Best Skiing In New Zealand

Wild Adventure In Winter

One way to describe the best skiing in New Zealand is to say “In winter!” There are a number of excellent ski resorts and ski areas across both islands. Each island has their own charm and attraction for visitors. South Island has the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, and the skiing is arguably, some of the most exciting and thrilling. North Island has Mt. Ruapehu, which is a large active volcano found on the central plains of the island. The slopes and ski areas of Mt. Ruapehu are perfect, if you a learning how to ski. Or if you are looking for a relaxing vacation filled with plenty of apres ski activities and some gentle slopes.


Action Adventure

If you are looking for thrills (and some spills!), then you must head into Queenstown for some of the best skiing in New Zealand. Queenstown is a magnet for people who enjoy extreme sports, all year round. In the summer it is hiking, white water rafting and bungee jumping. In the winter though, this area comes into its own, offering the serious skier some of the most exciting ski runs in the world. There are a number of top class resorts and ski areas in Queenstown. You’ll be hard pressed to decide on which ski run you’re going to do each day. There are easy flights directly into Queenstown, from Australia. As soon as you touch down, you will be in a winter wonderland of towering snow capped peaks and ski slopes that were just made for action.


Remarkable Remarkables

Some of the best skiing in New Zealand is found in the Remarkables, which is about 45 minutes drive from Queenstown. This is a family centered area and has been designed with the abilities of everyone in the family in mind. Beginners find that the ski schools in The Remarkables are the best place to learn how to ski. After the ski lessons, you’ll soon be moving on from the gentle slopes of the beginner’s area to more challenging ski runs. The Remarkables, is a family resort and has lots for the little ones to do. The kid’s center caters for all ages; from three months to seventeen years old. There are a wide range of activities under supervision, so parents can get in a really great day on the slopes, knowing that their children are safe and having fun. The Remarkables are known for the excellent snow every year. The season opens each June, as soon as the first snow has falls.

Coronet Peak is in the same region and this is where the serious winter sports enthusiasts head each year, for some of the best skiing in New Zealand. This is the closest ski area to Queenstown and it is where the locals head to get their daily dose of adventure and excitement. It is not uncommon to see early morning skiers take to the slopes for a good work out, before heading in to Queenstown for work. The area is dedicated to skiing and when the snow is right you have to get out there and ski, no matter what time it is. Friday and Saturday nights are a treat with floodlit nighttime skiing down Coronet Peak.


Lake Wanaka

South island has so much to offer people who are looking for a world class ski vacation that has so much more to offer, than the slopes of Europe. New Zealand is an adventure holiday zone that comes to life in winter. Lake Wanaka is a winter vacation destination that combines ski action, with the laid back hospitality of New Zealand. Lake Wanaka is found high in the Crown Range of mountains and the area boasts four of the best ski resorts in the world. Treble Cone being the largest ski area in the Southern Hemisphere, with some of the most exciting ski runs in New Zealand. When you’ve spent enough time on the slopes, then you can go relax on the large heated deck and marvel over the spectacular views Lake Wanaka has to offer at sunset.

If you’re looking for something a little more urban, you can find great ski runs and a vibrant apres ski nightlife in the cities of Christchurch and Canterbury, both on South island. It’s a world of snow, sun and ski action, when you book a vacation in New Zealand. This is a pristine and untouched country with some of the world’s most phenomenal scenic wonders and a natural heritage, that will have you coming back every year for more.