With the annual snow travel expos finished, my voice is shot and my ears are tired of hearing myself talk of the hottest Northern Hemisphere powder skiing spots for Seven Descents. Judging by the large and enthusiastic crowds at the events, people are keen to blow off the global recession malaise and hit the slopes for some pure and simple fun. I find there is nothing better to free the mind from its worries than skiing virgin powder covered slopes with a few of your best mates!

With this in mind here are my picks to escape the masses and find your own private powder stash:

1) Club Fields of Craigieburn and Broken River - Canterbury Region, New Zealand

Plentiful and relatively inexpensive direct flights to Christchurch provide access to New Zealand's best snow and most underrated ski region that is only 60 minutes away. Aside from Mt. Hutt, the region boasts 12 great club ski fields that offer thrilling terrain, great backcountry access, inexpensive lift rates, and untracked powder with a friendly and unpretentious atmosphere. Ok, the facilities are somewhat primitive with basic lodging, rope toes and T bars, but it is everything you truly need to enjoy a great ski day. As a skier who has called Sunshine Village (Banff) and Whistler my local hill whilst growing up, these uncrowed and relatively uncommercialised club fields are everything my ski mates and I would dream about. A couple of the best options for off-piste terrain and powder are Craigieburn and Broken River.

I know where I want to be this September!

2) Heli Park New Zealand - Canterbury Region, New Zealand

This is also easily accessed from Christchurch with a two hour drive. Formerly called Mt Potts, the cat skiing operation delivered one of my top five all time days during my first visit to New Zealand 4 years ago. Imagine 40cm of fresh snow, blue bird skies, -5 C and only 11 other skiers sharing big bowls and pristine chutes. Awesome!!

The operation has undergone a name change, upgraded to heli's to access more great terrain and developed an innovative approach to cost effective heli and backcountry skiing.

3) Catedral Alta Patagonia - Bariloche, Argentina

With Qantas now flying direct to Buenos Aires and great international seat sales, there has never been a better time to try skiing in South America. Catedral is South America's largest ski resort and only a 2 hour flight from Buenos Aires. With 32 lifts, and vertical to rival the largest in North America this resort should be on any ski adventurer's hit list. Terrain for all abilities along with abundant off piste , kids clubs, inexpensive lift prices, amazing hotels, cool cafes and pumping nightlife, make this a good fit for any style of ski traveller.

4) Charlotte's Pass Backcountry - Snowy Mountains, Australia

After seeing ski footage of New Zealand 20 years ago I started fantasizing about ripping up the powder of its classic club fields. Never in my most wild ski imaginings did I ever fantasize about scoring deep lines in Australia's backcountry! But after checking out the terrain on summer hikes up Kosciusko a couple of years ago, I know the terrain would provide lots of excitement and great turns on the right day.

Charlotte's pass are now offering backcountry trips for all levels of experience. There are introductory half day trips for those that have never tried backcountry skinning (perhaps just frightened by the name of it) as well as full day trips for the more experienced that access the steepest terrain. This is a perfect opportunity to give it a try before heading off to Canada or Europe where some of the world's best multi day backcountry and hut to hut adventures await.

Have fun, but be sure to ski only with qualified guides who know the terrain when heading out into the backcountry. With great options like these available you don't need to break the bank to score your own Warren Miller powder moment!

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For travel inspiration to exotic locations featured in these ski films, visit www.sevendescents.com.au. Ski specialists for heli skiing, cat skiing, guided off piste and backcountry ski touring.