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.

Jennifer Ennion finds a warm welcome waiting for her at boutique ski resort Beaver Creek.

A British-born TV director who died in a 150-metre plunge while snowboarding at Whakapapa ski field has been described by friends as the "ultimate Kiwi thrill-seeker''.

Auckland's Christy Prior, 24, has led the way for the women in slopestyle, climbing to No4 in the world. And she now has company.

The Audi Quattro Games, which was introduced in 2009, is established as one of the top five winter sports events in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.

A glance at the fields for the halfpipe snowboard contests at the Winter Games this month supports Games boss Arthur Klap's assertion that it promises to be the best edition of the biennial winter extravaganza.

Top class snowboarder Rebecca Sinclair hopes what she calls "a hiccup" doesn't play havoc with her Winter Olympic dream.

Dionne Christian finds ways to enjoy the winter weather.

Cold temperatures overnight and continued steady snowfall has seen the pre-season snow base at Mt Ruapehu take shape leading into the winter ski season. Temperatures at Mt Ruapehu were down to -6 degrees overnight and more snow has fallen. In addition to the natural snowfall, snow guns in the beginner area at the Whakapapa Ski Area have been in action making snow throughout the night.

Danielle Wright and family take a spin on Snowplanet's newest offering: snow tubes.

Danielle Wright finally graduates off the bunny slope, with the help of a bicycle on three skis.

Local Wanaka rider, Stef Zeestraten (NZL), 27, has defeated a field of more than 50 international riders to claim the Open Men's division of the Billabong Bro Down presented by Xperia Sony Smartphone 4Star World Snowboard Tour event. Zee's winning run was the very first of the final, the local favorite registering 79.30 points from the judges. He began with a gnarly cab 270 gap to the down rail, followed by a frontside 720, a backside 900, switch backside double cork 1080 and a switch 50-50 on the final feature which Zee said he was "actually surprised" he landed.

Edward Rooney discovers he could get used to the pleasures that come with being chairman of the board.