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NEW ZEALAND may be in the South Pacific but it has some of the best ski fields in the world, on both North and South islands.
And all of the ski-ing is above the tree line, which saves those unhappy accidents when offbeam skiers collide with a large chunk of wood.
The South Island has some great ski fields, mainly around Queenstown and Wanaka.
While the mountains are white, the valleys of the Queenstown and Wanaka are generally green during the key ski months.
"Everything that New Zealand has in the summer is there in the winter because the snow rarely comes into the valleys," said Nigel Kerr, who lives in Wanaka and represents Cardrona Alpine Resort, right in the middle of the two South Island towns.
The key skiing months in the South Island arc July, August and September.
He admits that July is cold, while August is the most popular month and he considers that September has been under-rated.
There is still good snow in New Zealand at that time of year, although it is warmer and there are longer days.
"We are talking about icing sugar snow," said Mr Kerr, who has been involved in skiing around the world over many years. He considers the snow is so exceptional that it can make an idiot skier look good.
Cardrona, which doesn't need snow-making facilities, is known for this. Some runs are very high. wide and gentle - designed to make people feel good.
On your first day skiing, rather than being confined to short and unrewarding novice slopes, there's a learner lift - a bit like a "travelator" and you'll be able to enjoy a wide 2 km ran from the top of the mountain back to the resort.
"Going to the top of the mountain is amazing on your first day skiing. It's about a sense of achievement, of about exceeding your expectations," commented Nigel.
But experienced skiers can be stretched as far as they want. Runs like Scum Valley, Sluice Box, Secret Chute and Paradise tell their own story
And advanced skiers will head for Tulips, Last Shot Bowl and White Star. Adult day lift passes are $60, students $50 and children $30. A four out of six day pass is $217 for an adult and a five-day any time pass is $268.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is also known as a snowboarding mecca and the Super Pipe Park has four top grade pipes: Monster, Johnny, International and Rookie which make up the southern hemisphere's biggest pipe park. Johnny has hosted both the World Junior Snowboard Championships and Burton Jam.
If you are into rails, tabletops, hips and the occasional fun box, then Superpark will set you right.
In the other New Zealand ski areas there have been big improvements during the off-season and visitors to Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are benefiting from significant upgrades to facilities and technology this winter.
Following another record season last winter, a new Alta quad chair has been installed at The Remarkables and has increased capacity from 1200 people per hour to 2000.
The new lift gives faster and easier access to the slopes.
Meanwhile, a specially designed terrain park-specific snow groomer is now working at The Remarkables. This state-of-the-art machine is central to building on The Remarkables reputation as home to the country's best terrain park and appealing to youth and families.
To further help skiers, all three ski areas have been linked by a new centralised ticketing system.
Half-way between Alta Green and Alta Blue, the new Turquoise Trail is a dedicated novice trail from the top of the chair to base. It allows more space for novices, and an easy, consistent grade, appealing to novices,. intermediates and families.
At Coronet Peak, the Big Easy trail has been redesigned to improve the learning experience for novices, help beginners make an easier transition from the learner slopes and contribute to greater successes for beginner and early intermediate skiers.
It's all go for New Zealand's ski fields this winter.