Gay time on way to piste

By CHRIS BARTON

With a winter chill in the air, thoughts naturally turn to getting on the piste. But what a complicated pastime. So much to organise - boots, poles, skis and other ski gear, lift passes, a place to stay, travel to get there, and so on.

Thank goodness for the internet. At www.google.com, I typed ski Mt Hutt packages - Mt Hutt because I've never been there, and packages because I wanted a deal that took care of everything.

Top of the 284 list of results was Gay Travel. There I learned that "New Zealand is the only international gay and lesbian destination that has a network of 'Approved Gay Friendly' tourism operators that meet the New Zealand Gay Lesbian Tourism Association 'Approved Gay Friendly' criteria."

There was similar information at Women's Travel, which told about "the most extensive range of women's accommodation throughout New Zealand, ranging from woman-owned homestays, bed & breakfast guesthouses and inns, to 'Woman Friendly' and 'Lesbian Friendly' accommodation providers."

It wasn't quite what I was looking for, but I noticed one of the deals was via Ski Express. Typing Ski Express into the address bar and then selecting "Packages" from the menu, I struck gold. The Methven "Fly-Drive-Ski Package" had it all: from $599 per person twin share ex Auckland and including return midweek airfares to Christchurch, three days' car hire, two nights accommodation, and a Ski Express Resort Pass offering unlimited skiing at Mt Hutt - plus an option for ski hire and lessons.

This was one of those rare and satisfying experiences where the internet provides exactly what you are looking for in under five minutes. The Ski Express site is well organised, with heaps of information about the resorts, accommodation - and snow conditions. There is also the ability to modify the package for a longer stay. I filled in the online form with our family's requirements and got an e-mail quote the next day.

Could I find anything better? Not really. Although the packages section of nzski.com did have some great deals for Queenstown. It's a top site, too. Under the Mt Hutt Canterbury Guide I picked up more detail about Methven, was able to compare accommodation and even find out about restaurants in the area. Next stop was the equally excellent www.snow.co.nz, where I took a stunning panoramic virtual tour of the Mt Hutt trails.

The travel planner is also a great resource. There I continued my comparison shopping at Big Al's Ski and Sport, which provides rental bookings of ski equipment in Methven.

I had seen enough and shared the good news with the family. Every one was enthusiastic except one, who wanted warmer climes: "Why can't we go and lie on a beach somewhere?"

Back at www.google.com I typed in beach Samoa packages nz ...

Links:


Google

Gay travel - Mt Hutt

Women's travel - Mt Hutt

Ski Express

NZski - packages

snow.co.nz