Leave your skis at home

By CATHRIN SCHAER

For years, snow equipment manufacturers have been coming up with new gadgets to slide around the snow on, trying to give us one more reason to hit the slopes with their "next big thing".

Before we condemn those gimmicks altogether we should remember that once snowboarding was actually considered a "snow toy". This was back when it was called a Skurfer (a cross between a surfboard and skis).

Many dedicated skiers thought the Skurfer would be a one-hit wonder but, happily, what was once just another snow-toy has now become a mainstay of the snowsports industry and even an Olympic sport.

Looking around, there seem to be a lot more snow toys overseas. At American ski resorts you will find rubber inner tubes with a steering wheel and brake. And there are snow skates, which look like in-line skates with a miniature ski on the bottom - as used by James Bond in the most recent spy film.

No doubt some of these toys will probably only ever have limited appeal.

But there is no doubt that for anyone who is a bit tired of learning to ski or board, for children sick of the discipline conventional snowsports require and adults wanting a different kind of adrenaline rush, having a go with some snow toys for a few hours just might relieve the boredom.

Here is what is on offer in the way of snow toys around New Zealand.

Snow decks

With a small curved plastic skateboard deck and no wheels, these are basically skateboards for the snow. You will see them in action on Ruapehu's lower areas and last season Cardrona, which draws a lot of snowboarders, had a small terrain park dedicated to using them.

"We're looking at doing that again," says Nigel Kerr, Cardrona skifield's marketing manager, "because a lot of people got into it. And snow decks work really well in a park situation where the snow is bit softer."

Snow decks don't really have the edges that skis or snowboards do, which makes them hard to use outside a special terrain-park style area.

Where to try or buy: Your local snowboard specialist should have them for sale. At present, they are not available for rent at any of New Zealand's major skifields.

New-school skiing

Snowblades, skiboards or twin tips. Confused yet? Don't be.

These are all variations on a fairly similar theme, although some of the variations are more practical and popular than others.

Basically, snowblades are a cross between in-line skates and skis. They come with a boot attached and a ski-like sole. Although the import and export department at Bartercard have some, there are limited numbers available for rent at Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Mt Hutt.

Skiboards are different - these have been around for a few seasons and are still going strong.

About half the length of regular skis and about twice as wide with turned up tips, they are a cross between skis and a snowboard that allow users to do a variety of tricks and cavort merrily. Some people even use them for what is called "snow dancing".

New-school skiing is not really in the gimmick, gadget or snow-toy category at all. Rather it is a trend that features skiers on a new type of skis pulling the kinds of moves snowboarders use.

There are a variety of different kinds of skis in this category; the biggest difference between them and more conventional skis is that they are shorter, more manoeuvrable and mostly have twin tips (that is, are the same shape at both ends) so they can be used to spin in the air and ride backwards.

Where to buy or try: Snowblades are available to rent at the NZSki.com fields in the South Island. Mt Ruapehu is considering whether to get some too.

For different kinds of short or twin-tip skis, new-school, skiboards or otherwise, ask at your local ski shop. The demo centres at mountains such as Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and the Remarkables should have examples of the newest of these for you to audition.

On Mt Ruapehu look out for special demonstration days when ski manufacturers' representatives bring their wares to the mountain for potential customers to try.

Snowscoot and snowbike

A snowscoot features the top half of a scooter sitting on a snowboard-shaped platform that has been cut in half through its waist.

The rider, wearing soft boots, stands on the platform holding the handlebars, with their feet tucked underneath a strap.

Apparently this allows them to perform tricks and ride the mountain in the way a mountain or BMX biker might ride an unfrozen track.

When carving on a hillside, the snowscooters look much like motorcycle racers taking a bend at speed.

A snowbike is slightly different. You sit down on it and there is more of a ski than a board on the bottom of the frame. Riders also need to wear a small sort of ski on their feet, making it trickier to use and more expensive.

Where to try or buy: At present there only seem to be snowscoots in the country. Mt Ruapehu and Cardrona have around half a dozen of these to hire out. They are usually available to rent for an hour or two at a time and also come in smaller sizes if younger children want to have a go.

Should you be moved to buy one, contact Kiwi in Motion on 07 579 4026 or visit the website: www.kiwiinmotion.co.nz.

Tubing

This is an oldie but still a goodie. While it will probably never become an Olympic sport, several ski resorts have noticed that "tubing" is a popular trend overseas and are devoting extra time and effort to this pastime. The Remarkables in Queenstown have had a dedicated tubing area for three seasons.

Tubers are pulled up on a lift and their riders do runs, some of which are straight, others of which feature bumps. And the whole park is mostly in the sun.

At Mt Ruapehu, for the first time this season, there are similar plans for a tubing park on Mead's Wall, a mostly unused beginners' area on the Whakapapa field.

"On busy days about 20 per cent of the people up here don't come to ski or board," notes Mike Smith, Mt Ruapehu's marketing manager.

"They just want to have fun in the snow and this gives them something a little different to do."

Where to try or buy: Whakapapa and the Remarkables. Inner tubes are provided. Just be sure to dress for warmth and water proofing.