New Zealand boasts some of the most breathtaking skiing opportunities in the world, and is just a short flight away. Expect postcard views at every ski turn, alpine peaks, crystal clear lakes and resort towns jam-packed with Kiwi hospitality. The ski season in New Zealand opens in June and runs until the end of September, sometimes even into October! Here are our top four places to visit…
The Remarkables, Queenstown, New Zealand
Just 45 minutes’ drive from central Queenstown, The Remarkables are one of the most photographed mountain ranges in the world and the ski field is known for their friendly atmosphere, high altitude and north-facing sunny slopes. There’s something for everyone – plenty of space for beginners, dedicated freestyle areas, incredible big mountain possibilities and some of the best alpine views in the world.
The Remarkables ski field, or “Remarks” as the locals call it, has carved itself a niche in the freestylers market. The terrain parks and halfpipe are very impressive, and the Burton Stash Park adds to the variety of opportunities for shredders.
Opening day 20 June
Cardrona, Wanaka, New Zealand
Cardrona is renowned for being New Zealand’s fun and friendly mountain and a natural choice for families, beginners and intermediates. Thanks to its high elevation and south facing location, at Cardrona the snow is dry and plentiful.
Cardrona is located in the Crown Range only 35 minutes from Wanaka and is the second largest ski area in the Queenstown-Wanaka region. With consistently good weather and reliable snow conditions, Cardrona is spread across three main valleys, and home to the Southern Hemisphere’s most extensive terrain parks.
Opening day 13 June
Mt Hutt, Canterbury, New Zealand
Mt Hutt is Canterbury’s own “big mountain”. With an altitude of 2086m and a skiable area of 365 hectares, Mt Hutt has one of the longest vertical drops in the South Island and the greatest variety of terrain. It also comes with spectacular views – on a clear day from the summit you can see the Pacific Ocean in one direction and into the heart of the Southern Alps in the other.
Mt Hutt is just a 35-minute drive from Methven Village, and 1.5 hours from Christchurch. Great natural snow is captured in its south-facing basin and when combined with the 75 snow guns, Mt Hutt consistently has one of the longest snow seasons in the South Island.
Opening day 13 June
Whakapapa, Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand
Whakapapa ski field sits on the north-western slopes of Mount Ruapehu and is approximately half way between Auckland and Wellington. It is New Zealand’s largest ski field with over 65 trails to discover, ranging from beginner and intermediate to extreme.
The Ruapehu region is also a haven for hikers. New Zealand’s nine Great Walks are premier tracks that pass through diverse and spectacular scenery – from native forests, lakes and rivers to rugged mountain peaks, deep gorges and vast valleys. Crisp sunny days, frosted landscapes, cosy hut fires, deliciously warm hot pools, sizzling comfort food and the thrill of shared adventure are all highlights of winter hiking here.
Opening day 27 June
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