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).

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.

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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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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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.