We Compare the best of NZ ski fields for your next trip
Which are the BEST Ski Fields to visit in New Zealand during your 2020 winter?
When planning your 2020 Ski trip, your first decision may be whether to ski the North Island or the South Island. With many ski fieds in each to choose from, we compare which slope might be best for your ski ability and style. From beginners to advanced skiers and snow boarders, or maybe for your first family ski escape.
When planning your 2020 Ski trip, your first decision may be whether to ski the North Island or the South Island. With many ski fieds in each to choose from, we compare which slope might be best for your ski ability and style. From beginners to advanced skiers and snow boarders, or maybe for your first family ski escape.
North Island
- Whakapapa Ski Field has spectacular views of Tongariro National Park, extensive beginner and intermediate runs and facilities. They also offer night skiing and with NZ's longest ski season (early June - late October), there is more snow for more runs day and night.
- Turoa is one of NZ’s largest ski areas with the nation’s longest vertical drop at 722m. The High Noon Express' 6 seater chairlift reaches the highest lifted point in New Zealand where you'll enjoy panoramic views of North Island. This field is perfect for intermediate to advance skiers with plenty of gullies, drops, natural hits, wide trails & world class terrain.
South Islands
Possibly the more famous of the ski fields are located in New Zealand's South Island and there is something for every type of skiier.
This is something else for those of you that have experienced the joy of skiing groomed runs with the convenience of chairlifts and coffee shops and want something a little more. Then Heli skiing the Southern Alps in your very own winter playground may be the next ultimate upgrade. Being dropped onto the perfect powder on top an untouched mountain where you follow these expert ski instructors down some of the more beautiful pristine runs that last half a day. This is definitely not for your beginner or green intermediate, you need to be fit and a very competent skier/ snowboarder to do this. Even with the cost being considerably more that your standard ski resort, this is a absolute bucket list thing you must do once in your life.
- Coronet Peak Ski Field just between Queenstown and Arrowtown is renowned for its roller coaster runs that interconnect each other offering exhilarating skiing for all levels. What the ski resort lacks in size it more than makes up for with stunning views over Queenstown, and the ability to traverse from green runs through blue and onto Black for the more adventurous.
- The Remarkables is also situated overlooking Queenstown, the ski field is a short 40 min drive from downtown and has 10 kilometres of slopes with 4 lifts to access the runs. The ski resort is in the one basin with all runs meeting at the base chairlift, the ski field is best suited for intermediate skiers/ boards with some off trail black runs for those who want to increase their adrenaline rush.
- Cardrona is within a 1 hour drive from Queenstown overlooking Lake Wanaka and is the perfect playground for any intermediate skier of snowboarder. With over 20km’s of blue runs spread out over the entire mountain, there is something here for every snow family member.
- Treble Cone is the neighboring ski field to Cardrona and is a smaller resort offering an even split of blue and black runs. The resort is famous for its long uncrowded groomed slopes accessed from the Saddle Basin and Home Basin chairlift. This is the spot for the more adventurous who wants to push themselves and improve their skills.
This is something else for those of you that have experienced the joy of skiing groomed runs with the convenience of chairlifts and coffee shops and want something a little more. Then Heli skiing the Southern Alps in your very own winter playground may be the next ultimate upgrade. Being dropped onto the perfect powder on top an untouched mountain where you follow these expert ski instructors down some of the more beautiful pristine runs that last half a day. This is definitely not for your beginner or green intermediate, you need to be fit and a very competent skier/ snowboarder to do this. Even with the cost being considerably more that your standard ski resort, this is a absolute bucket list thing you must do once in your life.
So, our pick for the best skiing resort in New Zealand would be Cardrona Ski field. This is due to its location and what the resort has to offer on the ski field and off. There is absolutely every type of run available for your newest beginner to the most advanced skier.
It also means that you can all head off and enjoy the runs and easily meet in the middle for lunch before moving onto another part of the mountain. There are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and other eaters spread out all over the mountain and are open well after the ski fields have closed and you can choose to stay at the Cardrona Alpine Apartments.
Also, when you leave the mountain a must do is to call into the Cardrona Hotel on the road between Wanaka and Queenstown for a drink in one of NZ’s oldest and most iconic bars.
It also means that you can all head off and enjoy the runs and easily meet in the middle for lunch before moving onto another part of the mountain. There are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and other eaters spread out all over the mountain and are open well after the ski fields have closed and you can choose to stay at the Cardrona Alpine Apartments.
Also, when you leave the mountain a must do is to call into the Cardrona Hotel on the road between Wanaka and Queenstown for a drink in one of NZ’s oldest and most iconic bars.