With the travel bubble in between Australia and New Zealand now in place, there has never been a better time to take that NZ ski holiday you’ve been dreaming about. The most difficult part of organizing such a trip can be choosing one amazing ski field or one of many New Zealand ski deals over another, so to help you along in this process, we’ve put together a summary of each major locale’s best features; enjoy!
If you’re looking for a great all-rounder resort that has easy access to Queenstown, Cardrona should be at the top of your list. Located approximately one hour from Wanaka as well, the drive can be a little tricky, so you may want to take advantage of the many shuttles traveling here. Upon arrival, you will be pleased to find outstanding views, varied terrain, and well-developed infrastructure. The only drawback of all these advantages is that Cardrona can get crowded, especially on the weekends of course.
The best solution if crowding is not your thing, is to choose a large ski field. Treble Cone fits this bill, as the largest in New Zealand’s south island. What’s more, it features a wide selection of trails, with approximately half for begginners and as much for experts. Treble Cone is also conveniently placed in between Queenstown and Wanaka, and receives NZ’s highest yearly snowfall. Shockingly beautiful views are the cherry on top that make this destination a ski holiday classic.
If teaching your kids how to ski is the goal, then the Remarkables may be your best option. While it is a smaller field, it’s runs are wide and easy for beginners. Another huge advantage of the Remarkables is that it is the closes ski field to Queenstown. No one locale is perfect however, and one drawback here is the expensive lift tickets, even though we feel they are well worth the value.
Maybe you’re an altitude addict! If so, then Mt Hutt is the NZ ski destination for you. It’s great height means that there are always great snow conditions during season, and that such even last’s well into New Zealand spring. The town of Methven is roughly thirty minutes away and has perfect accommodation options. Young children get to ski Mt Hutt for free, so this is another great place for the whole family. Due to it’s size, Mount Hutt features terrain for all levels of skiers, from large areas for starters, to black diamonds for the veterans.
For some of us however, it’s all about seclusion, and privacy is just as important as amenities. Thankfully New Zealand has many less popular but still outstanding ski fields if this is your objective. One of them is Broken River, which has no large crowds and thus, great powder. Here, you will meet up with friendly locals and steer clear of the sometimes touristy vibe of other locales.
While the large quantity of NZ ski options can make choosing just one a hard task, we trust that the above summaries have opened your eyes to each field’s main advantages. Whichever you select, be assured that New Zealand is guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable snow holiday experience.