Ski Resorts South Island

This picturesque southern corner of New Zealand has achieved almost legendary status for its superb scenery and range of adrenaline-charged activities, including skiing and snowboarding. Stunning throughout the winter season, you don’t have to be a thrill-seeker to enjoy the resort towns of Queenstown including Treble Cone, Cardrona, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

Treble Cone
The king of mountains in Southern New Zealand, Treble Cone has the highest and steepest terrain, providing some exciting challenges for advanced skiers and boarders. The steep natural chutes on the backside of the mountain provide some excellent natural half pipe opportunities.

After fresh snow there are some epic powder opportunities in the vast area of backcountry. A variety of treks are available for off piste enthusiasts. Carving a fresh track from the Treble Cone summit is a truly satisfying experience.

The front side of the mountain has long groomed trails for beginner and intermediate riders and the spectacular mountain scenery of Aspiring National Park and Lake Wanaka can be enjoyed from all parts of the mountain.

Treble Cone is 1 hour 45 minutes from Queenstown. The drive has some outstanding natural scenery. Enjoy a drinks break at the popular Cardrona Hotel on the journey back to Queenstown.

Click here to download your Treble Cone Trail Map – Click Here to download your Treble Cone NEW trailmap

Cardrona
Approximately mid way between the townships of Queenstown and Wanaka is the family friendly Cardrona Mountain Resort. Cardrona has some of the best quality natural snow in New Zealand and caters for Snowboarders and Skiers of all abilities.

The front side of the mountain includes world class terrain park facilities for the freestyle riders, halfpipes, and a popular boardercross track. The beginner facilities are very good giving riders the chance to make controlled progressions in technique and improve riding confidence. The backside of the mountain, known as Captains Basin, is characterised by wide sweeping bowls and chutes and some good off piste terrain.

The on mountain facilities and services at Cardrona are outstanding. This resort is home to various international competitions throughout the season.

After a day out to Cardrona we regularly stop at the famous Hotel in Cardrona Village for some enjoyable social reflection about the day’s skiing and boarding.

Remarkables
This Ski resort is accessed via an adventurous road which boasts spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and the township of Queenstown. Just 45 minutes from town, the Remarkables is an old favourite for the local skiers and boarders.

Known for it’s backcountry and touring potential, there is always fresh tracks to be made somewhere in this vast terrain.

The homeward bound and outward bound journeys give riders an experience through wide open powdery bowls. The shuttle bus service will deliver you back to the relaxed atmosphere of the base building.

On the other end of the scale, the terrain park at Remarks has some of the biggest jumps and rails to satisfy the adrenaline appetite of the freestyle junkies.

Live Music and Childrens entertainment is often a feature on the sunny base building decks, which adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the mountain. Children under 6 can ski and ride for free, all day, everyday.

For your downloadable copy of The Remarkables trail map – click on the link below:
The Remarkables Trail Map

Coronet Peak
The closest ski resort to Queenstown, Coronet Peak has some of the best free riding terrain in New Zealand. The high capacity lift facilities cater for a large number of skiers and boarders.

Long groomed runs make the riding style smooth and fast, and the snowmaking facilities ensure that there is a solid snow base from early in the season. Coronet Peak is a great mountain for the introduction to off piste and backcountry riding with moderate gradient snow lines to select. After heavy snowfalls an endless dimension of backcountry exploring opportunities opens up.

Coronet Peak has conducted a 20 million dollar upgrade of facilities during the summer of 2007 / 08. The mountain now has one of the most extensive Snowmaking systems in the world and the base building facilities provide the highest possible standard of comfort and service.

For your downloadable copy of Coronet Peak trail map – click on the link below:
Coronet Peak Trail Map