time in Wanaka and Queenstown in the South Island. Treble Cone was the place to be on a powder day and Cardrona was good for both and also more family friendly. The Remarkables had a fun park and a good all rounder, accessed from Queenstown. Coronet Peak was nicknamed “concrete peak”, but on a good day was awesome as well. So there was lots of options, all nearby. The only thing that sucked about NZ was the drive up to the mountain, from Wanaka it was 1 hour each way, so you had to be motivated. If the weather was bad, you had to faff around with snow chains to get up the sketchy roads (they are pretty scary, with or without snow on them). If you are without a car, there is a bus, or you can hitch very easily. This was perfectly acceptable and there are designated spots to stand and hitch a ride up/down the mountain.
Even though it was hard to not live on the mountain, the funky towns made up for it. Queenstown is certainly a party town, so if that’s your cup of tea, head there for lots to keep you entertained. Wanaka is more laid back with a slower pace. Still lots going on but not as crazy! Plus Wanaka is absolutely stunning with its cragged mountains framing the tranquil lake. Another quick tip is to take warm clothes, NZ can get very cold and a lot of the rental houses don’t have proper heating. I think I was the coldest I had even been in a season. There are lots of seasonnaires in NZ, but not quite as many as Europe. It attracts the more dedicated snowboarder I feel, sacrificing their summer to ride. The Kiwis are very welcoming and happy lovely people. If you need a break from snowboarding, there is plenty of magnificent outdoors to explore and sights to see (Milford Sounds, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Tekapo). I loved the healthy, outdoorsy, organic vibe of NZ and the experience of a totally different destination to do a season.
There is also skiing to be done on the North Island of New Zealand. Definitely less explored by British seasonaires but actually an undiscovered gem, with great snow, extensive ski areas and much closer from the town of Ohakune where you would live to get to the mountains (15-30 mins). The town itself doesn’t get as much snow or as cold as up in the mountains, so you get the best of both skiing and chilling in the town (and other activities such as mountain biking and hiking) when not skiing.
Australia
Australia is different again. I have spent my seasons in Falls Creek and Perisher. The “mountains” look very different to NZ and European/American ones, they are more like large hills really. I always think it looks like moorland in the UK. Needless to say sometimes the snow conditions aren’t that great, BUT I have actually had some of my best powder days here! What the Aussies lack in terrain, they make up for a million times over with the freestyle parks. These are always super creative, well shaped, and FUN FUN FUN. Both Perisher and Falls Creek are like European resorts in that you can live on the mountain, although a lot of people live down in the towns still (Jindabyne for Perisher and Mount Beauty for Falls Creek). Each resort has its personality, but Falls Creek definitely pips Perisher on its beauty! You have all the gum trees framing the little snow covered streets winding through the houses and hotels, wheres Perisher is a lot more open and barren, although still pretty stunning. Perisher is easily accessible from Jindy with a snow train that doesn’t take that long at all. Or again you can drive up. The drive from Mount Beauty is a little longer. When you are on the mountains in Australia, I think the vibe is very different to NZ. It feels less serious but maybe thats the Aussies in general. As you can imagine, the partying can get pretty wild. A draw back is the resorts are relatively small and the tourists high especially on the weekends it can get very busy. But thats ok as you can kick back and enjoy a schooner and have a BBQ in the sun. For me it was the novelty of riding in Australia that makes it so good and the happy Australian disposition that makes it my favourite country to snowboard in.
Falls Creek, Australia
Money
Now you have your destination sorted (hopefully), your next thought is probably money. You have spent your life savings on your first season (drinking beer mainly) and come home with basically nothing. How on earth can you even afford the flight to Australia or NZ?! This was the problem I was always faced with at the end of a season, but there are ways! I shouldn’t be promoting credit cards and extending overdrafts as this is a bit naughty, but you know what, you only live once and you can think about it later when you start working. Or you can persuade someone to loan you the money for the flight with the promise to pay them back. So many of my overseas flights for me have been funded by selling lots of things on Ebay. Go through all your stuff back home and you’ll be amazed at what you find and what you can sell. Alternatively, you could see if you could set up a few weeks work back in the UK to get some money together for the flight. Temp agencies are a good way to do this as you don’t feel so bad if you can only work for a month. Another idea is to try and set up a job in your chosen destination before you leave and try and get one with “perks”. Some employers will pay your flight to get over there to work or just deduct it out of your wages for the first couple of months.
Work
The good thing about working in Australia is the wages are really really good. Even for just your run-of-the-mill jobs like cleaning/washing-up are double what they would pay in the UK. And if you work on a Saturday/Sunday you get paid even more. So if you dedicate the season to saving, you can walk away with a nice package. There’s also something called superannuation which is essentially a pension. So if you are there on a working visa, you can claim all this back when you leave which is a nice end of season bonus. The wages in NZ are a lot less, but it is a little cheaper than Australia to live in general. You can get pretty cheap accommodation, especially if you are sharing. Jobs in both countries are like any other job in a mountain resort, it’s about being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people. I think the best thing is to be persistent and don’t be fussy, take anything that comes along, even if it means you might change jobs in a few weeks. Make sure you have a professional looking CV and its a good idea to get a load of these printed before you leave the UK so as soon as you get there you can just hand them out. Face to face job hunting is always the best!
Travelling the Great Ocean Road in Australia
Main Differences
So I have found the main differences doing a southern hemisphere season compared to Northern Hemisphere are:
The Weather
This is a lot more unpredictable than in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s not as cold as “up north” but when the weather is bad, it’s REALLY bad. So windy and wet, and the fog can be crazy. But then when the weather’s good, it’s amazing. Like being on a summer holiday but with snow, with hoody weather and a spring vibe all season long.
The People
A lot more laid back and fun loving than the northern hem season. Maybe this is due to it being the “off season” for many seasonaires so they are not as serious. Or could be down to the naturally laid back mentality which is infectious to everybody around them. There seems to be a lot more banter on the hill and no one takes anything too seriously. Another difference is people seem to ride in bigger gangs, especially lapping the parks. Everyone is friends with everyone and just rides the park as one big happy family which is lovely!
The Terrain
It depends on what country and what resort you go to, but in general the runs are a lot shorter and way less of them than in the Northern Hemisphere. They are not as steep or gnarly and have a more relaxed feel to them. Perfect for families and for beginners. It feels like different riding, especially in Australia as you are snowboarding in between gum trees and parrots. NZ feels different too with the lack of trees and more rugged terrain, with amazing open views across lakes and almost to the sea.
The Accommodation
This can be hard to come by, like any snowboard resort I guess. I would say it is a lot better than European cramped seasonaire accommodation, but not as swanky as American offerings. Somewhere in between. Often in NZ you start off in a hostel, meet people, then move into a shared house together. Australian accommodation normally comes with the job if you live up on the hill, usually in a Lodge. If you live down in the town, it’s just a case of looking around and chatting to people.
The Culture
Both countries are British speaking, so in a way you feel more at home than in European resorts. They are all into sports and having a good time at the pub. NZ/ Oz don’t really do apres though, something which is unique to Europe I think and I find the party culture is easier to avoid than Europe if you just want to have a chilled season.
Why do a season down South?
So many reasons! First of all to do more snowboarding of course! If you are totally addicted to the sport like me, it just means you get to carry on riding rather than having to have a 6-month break. The consistency of it will mean you will see a vast improvement in your riding and will be on point for the start of the next northern hem season. Yes, you may not have a summer suntan but you will have a lot less muscle wastage and you will be able to keep your snowboard fitness up. Plus you will come back with lots more tricks and skills that you can wow your friends with at the start of the next season. I always think of it as doing a “secret season”! You will gain experience of riding in different conditions and different terrain which will make you an all-around better snowboarder. You can build up your competition experience and contacts within the industry. Any contacts and friends you make will only benefit you doing future seasons (ie. accommodation, work, crews to ride with). You can save money for the next Northern Hemisphere season and pay off some debts. A HUGE bonus to doing a Southern Hemi season is the opportunity to travel a different country. You could finish off the season (once you have saved some $$$$) with a road trip or just a week on the beach somewhere. A good way to recuperate and see a bit of the new county you’re in. Also you can stop off somewhere on the way home as there are no direct flights from NZ/ OZ back to the UK. So why not stop in Abu Dabi for a few days? Or Korea? Or Bali? Or Thailand? They are on the way home after all and you deserve a bit of sun after all that winter!
