Where to Ski, Snowboard, Telemark and Cross Country Ski in New Zealand
As such an outdoorsy country, it comes as no surprise that Kiwis grab the mountains by the throat and say: “I’m going to ski the crap out of you this winter!” Who can blame New Zealand when there is such a diverse range of ski fields across the country? In the North Island, you can ski down an active volcano, while the middle of the South Island has more alpine parrots hitting the slopes than people. Only in New Zealand! Not to mention the ski culture, with club fields that thrive off the atmosphere. By the end of your New Zealand ski experience, you’ll appreciate all the great things about old school skiing and snowboarding a raw mountain experience. Whether you’re looking to work a ski season in New Zealand, or just want for something fun to do during the winter, take a look at our list of all the ski fields in New Zealand, listing from north to south.
1. Whakapapa
The largest ski field in New Zealand offers heaps of riding potential. Situated on the northern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano, it sees the sun before its sister ski field, Turoa, softening the snow up after those icy nights. While the lower mountain and beginners areas are serviced by a mix of a modern gondola and chairlifts, the upper mountain is T-bar central. There’s decent backcountry to explore, including the popular hike to the volcano’s Crater Lake. Plus, there’s no view quite like the one of Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom). For more information on the North Island ski fields, see Ski Season in New Zealand: North Island or South Island?
Location: Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, North Island
© Simon Letellier2. Tukino
The sunniest of the Mt Ruapehu ski areas, Tukino is a club field open to the public. It is the more affordable option on the volcano with the two nutcracker rope tows and cat skiing (pay per cat ride). As a less crowded ski area, you are laughing on a fresh powder day!
Location: Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, North Island
© Tukino Ski Field3. Turoa
Straight from the forest drive up to Turoa, you know that this ski field offers a completely different experience than the other Ruapehu ski areas. On the southwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, Turoa is well serviced by chairlifts, including the six-seater High Noon Express, which gives you a nice long descent of 722 metres (2,369 feet). After a good storm, Turoa’s upper mountain becomes a powder playground where you can go pretty much anywhere! Park warriors will find some of the best features in the North Island here, while keen hikers can take the ascent to the Crater Lake.
Location: Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, North Island
© Bart Römgens on Wikipedia4. Manganui
Describing itself as a “no-frills ski area”, Manganui is a club field on the slopes of Mt Taranaki. The lack of “frills” starts with the hike to the base while you say goodbye to your gear on the equipment-only lift. Two rope tows and a T-bar get you up the hill, a hill which is dominated by snowboarders, who are likely the local surfers living in Stratford (25 minutes away) and New Plymouth (50 minutes away). Conditions vary and can be inconsistent during the winter season, as the ski area purely relies on mother nature. However, catch Manganui on a good day and you’ll be grateful for the on-mountain accommodation to rest your worked legs!
Location: Mt Taranaki, Egmont National Park, North Island
© Manganui Ski Area Stratford Mountain Club5. Rainbow
On the Saint Arnaud Range and the most northern of the South Island ski offerings, Rainbow is a small commercial field complete with groomers, snowmaking, ski school and rentals. With a dedicated Rainbow Community Park, it’s a great place to hit the rails, kickers and… tractor tyre. Classic Kiwi! There’s a lot of room to manoeuvre on the wide intermediate runs. Access to the West Bowl offers a snowy solitude you wouldn’t believe is part of the same ski area. The ski area is accessible via a mix of T-bars and tows.
Location: St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes National Park, South Island
© Rainbow Ski6. Mt Lyford
The closest ski field to Kaikoura, Mt Lyford Ski Area offers vertical fun on the slopes on Lyford’s Face and Mt Terako. A T-bar, two Poma tows, a fixed-grip and rope tow take you around the mountain to give you varied advanced and intermediate terrain, as well as terrain park features. The highest point is Mt Terako’s summit, with awesome views all the way to the ocean. The 180-hectare (445-acre) ski field also has gear hire and lessons.
Location: Lyford, Canterbury, South Island
© Mt Lyford Ski Area7. Hanmer Springs
The thermal pool resort town has its very own club field on Mt Saint Patrick. Hanmer Springs Ski Area has more services than your average New Zealand club field, with lessons and gear hire on the mountain. Although there are limited beginner and intermediate groomed runs, there’s good terrain to be found off-piste in this 52-hectare (128-acre) area. The ski area can be accessed with a Poma and rope tow. After a day of hitting the slopes, there’s backpacker-style accommodation on the hill to relax in or Hanmer Springs thermal pools are just 17km (11-mile) away.
Location: Hanmer Springs, Canterbury, South Island
© Hanmer Springs Ski Field8. Temple Basin
This is where it starts to get a bit more challenging down in the South Island. Advanced and expert skiers and riders can face steep and “big mountain” terrain, even more so if hiking up Mt Temple. Of course, beginners and those who like to play it safe have plenty of beginner and intermediate runs accessible from three rope tows, although no grooming, so you’ll get that off-piste experience from the get-go. Whatever level you are at, you will have to hike for 50 minutes from the car park to get to the Temple Basin Ski Area. You can chuck your skis/boards onto the goods lift. That’s almost worth it to stay in their on-hill backpacker-style accommodation for the night!
Location: Arthur’s Pass Village, Arthur’s Pass National Park, South Island
© Temple Basin Ski Area9. Craigieburn
Feel the burn! Craigieburn is New Zealand’s ultimate backcountry experience (for those on a budget). Some of the high mountain terrains feel like something you’d get from a heliski trip, except it’s just a few rope tows, traversing and a hike away. Nonetheless, there is still some beginner terrain to practice those turns, but you’ll have to learn quickly to make the most of this area. Another noteworthy feature of Craigieburn is that the accommodation is nestled in trees. Plus, there’s a bit of tree skiing to be had just a bit.
Location: Craigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury, South Island
© Craigieburn Ski Area10. Broken River
A sheltered basin in the Craigieburn Mountain Range, Broken River experiences a lot of open days while still getting its fair share of the white stuff. The club field terrain is more suited to experienced skiers, boarders and telemarkers, with the Broken River holding some blue runs and the Allen’s Basin holding the gnarly backcountry runs. Getting around the ski area relies on the ski field’s five rope tows. After a drive up the mountain, you’ll then take the alpine rail through the forest to get to the accommodation and ticket office. Depending on weather conditions, Broken River sometimes hosts night skiing.
Location: Craigieburn Forest Park, Canterbury, South Island
© Broken River Ski Area11. Mt Cheeseman
Also hanging out in the Craigieburn Range, Mt Cheeseman can be accessed just before the Broken River Ski Field turn off. The Main T-bar takes you to groomed beginner and intermediate runs, making Mt Cheeseman a great place to practice your technique. Once you’re feeling confident enough, take the Ridge T-bar to the top of the ski area for more of an off-piste experience on intermediate and advanced terrain. There are three mountain lodges to wind down in at the end of the day. The club field also has gear hire and lessons.
Location: Castle Hill, Canterbury, South Island
© Mt Cheeseman Ski Area12. Mt Olympus
Sitting in a south-facing basin in the Craigieburn Range, the Mt Olympus Ski Area is famous for gathering the powder with an average snow depth of 4.5 metres (15 feet). Advanced and intermediate skiers and riders have a whole host of ungroomed terrain to enjoy, while there is still a small beginners area to dump the learners in. Explore more of the mountain by taking short hikes from the top of its series of nutcracker tow lifts. Popular hikes are to Ardi’s Peak, Little Alaska, the Back Ridge and the Sphinx.
Location: Craigieburn Range, Canterbury, South Island
© Mt Olympus13. Porters
The last ski field in the Christchurch area (or the first, however you want to look at it), Porters is close to the settlements of Springfield and Castle Hill. The commercial field covers about 250 hectares (618 acres) of skiable terrain, and actually has a chairlift! Crazy! Because it’s the closest ski field to Christchurch, Porters is one of the livelier ski fields in Canterbury. Nonetheless, enthusiasts can escape the crowds with three T-bar rides up to the top and traverse to some gnarlier runs to get the blood pumping. Other facilities include a cafe, shop, gear hire, lessons, grooming, snowmaking and community terrain park.
Location: Springfield, Canterbury, South Island
© Porters Ski Field14. Mt Hutt
Rising to 2,190 metres (7,185 feet) and isolated in the Canterbury Plains, Mt Hutt provides 365 hectares (902 acres) of skiing goodness! As the large commercial ski field of Canterbury, it has all the key facilities, including a six-seater chair lift taking people from the base all the way to the top of the ski field ideal if you are wanting to rake up the vertical metres. Each edge of the ski field has black runs to try out while intermediate and beginners gather in the middle of the area. You’re also spoilt for choice with the four terrain parks. It’s worth taking a bit of a hike to the summit for views of the Canterbury Plains and the ocean beyond.
Location: Methven, Canterbury, South Island
© Mw12310 on Wikipedia15. Fox Peak
Back to the New Zealand club fields, Fox Peak is on the Two Thumb Range between Christchurch and Queenstown. The ski field has some groomed terrain with four rope tows and a Poma tow, all situated in the North Basin, but giving access also to the ungroomed South Basin that’s a huge area of 500 hectares (1,236 acres). Don’t miss the opportunity to climb 3-4 hours to the top of Fox Peak for a feeling of “bossing” the ski field. With the right equipment and determination, it is even possible to traverse to Roundhill (see below).
Location: Fairlie, Canterbury, South Island
© Pixabay16. Roundhill
With views of the super blue Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mt Cook and the surrounding Southern Alps, Roundhill Ski Area is a pretty special place to ski/board in. There is an extensive beginners’ area with a Poma tow and two rope tows. When you’re ready to move on, there’s the wide intermediate trails and two T-bars to master, which will get you feeling like you’re awesome in no time. Then for those with no fear, take on the world’s longest and steepest rope tow up “The Wall”. It gives you access to Australasia’s biggest vertical drop at 783 metres (2,567 feet). Roundhill has all the facilities expected of a commercial field, including the impressive Central Park.
Location: Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, South Island
© Rounhill Ski Area17. Mt Dobson
Just below Roundhill Ski Area is Mt Dobson. Again, this ski field in the Tekapo area is a great place to learn with wide runs and lots of room to manoeuvre. A traverse from the top of the chairlift or T-bar will take you to some awesome advanced terrain, before getting back the groomed runs again. Although Mt Dobson is a club field, it does have the feel of a commercial one, with services like gear hire, cafe and lessons.
Location: Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, South Island
© Mt Dobson Ski Area18. Ohau
Ohau, or Ohau Snow Fields, just to sound politically correct from saying “ski field”, is on the border of Canterbury and Otago. The family-run commercial field is nestled between Ohau Range and the Ben Ohau, with 165 hectares (408 acres) of terrain to be had from the top of the chairlift, or more if you’re willing to take the hike to the top of Mt Sutton. A Poma tow and magic carpet are also servicing the slopes, which are mostly beginner to intermediate terrain, although there are a few drops and traverses to be had for keen advanced skiers/riders. Gear hire, lessons, snowmaking, cafe, and two terrain parks add to this snow field overlooking Lake Ohau.
Location: MacKenzie High Country, Canterbury, South Island
© Ohau Ski Fields19. Awakino
This small club-field may have to contend with all the famous ski fields in the Otago region, but as a best-kept secret, that means there are far fewer crowds and much more untouched snow! It is tucked, north-facing in the St Marys Range where it sees plenty of sun. As well as bunk accommodation, the field has three tows leading to high black runs. Intermediate runs are lower on the mountain. As a club-operated field, Awakino is only open at weekends unless it is amazing weather and with snow conditions that simply cannot be ignored.
Location: Waitaki Valley, Otago, South Island
© Pixabay20. Treble Cone
The largest ski field on the South Island is in close proximity to the town of Wanaka. Only a six-seater express lift, quadlift, Poma tow and magic carpet service this huge area of 550 hectares (1,359 acres). There are long cruisy runs to practice technique, while adventurous types will be served in the Saddle Basin and Summit slopes. Treble Cone is definitely one of the ski fields in New Zealand to get lots of vertical metres in while moving onto the advanced and technical stuff. Of course, the commercial field has all the facilities expected, with an added bonus of the Lake Wanaka views, best seen from the Raffles Run. Book your lift pass on Viator or Tripadvisor.
Location: Wanaka, Otago, South Island
© Tourism NZ21. Cardrona
Big features mean big fun! Cardrona holds a huge park with some of the most insane rails, boxes, kickers, and halfpipes in New Zealand. If you are all about the park, then Cardrona is for you. For those who prefer the relaxing ski or ride, there are long runs even for beginners to enjoy. Then a whole other world is opened up on the other side of the mountain, as you traverse to a wide intermediate area. The advanced runs can be found somewhere in between with a few chutes to power down. Expect all the large commercial ski field facilities, plus on-hill accommodation. Get your Cardrona lift pass on Viator or Tripadvisor.
Location: Wanaka, Otago, South Island
© Kiwi Discovery Queenstown on Flickr22. Snow Farm
Unlike any other ski field in New Zealand, Snow Farm is a cross country skiing and snowshoeing field providing 55km (34 miles) of super scenic trails. There are wide groomed tracks that are ideal for all abilities, giving you the opportunity to climb, traverse and descend through the Pisa Range, accessed from the Cardrona Valley. If anything, it’s a great workout and a cool way to experience the snow in a different way here in New Zealand. Make a night of it by staying in the isolated backcountry huts. Snow Farm has rentals and lessons.
Location: Wanaka, Otago, South Island
© Snow Farm NZ23. Coronet Peak
This very high sheep field turned ski field towering above Queenstown is usually the first to open in the area. What sets it apart from the rest is the night skiing every Friday and Saturday. Three chairlifts and one T-bar take you to many winding runs. The best approach is to never have a plan of what run you are going to do. Sometimes you’ll do the same thing over and over again, whereas other times you might discover an awesome place you can never find again! It’s all about raking in the vertical metres on the groomed trails at Coronet Peak. Again, Coronet Peak has all the services of a commercial field with a few terrain park features to try out too. Be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to the Queenstown Ski Season.
Location: Queenstown, Otago, South Island
© Bart Römgens on Wikipedia24. The Remarkables
It’s hard to ignore the majestic Remarkables Mountain Range from Queenstown. After taking a steep and windy road, you’ll find there’s quite the majestic ski field hidden out of sight from the town. The Remarkables has a fair dose of everything: beginner area, intermediate runs serviced by a six-seater express lift, slightly steeper intermediate runs serviced by three quad lifts, and some backcountry areas giving that “big mountain” feel. Not to mention, the variety of park features catered to all abilities, including The Stash made up of features made with natural materials. This is a ski field ever upgrading with new facilities and buildings, so expect a more contemporary ski field experience than what you might be used to in the rest of New Zealand. Again, see The Ultimate Guide to the Queenstown Ski Season for more information.
Location: Queenstown, Otago, South Island
© dave.see on FlickrMore About the New Zealand Ski Fields
- What it is Like to Work on a New Zealand Ski Field
- What’s the Right New Zealand Ski Field Job for You
- 5 Places to Visit in Winter in New Zealand
Plus, for alternative activities, head over to our 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
