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Powder
to the people - 15th June 2002 (Credit:
The Sydney Morning Herald)
Spend
some time online to enjoy the best of the ski season,
writes Jenny Hailstone.
It's
that time of year again. The annual pilgrimage to
the snow began when thousands of people hit the slopes
for the official opening of the Australian ski season
last weekend.
While
the predicted big dump turned to disappointing rain,
snowmaking is ensuring early coverage and punters
are expecting greater-than-average snowfall in the
next three months.
This
year, snow skating is the newest activity to reach
ski slopes. Although it's still a developing sport,
snow skating is pushing the envelope of tricks, aerials,
moguls and free-riding in general, according to CoolSports.
A
combination of skateboarding and snowboarding, snow
skaters hurl downhill on a plastic board slightly
wider and longer than a skateboard, without any safety
straps or leg harnesses. Risk-loving skateboarders
keen to try the sport will need to practise in a backyard
or away from heavily trafficked slopes: resorts have
banned snow-skating during the season because of the
safety risk to skiers.
A
less obvious danger is ski gear prices. Before you
max out your credit card on the latest snowboarding
gear, check the product reviews and buyer's guide
on Board The
World. The massive snowboarding site has everything
there is to know about the sport, with features such
as the "Air 101" section with trick tips,
a travel guide to terrains and resorts around the
world, an online magazine, industry news and a bulletin
board where you can trade equipment. The Web site
rates all the Australian resorts according to their
snowboarding facilities, with Perisher Blue getting
the thumbs up for its commitment to snowboarding and
the upkeep of its half-pipe.
Whether
you're a snowboarder or skier, Ski.com.au
will make sure you don't get left out in the cold
when organising your trip to the snow. The snow portal
covers all the resorts with its alpine accommodation
guide to the NSW and Victorian ski fields. Take the
snow cam tour to find out which resorts have the best
coverage and use the equipment guide to compare snow
sport rental prices.
Fired
up by the snow predictions but left it too late to
book your trip? Travel.com.au
can help with a weekly email newsletter, which contains
the latest snow deals and package ski trips.
However,
don't fall for the hype about huge snowfall without
checking the real state of the slopes first. Ninemsn's
new snow site delivers pictures from 34 snow cams
across Australian ski resorts and, for a $5.50 fee,
offers subscribers a four-week package of SMS snow
alerts to their mobile phones. Additionally, there
are updates on road conditions, recommended places
to ski and the number of lifts and T-bars operating
at each resort.
The
Bureau of Meteorology also offers weather forecasts
for the Snowy Mountains region, including current
temperatures and the probability of snow falls.
Australian
ski resorts are continually improving, but when it
comes to fresh powder it's hard to beat New Zealand,
where the ski season is well under way. Snowco outlines
accommodation and travel packages to New Zealand's
North and South islands and has a free snow club offering
regular newsletters and reports from the field of
your choice via email or SMS text messaging.
Adrenaline
junkies will be tempted by the wilderness heli-skiing
trips to the huge, heavily glaciated peaks of Aoraki-Mount
Cook National Park.
Alas,
snow time can easily become hospital time. The Snow
Safe site is here to help us enjoy the alpine
environment in safety and comfort. Back-country skiers
and hikers should consider downloading the "trip
intentions form" before venturing on an expedition.
As the site says, plan your holiday carefully and
you'll have a great time.
*
Mediaman is the agent in Australia for
Snowboard.com
* The website attracts 300,000 unique visitors per
month and has half a million members!
*Read the Snowboard.com
profile
* Contact snowboard@mediaman.com.au
Links:
The
Sydney Morning Herald
Mediaman: Sport
Mediaman: Website reviews
Australian
Sports and Entertainment Portal: Snow and Links
Snowy
Mountains Australia
Sports
Babes
Snowboard.com
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