Base Ski & Snowboard Shop

The BASE crew live, work and play in Wanaka. Passionate about freeride and freestyle skiing and snowboarding, we are out in the mountains that surround us riding every day.

All that riding pays off for you – you get the best advice on the latest outerwear, skis and snowboards, because we have tried and tested every product we sell.

And all that product testing — "it's a tough job " — means we believe in our products and our ability to get you the gear you need for the sort of riding you do. We believe in our gear and advice enough to give you the best ski and snowboard guarantee in the country.

Oh and the other thing we are serious about is kitting you out to look good when you are telling people about your exploits on the hill. Streatwear that turns heads is a big part of what we do because you can’t be riding all the time... Shame.

Our team all love what they do and everyone contributes to what makes BASE great. We hope that we can share a little of our experience and love for snow and streetwear with you. Helping you make the most out of your life whether on the street or in the mountains...It's what we do!

So How Did We Get To Where We Are Today?

Back in 1999, BASE founders, Brent & Chris settled in Wanaka after many seasons chasing fat pow in resorts across the globe. They turned their passion for skiing and snowboarding into their first business, Base, right in town.

The shop opened up and specialised in streetwear, ski & snowboard outerwear and hardware. A small ski and snowboard rental unit, operated out the back. And the workshop operated out of the garage under the art centre.

And the small BASE crew of 8 went to work, doing everything in their power to make the shop a leader within the snow community.

The boys expanded their business and in winter 2003 Base Ultimate Rentals opened its doors across the road. With a whole new team working in rentals, the business was growing, and fast.

In 2005, Base entered the online market: now we were able to hook up skiers and snowboarders from all over NZ, and provide rental gear for holiday makers, globally.

2007, saw Base Ultimate Workshop move into the back of Base Ultimate Rentals, and its team no longer had to walk the (not-so) great distance between the shops.

In 2009, 'The Toy Room' and all its skis and snowboard hardware moved from the back of Base, and took up a new space to become its own store, Base 2. Our hardware specific store had opened.

Flash forward to present day and Base is still holding true to its roots, online and in store.

Our goal is for you to get the most out of your riding every day. Go well. Live large

BASE - Living it since 1999

Our People

Chris Walsh – Hey I'm Chris and some would say I know snow gear like the back of my hand, especially boards. I've been on the hill for 17yrs and at Base from inception which was in 1999. Most days over the winter you will see me shredding up at Treble Cone and a few of my fave overseas destination are Castle Mountain B.C Canada or Niseko Japan for POW. I'm a loyal 2300 crew shredder and something a little bit random about me that you may not have known, I love to paint and draw.

Brent Harridge (Brentski) – Yo! Yo! Yo! I'm Brent, resident ski nut with some sweet bottfitting skills. I've been snow sliding forever and at Base from day 1 with Chriso. Treble Cone is where it’s at, but given the chance I will be back in Tignes France in a heartbeat.  I'll be sliding around on Rossignol Super 7’s this winter. During the summer I'm tending to my vege patch, and all year round I love a good dress up party!

Matt McPhee – Hi I'm Matt and I've got a fair bit (okay a whole tonne) of  the tech knowledge on all winter products in store especially boards and optics. I also look after the website. I've been snowboarding for at least 12 years and have been with Base since 2000.  My mountain of choice is definitely Treble Cone and you'll probably catch me slashing some pow with Chriso. Places I love to ride overseas are,  Mt Baker in Washington but chest deep Niseko POW takes the cake. I have to admit I am a K2 & Lower fan. Keen to get up the mountain with the 2300 crew.  When I'm not working or snowboarding *WARNING NERD ALERT* I'm reading up on science and the latest tech developments.

  Daisy Richards –Whats up, I’m Daisy and I manage BASE the original! I get to do all the fashion buying and lots of the Snow Stuff too! I’ve been at Base since 2005 doing my time turning screws in the rental for a few season then it to the shop.  I’ve been shredding since I was 10, Treble Cone is my NZ mountain but you can’t beat a sick day up Glenshee back home in bonnie Scotland!  This year I’m sliding on a K2 Eco-Pop and some sort of bindings and Ride Sash boots (shhhh they are samples for 2011 so I’ll let you know how they go!) this year I’m representing Sessions and Burton with my Outerwear get up and I can’t get passed the Smith IO’s to protect my eyes love all the brands in the shop but Insight is tickling my fancy most for the mo! I love Pirates and I hate Sunglasses inside! Peace x

Jonny B – Hey there, I'm Jonny and I've been skiing for over 37 (million) years.  Skis and boots, well I may know them better than the back of my hand.  You'll find me up at Treble Cone if not at Base2, although I'd love to go back to Mammoth. I’ll be bombing lines at Treble Cone on Some Nordica Enforcers and Nordica HR Pro Boots with The Northface keeping him warm and dry. Call me sentimental but my favourite person to ski with is, my wife, Lucy. (altogether now, awwwwwwwww).

  Georgie Allen – Hey, I’m Georgie and I’m the resident marketing guru. I make the sweet ads you see in the local rags and all the instore signage. I’m a snowboarder at heart but dabble in a bit of skiing every now and again, I rock a Burton board when riding and some handmade Kingswoods when on skis. My favourite places to ride overseas are Park City, Utah and Gulmarg, Kashmir. Locally you will see me up   Cardies for park, TC for pow and Mt Olympus when I make it up to the clubbies. During summer I love to rockclimb and read books by the lake.

  Sarah Paterson – Hey guys my name is Sarah and I manage Base2 in the winter and South Beach in the summer. I do a lot of the ordering for the shops, I love seeing what is hot and coming up in fashion for on and off the mountain. I also am a serial shopaholic. I did my first season in Ohakune working at Turoa in 2007. I then moved on to Canada for a couple of years working at C.O.P and Cypress, now I find myself here in Wanaka. I ride everywhere Treble Cone, Snow Park and Cardrona. I’m riding the Ride OMG, K2 Affairs boots, and a sweet Burton pullover jacket and never forget my Mons Royale merino base layers.