NZ winter riding?

[adventurechick]

Thank you for all your info...

This trip is for pleasure only, but not a whole lotta time since we're doing both islands.

Regarding riding, looking to mtn. bike, primarily singletrack
Could we rent bikes for the day in the areas you talk about riding? We will not be taking ours from the US.

We are both very outdoorsy and enjoy a variety of interests. We are looking to go hiking, kayaking (weather permitting), mtn. biking, skiing while in NZ.

Also, was wondering if you could recommend a car rental company? Are snow chains needed? We would be picking up in aukland and dropping off in christchurch. We are not sure if we want to separate it out (aukland-wellington), take ferry over as passengers, and then pick up another car in picton-christchurch OR do the whole trip with one car and pay the ferry for the car in addition. Any suggestions?

[kiwi girl]

In terms of a rental car company I've used Omega on a couple of occassions and they have been fine but I think they are all much of a muchness. I think most companies recommend in terms of rental that you get one car to Wellington and then pick up another in Picton (with the same company) - because the ferry is expensive with a car. Although some high country roads are sometimes closed by snow, hardly anybody in New Zealand routinely carries snow chains. The only exception might be when you go skiing depending on which skified you go to.

I'll give some thought to some of your other questions over the next couple of days