Ah the snow is expensive

[sil3nt]

Planning a week on Ruapehu at the end of August and it really isn't cheap!

5 day access to the ski lifts is just over $400

5 day snowboard and boot hire is coming up to $200 half the cost of a new board so i am thinking of picking up a $400 board off trademe but will still need pants and boots

All this money could have been spent on my bike and apparently i will be doing this ever year

Snowboarding better be easy (and fun)

[boman]

If you are going to do this every year, try a season pass. My sister in law recons it is cheaper in the long run. (apparently pays for itself after a couple of weekends.)

[sAsLEX]

Season pass was 380? Already been up for 8 days this season.

[sil3nt]

It was originally going to be a weekend trip with just the girlfriend and myself but my mates where going around the same time for a week so we thought why not tag along.

Next year it will only be for a few days max. A season pass is $695 but what is the point if i am only going once a season?

I love the way a multi day pass only saves $6 at the most as well :dry:

[sAsLEX]

Depends when you buy!

16 Apr Ruapehu Alpine Lifts National Park Nzl $385.00

[dogsnbikes]

snowboarding is addictive the better you get the more it cost(sold my board n boots last week)....dont be afraid of the upper mountain its no steeper than the lower and there is alot more space for whipouts

[Timber020]

They didnt always check the top few lifts. We'd walk up loaded with gear and would dig a snowcave (the excavation snow made great hits) and stay in it for up to 5 nights (until food, fuel or muscles wore out). Up to 12 of us could stay in the cave but we made at least one big enough to sleep twice that (we got bored one night so kept digging, made it to big to keep warm!).
Late at night sometimes they ran the chairs. Wed go for a night snow missions and scare crap out of the groomer drivers by carving right infront of them. Problem was by going from darkness then into there spotlights then into the dark again, you lost all vision and balance and wrecked pretty soon after.
One week cost me 5 "acquired" ration packs, 1.5 litres of petrol (for cooker) probably 20$ in hot chocolates and coffees.

Good times

[dave_a]

I Have a season pass which I paid 380 for, it paid itself off in the first week I could use it

already done 5 trips to the mountain this year,hoping to get 40+

[Ragingrob]

Board $200 cheapo, Boots $150, Bindings $299 down from $500, Life Pass $3,500... Divide all that by the 7 years I've been going, not to mention the rest of my life not having to pay for any pass, and it's all good!

[Taz]

Hard to believe it falls from the sky for nothing eh? Maybe they have to pay the Maori's for its use........

[vifferman]

I've been skiing off and on since about 1975. I could've told you (for free!) that it's akin to digging a big hole in the snow, and emptying your wallet into it!
Try deciding the whole family could join in on it! We've been skiiiing together as a family since the youngest was a toddler. Started with me having him in a backpack, and the next youngest ( ~ 4) on skis between my legs, and the wife looking after the oldest on his own.
Despite the HUGE pile of money buried in the snow somewhere, we've had lotsa fun though, and no mishaps apart from #2Son having his fibia broken at Porter Heights by a wayward snowboarder.

[Taz]

Did they charge you extra to ski with your child in the backpack?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Snowboarding better be easy (and fun)

it LOOKS easy. it IS fun.

dont forget if you buy a board you need bindings too. You also need a hat and goggles. I bought a helmet (after smacking my head really hard on some ice) and that made a huge difference to comfort as well as my perceived safety. Your head is always warm: its great. Decent jacket and pants (that comfort thing too. Wrist guards are a good investment for learners.

Swallow your pride and have some lessons. You will pick it up quicker and safer that way.

You should find it easy to pick up if you have ever surfed or skateboarded. It isnt the same but it is similar.

Dont also forget you need three times the money you are spending on everything else for grog, loose women and STD tests. Just saying.

[Nasty]

Planning a week on Ruapehu at the end of August and it really isn't cheap!

5 day access to the ski lifts is just over $400

5 day snowboard and boot hire is coming up to $200 half the cost of a new board so i am thinking of picking up a $400 board off trademe but will still need pants and boots

All this money could have been spent on my bike and apparently i will be doing this ever year

Snowboarding better be easy (and fun)

1-day.co.nz until 12 today has great snowboarding specials. Only boots now

[sil3nt]

Massive bump

Purchased a snowboard and bindings from http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/ for $339. Now i can purchase the same snowboard and bindings plus some boots for $359! The boots are advertised for $100 and im a cheap bastard so i emailed them asking if i can pay the difference for the boots. They have a 365 day right of return but returning items i am just going to pay for again is a little silly. Would be interesting to see their reply. Their factory/shop is only 10 minutes away but i hope i don't need to go door knocking! Only 2 weeks to go until my trip as well