Ski & Alpine

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Ski & Alpine

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New Zealand Skiing & Snowboarding

Skiing

New Zealand is home to 14 commercial and 10 club ski areas, and contrary to popular belief it’s not just Queenstown and Wanaka that are snow sport playgrounds! You’ll find world-class on and off-piste terrain all over New Zealand – from high profile Queenstown and Wanaka, to Mt Cook Mackenzie, Canterbury, Nelson, Taranaki and the North Island’s Central Plateau. Almost anywhere you are located in New Zealand you will find a ski field close by!

Queenstown & Wanaka
Renowned as the places to ski in New Zealand, Queenstown and Wanaka have definitely earned their ski resort reputations! In Queenstown you will find world-class ski areas Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, and the town itself is known for its Aspen-like ski resort style. Wanaka is less show and more snow – with Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snow Park and Snow Farm all located here. Heli-skiing is also operated in the Mt Aspiring area by Backcountry Helicopters and Alpine Heliski.

Mt Cook Mackenzie
The Mt Cook Mackenzie region is dominated by the towering Southern Alps and, not surprisingly, is home to a number of heli-skiing operations. Harris Mountains Heli-Ski, HeliPark New Zealand and Ski the Tasman all offer backcountry heli-skiing for the ultimate fresh-track experience! Commercial fields operating in Mt Cook Mackenzie are Ohau, Roundhill and Mt Dobson, whilst the smaller (but seriously uncrowded!) club field is Fox Peak.

Canterbury & Nelson
Canterbury is home to the largest number of commercial and club fields in New Zealand. The Southern Alps provide unlimited options for on and off-piste riding, whether you hit the commercial fields, your favourite club field, or venture off on some backcountry fun.

The commercial fields in Canterbury are Mt Hutt, Porters and Mt Lyford. Club fields in the Canterbury region are very popular and you can take your pick between Hanmer Springs, Temple Basin, Craigieburn, Broken River, Mt Cheeseman or Mt Olympus. Typically you will find club fields have limited facilities and rope tows, but are much less crowded with a friendlier “family” atmosphere.

Backcountry and heli-skiing is also popular in Canterbury, with Methven Heliski and Wilderness Heliski providing heli-skiing trips in the Canterbury highcountry.

You might not realise it, but Nelson is also home to one commercial ski area – Rainbow. Rainbow is located close to St Arnaud, in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Taranaki and Central Plateau
Not to be outdone by its southern counterpart, the North Island is home to some of New Zealand’s finest skiing. The largest commercial fields are Whakapapa and Turoa – located on Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano. These fields offer world-class commercial facilities and plenty of après-ski fun. Club fields in the area are Tukino (on Ruapehu’s eastern face) and Manganui on Mt Taranaki.

North Island - Ski & Alpine