Snowboarding
 

This, I'm fairly sure, hasn't been brought up before.

I'm considering a move to Perth from the UK, however the one thing that is playing on my mind is that I love snowboarding and have enjoyed many good holidays in the Alps which I'd really miss.

I've seen that you can snowboard in parts of Oz and New Zealand and wanted to know how much such trips would be from Perth? As well as how they compare to the Alps?

Also I wondered if snowboarders/skiers from Perth go elsewhere like Japan?

Thanks

Re: Snowboarding
 

when I lived in sydney ( born and lived to my 13th ) we went to falls creek and mt hothem in Vic.... now living in europe I look forward getting to the alps or austria every winter. I usually board 1 full week and 3 or 4 weekends a year now. The mountains in OZ are like a small austrian villages with 10-15 lifts and 50km of slopes, but still no where as good. Skiing in OZ is alot more expensive than europe. Japan or NZ would be the best option IMHO....

Re: Snowboarding
 

You couldn't be located in a worst place in the world if your passion is skiing.

I wouldn't bother with either NZ or Oz. The time it will take for you to get to either and the poor quality of conditions in both places not to mention that Australia is the most expensive place to ski on the planet make Japan are far more attractive option.

Re: Snowboarding
 

We love skiing, Europe and Australia. Perth isn't the best location but not impossible.

However .... I'd suggest buying a wakeboard! Youngest son has swapped and at this rate he could go a long way! He's only 9 and brilliant, very similar to snowboarding apparently.

Re: Snowboarding
 

Thanks guys that's good info on Japan and Wakeboarding - I'm also toying with the idea of kite surfing but nothing draws me like snow!!
Any other possible destinations within reach of Perth?
I may just try and tie it in with a visit home every year.

Re: Snowboarding
 

you'll love kite surfing, once you've got all the kit and have some lesson's it's better than boarding.... wetsuit/boardies on, ye gear with you, nice secluded beach and a esky filled with a few beers for when your packing up......:thumbup:

Re: Snowboarding
 

Think of it this way. You fly 4-5 hours to Syd Melb or Canberra. Canberra is about an hour from the slopes, Syd 5 and Melb about 3.

Japan well, whatever the flight time is to Tokyo, change planes, another 2 hours to Sapporo, jump on a bus, another 2 hours to snow.

So not really. Either way your on the wakeboard most weekends.

Re: Snowboarding
 

Here in Oz the message I'm getting over and over is Japan....

Re: Snowboarding
 

If you like deep powder ... yes ..... if you like long runs, heated chair lifts, and top Austrian style apre ski ...... NO ..... lots of angry Aussie bogans too, who give tourists crap for coming to ski in their town. Clearly they don't look very Japanese.

Re: Snowboarding
 

Yes I'm after long runs and plenty of choice.
Hearing lots about these Aussie bogans! So are you saying Japan IS or ISN'T like an Austrian resort?

Re: Snowboarding
 

Bogans in Japan ?

Re: Snowboarding
 

There is nothing like an Austrian resort other than in Austria. Where else on this earth do you get fast heated chair lifts, that are all under 10 years old, where there are party bars dotted all over the mountain, and a "keg" of beer is cheaper than a pint in France. Nothing beats Austria for a ski holiday.

Japan doesn't really have long runs. In fact it's mountains in the north around Sapporo are only about 1000 or so metres high. The infrastructure is very old and slow (check the single chair at Niseko) and the party life is dull. But what Japan does offer is deep powder ...... there's so much snow .... too much sometimes.

Re: Snowboarding
 

I'm off to Ishgl in Jan - cant wait!
It looks like the best option would still be to just link in a trip home at Christmas with a trip to Europe.

Re: Snowboarding
 

oooohhhh ishgl... we're off to zillertal & gerlos this year( once with the lads, and the other with the family)..... but I'll trade that in to be back in oz any day :p..... another 3 winters to enjoy here and then it'll be kite surfing and the occasional trip home, with a snowboarding trip in there somewhere:fingerscrossed:

Re: Snowboarding
 

2 trips -nice!! I try for that every year and I've only managed it once.

How come you have to wait before heading back?

So how does kite surfing compare to boarding?