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.
Southern Alps
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.
1st Tour of the Season in the Remarkables backcountry of New Zealand.
The last time I had been in New Zealand was 9 years prior and although I brought a Splitboard I would say I had only used it a handful of times and once in the Remarkables Backcountry but this time around it would be my only method of snow sliding. I wanted to see how much my perception of the Island had changed and if I could immerse myself into the Splitboard culture.
I sent out a Facebook post asking if anyone was in or near the Queenstown area and would be willing to show me the ropes and I got a response from Adam Flemming who runs the Splitboardnz site. The minute I arrived he was waiting at the airport and was kind enough to provide shelter, beta and both Adam and his fiance Jaime were great touring partners. The day after I arrived were were off to the snow heading up to the Remarkables Backcountry outside of the Ski Resort.