Mt. Hutt, high above the Canterbury Plains
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Methven - Mt. Hutt Ski Area (view trail map)
Nestled high inside the eastern rim of the Southern Alps is Mt Hutt Ski Area, which receives some of the deepest, lightest, driest powder in Australasia. Overlooking the spectacular vista of the sprawling patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains with the blue Pacific Ocean in the far distance, skiers and snowboarders from all around the world can revel in the longest season in the Southern Hemisphere.
Powderhounds just won't believe their luck. With plenty of adrenaline-pumping black diamond runs on the South Face, extreme skiers and boarders will have as many different challenges as they can handle. The wide open terrain is great for first-time skiers and families too. Mt Hutt's new specially designed Children's Centre, Ski and Snowboard School and purpose built beginners area will definitely teach you a thing or two.
Snowmaking starts early May, ensuring great snow for the whole season. All this is just one hour's drive from cosmopolitan Christchurch and a stone's throw from the friendly country town of Methven, Mt Hutt's village.
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Elevation: |
2086 m |
Vertical: |
683 m |
Skiable Area: |
365 Hectares (excludes Rakaia Saddle Chutes of 107 hectares) |
Lifts: |
1 High Speed 6 Seater, 1 Quad Chair, 1 Triple Chair, 1 Magic Carpet |
Terrain: |
Beginners 25%, Intermediates 50%, Advanced 25% (excludes Rakaia Saddle Chutes) |
Season: |
Early June to late October |
Facilities: |
Licensed Brasserie - Beaches and the Sky High Cafe
Rental - Ski, Boots and Poles, Snowboard and boots and clothing. Ski and Snowboard Repair, Ski storage
Retail outlet - ski accessories and clothing.
First aid and emergency services
Licensed creche and dedicated One Stop Childrens Centre
2 FIS specification halfpipes and 10,000 square metre terrain park |
Snowmaking: |
42 Hectares |
Ski Shuttles: |
Daily service to/from Methven |
Longest Run: |
International - 2km |
Hotels and Lodges in Methven - DETAILS
Indulge in the special warmth of southern New Zealand hotels and lodges that welcome visitors time and time again. All accommodation for the Mt Hutt ski resort is located in the local town of Methven, within a 40 minute drive.
Contact us for a complete trip quotation.
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Treble Cone Ski Area (view trail map)
Treble Cone offers more intermediate and advanced terrain than any other South island ski area with unrivaled off-piste powder skiing and boarding.
Spread over three large basins there are trails to suit all ages and skill levels. From the purpose-built learner area with a Magic Carpet lift, to comfortable, groomed green and blue runs, through challenging black runs and secret powder stashes, Treble Cone has great terrain for all levels of ability.
The learners area with snowmaking facilities is located near the base building, the wide, gentle slope has an easy gradient and is groomed every night. This is serviced by an easy-to-use platter lift.
Two trails - 'Easy Rider' (3.5km) and 'Main Street' (2km) - provide long, well-groomed slopes for beginners and intermediates along with many other groomed runs. Earthworks over Summer 2006 have created a NEW Upper High Street which now extend Treble Cones longest groomed run to 4.5km. These runs are all serviced by either the high-speed six-seater detachable chairlift or NEW quad chairlift.
Treble Cone continues to offer the greatest freeriding terrain in the region for snowboarders. There are natural half pipes on the upper mountain and a terrain park is built each year.
Accommodation: All accommodation for the Treble Cone ski resort is located in the local town of Wanaka, within a 30 minute drive - DETAILS.
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Elevation: |
2088 m |
Vertical: |
833 m |
Skiable Area: |
550 Hectares (1,359 acres) |
Lifts: |
1 High Speed 6 Seater, 1 Quad Chair, 1 Platter lift, 1 Magic Carpet
6,905 people/hour |
Terrain: |
Beginners 10%, Intermediates 45%, Advanced 45% |
Season: |
Early June to late October |
Facilities: |
Licensed Brasserie
Rental - Ski, Boots and Poles, Snowboard and boots and clothing. Ski and Snowboard Repair, Ski storage
Retail outlet - ski accessories and clothing.
First aid and emergency services
Licensed creche and dedicated One Stop Childrens Centre
2 FIS specification halfpipes and 10,000 square metre terrain park |
Snowmaking: |
50 Hectares |
Ski Shuttles: |
Daily service to/from Wanaka |
Longest Run: |
Tims Table to Base Lodge - 4.3km |
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Cardrona Ski Area (view trail map)
Cardrona's 320 hectares of wide undulating trails, open slopes, steep shutes and awesome terrain parks means there is something here for everyone!
Cardrona is renowned for great natural snow due to a higher elevation, and this is further enhanced through snowmaking in the main basin.
Beginners and Intermediates are well catered for with these trails making up 80% of the terrain, however Cardrona is also an incredible playground for freestyle skiers and boarders with slope facilities including 3 terrain parks, up to 4 halfpipes and a Gravity Cross course!
Accommodation: All accommodation for the Cardrona ski resort is located in the local town of Wanaka, within a 30 minute drive - DETAILS.
Elevation: |
1894 m |
Vertical: |
590m |
Skiable Area: |
324 Hectares |
Lifts: |
2 Quad Chairs, 1 Double Chair, 1 Platter lift, 1 Magic Carpet |
Terrain: |
Beginners 25%, Intermediates 55%, Advanced 20% |
Season: |
Late June to mid October |
Facilities: |
Licensed Brasserie - Beaches and the Sky High Cafe
Rental - Ski, Boots and Poles, Snowboard and boots and clothing. Ski and Snowboard Repair, Ski storage
Retail outlet - ski accessories and clothing.
First aid and emergency services
Licensed creche and dedicated One Stop Childrens Centre
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Snowmaking: |
40 hectares |
Ski Shuttles: |
Daily service to/from Wanaka and Queenstown |
Operating Hours: |
9:00am to 4:00pm |
Longest Run: |
2km |
Hotels and Lodges in Wanaka - DETAILS 
Accommodation for the ski resorts Treble Cone and Cardrona is located in Wanaka, a small but vibrant tourist resort, on the shores of Lake Wanaka with 3500 permanent inhabitants.
The Vacation Station offers accommodation in Wanaka at the following hotels and lodges.
Contact us for a complete trip quotation.
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Queenstown
Queenstown is the aprés-ski, adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Not only is this resort town surrounded by some of the most spectacular alpine scenery, it has a whole raft of adrenaline pumping, heart-stopping activities on offer.
Shoot the mountain gorge rapids by raft or jet boat, hurl yourself off bridges with a ungy cord round your ankles or ride by helicopter for outstanding views and sensational untracked powder. If the most action you want after a day on the slopes is lifting a cold beer or a crisp chardonnay, then Queenstown is the place for that too.
The town is known for its cafés, bars, restaurants and night-clubs – full of people from around the world who know how to party hard. And during the daytime, there’s great shopping, scenic trips on Lake Wakatipu, sight-seeing flights to stunning Milford Sound, international standard golf courses and much more to give your New Zealand holiday the ultimate mix of action and relaxation. Needless to say, all this resort living is more than matched by the outstanding range of accommodation available in Queenstown.
No matter what your style or credit card limit, you’ll find the ideal place to stay – all are within easy reach of the town’s two ski areas – Coronet Peak & The Remarkables and only a scenic 2 hour drive away from Wanaka, with its Treble Cone & Cardrona ski areas.
Hotels and Lodges in Queenstown - DETAILS
Contact us for a complete trip quotation.
Coronet Peak Ski Area (view trail map)
New Zealand's most famous snow resort, Coronet Peak sets the scene for some awesome snow action!
This is a mountain that’s blessed with fantastic, varied natural terrain; outstanding views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, and world class ski runs to suit all abilities of skiers and boarders.
Everyone can ski like a pro at Coronet Peak - there are dedicated slopes for first timers, long wide groomed trails and plenty of choice for more experienced skiers.
Once you know the ropes, you’ll enjoy the vertical off the express quad, or exploring the rolling terrain with plenty of interesting dips and drops for great variety. For boarders, Coronet is a natural terrain park, full of endless hits and powder stashes!
If skiing all day just isn’t enough, Coronet Peak lets you ski all night as well. The fabulous night skiing option allows you to make the most out of your Vacation Station package (Friday and Saturday nights, mid July to mid September).
The Vacation Station also gives you access to excellent rental packages for all your gear, including clothing, skis, boards and boots; the all-important ski and snowboarding school; and club and crèche facilities for the kids.
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| Queenstown to Coronet Peak |
18km (20min drive) |
| Season |
Early June to Early October |
| Elevation |
1649m |
| Skiable Area |
280ha |
| Longest Run |
1.8km |
| Terrain |
beg 20% - int 45% - adv 35% |
| Snowmaking |
yes (extensive) |
Facilities Include licensed Brasserie & Bar, self-service cafe, 2 international snowboard half-pipes and terrain park, award-winning Ski & Snowboard School, ski & snowboard rental & repairs, clothing rental, kids facilities (creche, Skiwiland), first aid & medical services.
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The Remarkables Ski Area (view trail map)
Undoubtedly the South Island’s most spectacular ski area, the Remarks (as it’s known to the locals), is set in a vast natural amphitheatre high in the rugged ranges at the eastern end of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu. Being so far up is a major plus, giving this ski field a long, reliable season - and the north facing aspect makes it a natural sun-trap.
The Remarks is the best place in Queenstown to learn to ski, with a series of sheltered bowls all accessed by chair lifts. Nearly three-quarters of the slopes are rated beginner to intermediate - but there’s still plenty of off-piste challenge if you’re inclined towards the extreme. The long Homeward Bound powder run is huge - ski down to the access road for a truck pick up back to base. It’s a must.
The Remarkables prides itself on the incredible family facilities like the dedicated snow tubing park, and celebrates this feature with the renowned “Remarkables Spring Carnival” in September. The Remarks offers great powder days and awesome spring snow.
| Queenstown to The Remarkables |
28km (50 minutes) |
| Season |
Late June to Early October |
| Elevation |
1935m |
| Skiable Area |
220ha |
| Longest Run |
1.5km |
| Terrain |
beg 30% - int 40% - adv 30% |
| Snowmaking |
yes (beginners areas & Alta Green) |
| Facilities Include self-service cafe, a snowboard terrain park, snow-tubing park, award-winning Ski & Snowboard School, ski & snowboard rental & repairs, clothing rental, licensed creche and first aid & medical services. |
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