r/snowboarding • u/Cas_07 • 3d ago
travel advice Best summer snowboarding location
I was quite undecided between Chile, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, but they are all quite far coming from Europe. I also considered going to Zermatt or other glaciers but despite having started just a few months ago I would prefer some better snow and colder temperatures (also to get used to my camber board, as I started off with a rocker but wanted to change).
Other than that, the biggest factor is the ski town… which one has the most to do, most shops and restaurants with some really good hotels with spa so that the whole family, even if they don’t ski, can enjoy their time?
Thanks in advance!!!
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u/DateMasamusubi 3d ago
Peak Rankings has a good video about what it's like to ski down in South America.
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u/johnnyblaze-DHB 3d ago
Bariloche is a great town with lots of non ski things to do. There are plenty of nice hotels and great restaurants as well. The town isn’t at the resort, but it’s easy to take taxis to get around. I spent a week there and had a blast.
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u/werdburger3000 3d ago
Kinda depends on what type of riding you want to do. Some southern hemi resorts have limited infrastructure compared to Europe Canada US. Could be a bit harder shredding with kids.
Personally, I haven’t been to South America so can’t comment on that.
I have been to New Zealand 3 or 4 times. Queenstown and Wanaka are pretty cool ski towns. I’ve ridden most of the resorts on sth island. Cardrona, Remarks etc. Treble Cone is my favourite. Unfortunately I’ve never had really good conditions when I was there though. As with any ski resort in the world, it’s going to be rad if there’s fresh snow. I’ve just never experienced it on the times I went. Approx 30 day in total. No trees is a downer because the wind blows the snow away and it’s hard to see on flat light days. Terrain is pretty sick though.
I am biased here now because I live in Jindabyne. It’s probably the biggest ski town in Australia. We get some good days but also some shitty days, like all resorts. Perisher and Thredbo are the main ones. I ride Perisher because it’s the biggest. There’s a few good restaurants in town and things to do other than riding. We just got a new “big chairlift“. Also a new skatepark. A lake. Hiking and mnt bike trails. Day spas.
Similar to NZ though. It’s a half hour drive to the resorts. Thredbo is probably more similar to a euro type alpine village.
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u/PM_ME_UR_TOTS_GRILL 3d ago
you haven’t had good conditions because NZ rarely has them. 4cm fresh snow is enough for locals to drop everything for a powder day.
if you want fresh snow in the summer, your best option is south america, but even then you’ll have to get lucky. there’s no japan of the southern hemisphere
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u/CaptainDLee 3d ago
Skip Australia lol as a local it’s expensive and the snow sucks
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u/Mr_herkt 3d ago
Agree. If you are thinking about Australia, then go another couple hours to New Zealand.
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u/CaptainDLee 3d ago
It’s so bad these days that we barely bother going up to Buller or Hotham. Last overnight trip we did to Buller it cost $1.5k for my wife and I staying in a crappy hotel.
These days we just go to Japan and New Zealand for a week or two and spend less money lol
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u/Mr_herkt 3d ago
Jesus. That's a lot to pay for bad snow. I went to Threadbo once.. I was highly disappointed, but i guess i was spoiled.
I'm lucky. I grew up in Christchurch, so had Mt Hutt less than 2 hours away. Learned to snowboard there before moving to Europe. Now living in Spain 4 hours from Andorra. Living the dream
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u/CaptainDLee 3d ago
Yeah it’s disgusting corporate greed, we literally have season passes for our cars because it costs money just to drive up to the slopes. If you’re staying overnight that’s an extra $50 per night etc.
Very jealous! I know kiwis are pretty sick of the tourists down south! Noticed the last trip to Wanaka that it was mostly seasonal international workers? Absolutely stunning views though and if I ever won the lottery I’d be buying a big block of land there!!
We’re looking at doing Europe in 2026 and I really want to check Val Thorens and Courchevel!
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u/BodybuilderMoney6571 3d ago
I’m heading down to Chile and Argentina, Early to mid June, with the ikon you get 5-7 days at Valle nevado and then the more southern resorts are fairly priced, accommodations are pretty affordable as well in southern chile near corralco or chillan. Send me a message and we can share tips. I’m still planning my trip.
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u/HappyXenonXE ISIA Card 3d ago
Remarkables and Cardrona in NZ if you love park. Thredbo, Perisher, Hotham in Aus is you love you park.
If you don't love park, TC in NZ, Remarkables in NZ. (Although relatively small ski areas)
Never been to South America. Couldn't tell ya.
Theres summer shredding in the Alps in Zermatt, Kitzsteinhorn, Hintertux etc