New Zealand may be better known as the home to Middle Earth but it’s also home to some world class ski fields too, even if you can’t quite picture a dwarf or hobbit hitting the slopes. Thanks to mountains running right through the country, whatever your location on the north or south island you shouldn’t be too far away from snow peaks and fresh powder. Here are five places to consider a ski trip this year.
Queenstown
The adventure capital heats up over winter with mountain action just minutes from the centre of town. The Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski fields are both within easy driving distance of Queenstown with an array of skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing and even night-skiing opportunities available in stunning surrounds. The Remarkables featured in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit so you may even recognize film locations as you whistle down the slopes. In any case you’ll be hard pressed not to admire the scenery with the beautiful stretches of Lake Wakatipu far below you and mountains on all sides. Queenstown also caters for those still up for action after dark and off the slopes with plenty of nightlife, parties and shopping back in town. Queenstown has an array of accommodation from budget right through to high end options. Coronet Peak: www.nzski.com, Remarkables: www.nzski.com
Queenstown action. Pic: smh.com.au
Wanaka
Wanaka, also on the south island, is bursting with skiing and snowboarding opportunities with Treble Cone, Snow Park, the Snow Farm and Cardrona Alpine Resort all great snow action options close to town. Treble Cone is the largest ski area on the south island and also has the distinction of having the steepest pitch at Motatapu Chutes if you’re daring enough. Snow Park and Cardrona are renowned for their terrain parks with pipes, jumps, rails and boxes. Wanaka is generally considered more upmarket than Queenstown but there are budget options here as well. Treble Cone, Snow Park, Cardrona Alpine Resort and Snow Farm
Mt Hutt, Canterbury
Mt Hutt has the longest ski season in the country meaning you can ski right through to October if you wish and the snow falls are adequate. Mt Hutt ski passes also give you access to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown. Mt Hutt is 40 minutes from Methven and boasts a double black diamond run if you’re suitably skilled, however it’s also considered one of the most family friendly places to ski with 75 percent of terrain suitable for beginners and intermediates. While Methven is the closest place to the slopes, some people opt to stay in Christchurch where you can access Mt Hutt and about half a dozen other fields such as Mount Potts, Mount Dobson, Ohau, Porters and Roundhill. www.nzski.com
Mt Hutt. Pic: smh.com.au
Tongariro National Park
Located on the North Island, Mount Ruapehu is a stunning location with volcanic terrain and wonderful ski areas near Ohakune and Lake Taupo. Whakapapa, 6km from Whakapapa Village has the biggest ski area in New Zealand with some 65 trails while Turoa, 16km from Ohakune, boasts the longest vertical descent – an incredible 722 metres – and highest lift. Both fields can operate into October depending on the snow fall and weather conditions and have lively ski scenes. Each has beginner, intermediate and advanced areas to cater for everyone. Tolkein and Jackson fans will also be pleased to note that scenes of Mount Doom from The Lord of the Rings were filmed on Ruapehu’s slopes. www.mtruapehu.com
Mount Ruapehu. Pic: Mirko Thiessen, WikiMedia Commons.
Taranaki
The other place to ski on the north island is on the slopes of Mt Taranaki in Egmont National Park. The Manganui ski area is closest to New Plymouth and has wonderful views of the dramatic snowy, volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki above. Manganui has beginner and intermediate ski areas plus adventure type advanced terrain for those seeking more snow-bound thrills. www.skitaranaki.co.nz
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Cover pic of Mount Ruapehu courtesy of Shutterstock.com:
Skiing on Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand. Pic: Shutterstock.com.
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