Originally Posted by
number_6
As for renting a mini-van to drive mid-winter in a rain forest when not familiar with winter driving -- and it is 100 miles between gas stations -- draw your own conclusions. Snow can happen anywhere (and christchurch was shut down for several days one winter), but generally the east coast is dry and winter driving is not a problem. I've driven to the glaciers in November and got caught in a huge storm, luckily rain. Really fierce weather. My guide on the glacier walk had stories of being trapped for up to 2 weeks when storms hit. It is genuine wilderness (hence its charm). Prepare accordingly.
This is the information I need! We are quite flexible as to where we visit, and are well aware that the weather can be unpredictable (I grew up in New England, and am thus familiar with a changeable climate!) Although we would love to see the west coast, we are sensible, and will play it safe or plan alternate routes. We wish the trip could have been any other time of the year, but that wasn't possible. Clearly, we will see wonderful scenery no matter what part of the south island we visit.