List of ski areas and resorts in New Zealand facts for kids

New Zealand is an amazing country known for its stunning natural beauty, and that includes some fantastic places to go skiing and snowboarding! A ski area or ski resort is a special place in the mountains where people can enjoy winter sports. These places have slopes covered in snow, often with lifts to take you up the mountain, and facilities like cafes and gear rental shops.

New Zealand's ski season usually runs from June to October. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's a ski field for everyone, from big commercial resorts to smaller, friendly "club fields."

Skiing Adventures in New Zealand

North Island Ski Spots

The North Island of New Zealand has fewer ski areas compared to the South Island, but it's home to the largest volcano in the country, which offers some unique skiing experiences.

Mount Ruapehu's Slopes

Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano and a very popular spot for skiing in the North Island. It has two main commercial ski areas and one club field.

• Tukino is a special kind of ski area called a "club skifield." These are often run by volunteers and have a more relaxed, community feel. They might not have as many fancy lifts or facilities as bigger resorts, but they offer a great experience.
• Turoa is one of the largest ski resorts on Mount Ruapehu, known for its long runs and varied terrain.
• Whakapapa is the other major ski area on Mount Ruapehu, famous for its beginner-friendly Happy Valley and challenging expert runs.

Taranaki's Unique Mountain

Mount Taranaki is another impressive volcano in the North Island, and it has one club skifield.

• Manganui is a club skifield located on the slopes of Mount Taranaki. It's known for its friendly atmosphere and often has great snow.

South Island Ski Paradise

The South Island of New Zealand is famous worldwide for its incredible mountains, the Southern Alps. This region is a true paradise for skiers and snowboarders, with many different types of ski areas.

Canterbury's Many Mountains

The Canterbury region has a wide range of ski areas, from large commercial resorts to many unique club fields.

• Awakino is another welcoming club skifield, offering a more traditional skiing experience.
• The Craigieburn Range is a group of mountains known for its challenging club skifields. These fields often appeal to more experienced skiers looking for off-piste adventures.
  • Broken River is a popular club skifield in the Craigieburn Range, known for its fun terrain.
  • Craigieburn Valley is another club skifield, famous for its steep and exciting runs.
  • Mount Cheeseman is a family-friendly club skifield, great for all skill levels.
  • Mount Olympus is a club skifield often called "The Playground of the Gods" because of its amazing views and terrain.
• Fox Peak is a club skifield that offers a classic New Zealand skiing experience with stunning views.
• Hanmer Springs Ski Area is a club skifield located near the popular Hanmer Springs thermal resort.
• Mount Dobson is a commercial ski area known for its wide, open slopes, perfect for cruising.
• Mount Hutt is one of New Zealand's largest and most popular commercial ski resorts, often voted the best in the country. It has a long season and great facilities.
• Mount Lyford is a smaller, friendly commercial ski area with a relaxed vibe.
• Mount Potts is a unique place that offers "heliskiing" and "snowcatting." Heliskiing means a helicopter takes you to untouched snow high up in the mountains for an incredible downhill ride. Snowcatting uses a special snow vehicle (a snowcat) to take you to remote areas.
• Ōhau is a beautiful ski area known for its amazing views over Lake Ōhau and its diverse terrain.
• Porters Ski Area is a commercial ski area that's one of the closest to Christchurch, offering a variety of runs.
• Roundhill is a commercial ski area famous for having the longest rope tow in the world, which takes you to some epic terrain.
• Tasman Glacier offers a very special heliskiing experience on New Zealand's longest glacier.
• Temple Basin is a club skifield known for its challenging terrain and unique access by a goods lift, followed by a walk to the lodge.

Nelson Lakes' Snowy Fun

The Nelson Lakes region, in the upper South Island, also has a great ski area.

• Rainbow is a commercial ski area located in the beautiful Nelson Lakes National Park, offering stunning scenery and runs for all abilities.

Otago's Famous Resorts

The Otago region, especially around Queenstown and Wānaka, is home to some of New Zealand's most famous and busiest ski resorts.

• Invincible Snowfields is a place that can only be reached by helicopter, offering an exclusive and thrilling skiing experience in untouched snow.

Queenstown's Popular Peaks

Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital of the World," and its nearby ski resorts are a big part of that.

• Coronet Peak is one of New Zealand's most popular commercial ski resorts, known for its fast runs and being the first to open each season. It also offers night skiing.
• The Remarkables is another fantastic commercial ski resort near Queenstown, famous for its incredible views, varied terrain, and great snow parks.

Wānaka's Alpine Adventures

Wānaka is a charming town near several excellent ski areas, offering a slightly more relaxed vibe than Queenstown.

• Cardrona Alpine Resort is a very popular commercial ski resort, loved for its wide, open slopes, excellent terrain parks, and family-friendly atmosphere.
• Snow Farm is unique because it's dedicated to "cross-country skiing." This type of skiing involves gliding across flatter terrain using special skis and boots, often on groomed trails, rather than going downhill. It's a great way to explore the snowy landscape.
• Treble Cone is the largest commercial ski area in the South Island, famous for its long, uncrowded runs, challenging terrain, and breathtaking views over Lake Wānaka.

See also

• List of ski areas and resorts
• List of ski areas and resorts in Oceania
• Skiing in New Zealand