Ski trip to … somewhere in the world, where would you go?

[AJM]

So, if I won the lottery....it would be a tour of Oz and NZ for about a month. Then off to Alaska.

And we would welcome you with open arms !! We could have a ski together, now go buy that lottery ticket

 

[Jilly]

I do have a place in NZ near Eyre....but she might make me stay with the horses....nah, just in the suite over the barn...

 

[AJM]

I do have a place in NZ near Eyre....but she might make me stay with the horses....nah, just in the suite over the barn...

Just over the river and down the road from me.

 

[elemmac]

Yes it’s a big question with so many variables but I would love peoples thoughts on it.

So, to answer the question in your title...my personal choice would be Japan or Canada.

Japan because it's one of the most snow-sure places on this planet. And I absolutely love the Japanese culture. I love the terrain there too...specifically tree skiing between perfectly spaced trunks of beech trees is dreamy, where the tiniest branches hold up the biggest puffs of weightless snow. There are so many little ski areas with nostalgic vibes. It's such a treat leaving behind the "Disney-like" experience that big resorts in the US seem to be trending towards.

Canada, because I've never skied there. I'm currently planning a trip to BC, and there just simply isn't enough time in a week to go everywhere I want to.

Now, based on what you and your partner are looking for...if snow quality is #1 priority, I don't think Japan can be beat. But, given that you're from New Zealand, that might be an attainable trip anytime, rather than this "once in a lifetime" trip you're looking at...something to consider.

I'll leave you with a final thought about Austria/Europe...it's such a unique experience that I'm not sure you can compare it to many other places in the world. Skiing from town to town, stopping at mid-mountain restaurants for lunch, leisurely apres scenes, staying in small inns that have 1/2 board (breakfast and dinner included), and the mountains themselves...they just go on forever. I'll always remember my first time looking out into the sea of mountains that seemed to stretch all the way to horizon...absolutely mind blowing.

 

[santacruz skier]

Absolutely what @elemmac said about skiing Europe. I have taken 9 trips in the last 15 years and absolutely love it. I stopped going after Covid but will be back⛷.

 

[Rashika]

So, to answer the question in your title...my personal choice would be Japan or Canada.

Japan because it's one of the most snow-sure places on this planet. And I absolutely love the Japanese culture. I love the terrain there too...specifically tree skiing between perfectly spaced trunks of beech trees is dreamy, where the tiniest branches hold up the biggest puffs of weightless snow. There are so many little ski areas with nostalgic vibes. It's such a treat leaving behind the "Disney-like" experience that big resorts in the US seem to be trending towards.

Canada, because I've never skied there. I'm currently planning a trip to BC, and there just simply isn't enough time in a week to go everywhere I want to.

Now, based on what you and your partner are looking for...if snow quality is #1 priority, I don't think Japan can be beat. But, given that you're from New Zealand, that might be an attainable trip anytime, rather than this "once in a lifetime" trip you're looking at...something to consider.

I'll leave you with a final thought about Austria/Europe...it's such a unique experience that I'm not sure you can compare it to many other places in the world. Skiing from town to town, stopping at mid-mountain restaurants for lunch, leisurely apres scenes, staying in small inns that have 1/2 board (breakfast and dinner included), and the mountains themselves...they just go on forever. I'll always remember my first time looking out into the sea of mountains that seemed to stretch all the way to horizon...absolutely mind blowing.

Wow I love your description! I think I'm going to have to read that out to partner, cos I'm tending to agree with the Europe idea.
I loved Europe a long time ago and it would be something very new for him, whereas he has been to both usa and Japan.
Lol every time I think I'm heading one direction I get turned around again!

 

[Eera]

I'll always remember my first time looking out into the sea of mountains that seemed to stretch all the way to horizon...absolutely mind blowing.

^^^ this!

Prior to going to France we had always skiied either Japan or New Zealand where the fields we went to overall were small with all the pistes pointing in roughly the same direction.

France, yeah, not so much: take a wrong turning and you'd end up in another country so that caused a bit of a pause for thought with the kids who were at that adventurous-but-stupid age. Airtags are marvelous turns out.

Husband's mind was a bit blown taking the gondola up to the top station and figuring out he was actually about to ski a whole kilometer higher than the tallest point in Australia. And a 16km run at that.

 

[snoWYmonkey]

Snow quality, if powder is the goal, is probably Japan then Canadian or US rockies such as Jackson Hole.

Off piste in europe is very different as anything that is not groomed is technically out of bounds and not mitigated for avalanches, unlike the US where ungroomed runs between groomed runs in bounds are mitigated for avalanche.

Culturally I adore Japan and Europe has the true charm, but even there do your research as many French resorts were developed in the not so charming 70s out of concrete.

 

[Rashika]

We do have a slight advantage in that a friend of ours is married to an Austrian and is a skier and really keen to go back, so will have to quiz him this weekend about the options.

Loving all these stories though, makes me want to wish the next couple of years past quickly!

 

[santacruz skier]

Snow quality, if powder is the goal, is probably Japan then Canadian or US rockies such as Jackson Hole.

Off piste in europe is very different as anything that is not groomed is technically out of bounds and not mitigated for avalanches, unlike the US where ungroomed runs between groomed runs in bounds are mitigated for avalanche.

Culturally I adore Japan and Europe has the true charm, but even there do your research as many French resorts were developed in the not so charming 70s out of concrete.

Agree with the post about the French purpose built resorts… except chamonix!

 

[AJM]

Off piste in europe is very different as anything that is not groomed is technically out of bounds and not mitigated for avalanches, unlike the US where ungroomed runs between groomed runs in bounds are mitigated for avalanche.

This ^
Sadly some local families found this out the hard way.

 

[Rashika]

Good to know

 

[Magnatude]

If neither of you have skied in Canada, you should investigate that as an option. Over three visits, we've generally had decent to fantastic snow there. When we went in January, it was the better of the North American destinations to spend NZ$ -- US was crazy expensive. Vancouver is

Fernie, where we went this year, has heaps of (steep/tree/powder) skiing for adventurous/expert types, but it might be intimidating for others. I'd probably recommend somewhere like Silver Star, which has a bit of everything for everyone. It's half an hour's drive from Vernon, and not far from Kelowna, where you'd potentially fly to from Vancouver, and is possibly also close enough to Revelstoke for a day trip (or better still, a couple of days) if you're feeling adventurous. It's also pretty close to Big White, which might be another good option for you both.

The Banff resorts are also worth considering -- you fly into Calgary, and it's a short car or bus ride up to Banff from there. Truly stunning scenery, and Banff itself is a proper, lovely alpine resort town. Sunshine Village and Lake Louise both have varied skiing for everyone. When we were there they didn't have as much snow as the powder highway resorts in the middle of BC, but still plenty by our standards.

Re Japan, we've only skied in and around Furano, in central Hokkaido. Some of that was touring outside the ski area and on the volcano across the valley. The ski area is a lot more extensive than I expected, and anyone would be happy there. The snow was great. The town is nice, and the food is fantastic. For a New Zealander, it's a very different cultural experience than Canada, especially if you can organise a few days in Tokyo en route.

Anywhere in Europe is also going to be a cultural experience, and the skiing comparatively affordable (although cheap accommodation might be harder to find) and varied. We skied in Val d'Isere and Tignes (France) in 2019, which was great fun. Food was obviously a bonus, especially if, like me, you like cheese. Downsides are longer flights and potentially greater overall expense. I spent a winter working in a nightclub in an Austrian resort in my youth, and would love to go back there too.

Where did your partner work in Japan and the US?

 

[Magnatude]

Vancouver is ... a 13-14 hour flight from Auckland, I was going to say!

 

[Rashika]

If neither of you have skied in Canada, you should investigate that as an option. Over three visits, we've generally had decent to fantastic snow there. When we went in January, it was the better of the North American destinations to spend NZ$ -- US was crazy expensive. Vancouver is

Fernie, where we went this year, has heaps of (steep/tree/powder) skiing for adventurous/expert types, but it might be intimidating for others. I'd probably recommend somewhere like Silver Star, which has a bit of everything for everyone. It's half an hour's drive from Vernon, and not far from Kelowna, where you'd potentially fly to from Vancouver, and is possibly also close enough to Revelstoke for a day trip (or better still, a couple of days) if you're feeling adventurous. It's also pretty close to Big White, which might be another good option for you both.

The Banff resorts are also worth considering -- you fly into Calgary, and it's a short car or bus ride up to Banff from there. Truly stunning scenery, and Banff itself is a proper, lovely alpine resort town. Sunshine Village and Lake Louise both have varied skiing for everyone. When we were there they didn't have as much snow as the powder highway resorts in the middle of BC, but still plenty by our standards.

Re Japan, we've only skied in and around Furano, in central Hokkaido. Some of that was touring outside the ski area and on the volcano across the valley. The ski area is a lot more extensive than I expected, and anyone would be happy there. The snow was great. The town is nice, and the food is fantastic. For a New Zealander, it's a very different cultural experience than Canada, especially if you can organise a few days in Tokyo en route.

Anywhere in Europe is also going to be a cultural experience, and the skiing comparatively affordable (although cheap accommodation might be harder to find) and varied. We skied in Val d'Isere and Tignes (France) in 2019, which was great fun. Food was obviously a bonus, especially if, like me, you like cheese. Downsides are longer flights and potentially greater overall expense. I spent a winter working in a nightclub in an Austrian resort in my youth, and would love to go back there too.

Where did your partner work in Japan and the US?

Partner worked at mammoth for quite a few seasons and shiga in Japan. He's not that keen to go back to that area of Japan but thinks Hokkaido would be good.

Lol I love cheese and I remember that from my youth days and big OE in Europe.
I'm loving all these thoughts from u all!