Clark Weeks Recommends Skiing in New Zealand
Clark Weeks love to ski and so we bring you this post about skiing in New Zealand. For others, click here. A bit far to get to, but an amazing country and great skiing.
New Zealand is a unique country located in a corner of the world. Of course, modern aviation has made the journey much more convenient and the distance can be covered within a couple of days at the most. So, if you are planning a skiing trip these holidays, New Zealand can surprise you with the options that are available. Both the North Island and the South Island offer adventurous slopes and exotic experiences. We have listed the top skiing experiences in New Zealand for first-time travelers.
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Christchurch and Canterbury
Canterbury offers the largest number of snow peaks in the Southern hemisphere making it a perfect winter skiing destination for all age groups. But you need to remember, since New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, their winter is our summer. Their ski season starts in June.
Mt Hutt
Located just an hour and a half away from the city of Christchurch, Mt Hutt is the largest ski area in Canterbury. It offers four terrain parks and a top-class snow school for beginners and amateurs. You can also free-ride across the mountain ranges with a quick helicopter flight to Methven Heliski. The Methven village also provides the perfect relaxation spots for the evenings when you want to experience some warm kiwi hospitality.
Hanmer Springs &Hurunui
The Hanmer ski area offers a perfect combination of ski slopes and spas in close proximity. Additionally, you are just under an hour’s drive from Kaikoura, so you can surf on the same day that you ski!
Apart from these two Selwyn 6, Mount Cheeseman, Mount Olympus, and Craigieburn are some of the other coveted ski areas in the Canterbury region.
Queenstown and Wanaka
Queensland and Wanaka offer more than a perfect skiing holiday destination. The ski season here begins in mid-June and stays on until early October offering a perfect option to avid skiers from the Northern hemisphere.
Coronet Peak
Even though the Coronet peak ski area is located at a lower altitude, it offers crisp snow slopes for avid skiers. The resort town is accessible by car and bus and you can enjoy at least a half-day of skiing even on a day trip.
Cardona
Cardona is easily reachable from Wanaka as well as the city of Queenstown. Complete with an all-action ski resort, Cardona slopes are ideal for beginners.
Mount Cook Mackenzie
Located in Mackenzie county, Mount Cook is a high-altitude inland basin located to the east of the Southern Alps. It is also New Zealand’s highest mountain peak. This also makes it relatively lesser crowded than other ski regions in this country and offers a perfect experience for serious or professional skiers. Off the snow, the region boasts of hot pool springs and spectacular stargazing.
Central North Island
Like every other popular ski spot in New Zealand, the Central North island also offers a unique experience that you just can’t possibly miss. The island is home to Mount Ruapehu, the country’s only skiable volcano. It also offers two of New Zealand’s largest ski areas, Turoa and Whakapapa. The old lava flows of the latter make for challenging terrain. Don’t forget to visit the country’s highest café at Knoll Ridge.
If you make there, we are sure you will enjoy it. Plus, the Kiwis are very friendly and welcoming.
For another destination, check out this post about skiing in Patagonia.