The driving force behind the economic development of the Cardrona Valley, John Lee has today been appointed a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The boys at 'Think Thank' show off some new age urban snowboarding.

Stack compilation from snowboard movie "Strange Life".

First hand view of skier Chris Cardello getting caught in an avalanche, from ski movie 'DOWN DAYS'.

Ski athlete legends show us how to shred in ski movie, "IN DEEP".

Epic crash compilation from French Snowboard film "1000 Miles".

Police have named the man who fell to his death on a popular South island mountain yesterday in condition say to have been "quite icy".

Basti Rittig cemented his name in snowboard history by setting a new world record for the longest rail slide ever completed. The rail was custom built, over a meter high, a single round bar and 84 meters long. A rail so long that the riders’ bases were literally melting, due to friction.

There are high hopes for snow on Mt Ruapehu this weekend. Some forecasters have predicted up to 30cm of snow will fall.

In this video, which was made to celebrate a snowboarder’s adorable daughter’s third birthday, a man proves that he just may be the coolest dad of all time.

If perfect ski snow is your passion this is the Japanese destination for you, but don't count on admiring the scenery, writes David Lewis.

Growing self-belief drives disabled skier to lift his sights higher.

If imitation is indeed the best form of flattery, then New Zealand elite sport is in a good space. New Zealand's high performance sporting systems are catching the eye, with delegations from across the globe visiting this country to watch.

Much of New Zealand will be happy to see the last of the winter weather but not those on Mt Ruapehu.

Reaching the peak is easy when you have snowshoes, discovers Andrew Louis.

The centre of Hokkaido delivers family-friendly service and plenty of snow, finds Kelly Lynch.

About 45,000 people will inject an estimated $57 million into the Queenstown economy over the next 10 days during the 2014 Queenstown Winter Festival, which opened with a bang last night.

Glenn Cullen skis down steep slopes and dreams of what Porters could become with a bit of work.

A quartet of excited teenagers camped out under picnic tables overnight to earn the bragging rights of enjoying New Zealand's first snow powder this year.

The original French Alpine retreat has much appeal for the modern snowboard and ski traveller, writes Adam Ruck.

Andrew Louis hones his ski skills — and falls in love.

There are some great skifields in the States that won't cost you a fortune, writes Jennifer Ennion.

New Zealand has a rival for the world's most breathtaking landscapes, writes Hayden Donnell, after taking in the view from Mt Annupuri during a skiing trip to the resort of Niseko on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

'Hi Mum" - Beaming down into the camera, after death-defying runs on both the halfpipe and the slopestyle course.

New Zealand's four-strong female snowboard contingent will battle it out in the slopestyle semifinals tomorrow.

Timing can be everything, as Christy Prior discovered at the final Winter Olympics qualifying event in Canada yesterday.