From June to October, snow transforms New Zealand’s alpine landscapes into a winter wonderland. Make the most of the winter season with these fun snow activities.
New Zealand has a well-deserved international reputation for awesome skiing and snowboarding. Ski fields cater for all levels, and you often have a choice of several fields within a short drive of each other. Check out skiing in the Canterbury region.;
Take the kids out sledding at Whakapapa's Happy Valley Snow Park or try tobogganing down the slopes of Mount Hutt, Cardrona, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables or Mount Dobson Ski Area.
Snowshoeing is simply walking in the snow. Snowshoes are slim-lined and more technical, enabling you to easily walk across snow without sinking into it. Suitable for all skill and fitness levels, snowshoeing is a fantastic option if you want to explore parts of the mountain not accessible for skiing or boarding and a guided tour would be your best bet for getting the most out of your snowshoeing experience. Try taking on snowshoeing at the Tukino Skifield(opens in new window).
Experience a backcountry snowmobiling adventure with Queenstown Snowmobiles(opens in new window). Fly along the western face of The Remarkables and Hector Mountains, across the Nevis River Valley. Gain exclusive access to backcountry riding trails, by way of helicopter only, with breathtaking views across pristine snowy mountains and snowmobile across the snowy fields.
Feel the thrill of a sled dog team running through the trails of the Southern Alps with Underdog Tours(opens in new window) or enjoy a scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown and embark on a dog sledding signature tour with Over The Top Helicopters(opens in new window).
Enjoy spectacular views of New Zealand from above with a heli-hike. Camp Glenorchy eco-retreat(opens in new window) offers heli-hike experiences up to the stunning mountains around Glenorchy, where you can then hike down on a self-guided or guided tour. Or take on a world-renowned glacier heli-hikes with Franz Josef Glacier Guides(opens in new window) or Fox Glacier Guiding(opens in new window) that showcases stunning scenery and gets you up close to the glaciers. Strap on some crampons and walk on a real-life glacier and explore ice caves with a Tasman Glacier heli-hike(opens in new window).