Our kids had never seen snow. Two weeks, two hire cars and one South Island road trip later, New Zealand in July had completely blown us all away. From the ski fields of Queenstown to a fogbow on the road to Mount Cook - this is the South Island winter road trip your family needs to do.

We researched Japan skiing thoroughly. We chose the right resort. We still ended up on our backsides sliding down an advanced run for forty minutes while Japanese skiers flew past us. Here is the full story - including why Tsugaike Kogen should be on every beginner family's radar.