cardona
Cardrona considers itself the “mountain of the towns”, and with good reason. It comes complete with the largest terrain park facilities in the southern hemisphere: four parks and two half-pipes, kid-friendly ski areas, and wide slopes to set up your boards on.
With $20 million to be invested in the complex over the next three years, following the addition of the Mcdougall’s Express ‘Chondola’ last year, New Zealand’s only cabin-style cable car, increasing lift capacity by 150%, There has never been a better time to visit.
It also has some of the most reliable snow in the region, thanks to its high elevation that reaches 1860 m and its southern orientation, favorable for the region. In light of this, Cardrona is anticipated to open about a week before Treble Cone on June 16.
Cardrona’s kickers attract some of the best park skiers in New Zealand and the world who are sure to give you a good show from the safety of the chairlift. Image:: Wanaka Tourism
A lucky skier enjoying a blue snow day in Cardrona. Image:: Wanaka Tourism
Mountain Stats:
Skill Level – 20% Beginner / 45% Intermediate / 25% Advanced.
Ski Area – 345 Hectares.
Average snowfall – 2.9 m.
Base Elevation – 1670m.
Maximum elevation – 1860m.
Opening Day – June 16, 2018.
Lift opening hours – 9.00 am – 4.00 pm.
Journey time: 35 minutes from Wanaka/ 60 minutes from Queenstown
Cardona’s website
treble cone
Treble Cone is a serious contender for offering the most beautiful views of any ski resort in the world. A 35-minute drive from the epicenter of Wanaka, guests are treated to spectacular views of the surrounding Southern Alps and Lake Wanaka below, reminiscent of a Norwegian fjord.
Try not to get too distracted by the view as you race down the slopes… Image:: Wanaka Tourism
The scale of the resort is evident because it offers the greatest verticality of all the Southern Lakes at 700m, its longest run being a positive stretch that destroys 4km. The resort can also boast the title of the largest ski and snowboard resort in the South Island, with a 550-hectare estate spread over two large basins. The resulting geography offers some of New Zealand’s most revered terrain, laden with steep ramps and gullies, open bowls and natural half-pipes, making it particularly suitable for intermediate to expert riders. Whatever your backcountry preference, TC is sure to have something for you.
Treble Cone family time with a view. Image:: Wanaka Tourism
Don’t let this completely deter beginning skiers or snowboarders though, Treble Cone offers FREE all-season lift access to their ‘Nice n’ Easy’ surface lift, located adjacent to the Base Area amenities .
Treble Cone is scheduled to open to the public on June 28 of this year.
Mountain Stats:
Skill Level – 10% Beginner / 45% Intermediate / 45% Advanced.
Ski Area – 550 Hectares.
Average snowfall – 5m
Base elevation – 1260m
Maximum elevation – 2088m.
Opening Day – June 28, 2018.
Lift opening hours – 9.00 am – 4.00 pm.
Journey time: 35 minutes from Wanaka/ 60 minutes from Queenstown
Treble Cone website
snow farm
Snow Farm is unique on this list of Wanaka ski resorts in that it’s not designed for the type of skiing you’ll likely read about here, which is conventional downhill skiing. Instead, Snow Farm is New Zealand’s only Nordic ski area. In winter it offers more than 55 km of classic cross-country ski trails and skating. Not to mention the options of snowshoeing, fat biking, sledding, dog sledding, and conventional ski touring.
Cross country ski along part of Snow Farm’s 55 km long trail. Image:: Wanaka Tourism
heli-skiing
As mentioned, Wanaka boasts the largest heli-skiing terrain in the entire southern hemisphere. In keeping with the general theme of the place, it is also arguably one of the most spectacular, spanning the ranges in and around Mt Aspiring National Park.
First, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the best terrain NZ has to offer. Then you will land and ski. Image:: South Lakes Heliski
Given that New Zealand boasts the most helicopters per capita, it should come as no surprise that no fewer than three separate heli-ski operations service the Wanaka region; Harris Mountains Heli-Ski, Southern Lakes Heli-ski and Alpine Helicopters. Southern Lakes Heli-ski is one of our favorites with over 600 possible runs across 11 impressive mountain ranges. You can learn more about how it works in a previous Mountainwatch feature here.
How to get there?
Crossing the ditch isn’t especially difficult these days, and getting to Wanaka is best done by flying into Queenstown and then taking the 1-hour journey, either by car or bus. Getting from Wanaka to any of the aforementioned resorts involves a 30-40 minute scenic drive around one of the world’s most picturesque lakes. There are ample public transport services to get skiers and snowboarders up the hill as well.