I invited Xavier and Nadine out to NZ for or three-week spring road trip around the lower South Island. It was an ambitiously short time to try climb and ski and film on Mt Cook but it was the best we could manage with everyone’s busy schedules. While we waited for the conditions to come right on Cook I aimed to show why September is my favourite month at home. Skiing slush at my home mountain Treble Cone, chasing waves on the coast and attempting a classic kiwi bush bash to a likely unskied remote couloir. But first we needed a little warm up.Treble Cone closing day seemed the best idea. As soon as the mountain is open for winter the countdown to the loosest

and last day of the season begins. The name of the game here is to ski the line with the least amount of snow. Dry tussock grass slides reasonably well, even the local schist rocks are reasonably friendly, as long as you ski with the grain. Failing to do so is akin to petting a cat the wrong way but only if that cat is an incredibly impatient Bengal Tiger. To add to the difficulties of remaining upright and unbloodied, fancy dress and a beer in hand is mandatory. Xavier’s leather jacket and leopard print yoga tights provided just the right amount of maximum breathability and minimal protection as the lines got progressively more ambitious.