Snow Sports

Snow Sports

Winter holiday destinations

Queenstown is New Zealand's best known winter holiday destination. This year-round tourist town - magnificently sited on Lake Wakatipu at the foot of The Remarkables mountains - is full of shops, cafés and nightclubs that vibrate adventure, activity and enthusiasm. The local ski areas are Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.

Wanaka - on the shores of Lake Wanaka - is close to the four ski areas of Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snow Farm and Snow Park with terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.

Mount Hutt ski area - in Canterbury - enjoys the longest snow season. It's a popular destination for locals and visitors who gather at the town of Methven when not on the slopes or enjoying off-piste heli-ski adventures on private high country farms.

In the North Island, the active volcano of Mt Ruapehu is home to the Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas, and small ski resort towns of National Park Village and Ohakune.

Off-piste NZ snow adventures

For winter holidaymakers wanting a day off from the slopes, New Zealand’s alpine regions offer some fun-filled snow-related activities.

Off-piste outdoor winter experiences include dog sledding, guided snow shoe treks, snow tubing and scenic flights - by flying fox, ski plane or helicopter - through spectacular landscapes that are not otherwise accessible.

Naseby - an old Central Otago goldmining town - has New Zealand’s only indoor curling rink. The indoor rink operates all year round, but winter activities also include an ice luge through the Naseby Forest, and outdoor curling, ice hockey and ice skating.

Soaking in natural thermal pools at Turangi, in the North Island, or outdoor hot tubs at Omarama and Queenstown’s Onsen hot pools, in the South Island, is a relaxing way to keep warm apres-ski.

100% Pure NZ Winter Games

The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games - the southern hemisphere’s biggest winter sports event - brings the world’s best snow and ice sports athletes to New Zealand to compete in all major disciplines from ski racing to curling, snowboarding to skating, as well as adaptive snow sports.

The biennial event, which broadcasts to a global audience of millions, involves more than 1000 athletes, 30 nations, 38 events and 22 winter sports.

It is considered a significant step in the build up to the Winter Olympics, and the 2011 programme included World Cup and Continental Cup level competition.