Wanaka Skiing and Ski Resorts

(Wanaka, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, NZ



Wanaka Treble Cone photoMany tourists flock to Wanaka each year during New Zealand's winter months (June to August), to enjoy some exceptional mountain skiing. Wanaka is actually in close proximity to a number of New Zealand's very best ski resorts, such as the Cardrona Alpine Resort and the Treble Cone, as well as the ever popular Snow Park ski field, the Harris Mountains, the Pisa Range and the Coronet Peak Alpine Resort.

As soon as the heavy winter snow arrives in the Wanaka area, these ski resorts quickly begin to fill up and offer a series of fairly steep and challenging runs, along with easier trails for less experienced skiers and snowboarders alike. In New Zealand's considerably warmer summer months, the resorts still attract plenty of visitors, who come here for the hiking trails, the mountain biking, the mountaineering, the paragliding, the gondola rides and the beautiful Alpine scenery.


Wanaka Winter mountain view

General Information

The Treble Cone ski centre is always busy and resides within the Saddle Basin, where it features a choice of ski and snowboard rentals, as well as eateries, shops, a number of different ski lifts and overnight equipment storage. Featuring the lengthiest vertical rise in the whole of the Southern Lakes, those skiing on the Treble Cone will be able to enjoy breathtaking views across both Mount Aspiring and Lake Wanaka.

Especially family-friendly, the Cardrona Alpine Resort features a good of choice ski slopes, around half or which are suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers. Quad chair lifts, mountain apartments and even snowmaking equipment is all to be found here. The skiing facilities at Cardrona are excellent and within easy reach of Wanaka, and just an hours' drive from Queenstown.

Picture of Treble Cone signpostFurther away from Wanaka and close to Queenstown is the Coronet Peak Alpine Resort, which boasts award-winning tuition in the form of a ski school, and regularly attracts professional and highly experienced skiers and snowboarders alike. The Queenstown Winter Festival is a particular yearly highlight at the Coronet Peak.

Dedicated to all kinds of snow sports, crowds of visitors head from Wanaka to New Zealand's aptly-named Snow Park each winter, to enjoy its stunning freestyle terrain and traditional Alpine ski runs. Cross-country skiing is also available next door, at the Snow Farm, where more than 50 km / 31 miles of trails and ski runs await, just 35 km / 22 miles from Wanaka and some 55 km / 34 miles from Queenstown.