New Zealand's Snow and Ski Fields

North Island

3-Day Mt Ruapehu Midweek Snow Getaway from Auckland
2-Day Mt Raupehu Snow Weekender from Auckland

Mt Ruapehu
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Located in the middle of the North island, Mt Ruapehu is some 335 kilometres south of Auckland in a volcanic region that includes Mt Ngaruahoe and Mt Tongariro.

Whakapapa: This is the biggest and most used skiing area in New Zealand and covers a whopping 400 hectares.

The ski fields are on the north-western side of Mt Ruapehu and offer everything for everyone. One fifth of the area is good for beginners, almost two-thirds will suit intermediate skiers, while advanced skiers and snowboarders will have a fifth of Whakapapa to themselves.

There are more than 30 runs with 17 high-capacity lifts making getting back to the top hassle-free.

Average snowfall: 400 cm.
Highest lift: 2300 metres.
Vertical drop: 670 metres.
Lifts: 17. 10 main, 7 beginner tows.
Facilities: cafes and bars, children's creche, children's programme.
Season: Late June - Late October.

Turoa: Also situated on Mt Ruapehu, but on the south-west side, Turoa is similar in size to Whakapapa but has a slightly larger beginners' area.

One quarter of its runs are suitable for novices, 55% for intermediates and advanced skiers and snowboarders have around 20%.

Turoa has the largest vertical drop in New Zealand and Australia and is renowned for excellent skiing in spring.

Average snowfall: 450 cm.
Highest lift: 2322 metres.
Longest run: 4 km.
Vertical drop: 720 metres.
Lifts: 11. 7 main, 4 beginner tows.
Facilities: Cafes and bars, children's programme.
Season: Late June - Late October.

South Island

Coronet Peak (Queenstown): Coronet Peak is 18km from Queenstown and offers clear runs for most grades of skiers although only 15% of its 692 acres can be rated as being suitable for beginners.

Well over half its runs (60%) are for intermediate skiers and a further 25% for experienced folk. Coronet Peak makes great use of snowmaking machines and has night skiing available on Fridays and Saturdays.

Snowboarders will like the terrain Coronet Peak has to offer and there are half-pipes and other custom-built areas available.

Average snowfall: 200 cm.
Highest lift: 1600 metres.
Longest run: 1.8km
Vertical drop: 420 metres.
Lifts: 6.
Facilities:
Season: June - October.

The Remarkables (Queenstown): For amazing views it is hard to go past The Remarkables fields. More than 540 acres of skiing is available for beginners (30% of runs), intermediate (55%) and expert (15%). Good for snowboarders too! The Remarkables is 28 km from Queenstown.

Average snowfall: 300 cm.
Highest lift: 1900 metres.
Longest run: 1.5km
Vertical drop: 380 metres.
Lifts: 4.
Facilities:
Season: July - October.

Cardrona (Wanaka/Queenstown): Reliability is Cardrona's claim to skiing fame, with excellent snow conditions. It covers almost 800 acres with runs available for beginners (25% of runs), intermediate (60%) and experts (15%). Snowboarders will enjoy the slopes as well. Cardrona is 57 km from Queenstown and 34 km from Wanaka.

Average snowfall: 240 cm.
Highest lift: 1900 metres.
Longest run: 3.6 km
Vertical drop: 390 metres.
Lifts: 5.
Facilities: Restaurants, cafes, child-care centre, bars.
Season: June - October.

Treble Cone (Wanaka): For more experienced skiers one place to try would be Treble Cone, near Wanaka. Its runs are steep, although there are areas good for those less confident on skis. There are more than 1300 acres of skiing available - beginners (10% of runs), intermediate (40%) and expert (50%). Good for snowboarders too! Treble Cone is 90 km from Queenstown.

Average snowfall: 550 cm.
Highest lift: 1800 metres.
Longest run: 4 km
Vertical drop: 602 metres.
Lifts: 5.
Facilities: Restaurants, cafes, child-care centre, bars.
Season: Early June - Early October.

Mount Hutt (Christchurch): The closest town to Mt Hutt is Methven, with Christchurch being about 100 km away. Mt Hutt offers excellent learner slops, and easily got-to tougher run for more experienced skiers. There are more than 900 acres of skiing available - beginners (20% of runs), intermediate (55%) and expert (25%). All grades of snowboarders will have excellent runs.

Average snowfall: 500 cm.
Highest lift: 2000 metres.
Longest run: 2 km
Vertical drop: 672 metres.
Lifts: 10.
Facilities: Restaurants, cafes, bars, creche.
Season: September - October.