Heliskiing in the Southern Alps
Skiing and Snowboarding
New Zealand is a country dominated by its mountains and as a result offers some of the very best skiing in the southern hemisphere. What surprises many people is just how accessible this skiing is – there are few places in New Zealand that are not within just a three or four hour drive of a ski area.
Snowboarding near Whakapapa, an active volcanic area
Both islands have numerous ski fields but the nature of these fields differs markedly.
North Island skiing is spectacular and of a type that you probably will not have experienced before as here you will ski on the flanks of volcanoes.
Mt Ruapehu on the Central Plateau is the premier ski area and offers a downhill run that drops 722m over 4 km, excellent half-pipes for snowboarding, ski touring and cross country.
Out to the west is Mt Taranaki in the Egmont National Park and the eastern slopes of this volcano offer some fine skiing. Skiing here is particularly exciting as it is possible to ski from the very summit of the volcano down a 1300m run.
New Zealand’s best skiing is in the Southern Alps of the South Island and is centred around the towns of Wanaka and Queenstown.
Queenstown boasts Coronet Peak which offers reliable conditions thanks to its extensive snow making system and with the absence of trees and its wide and rolling terrain it is great for snowboarding. It even offers night skiing (illuminated, of course!). The Remarkables is situated across the valley from Coronet Peak and provides great variety with challenging off-piste for the advanced skier but is also ideal for beginners and families with easy learner runs and a dedicated snow tubing park.
Wanaka is an hour and a half north of Queenstown and its main ski areas are Treble Cone and Cardrona. Treble Cone has a spectacular location overlooking Lake Wanaka. It has steep slopes best suited to the more experienced skier and also has a number of natural half-pipes for snowboarders. Cardrona has a base elevation of 1670m and is known for its dry, natural snow. It is ideal for learners and families and also has a half-pipe park for snowboarding. The Waiorau Nordic area is near to Wanaka and has thousands of hectares of open country for ski touring.
Other South Island skiing can be found as far north as the Nelson region and Hanmer Springs. Mount Hutt, one of the highest ski areas in the southern hemisphere, is only 120km west of Christchurch and Porter Heights is even closer to Christchurch and is home to the 720m Big Mama, New Zealand’s steepest run.
For a really intense and powerful ski or snowboard experience you should jump into a helicopter and get high into the mountains. Here you will be dropped at the top of your own personal virgin snowfield, ready for you to choose your run.
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