In giant slalom, competitors make two timed runs down a long course with a vertical drop of 210m, doing a series of long, high-speed turns. "The Vodafone Giant Slalom had some of the most talented competitors ever seen at this level, with a very strong team from Japan giving the locals a good run for their money" says John Bache , NZSBA President.

In the Senior Men's section, defending champion Greg Prouse of Auckland looked set for some full-on competition from Southern Lakes residents John Shelley, Martin Sporli and Thomas Jones. Unfortunately Jones fell in his first run, so it came down to a tussle between the other three and the super-strong contingent from overseas. Japan's Asami Hashimoto, Tomoki Goto , and Kei Iida took out the first three places, with Greg Prouse eventually winning the battle of the kiwis by finishing in fourth place.

In the Senior Women's division, the traditional three-way battle between Olympian Pamela Bell, Lee O'Connor , and defending champ Louisa Muir didn't eventuate, with both Bell and Muir forced out by injury. This field was also dominated by overseas snowboarders with the first four places taken by Japanese riders, and Lee O'Connor the first kiwi, finishing in fifth place.