New Zealand has to be one of the best places in the Southern Hemisphere to snowboard or ski.
With a variety of mountains, reports, awesome driving roads, and spectacular scenery, it should definitely be towards the top of countries to visit for your next ski trip.
A vast majority of the ski able terrain is situated in the south island, with a large amount of club fields and several commercial ones.
In this article, we will only go into the larger fields as these are the ones you are more likely to visit as a tourist.
Depending on the length of your trip, these club fields are absolutely worth looking into for a complete change of atmosphere and conditions - especially when the big mountains are closed.
On a side note, the big mountains attract bigger crowds and therefore better parties, if you are into that kind of thing.
The first and biggest place to ski or snowboard in New Zealand is Queenstown.
Chances are you have already heard all about it but the people who have already been there.
Queenstown has several large mountains nearby.
There is Coronet Peak, the most popular field in the country, just out of town.
If you don't like crowds, this probably isn't your place - but it is the closest.
Then there is Remarkables, owned by the same company as Coronet Peak (and therefore using the same ticket system).
It is a little further away, still attracts big crowds, but has plenty of awesome points especially when the snow is good.
Its attractions include massive jumps, a top to bottom run of terrain and a back country run serviced by bus.
Cardrona is even further away but is host to several competitions and has a large ski able area.
This one is definitely worth a look if even only for one day.
In addition to the awesome snow, Queenstown is host to many bars and clubs due to its tourist nature.
A couple of companies organize pub crawls through various venues which is a great way to meet fellow travelers.
There is even a bar made completely of ice which is quite expensive, but a cool novelty.
If the Queenstown party atmosphere thing isn't for you, there is another great option.
Mt Hutt out of Methven, near Christchurch, is an excellent mountain, owned by the same company as Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
This means that if you have a multi day pass, you can use it for a few days in Queenstown and spent your last few at Mt Hutt on the same ticket.
Methven doesn't have much of a party life, but it is right at the base of the mountain and awesome if you are there with a group or family.
Another option is to stay in Christchurch and take the bus each day, which can add quite a bit of time to your day.
A snowboarding trip to New Zealand is going to be awesome no matter where you decide to go.
My personal choice is Mt Hutt and staying at Methven, because I have found it to be better snow, crowds and is so close to the mountain.
You may miss out on the party atmosphere of Queenstown, but the boarding is worth it.