Photo Essay: Skiing Tongariro National Park

With summer heating up in North America and Europe, this is a time when avid skiers and snowboarders are starting to suffer some serious withdrawal symptoms: The season ended months ago, and it'll be months before the snow starts falling again. There may be hiking, or mountain biking, or even indoor skiing on hand; but frankly, it's just not the same. So to get a proper fix of off-season skiing, head to the southern hemisphere and hit the snow in New Zealand's stunning Tongariro National Park.

Located right in the middle of New Zealand's North Island, Tongariro National Park sports a trio of active volcanoes: Flat-topped Tongariro, perfectly cone-shaped Ngauruhoe and towering Ruapehu. New Zealand's two largest ski fields occupy the northwestern and southern slopes of Mount Ruapehu. The season here runs from July to October: Perfect if you can't face the thought of long summer months without snow.

During the first couple of months, trails tend to be hard packed and icy - and the weather can be very changeable. But as spring approaches, the fierce New Zealand sun turns the snow into a grainy slush, which makes for fantastic backcountry riding. In a good year, the ski areas stay open into November or December, and the snow gets progressively more buttery, until the ski season segues perfectly into the surf season.

More than anything, though, skiing in Tongariro National Park is about the nature experience. In winter, the rugged, volcanic landscape around Mount Ruapehu's peak softens out into swooping ridges and smooth bowls. Both ski fields offer expansive views of New Zealand's North Island - and intrepid riders can hike to 9177ft Tahurangi Peak for glacier skiing and so much crisp, fresh air that your head spins. Even the access roads are beautiful, winding first through lush, native forest packed with ancient trees and giant tree ferns, then a barren landscape of black, jagged boulders - some of them launched from the crater during recent volcanic eruptions.

I have done several seasons of skiing in Tongariro National Park, and I'm in love with the altitude, the wide vistas, the soft spring snow and the unique terrain of a living, breathing volcano. Being here is truly a unique experience; and for travelers from the northern hemisphere, the off-season skiing is just the icing on the cake.