Skiing

New Zealand ski fields are generally not too close to places to stay — there's not much 'on the field' accommodation which is a bit of a drag getting back and forth but does mean the accommodation, when you get to it, is cheaper. You might as well bring your own equipment if you have it — although all the usual stuff can be bought or hired in New Zealand.The season is generally June to October although it varies considerably from one ski field to another. There are plenty of ski-package tours both from Australia and within New Zealand. Air New Zealand in particular has a variety of package deals. Also popular are ski-drive packages which include a car so you can try a few fields.

North Islands Ski Fields

The Chateau or Whakapapa Skifield is seven km above the Chateau Hotel on Mt. Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. They are the most popular ski slopes in New Zealand. The Turoa Skifield on the south- west side of Mt Ruapehu and volcano slope skiing on the eastern slopes of Mt Egmont.Season is late-June to September.

South Islands Ski Fields

Coronet Peak: The southernmost slopes near Queenstown, they're rated the best in New Zealand and comparable to any in the world. The season is comparatively short— early July to end of September.

Mt Cook: Although it is not strictly necessary to fly up to the Tasman Glacier (people have been known to walk!) this is really a ski-resort for the jetsetter only —skiing down from the upper reaches of the Tasman Glacier usually requires a flight up from the Hermitage in a ski-plane. You need to be a fairly competent skier as well as a rich one to savour this unique skiing experience. Mount Hutt : Opened in the mid-70s, Mount Hutt is one of the highest ski fields in the southern hemisphere and is rated as one of the best in New Zealand. I s 104 km west of Christchurch.

Tekapo: Tekapo Skifield is 33 km from Lake Tekapo in the MacKenzie country. It's a less developed field, but a good one for beginners. Treble Cone: Situated 29 km from Wanaka in the Southern Lake District the normal season here is mid-June to early October. Porter Heights: The closest commercial ski field to Christchurch, Porter Heights is 22 km from Springfield (the nearest town) and about 100 km from Christchurch on the Arthurs Pass road. The snowfield offers a 700-metre run and the normal season runs from late June to early October. Daily lift passes are $12 or $7 for

Others: There are lots of other slopes in the South Island, many of them club operated. Ohau is a commercial field south of Mt Cook. There is a whole collection of club ski fields off the Arthurs Pass road, some offering all-inclusive ski weeks. In the north there's a club field at St Arnaud in Nelson Lakes National Park.

 

 

 

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