Living in the Southern Hemisphere for the summer

Since I'm kinda getting screwed out of a winter up here and I made my schedule so I could ski everyday and thats not likely do to the weather. I was thinking I could save up some $ working and spend the summer in south america or nz.


I wouldnt be able to save up enough to just spend it as a vacation. I was thinking I could get a job down there and a cheap place to stay. I just talked this over with the 'rents and they're cool with it. So now I just need to figure my shit out. I've never been to either so I dont really have a preference. But from what I understand south america has the better skiing but is kinda sketchy. and I might be traveling alone so NZ might be a better idea.


I'm just at the point of gathering information and trying to figure out if I can make this happen. So anyones ideas or knowledge would be greatly a
ppreciated.

Argentina's not at all sketchy, and is way cheap. Think $25 for a white table cloth 3 bottle of wine, several of the best you've ever had steaks, and coffee, for two. $6 a night for a hostel in Bariloche, bus to the mountain. You could live like a king for not much $. Chile's more $, and more westernized. I'm going back for 6 weeks in March.

That said it'd be easier to bum it in NZ. Cheap cars are available, more comfortable temps for camping. Probably can get a room/board job. Pm me for an idea or two.

was gonna work in chile last year, but work visas cost MAD loot aparently...


any info you come up with pass on this way...

thanks, mike

For cheap skiing, cheak out the club fields in NZ, they all have websites (albiet basic ones) indexed on

http://www.snow.co.nz/

http://www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/skiing/

cragieburn and broken river seem to be the best from all I've heard, but I havn't been. You might get a job at one, but there wouldn't be many positions going.

The other NZ option would be to base yourself in either Queenstown or Wanaka for work and accom and ski the surounding resorts (bigger comercial fields) as there is basically no on slope accom in NZ. All of these resorts are small by american standards, and I think they are all above the tree line. Probably also look at something like Mt Hotham in Aus, its not any worse than a lot of the NZ areas, although its mainly below the tree line. Be aware that snow is a lot less reliable in Aus/NZ than North America, South America might be more reliable, but Splat or someone would be able to fill you in on that.

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Originally Posted by slushed

cragieburn and broken river seem to be the best from all I've heard, but I havn't been. You might get a job at one, but there wouldn't be many positions going.

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Cburn, BR add Temple Basin and Mt Olympus to that list as well. Way cool skiing. They have about 7-10 employees each, and competition for each spot. You can get a chill pass http://www.chillout.co.nz/chillpasses/chill_passes.asp that's good at 7 of the club fields. Add a cheap car for a couple hundred bucks and yer set.

bump cause my threads are better then the 3rd page.


and wow NZ tix are expensive

It's pretty hard to get a job (at least in Lenas) from what I know. Tough enough for the locals- so anything you get or can do what definitely be under the table.

But yeah- super cheap options exist. Traveling through Argentina is relatively safe and good experience. If you plan to head to SA, brush up on some Spanish- it'll make the trip more enjoyable. And some places like Damajuana Hostel in Mendoza partner with area language schools and have 1-2 week intensive language classes if you'd like to try and learn a bit while you are there. (http://www.damajuanahostel.com)

And yeah- cheap, good hostels abound. There is even a new hostel in Lenas. And the Bariloche option sounds good.

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Originally Posted by pollard

and wow NZ tix are expensive

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Should be about $1k. SA will be the same. Cheaper way to get to NZ can be fly to LA, buy your ticket from LA to NZ. Saved me $500 last year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cj001f

Argentina's not at all sketchy, and is way cheap. Think $25 for a white table cloth 3 bottle of wine, several of the best you've ever had steaks, and coffee, for two. $6 a night for a hostel in Bariloche, bus to the mountain. You could live like a king for not much $. Chile's more $, and more westernized. I'm going back for 6 weeks in March.

That said it'd be easier to bum it in NZ. Cheap cars are available, more comfortable temps for camping. Probably can get a room/board job. Pm me for an idea or two.

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I'm thinking about going two weeks in September, I'm thinking Las Lenas, but am willing to consider other destinations. How much is two week pass (aproximently)?

I'm headed down to NZ May 31. Fly into Christchurch, buying a car, and heading down the southern lakes area. Not sure if I want to be in Queenstown or Wanaka. I do know Mt. Hutt opens June 4, and I'd like to be there opening day. Most the other mountains open June 11. Mt. Hutt, Coronet Peak, and the Remarkables are all taking job applications now. I got a working holiday visa, so that will hopefully help my chances of finding a job.

I have heard numerous times that the club fields are the places to go though. Craigieburn and Broken River have good reviews, and the most vertical. Nothing like the N. America though, but at the same time I don't think there's anything like NZ here in America.

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Originally Posted by Greydon Clark

I'm thinking about going two weeks in September, I'm thinking Las Lenas, but am willing to consider other destinations. How much is two week pass (aproximently)?

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Lenas in September is 'low season' so passes equate to about $22-$25USD per day. Can't remember the exact peso total, but the exchange rate runs about 2.9 pesos to $1USD. Season passes for the 'summer' run about $300 USD.