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Now is the time to plan your ski holiday
What is your idea of the perfect ski holiday? Great snow? Gentle slopes, or steeps for thrills? A variety of resorts? A buzzing après scene and the backdrop of picturesque scenery? Look no further as New Zealand has all this plus more, and is about to become the ideal winter paradise for your next ski holiday. The season has now kicked off with all ski fields open and ready for action.
There has never been a better time to book your New Zealand ski holiday with cheap flights across the Tasman and value for money ski packages on offer throughout the countries premiere ski resorts. Many packages include an exchangeable ski pass, which makes it possible to swap snow activities for off -mountain activities.
But first things first… where exactly are you going to stage your New Zealand winter adventure?
Geography to be admired
New Zealand is the perfect location for great snow sport experiences, with ideal geography producing the altitude and attitude required for spectacular snow sport conditions. Tectonic forces at work in the South Island have created the Southern Alps, a range of mountains 550 kilometres long that’s being forced eternally skyward. Already more than 3,700 metres tall in places, these mountains are still growing at a rate of seven millimetres a year. In the North Island, volcanism can take the credit for some massive snow sport opportunities. Mount Ruapehu, the largest of three huge volcanoes that form Tongariro National Park, reaches to nearly 2,800 metres above sea level.
Most of New Zealand's ski areas open in mid-June and close around the beginning of October, providing more than four months of fun for skiers and riders. While every field is unique, they all offer recently upgraded facilities and terrain that ranges from easy-going beginners’ slopes to challenging black diamond runs. If you're after a more gentle approach, the ski-fields have excellent slopes and learners' areas specifically dedicated to novice skiers. Or, if you want a mountain all to yourself, heli-skiing will take you to remote slopes and glaciers far from the reach of road transport.
When your muscles need a day off from the slopes, there’s plenty to do in the local resort towns nearby the ski-fields. Take a blast in a jet boat, swing from a bungy or use your currency advantage to shop up a storm. At night, off-mountain après ski energy keeps bars and clubs going until the small hours.
Queenstown
Several ski areas, a crystal clear lake, lively apres ski culture and all the activity of a cosmopolitan resort town creates an enviable winter lifestyle in a spectacular environment. Originally a goldminers’ settlement, the breathtaking mountains surrounding this stylish resort town call skiers and boarders to their peaks. Direct flights into Queenstown, from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne are available for your convenience, whether your winter ski holiday be for just a few days or several weeks.
Ski The Remarkables’ three sunny bowls, marvel at the big mountain alpine vista and take on the finger chutes for lunchtime sundeck bragging. Three magic carpet surface lifts in the beginner’s area and its North facing aspect make this one of the best places to learn in Australasia. An expanded crèche and kids centre, catering for little one’s from 3 months to young adults at 17 years, make this the logical family choice. Three terrain parks, including a beginner park and the only Burton Stash in the Southern Hemisphere ensures riders of all abilities can learn and progress in a safe and stimulating environment.
Think Coronet Peak and think wide ego skiing, think steeps and deeps and think back bowls for the truly serious. Coronet Peak is the local’s choice, where the early birds schuss before work and visitors wonder how they can leave the mountain’s diverse terrain at all. The largest snowmaking system in the Southern Hemisphere, coupled with a base building that is world class ensures Coronet Peak offers a premium experience whatever your ability. At just 20 minutes away Coronet Peak is the closest ski area to downtown Queenstown and a must visit on any snow holiday in the region. When the sun goes down on Friday & Saturdays Coronet Peak lights up for night skiing.
Itching for more? Two words - heli ski. Choppers access Southern Alps terrain you’ve previously only met in your sleep. The ultimate adventure for advanced skiers and boarders, heli-skiing provides an opportunity to access some of the most pristine steeps available.
Wanaka
| Skiing the slopes at Cardrona Alpine Resort |
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Over the Crown Range from Queenstown is Wanaka, a lakeside town that serves four world class ski and snowboard resorts. Cardrona Alpine Resort is loved for its wide open groomed slopes, terrain parks and family atmosphere, with a comprehensive kid’s centre. The high-speed chairlift in the Captain’s Basin means less time in queues and more time on the slopes.
Across the Cardrona Valley on the Pisa Range are Snow Park NZ, the Southern Hemisphere’s only dedicated freestyle resort for boarders and skiers, and the Snow Farm with 55kms of well groomed cross country trails for beginners through to expert. Snow Park and Snow Farm both offer on-mountain accommodation for a true over night alpine experience.
Treble Cone is the largest ski area in the South Island and boasts some of the longest and most exhilarating runs in New Zealand, or simply relax on the sundeck taking in the world famous views over Lake Wanaka.
Christchurch and Canterbury
Just a 3 hour direct flight from the Australian eastern seaboard you will arrive at Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand’s Tourism Gateway. Located in the centre of the South Island’s east coast, the picturesque city of Christchurch is the perfect launch-pad for an unforgettable New Zealand ski holiday, or starting point to explore one of the many ski-fields in Christchurch’s big backyard, Canterbury.
Pre or apre ski enjoy exploring Christchurch, The Garden City. This boutique city has a unique blend of contemporary lifestyle with an understated English flavour. Jump on and off the vintage tram at your leisure and explore modern galleries, open-air markets, the charming Art Centre, boutique shops and coffee hot spots. Or enjoy the city’s riverside restaurants & bars, in the comfort of warm sheltered seating, or fire-side in a hidden laneway - don’t miss out on the Winter Garden ice-rink in Cathedral Square.
From Christchurch, head across the broad open expanses of the Canterbury Plains to the ski-town of Methven. At your leisure, carry on south via the scenic drive and shouldering Southern Alps to the resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka to complete a world-class, South Island ski experience.
Methven
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| Canterbury’s Mt Hutt dominates the landscape around Methven. Getting there is easy. |
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In Canterbury, just 60 minutes drive from Christchurch Airport, is Methven - an amazing space for a perfect winter holiday. There’s plenty to do for an off-mountain day or two. Snowy mountains and green valley’s - Methven itself is seldom under snow for more than a few days during the winter months - which means walking, golf, horse riding, fishing and hunting (in season) are activities all on offer.
Nestled in the lee of the majestic Southern Alps, Methven is heartland New Zealand at its best - take each day at your leisure and be invigorated by the fresh alpine air. After the day’s exertions, return to Methven where après ski activities are relaxed and fun with plenty of excellent restaurants, bars, friendly local pubs and entertainment.
Mt Hutt rules supreme in Canterbury with more than 472 skiable hectares and this season there are three new groomers being added to the fleet and further improvements to the snowmaking system meaning better coverage and better surfaces for skiers and riders. Its a big mountain with all kinds of terraine and every facility a snow sports enthusiast could want. Famous for its deep snow and long seasons Mt Hutt is an excellent choice for families and for the more serious skier/rider. A recent addition is the Mini Terrain Park which makes progression from novice to intermediate park rider as easy and as much fun as possible.
Mount Ruapehu
Situated in the heart of the North Island, Mt Ruapehu is home to arguably New Zealand's biggest, longest and highest ski areas. Ski New Zealand’s only volcano on two ski areas that can be accessed with one lift pass; Whakapapa on the north-western flanks of the mountain and Turoa on the south-west. The resorts boast the longest season, from mid June until mid-October and on occasion there has been Christmas (mid-summer) skiing!
Whakapapa boasts New Zealand's premiere beginners' facility with its own dedicated slow-moving chairlift, ski school, rental area and café. More accomplished skiers will enjoy the huge variety of groomed intermediate and advanced trails and two exhilarating lift-accessed back-country areas.
Turoa on the south-western side has an abundance of wide groomed trails, New Zealand's only lift-accessed glacial skiing, a 4 km long run and three terrain parks. Turoa offers on-mountain childcare facilities for 2-5 year olds and an excellent beginners’ area with a carpet lift.
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 | Ski Area Map | |
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| SKI LOCATIONS |
Use this map to find out where all of the mentioned ski areas are. You'll also find information on where the main ski related towns and cities are and where you can fly directly into. Plus there are links to all of the ski area's websites so you can find out more detailed information.
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