NZ South Island Trip
oh you cretainly dont need a 4wd for any of the resorts, BUT as i said. If you have drivers who havent driven in snow before/not comfortable driving in snow (everytime i have been to NZ we have had to drive around in hectic blizzards) to me its a must.
All the major companies are rip-offs. I’d never hire anything from hertz, budget, Avis or any of the others.
450 for a week works out to 64 bucks a day…and that was for the cheapest car with Jucy?
Affordable have 4wd wagons from $44 NZ a day, I think shoestring is around the same. Ace is a another good cheap company. The first year we went with them out of queenstown and I think we were paying about $19 a day.
As deano said, 4wds are by no means a necessity, but I’m with him in that the extra piece of mind is worth it, especially if you have other people in the group who are driving and may not be experienced on snowy, crazy muddy or icy roads. We had an AWD wagon last year and a guy in our group (driving the other car) managed to lose it and spin a full 360 on the crown range road between Wanaka and Queenstown. He’d been fairly confident in his own abilities, too. I wonder what might have happened otherwise.
Plus, the wagons usually have heaps more room for all your snow gear. We could fit 4 people and all our stuff in one.
Yep NZ have Suby wagons for hire (don’t see them much here) - much better for the reasons mentioned above!
Must find the video of me in NZ driving thru closed roads cause of flooding! My friend in the car was not impressed!! LOL all roads were closed and i said screw it we are getting to Queenstown!
$450 for a week car hire still seems kinda steep.
I just got a package deal with skimax when I went a couple years ago, they are so cheap.
Like this one is $599 for a week, with car hire and 5 day lift pass.
$450 for a week car hire still seems kinda steep.
I just got a package deal with skimax when I went a couple years ago, they are so cheap.
Like this one is $599 for a week, with car hire and 5 day lift pass.
Wow, not bad. Bookmarked that website!
oh you cretainly dont need a 4wd for any of the resorts, BUT as i said. If you have drivers who havent driven in snow before/not comfortable driving in snow (everytime i have been to NZ we have had to drive around in hectic blizzards) to me its a must.
Deano’s right. If you’re inexperienced/uncomfortable driving in snow/ice/mud on narrow mountain roads where there’s little opportunity to pass, it’s definitely a “must” that you get a quality 4WD - not just for your own safety, but out of consideration for all the other drivers sharing these roads with you.
While a 4WD/AWD vehicle is definitely better on snow/ice than a two wheel drive, nothin is better than knowin how to drive in those conditions, and what to do/not to do when things go wrong!!!!!
Read up on as much stuff as ya can find!!!!! The Canadian Govt has some great websites for info!!!!! (As most likely NZ has also)
Sure, reading up is very helpful - but practice, and LOTS of it, is the most important.
DO NOT turn up at the bottom of a resort access road on a powder day expecting to drive straight up, without having already gained valuable experience at a time and place when/where it’s not busy - it’s simply not fair to all the other drivers sharing these roads with you. And no matter how experienced you get, ALWAYS let more experienced/competent drivers pass whenever possible - this goes for ALL roads everywhere in the world.
I had heaps of fun driving the crappy little front wheel drive Daihatsu in NZ! First time I used snow chains. Good experience all up.
Sure, reading up is very helpful - but practice, and LOTS of it, is the most important.
DO NOT turn up at the bottom of a resort access road on a powder day expecting to drive straight up, without having already gained valuable experience at a time and place when/where it’s not busy - it’s simply not fair to all the other drivers sharing these roads with you. And no matter how experienced you get, ALWAYS let more experienced/competent drivers pass whenever possible - this goes for ALL roads everywhere in the world.
Chucky!!!!! Ummm…......... they need ya over in that other thread!!!!! Immediately!!!!! 
All I’m saying is that all drivers should be adequately prepared BEFORE they’re faced with tricky situations, and should always show due consideration for others.
That’s 450 for a 21 yr old red p player, I forgot to ad.