Skiing in New Zealand
We've put together a rundown of some of the country's most popular ski spots to help you plan the perfect winter break. Conditions can be variable so make sure you check current snow and weather forecasts before you head for your holiday destination, and take chains if required.
Click here for the latest snow forecasts
Click here for opening dates for all ski areas
North Island
Mount Ruapehu -
Whakapapa and
Turoa
At the heart of World Heritage-listed
Tongariro National Park, Mount Ruapehu is home to
Whakapapa and
Turoa ski areas, the country's largest skiing and snowboarding area. The Mount Ruapehu lift pass provides access to both ski areas. Tackle the Moro halfpipe at Whakapapa, or coast down Australasia’s longest vertical run at Turoa – 722m. Facilities include the high-speed High Noon Express chairlift at Turoa. The biggest in Australasia at 1.4km long, it whisks 3200 people an hour up the mountain. Beginners have their own dedicated area at Whakapapa's Happy Valley and Turoa's Alpine Meadow, and there are dedicated freestyle terrain parks at both fields. The new Knoll Ridge Café, on the Whakapapa ski field, is due to open for the 2010 season. The Knoll Ridge facilities, which have been rebuilt after the February 2009 fire, are 50m downhill from the old site, with stunning views across the ski field. There are daily shuttle services to Mount Ruapehu to/from
Ohakune and
Whakapapa Village.
Fact File:
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Season: Late June to mid-November
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Due to Open: Whakapapa on 26 June, Turoa 19 June
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Hours: 8.30am-4pm (Whakapapa) / 9am-4pm (Turoa)
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Skiable area: 550ha (Whakapapa) / 500ha (Turoa)
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Highest lift: 2300m (Whakapapa) / 2333m (Turoa)
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Longest run: 4km
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Terrain: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 25%
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Snowmaking: Yes
Getting There
Mountain Statistics
Lift Pass rates
Events Calendar
www.mtruapehu.com
South Island
Wanaka (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Treble Cone, Snow Farm NZ, Snow Park NZ)
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Handy to both
Wanaka and
Queenstown, Cardrona Alpine Resort is renowned for its open runs and dry, soft snow. The season runs until mid October, giving you plenty of chance to polish your skills. There are three wide basins offering great learner and snow boarding terrain. Highlights include the Zealand's longest terrain park, with some fun jumps and rail features. The racing terrain in Arcadia Basin will suit the more advanced skiers and boarders. New in 2010 is a fourth quad chairlift - The Valley View - which will open up more intermediate and advanced terrain from the Whitestar Express down to Speed Straight, boosting the resort's skiable area to 345 hectares. Cardona is also set to unveil Australasia’s first internationally-certified downhill course. The FIS-certified ‘Goldrush’ course is phase one of a NZ$3m upgrade that will add 150 hectares of new slopes. The Burton Open Series also returns to Cardrona for 2010. There are daily shuttle services to/from
Wanaka and
Queenstown.
Fact File:
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Season: Mid June to mid October
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Due to Open: 26 June
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Hours: 9am-4pm daily
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Skiable area: 345ha
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Highest lift: 2310m
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Longest run: 1.8km
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Terrain: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 25%
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Snowmaking: Yes
Getting There
Mountain Statistics
Lift Pass rates
Events Calendar
Treble Cone
The perfect pick if you want to ski or board with a view, Treble Cone looks right across Lake
Wanaka to Treble Cone. At 550 hectares, it’s the largest ski area in the South Island and a favourite with experienced skiers and boarders. The resort has the best vertical skiing in the Southern Lakes area. You’ll find plenty of challenging runs (45% of the terrain is classified as advanced) including free-riding terrain for snowboarders and great off-piste powder skiing. Treble Cone is renowned for its natural pipes and terrain features. New for 2010 are two permanent tabletop sites in the upper main basin and saddle areas, and a permanent Big Air kicker for the Main Basin. The site will provide a spectacular venue for international standard Big Air competition, overlooking the famous Treble Cone view. The 2010 season also sees a a new hi-resolution webcam that will enable skiers and boarders to check out the conditions at the top and in the Saddle, from the comfort of the cafe. Free Mountain Tours are available from 2 July for skiers and riders who are new to Treble Cone. Tours start at 11am and 1.45pm and run for 90mins. There are daily shuttle services to/from
Wanaka and
Queenstown.
Fact File:
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Season: Late June to late September
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Due to Open: 24 June
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Hours: 9am-4pm
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Skiable area: 550ha
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Highest Lift: 1960m
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Longest run: 4km
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Terrain: Beginner 10%; Intermediate 45%, Advanced 45%
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Snowmaking: Yes
Getting There
Mountain Statistics
Lift Pass rates
Events Calendar
Snow Farm NZ
Located in the Cardrona Valley, 35km from
Wanaka, New Zealand's only cross country ski resort caters for all levels. There are 55km of well groomed and fenced trails with stunning mountain views. Snow Farm is also a gateway to back country skiing on the Pisa Range. The resort has a restaurant and bar, and an Alpine Lodge that accommodates up to 60 guests. A dedicated novice park helps riders progress into the freestyle world of skiing and snowboarding, and a sprint track leaves from, and returns to, the lodge. Night riding and skiing is available, along with tubing, sledding and snowshoeing.
Snow Farm NZ will host the 2010 Masters Games. There is a daily shuttle service to/from
Wanaka.
Fact File:
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Season: July to end of September
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Due to Open: 3 July
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Skiable area: 55km of cross-country ski trails
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Highest Point: 1650 metres
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Skiable area: 550ha
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Longest run: 14km
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Terrain: Beginner 50%; Intermediate 40%; Advanced 10%
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Snowmaking: Yes
Getting There
Trail Descriptions
Day Passes
Events
Snow Park NZ
Tucked away in the stunning Pisa Range of the Southern Alps, just a 35 minute drive from
Wanaka, Snow Park NZ is a favourite for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. Freestylers can enjoy a superpipe cut to 22ft World Cup standards, NZ’s only permanent quarterpipe, the infamous triple jump line and a massive selection of over 40 rails, hits and jumps. New for 2010 is the 22ft Halfpipe that can be made of 100% man made snow, ensuring it can open early regardless of natural snowfall. Night riding is available until 9pm on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Snow Park will be hosting the FIS Junior World Championships Snowboard Slopestyle and Skiing Slopestyle in August 2010.
Fact File:
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Season: Late June to early September
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Due to Open: 26 June
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Hours: 9am-4pm daily
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Skiable area: 60 acres
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Elevation: 1530m
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Snowmaking: Yes - 100%
Getting There
Terrain Features
Day Passes
Season pass
Events Calendar
Queenstown (Coronet Peak & The Remarkables Ski Areas)
Coronet Peak Ski Area
Just a half-hour drive from
Queenstown, Coronet Peak's 280 hectares of wide rolling terrain is especially popular with families. A roller coaster series of interconnected bowls provide exhilarating skiing and riding for all levels, and the Terrain Park has some fun jumps, tabletops and banks to test your boarding technique. There is a dedicated race training area at Rocky Gulley. During late June and early July, Coronet Peak plays host to some wild and wacky snow sports and races as part of the annual
Queenstown Winter Festival. There will be more fun for novice skiers and riders on the slopes this winter thanks to an upgrade of the 'Big Easy' novice area, which includes a new, state-of-the-art quad chairlift. The express chairlift is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, with new safety features that include an automated loading carpet and safety bar, and a ‘kid stop’ mechanism. This year Coronet Peak will host the inaugural New Zealand Pacific Winter Games. There are daily shuttle services to/from
Queenstown.
Fact File:
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Season: Early June to early October
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Due to Open: 5 June
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Hours: 9am-4pm daily
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Skiable area: 280ha
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Highest Lift: 1649m
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Longest Run: 2.4km
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Terrain: Beginner 20%; Intermediate 45%, Advanced 35%
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Night Skiing: Fri-Sat nights to 9pm, July-Sept (weather permitting)
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Snowmaking: Yes - extensive coverage
Getting There
Mountain Statistics
Lift Passes
Season pass (includes Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt snow fields)
Events Calendar
The Remarkables Ski Area
Framed by the towering peaks of The Remarkables range, and with a sunny north-facing aspect, this family friendly alpine ski area enjoys a reputation for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The Remarkables Ski Area has varied, open field with something for everyone, from gentle runs to challenging chutes. The great network of terrain parks includes a dedicated beginner/novice park, the world-class Dirty Dog Terrain Park and the Southern Hemisphere's first Stash, a signature Burton park. Lift served and hikeable terrain provides some challenging excitement for free skiers and riders, or enjoy some fun at the purpose built Ozone Tubing Park. New for 2010 is New Zealand’s first microchip ID system, which will electronically scan lift passes through clothing as skiers and boarders pass through the specially designed gates. The base building also has new dining facilities and furniture. There are daily shuttle services to/from
Queenstown.
Fact File:
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Season: late June to early October
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Due to Open: 19 June
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Hours: 9am-4pm
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Skiable area: 220ha
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Elevation: 1943m
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Longest Run: 1.5km
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Terrain: Beginner 30%; Intermediate 40%, Advanced 30%
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Night Skiing: Fri-Sat nights to 9pm, July-Sept (weather permitting)
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Snowmaking: Yes (Alta Green trail and Ozone Tubing Park)
Getting There
Mountain Statistics
Season pass (includes Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt snow fields)
Events Calendar
Canterbury
Mt Hutt Ski Area
Overlooking the vast
Canterbury Plains, in the heart of the Southern Alps, Mount Hutt Ski Area boasts the longest ski season in the Southern Hemisphere and some of the driest powder. At 2086m, Mt Hutt also has one of the largest vertical drops in the South Island. The well developed trail network covers all levels, with long super wide groomed runs for the learners and challenging chutes for pro racers and riders. A highlight for for more advanced skiers and boarders are the adrenalin-inducing double black diamond runs on the south face. There is a dedicated novice park for snowboarders, and daily shuttle services to/from
Methven and
Christchurch.
Fact File:
- Season: June to October
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Due to Open: 12 June
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Hours: 9am-4pm
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Skiable area: 365ha
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Elevation: 2086m
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Longest Run: 2km
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Terrain: Beginner 25%; Intermediate 50%, Advanced 25%
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Snowmaking: Yes
Getting There
Mountain Statistics
Season pass (includes Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt snow fields)
Events Calendar
Accommodation and travel information
If you’re looking for handy accommodation close to the mountain, or a great deal on your rental car or mobile home, why not save time and book online? Check out our info on:
Handy Ski and Snowboard Info:
