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New Zealand ski resorts are world class.
There are a range of New Zealand ski resorts spread over the North and South Islands.
Home to a wide variety of commercial and club ski fields, New Zealand
has something to offer skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, with
many of them on organized
ski tours.
Here is some information on the most popular ones.
South Island
The South Island resorts are located in three main areas, Canterbury
(Mt. Hutt near Methven), Queenstown (Coronet Peak and The Remarkables),
and Wanaka (Cardrona and Treble Cone).
You can check out our range of South Island snow tours
here.
North Island
The two main ski resorts on the North Island are Turoa and Whakapapa,
both located on Mt. Ruapehu. These resorts are serviced by several towns
such as Ohakune and Raetihi (20-30 minutes from Turoa) and Whakapapa
Village and National Park Village (10-20 minutes from Whakapapa). The
larger centre of Taupo is around 1 hour from Whakapapa and around 2
hours from Turoa.
View North Island ski tours
here.
A Note About Accommodation
There is no on-mountain accommodation in New Zealand, but fear not! The
New Zealand ski resorts detailed on this page are all within around 30
minutes drive from their associated resort towns.
Mt. Hutt (and service centre Methven)
Mt. Hutt is located high in the Southern Alps.
Offering 365 skiable
hectares, Mt. Hutt offers some of the lightest and driest powder available.
Mt. Hutt provides thrills for beginners and experts alike. There are
lots of adrenalin charged runs on the South Face, giving extreme skiers
and boarders a wide range of challenges. Wide open runs allow easy
conditions for beginners with plenty of scope for you to develop your
skills.
When conditions allow, back country skiing is available down North Peak. A helicopter drops you back at the car park.
Methven, the service town for Mt. Hutt, is located near the western edge
of the Canterbury Plains, around 35 kilometres north of Ashburton. It's
a rural service town for most of the year, but turns party town in
winter. The Mt. Hutt ski field is about 30 minutes from Methven. Methven
has a range of cafes, bars, restaurants and accommodation. Methven has a
permanent population of around 1,500.
For all you Lord of the Rings fans, Methven was a base for the cast and crew during filming of Edoras (located further inland).
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables (and service centre Queenstown)
Coronet Peak has amazing views over
Queenstown
and the stunning Lake
Wakatipu.
As the oldest and most developed ski area on New Zealand's South Island,
Coronet Peak has a huge range of runs, with something to suit everyone.
A wide, sun drenched field, it reaches out across a broad mountain. On
field facilities are amongst the best in New Zealand, and Coronet Peak
is designed so that you can make the most of your available on-mountain
time.
Dedicated slopes are available for beginners, and for those with more
experience, the long, expansive trails offer lots of choice. The
vertical off the express quad and the rolling terrain with heaps of
drops and dips gives lots of variety, so that there is never a dull
moment.
Coronet Peak offers boarders a natural terrain park, with a seemingly endless range of powder stashes and hits.
Coronet Peak also offers New Zealand's only night skiing on selected nights.
The Remarkables is one of the most popular New Zealand ski resorts.
Spectacular views, powder snow, and broad open runs. That's what The Remarkables are famous for.
Here you will experience terrain like never before, and for those
willing enough, you will discover some of the best off-piste runs in New
Zealand.
Set in a huge natural basin high in the ranges at the eastern end of
Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables offer a long and reliable ski season,
bathed in sun thanks to its north facing aspect.
At 1935 metres, the Remarables are the highest ski field in Queenstown,
and offer something for skiers of all levels. The Homeward Bound sweep
is one of the most spectacular runs in New Zealand and should be top of
your list.
If you are a learner looking for a New Zealand ski resort, then the
Remarkables is the place for you. A great place for learners, the
Remarkables has a series of sheltered bowls, all with chairlift access.
Around 75% of the slopes are classified as beginner to intermediate. But
for those with more experience, there are various challenging off-piste
runs.
A new international standard Super Pipe, measuring 150m long by 22m
wide, gives advanced riders and skiers plenty of thrills, and is three
times the size of the current Sugar Bowl Basin terrain park. An expanded
Xbox Terrain and Rail Park add to the allure of this great field, and
make it one of the favourite New Zealand ski resorts.
Queenstown is the service centre for the New Zealand ski resorts of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.
It is a thriving, bustling town of around
15,000, and is often referred to as the "Adventure Capital" of New
Zealand. Dedicated to the tourism industry, Queenstown has an enormous
variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and accommodation.
Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and surrounded by towering snow
covered mountains, Queenstown is a spectacular location, particularly in
winter.
But Queenstown is not just another one of New Zealand ski resorts. Such
is the variety of activities in and around Queenstown, it can truly be
considered a year round destination.
For more information on the magic of Queenstown, have a look at our
Queenstown activities page.
Treble Cone and Cardrona (and their service town Wanaka)
Cardrona is one of the most
popular New Zealand ski resorts. 320 hectares of spacious trails, steep
chutes and amazing terrain parks mean that there is something for
everyone at Cardrona.
An abundance of chair lifts give easy access and queues are seldom a
problem. Three large basins provide room aplenty for skiers and
snowboarders of all skill levels. Cardrona's on-mountain facilities are
comprehensive, with numerous cafes, a hire shop and a general store.
Cardrona hosts more than 20 national and international events each year.
If amazing alpine views are important, then Treble Cone is the place for you.
It's position in the Southern Alps guarantees unbelievable views across Wanaka.
As the largest ski area on New Zealand's South Island, Treble Cone has a
great range of thrilling snowboarding and skiing options. Three huge
basins offer trails for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities and
ages. A dedicated learner area and lengthy, manicured trails will
satisfy the beginner and intermediate skier. And for those with more
experience, a selection of half pipes, advanced runs and ungroomed
powder will put a smile on their face.
With New Zealand's fastest quad chairlift, Treble Cone gives you more
runs per day than any other field in New Zealand. The saddle quad
chairlift, gives you the highest lift-accessed trails, the longest
groomed intermediate runs, and also the highest vertical drop anywhere
on the South Island.
Famous for an abundance of dry powder, an average annual snowfall of 5.5
metres, and an average maximum snow depth of 3.25 metres, Treble Cone
offers a reliable, lengthy season.
The stunning lakeside town of Wanaka is the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, the township has numerous accommodation
options. A wide range of motels, apartments and hostels allows something for all budgets.
The township is also home to an extensive range of cafes, restaurants, and bars. Many of these offer views over the lake.
Mt Ruapehu (Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields)
Mt. Ruapehu
is an active volcano located within the Tongariro National Park, on New
Zealand's North Island. Two commercial ski fields are located on its
slopes. Whakapapa is located on the northern side and Turoa is located
on the southern side.
With the highest lift-accessed snow sport terrain of any New Zealand ski
resort, and the longest vertical drop in Australasia, Mt Ruapehu is a
special place.
Pronounced Faka-papa,
Whakapapa is well known for first class beginner facilities. It also
boasts around 30 groomed trails, plus a wide range of off-piste ski and
snowboarding runs for advanced and intermediate skiers and boarders.
Whakapapa has a double black diamond, lift accessed backcountry area
(the pinnacles) which is used for extreme snowboarding and skiing
competitions.
New Zealand's best Terrain Park
is located at Turoa. It also holds
the honor of having Australasia's longest vertical drop, plus the highest lift in New Zealand.
Turoa's beginner area (Alpine Meadow) is located separately to the main area, giving beginners a safe place in which to learn.
Experienced snowboarders and skiers are well catered for with a
wonderful range of terrain. Gullies, cliffs, open trails. It's all
there. And for those looking for off-piste action, Turoa's two
lift-accessed areas provide the perfect challenge.
Mt. Ruapehu provides skiers and snowboarders with some of the best conditions available at New Zealand ski resorts.
The Whakapapa and Turoa resorts are serviced by several towns such as
Ohakune and Raetihi (20-30 minutes from Turoa) and Whakapapa Village and
National Park Village (10-20 minutes from Whakapapa). The larger centre
of Taupo is around 1 hour from Whakapapa and around 2 hours from Turoa.
Ohakune has developed into a thriving township and has a large range of cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and accommodation.
Whakapapa Village, National Park Village, and Raetihi all have a range of restaurants, bars, shops and accommodation.
Taupo is a larger service centre for North Island New Zealand ski resorts, with a wider range of facilities and accommodation.
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Escorted Snow Packages |
7 Day South Island Snow Safari Tour
From $1,799 NZD
Come and join us as we take you to 6 of the South Island's best ski fields. Mt Hutt, Ohau, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are all on the itinerary for our adrenalin charged South Island adventure.
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What's Included? When you join us, we take the stress out of your week. Everything is provided to make sure that you can just relax and do what you came here for, have fun;
Accommodation Upgrades
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 Optional Activities for your spare day On day five, you are free to enjoy the magic of Queenstown. It's the ideal opportunity to indulge in one or more of these great optional extras:
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12 Day South Island Snow Odyssey
From $2,999 NZD
If you're looking to get away from the major ski fields, then this is the trip for you, as we take you to a variety of the South Island's smaller boutique fields.
You will love places like Broken River, Craigeburn and Temple Basin.
Come and join us on this action packed adventure!
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What's Included? Your tour cost includes an amazing nine full day ski passes, for eight different ski fields:
Accommodation Upgrades
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 Optional activities available
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7 Day Ultimate Heli Tour
From $5,999 NZD
This could very well be New Zealand's best Heli Ski adventure!
Covering seven days and three different mountain ranges, your adventure takes you well away from the commercial runs to some serious back country.
If you're looking for some of the deepest and longest heli runs this side of the equator, then this is the tour for you!
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What's Included? We've packed a lot into this tour so that you are free to just hit the slopes:
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 Optional Extras
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Build your own Self Drive Snow Package |
New Zealand's stunning terrain is home to many world class ski fields. From the North Island's volcanic peaks to the South Island's feature packed resorts, New Zealand has something for skiers and boarders of all skill levels.
We can build you the perfect snow package focusing on your exact
needs, and can include lift passes, gear hire, car hire, accommodation
and even selected activities. You tell us!
Just fill out and submit the Enquiry Form and we will be in touch.
This Qualmark Endorsed company has built a reputation for providing
quality ski and snowboarding tours throughout New Zealand. They can
provide guided tours as well as self drive tours, and can build a tour
of New Zealand ski resorts to perfectly suit your needs.
Just Click on the banner to view their great range of snow adventures.
Click on the following link for a comprehensive list of
New Zealand Ski Resorts.
Check New Zealand Ski Resorts Conditions Live
To check current snow conditions at your favorite resort, visit the Mountainwatch site.