Back to Canterbury

Last summer, we made our first ski pilgrimage to New Zealand, and the south island blew us away.

So much so, that in eleven days, we are heading back down to the Canterbury club fields, just outside of Christchurch, to do it all over again.

Olympus Trip Report, Blister Gear Review.
Jonathan Ellsworth, Mt Olympus, New Zealand.

The trip provided the mindblowing views and technical terrain we were hoping for…

Olympus Trip Report, Blister Gear Review.
The South Island of New Zealand.

But what we hadn’t anticipated was the distinctive ski culture, or how much we would come to love the community aspect of the club fields. (Or some of the debauchery; we’re looking at you, Mount Olympus).

Not only are we heading back to refresh our mastery of nutcrackers and rope tows, but we are planning to spend some time exploring more of the region’s spectacular mountains on foot. The remarkable thing about New Zealand is that even when the snow is falling at the club fields, there are countless other snow-free mountains nearby with some of the most iconic hikes in the world.

Treble Cone Trip, Blister Gear Reveiw.

So we’re going this time to take advantage of everything that Canterbury and the south island have to offer, but we’re still going to be getting plenty of time on a bunch of new skis.

Over the coming days we will be posting more previews of some of those skis we are taking with us. The countdown is on.

2 comments on “Back to Canterbury”

  1. You’ve got the dream job all of us wage donkeys dream of! If you ever get the chance please review the Faction Royale in the 190cm. length ( it has a flatter tail compared to the shorter lengths). I’ve got these skis and am trying to convince a buddy to try them, but he wants to go with the DPS 112 RPC P3 ( blah blah what a mouth full!). Also, what do you think about the Intuition Dreamliners as a replacement boot liner? I have narrow feet and ski in the Lange RS 140 boot, but I still find the ankle pocket slightly roomy after a hard day’s ski. Lastly, does the 2015 Cochise have slightly different sidecut dimensions compared to the shorter lengths, and is it a stiffer ski proportionally? Have a brilliant trip, and I look forward to reading your reviews.

  2. Hey Blister,

    A big thank you for all the time and effort that goes into your reviews. Very appreciated.

    My wife and I are moving to Christchurch from the States in late July. I am trying to figure out the best way to get our toys over there (skis, boards, and bikes). Do you have any tips or suggestions for flying with skis to NZ?

    Thanks again,
    Greg

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