Snow how for winter

Now that winter is on us, it's almost time to slope off for the weekend. ELEANOR BLACK presents a 10-step guide to getting into snow business.

How to ski for less (without looking cheap and nasty)

Skiing is a true glamour sport - nothing says "disposable income" like a giant fur collar and wraparound sunglasses teamed with a sunburned nose and zinc-coated lips

But even pennywise folk can join the party thanks to cut-price lift passes.

A season pass can be yours for as little as $349 for unlimited access to Mt Ruapehu's two sides, Whakapapa and Turoa, or $1199 for a triple mountain pass from nzski.com for Mt Hutt, the Remarkables and Cardrona.

As for gear, looking fabulous without spending a fortune is not a fool's mission. Hiring skis, poles and boots is a sensible option for growing children and adults who don't ski regularly.

Full kit for an adult - including jacket and pants - is $65 a day through nzski.com. Children can bundle up and hit the slopes for $44. Similar packages are available at the resorts and ski shops.

How to learn to ski/snowboard without leaving the lounge

If the thought of heading to the slopes appeals but you're not ready to spend the cash without first doing some research, your local video outlet can help.

An oldie but a goodie, Learning to Ski the Fast Way, takes the novice through a dummy run - from strapping on the skis to slicing the powder.

For a taste of extreme skiing, check out Warren Miller's Ski Time, which follows the man himself as he hurtles down steep inclines wearing a parachute to slow him down.

Prospective boarders can test their skills with several PlayStation games - MTV Pure Ride, SSX and the popular Coolboarder series.

How to check the snow conditions before you leave home

For the past few years the white stuff has, sadly, been a bit thin on the ground, especially at North Island ski fields.

But take heart, climatologists are predicting a much better season this year. Temperatures at Mt Ruapehu are expected to be 1 to 2 degrees cooler and storms will dump fresh snow more frequently. Log on to www.snow.co.nz for the latest snowfall at all the major skifields, plus a handy calendar of events.

True tecchie geeks will appreciate Vodafone's latest offering - a snow report sent directly to your cellphone. To register for this service, go to Vodafone

How to have a good time when the snow's a no-show

If the snow disappoints - or the long-awaited storms are so heavy they drive you indoors - you can snuggle up with a hot toddy, try a daring new sport, or shake your groove thang in the communities which support the ski industry.

In Queenstown, try bungi jumping or skydiving, catch the gondola, cruise the Milford Sound or simply pull up a stool in one of the town's great bars. Winnie Bagoes in the Mall is a popular spot for dancing and late-night snacks, while the World and the Casbah in Shotover St are rowdy favourites which appeal to locals and tourists.

Ohakune, at the base of Mt Ruapehu, is looking to make a big impression on visitors this season as it celebrates the merging of Whakapapa and Turoa into one giant playground. Horse trekking, mountain biking and bush walks are daytime options. After dark, head to the Powderkeg or Margarita's for a country-style knees-up.

How to save on accommodation

Cabins are an affordable and comfortable alternative for families and groups on a ski mission. They average between $23 and $38 a person, a night. Try Queenstown's Lakeview Holiday Park (Ph 03 442 7252), where a self-contained, four-person cabin with a kitchen, toilet and television is $95 a night.

Pukenui Lodge in National Park (Ph 07 892 2882) has two self-contained three-bedroom chalets which can sleep up to seven people, ranging from $150 to $180 a night, including the use of a PlayStation.

The Queenstown Travel and Visitor Centre (Ph 03 442 4100) and the Whakapapa Visitors Centre (Ph 07 892 3729) can provide lists of cabins and chalets.

How to take up snowboarding . . . even if you're on the wrong side of 30

One word spells instant credibility on the slopes: s-n-o-w-b-o-a-r-d. It's cool, it's fun, and it's not too hard to progress from the bum-on the-snow stage to the bum-waggling-confidently-in-the-air stage.

Invented by American Sherman Poppen in 1964 as a Christmas present for his children, the "snurfer" has morphed from a pair of skis bolted together to a sexy little number that appeals to a cross-section of the population.

On the slopes this year you will see the surfer filling in time until next summer, slamming it next to the grandmother who finds boarding gentler on the knees than traditional skiing.

Cardrona offers a slew of packages at its Snowboard Development Centre (Ph 03 443 7341), from a $65 introductory lesson to a four-day snow blitz.

How to impress everyone with your sense of adventure

So, you have conquered the major mountains and even gave snowboarding a go, but are looking for a new challenge. How about skiing down a glacier?

Tasman Glacier in the South Island offers two breathtaking ski runs of about 10 km each, cutting between two of New Zealand's highest mountain ranges. A ski plane drops you off at an elevation of 1200m and a guide leads the way, pointing out sparkling vistas of white on white. Alpine Guides (Ph 03 435 1834) will fly you to the glacier, feed you and let you explore ice caves for $650.

Alternatively, remind yourself that when skiing Mt Ruapehu you are actually streaking down the side of a live volcano. Then send boastful postcards to your foreign friends.

How to take the kids skiing and survive

Ski school is the answer for parents who want their children to experience the sport but also want to get in some decent runs alone. Half-day and full-day lessons are available at all the ski fields and some of the smaller ones.

Some resorts have a creche for children up to 6, where the kids can sip hot apple cider while you set your teeth against the wind.

How to deal with apres ski aches and pains

Skiing i punishes muscles you didn't know you had. Pain is part of the deal. Make sure you pack a jar of Anti-Flamme ($15 for 90g), a homeopathic remedy made from arnica, hypericum and calendula which soothes aches and helps to heal bruises.

A hot bath with Radox ($8 for 500g), a fragrant mineral salts mixture, will also do wonders.

How to look like a ski bunny below the snowline

Knock 'em dead by wearing a flash new ski watch to work. The Suunto Vector is a $499 wonder of technology, reporting your altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and the time. The buttons are big enough to be operated when wearing thick gloves, a point to mention to workmates who didn't get time off to go skiing.

Snowboard clothing has already made the leap to street wear and each year produces more functional and funky designs. Jackets and hooded sweatshirts from New Zealand company 540S, based in Christchurch, will make you look the part, even if you wear them on the bus rather than the chairlift.