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What's the best place to shred? Where and why??

Imo, Mt Ruapehu (Whakapapa, Tukino & Turoa) is the best commercial resort in the country to learn/improve your boarding skills. Yes, it does sound biased, considering I've been riding there for over 30 years, but because of the huge expanse, different terrains, snow types, the many varied & different slopes on that mountain, it certainly makes you learn fast, especially traversing & edge carving/edge holding skills. If it had dryer powder, & more than twice a year (this season is 1 in 60 for the amount & type of snow that has fallen/falling), it would be a perfect place to ride. I also think that Mt Ruapehu is a better spring riding mtn, than it's counterparts in the Sth Island, but, imo, the Sth Island mtns are better for early winter/winter riding, as a whole, especially the club fields, due to more predictable snowfall, etc... As for the smaller fields, props to Porter Heights, Mt Lyford, Ohau, & Mt Olympus. These Sth Island feilds are my fav, due to the fact I always have a good time there, the staff are awesome, & it's hella good places to visit (no crowds), & the beer always seems to taste crisper!!! I'm gonna be going to Tukino for the first time in a few years, as I don't want to miss out on this new snow fall on some of their runs. Now, if only I could remember how to ride nutcrackers, again...

yer bro tukino rips ive had 50 days here and theres still lines to be had. To get the full monty on it, id recommend staying a couple nytes try "www.tukino.co.nz[/u]" or "[u]0800 tukino" to book, weather obs etc see you cats up here.

yeah Mt Ruapehu is definatly the place to be...
sick terrain, heaps of room.
never get sick of riding there!
tukino is the shit, stay there a couple of nights you wont want to leave, its definatley Ruapehu's best kept secret.