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The 7 Best Ski Resorts in New Zealand

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated May 18, 2025 9:12 AM ET

South America gets all the rap for skiing in the Southern Hemisphere, but New Zealand has a vibrant ski scene and some of the best ski areas around.

You can stay on the South Island in New Zealand's quintessential mountain town, Queenstown, to explore the Southern Alps and see some of the country's most beautiful areas.

If volcano skiing in a National Park is more your speed, Mt. Ruapehu is only three hours from the Auckland airport and has two of the country's biggest ski areas. All the skiing in New Zealand is above treeline, which makes for incredibly interesting, playful and beautiful terrain. It's no wonder some of the best skiers around right now like Ben Richards, Craig Murray, and Jess Hotter are coming from the slopes of New Zealand.

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1. Cardrona

With a summit over 6,000 feet, Cardrona sees more snow than a lot of other mountains on New Zealand's South Island. Thanks to an expansion that will result in a 24 percent increase in terrain ahead of the 2025 season, Cardrona will also be the largest ski area in New Zealand.

An hour from the beautiful and bustling destination of Queenstown, Cardrona is a super family-friendly resort with lots of beginner terrain and a dedicated beginner area. The mountain has the country's only gondola/chairlift combo as well as four world-class terrain parks and famous advanced runs like Captain's Basin and Arcadia Chutes.

Treble Cone. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

2. Treble Cone

Treble Cone sees the highest annual snowfall of any resort in New Zealand with around 200 inches per season. The mountain's terrain takes advantage of all that snow and more than 2,200 feet of vertical drops, and it has some of the best advanced skiing on the South Island.

Treble Cone also has a handful of wide open groomers for intermediate and beginner skiers. The cherry on top of this resort's unique terrain is the incredible views of New Zealand's Southern Alps and Lake Wanaka.

Mt Hutt.Photo: Simon Fergusson/Getty Images

3. Mt Hutt

Two hours from the South Island's largest city, Christchurch, Mt. Hutt's summit rises more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Voted New Zealand's best ski area for 10 years running, this resort has a wide range of terrain that caters to skiers of all abilities. The mountain's most advanced terrain takes skiers through rocky chutes from just below the mountain's summit before the mountain opens up into a range of intermediate and beginner terrain.

Mt. Hutt is usually one of, if not the first resort to open in New Zealand, often spinning lifts by early June. Kids under five ski for free as well, and the resort has a range of kids' programs and lessons to choose from.

Coronet PeakPhoto: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

4. Coronet Peak

Just 20 minutes from Queenstown is Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's most popular ski areas. Proximity to town and the Queenstown airport makes it a destination for tourists and travelers alike. The mountain also has fantastic resort accommodations and dining options, making it even more convenient for those looking to stay right by the slopes.

The ski area itself has 1,500 feet of vertical drop and a variety of terrain, mostly leaning towards the beginner and intermediate end of the spectrum. The resort also offers incredible views of The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu for a taste of New Zealand's unbridled beauty.

Photo: @Didier Marti/Getty Images

5. The Remarkables

Named for the iconic mountain range looking over Lake Wakatipu that the resort sits at the base of, the Remarkables is one of New Zealand's most unique ski areas. The mountain range itself is steep and majestic, so it's no surprise that the ski area nestled amongst it is New Zealand's home of freeride. The Freeride World Tour has hosted a 2- and 4-star Qualifier stop at The Remarkables in the Chutes for years. Located just 45 minutes from Queenstown, this resort offers some of New Zealand's best skiing.

Early season at Whakapapa. Photo: Guo Lei/Xinhua/Getty Images

6. Whakapapa

Prior to Cardrona's expansion, Whakapapa was New Zealand's largest ski area with 1,359 acres and 2,200 feet of vertical drop. Sitting on the northern slope of Mt. Ruapehu, Whakapapa's terrain is created by solidified lava from New Zealand's largest active volcano. Like volcano skiing in the northern hemisphere, Whakapapa has a mix of terrain for all abilities with wide-open groomers and a dedicated beginner area as well as fun freeride terrain with bowls, windlips and volcanic cliffs.

7. Tūroa

Just around the corner from Whakapapa, Tūroa also sits on Mt. Ruapehu on New Zealand's North Island. The ski area is home to the country's highest lift-accessed point at 7,618 feet of elevation and has 2,300 of vertical drop to ski. Like northern hemisphere volcanoes, Tūroa (and Whakapapa) have seasons that can run later than many other areas, well into October. Ohakune is the closest town to Tūroa, just under half an hour away, and it's the best place to find cozy lodging, great food options and other things to do on New Zealand's North Island.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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