Remember to sign in or sign up to save your trip.
Trish May
Looking for a great winter holiday destination for the whole family? Don’t go past Queenstown and Lake Wanaka…
Nestled deep within the South Island, Queenstown and Lake Wanaka are idyllic winter destinations located only 60 minutes’ scenic drive from one another. Together, they make for an excellent winter getaway for the whole family, offering great family accommodation, excellent family ski options and packages, as well as endless activity options for all ages.
Whether you base yourself in Queenstown or Lake Wanaka (or a bit of both!), there is a family-friendly ski area nearby. All areas offer lessons, gear and clothing rental as well as discounted lift passes for children or families.
The Remarkables (near Queenstown) is perfect for beginners, youth and entire families. Fun for the kids starts at the fully licensed Skiwiland Early Learning Centre. Programmes are available for all ages and abilities - from three months to 15 years. Kids will love the tubing park, for fun without skis or board, while the teens can try out the three terrain parks, ranging from beginner to advanced. The perfectly positioned base building lets parents oversee children on the nearby learners’ slopes while enjoying a meal or drink on the sun deck.
Coronet Peak (also near Queenstown) boasts plenty of dedicated beginner/novice terrain featuring easy to use surface conveyer lifts, perfect for the kids. Those families looking to engage the children in classes or activities on the mountain will enjoy the Skiwiland Early Learning Centre: a fully licensed snowsports school for children, managed by professional children’s instructors. There are classes or activities available for kids aged from 3 months to 5 years! Alternatively, young ones aged 6-15 years can join the Kea Club ski and snowboard programme. There really is an option for everyone at Coronet Peak!
Treble Cone (near Lake Wanaka) offers an excellent family lift pass as well as free access to the magic carpet and platter lift areas for families. Families looking for lessons are well-catered for: The TC Cat Club is for children aged 5-15, whilst those aged 3 and over will be treated to a fun and safe one-on-one lesson with the Kitty Cat Club. Treble Cone also has excellent childcare facilities for kids aged 3+, which is ideal for parents wanting to fit in a few runs on their own!
Cardrona (located between Lake Wanaka and Queenstown) proudly offers four dedicated kids centres, a full schedule of children’s events and a selection of great family facilities! As well as New Zealand’s most comprehensive on-mountain fully licensed early childcare centres, Cardrona’s annual events calendar includes a kids’ festival and youth racing events to keep the whole family entertained. A day with the family at Cardrona isn’t complete without some time in the dedicated Calci Yum Family Fun Zone and a visit to the ski-in, ski-out Captain’s Pizzeria!
There’s plenty to keep the troops entertained in Queenstown and Lake Wanaka when the weather packs in or little legs get a bit tired.
Queenstown’s great family activities include jetboat rides, the gondola and luge, Kiwi Birdlife park, cycling, flightseeing, lake cruising, climbing, horseriding… the list goes on!
Lake Wanaka’s family activity highlights include Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World, which is world famous for its bizarre and baffling features, and the National Toy & Transport Museum where you’ll find any toy you could ever imagine! For something different visit Have a Shot and try out rifle, shotgun or archery target shooting. Cinema Paradiso is another family treat: watch a movie from the comfy old sofas and enjoy icecream or hot cookies at half time!
Both Queenstown and Lake Wanaka have an abundance of family accommodation. Self-contained apartments offer privacy and comfort with the bonus of being able to cook for yourselves. Many backpacker hostels offer family rooms, which are an affordable yet comfortable choice. For longer stays, consider hiring a holiday home where you’ll have all the facilities and privacy you could want! There is also a wide choice of hotels, motels and lodges available.
Start planning your winter 2012 ski holiday to the South Island of New Zealand now. Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak are schedule to be first to open 9 June. Great skiing/riding on slope, with spectacular views plus great winter activities and holiday fun.
