The Best Affordable NZ Ski Holidays
By Emily Kennedy
Thanks to some major storms boosting average snow depths the ski season in New Zealand has been saved! So Jasons has done some extra digging to help reduce the avalanche of info that usually comes with planning a ski holiday.
Choose the right ski field for your trip: from Whakapapa’s self-contained beginners' slopes, to the natural half-pipes at Turoa, to the inexpensive and undiscovered club fields (no membership required). See where kids and “Super Seniors” (I think they mean “super” awesome, not “super” old) ski FREE all season and much more! Jasons compiled the stats on affordable ski holidays to help you find the right slopes, accommodation, and price for your ski holiday this winter
Mt Hutt - Great groomed runs and trails for all levels
At 2086m Mt Hutt has one of the largest vertical drops in the South Island and the greatest variety of terrain ranging from wide groomed runs to double-black-diamond chutes. Regarded as New Zealand's true high-country ski area, Mt Hutt has a laid back attitude and hospitality to match. There's a well-developed trail network suited to all snow lovers from novice to professional. Mt Hutt is just over an hour's drive from
Christchurch accommodation providers.
Deals - Mt Hutt is one of the few ski fields to offer a mid-week option, and their student pass is only $70. Don't forget children aged 6 years and under receive FREE day lift passesas well as Super Seniors aged 75+ and any participant of a qualifyingsnowsports program can get a Mt Hutt Season Pass at the EARLYBIRD SeasonPass rate (act quick, offer ends July 31st, 2011).
 |
Mt Hutt has groomed slopes and fun trails for everyone.
|
Cardrona - Keeps the beginners in your group happy
Cardrona's a great mountain, particularly if you're a beginner, or have a beginner in the group. Unique for its mountain apartments, Cardrona's central location means you can also take your pick of
Queenstown accommodation (58km),
Wanaka accommodation (34km) and
Arrowtown accommodation (37km).Cardrona is the largest ski area easily accessed from
Queenstown, and it's great for beginners, with its famous learners' slopes redeveloped to be larger and more accessible for the 2011 season thanks to a shiny new surface conveyor lift in addition to its beginner quad chairlift and some nice wide, scenic learner trails. It's also a favourite for families, with four Kids Centres, and two early childcare centres for your 3 months to 4 year-olds. It's also got an extensive terrain park, a range of beginner freestyle features and it
just opened it's new Valley View Quad.
Deals - For beginners, Cardrona's First Timer Package is a great deal! It includes a lift pass (for the learners' area), equipment, and two lessons for only $110. Considering an adult lift pass is $94, this is a real steal for beginners!
Coronet Peak - Cheap evening skiing and close to town
Coronet Peak is the ski field closest to
Queenstown (18 km), and finding
Queenstown accomodation is easy. Coronet Peak is renowned for its roller coaster terrain that connects a series of snowy bowls offering skiing and riding for all levels. The dedicated learner and novice area provides a confidence building environment with two surface conveyor lifts, beginner handle tow, double chairlift and has its own snowmaking system. It's an ideal ski vacation for everyone. There are great family programmes, like Skiwiland Early Learning Centre (for children from 3 months to 5 years), a variety of programmes for ages and stages up to 17 years, and of course a great party scene with events like this year’s first ever NZ Pacific Winter Games from 13 - 28 August, 2011!
Deals -Kids aged 6 and under and Super Seniors 75+ receive FREE day lift passes at Coronet Peak every day of the season. There's also a Night Skiing Lift Pass, Fri and Sat (4pm – 9pm), adults $49, youth/seniors $33 (that’s 5 hours of weekend skiing at half the price of a full day pass!).
 |
Coronet Peak offers night skiing at a discounted rate.
|
The Remarkables - Easy access with lots of sunny days
Wide open bowls, surrounded by the rugged peaks of The Remarkables mountain range on one of the highest ski fields in the country (1943m). The Remarkables offer a north facing sunny climate, so you'll get plenty of bluebird days. It's a ski vacation ideal for the complete family from beginners to advanced, with fantastic terrain parks, great snow, and even a tube for non-skiers or those just wanting a break. Located just across the valley from Coronet Peak. Snowline Express is just $5 return from
Queenstown Snow Centre, departs every 20 minutes and the Snowline offers hotel pick up ($25 per person return). Tip: Prebook by 9pm the night before to be sure you get a seat.
Deals- Regular return transport between the mountain and the Snow Centre is FREE when you buy a Remarkables full day or multiday lift pass or combo pack. Student passes are just $70, and kids aged 10 and under receive a FREE day lift pass as well as Super Seniors aged 75 and over.
 |
Lots of bluebird days in store at The Remarkables.
|
Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu has two slopes:
Whakapapa - Big, but busy
This is New Zealand’s biggest and busiest ski area. With a total skiable area of 550ha, and 43 runs ranging from beginner, to off-piste expert, it’s easy to see why Whakapapa is one of the big boys. Sixteen lifts access these runs, with a total uphill capacity of 26,710 skiers per hour! With so much terrain, there’s something for everyone: Happy Valley offers a self-contained area for beginners; the "east" side of the ski area is where you'll find most of the lifts and services for every skiing ability; the "west" (formally the National Downhill) has a cafeteria, quad chairlift and a T-Bar. And for the more advanced skier/border is "Black Magic", an off-piste area, with lift-accessed back country skiing. National Park village is just 20 minutes away. Check out
Turangi accommodation and
Ohakune accommodation nearby.
Turoa - An intermediate's and snowboarder's playground
Located on the south-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu, Turoa provides that big mountain feel, but without the crowds you might find at Whakapapa. Intermediate skiers that enjoy groomed runs will love Turoa, as well as snowboarders searching for a fun half-pipe and advanced skiers and boarders looking for some uncrowded off-piste areas. Turoa also has an area for beginners that is purpose-built and separate from the main slopes, but the real draw is its array of groomed trails, natural half-pipes and three huge off-piste areas, including the Mangahuehue glacier (but always check with ski patrol before heading that way).
Deals - Mt Ruapehu's
Multi-day passes are where the real value is at. If you can get away Sat-Mon, go to Ruapehu for its Long-Weekend Pass bringing the cost down to just $76/day (a $19 savings on the usual lift pass price).
Club Ski Fields - The "truly affordable" NZ slopes
“Those looking for a truly affordable New Zealand ski experience should consider bypassing the marquee resorts in favor of a visit to the club ski fields,” says Marc Guido, Editor of
First Tracks!! Online. Club ski fields are run by members of the “club,” usually residents of the surrounding areas, but contrary to rumors, skiers don’t have to be a club member to visit these mountains (although members do receive some sweet perks). You probably won’t find luxurious facilities or the latest lift technology, but you will find economical lift passes and friendly club members, just the ingredients to make for a great holiday!
Broken River
Some of NZ’s best off-piste skiing and snowboarding can be found at Broken River (so can the cheeky Kea, the world's only alpine parrot). There’s terrain for all levels of skiers and riders, on-mountain accommodation (although, not necessarily five-star), spacious powder basins and fun chutes, and – as with most club ski fields – a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
Mt Olympus
Mt Olympus is a club field with over 60 hectares of off-piste terrain. It’s ideal for those who enjoy the backcountry. The "Top Hutt" offers a fantastic après-ski option for the lucky few who manage to book a bunk, complete with a hot tub overlooking the slopes! But don’t worry,
Christchurch is only a two-hour drive away.
