5 New Zealand Ski Resorts You Need to Visit This Year

Winter is not yet looming in New Zealand but already powder hounds are starting to plan their next excursion to the slopes. Taking a road trip down the country to discover some of the nation’s best ski resorts is an incredible way to make the most of New Zealand’s generous ski season, which usually runs from about June to October each year. Travelling in a New Zealand campervan rental will give you the chance to follow your own path with amazing flexibility, and catch the best snowfalls almost as soon as they happen. But the question remains: where to go? We’ve gathered together a selection of some of New Zealand’s very best ski resorts below - from green beginner to veteran of the slopes, there’s at least one place here to suit everyone down to a tee.

Whakapapa

There are all kinds of reasons to put Whakapapa on your list of New Zealand ski resorts to visit. This spot was used as a setting for the blasted land of Mordor in The Lord of the Rings films, which probably shouldn’t be too surprising as it’s located on an actual live volcano! As for actual ski conditions, this is a perfect place for both intermediate skiers and families who are introducing kids to the joys of skiing. With nearly 70 different runs, there are even some places at Whakapapa that will keep experienced skiers entertained. Picking up an Auckland campervan rental will put you about 4 and a half hours from the Whakapapa ski resort.

Hanmer Springs

There are many excellent incentives to visit the small town of Hanmer Springs, from adrenaline fueled jetboating to luxuriating in thermal spas, but the ski area here is certainly one of them. Hanmer Springs Ski Area can tend to be a bit less crowded than many ski resorts thanks to its somewhat out-of-the-way location, and it also has a reputation of being pretty budget-friendly. It may be worth taking advantage of the on-field accommodation if you’re planning to ski here for a few days, as the access road from Hanmer Springs itself to the ski area is not suitable for campervans. You can reach this leisure haven of a town in less than two hours with a Christchurch campervan rental.

Treble Cone

Boasting the largest ski area in the entire South Island, Treble Cone is beloved by Kiwi skiers for far more than just its size. This isn’t such an ideal place for those who haven’t had much experience on the slopes but for intermediate and expert powder seekers Treble Cone is pretty much Heaven. With stunning views over picturesque Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring, the surroundings here are almost as much of an attraction as the trails themselves. Almost, but not quite. Treble Cone usually gets more snow than any other resort in the country and features amazing natural terrain. This excellent ski resort is just an hour and a half away for those who book a Queenstown campervan rental.

Craigieburn Valley

If you’re ready to leave the beginner and intermediate trails behind and sink your teeth into some truly excellent (but challenging) terrain, Craigieburn Valley will be an essential part of your itinerary. Crowds are not something you’ll have to contend with here - with very limited facilities, Craigieburn relies pretty much entirely on its excellent powder and incredible runs to attract skiers who know exactly what they’re after. Sometimes compared to heli-skiing, minus the massive price tag, the experience at this ski area has a purity to it that you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Booking a motorhome rental in Christchurch will put you just a little over an hour and a half from Craigieburn.

Cardrona

For many Kiwi ski aficionados, Cardrona tops the list of the nation’s snow spots. This is sort of an all-rounder type ski area, with places to suit families, intermediate skiers and even veteran powder seekers. Cardona’s views are spectacular and it’s well set up with all the modern facilities you could hope for - just be aware that because it’s such an amazing place, it can tend to get a bit crowded during peak times. As if all that wasn’t enough, Cardrona is less than an hour’s drive from both Wanaka and Queenstown, two of New Zealand’s most beautiful towns, and perfect places to launch yourself into all kinds of other adventures.

Don’t wait till all the best vehicles are booked out for ski season - book a New Zealand motorhome rental to get your incredible holiday on the slopes locked in now! Grab RV rentals from Greymouth, from Tauranga, from Nelson, and the rest of NZ, all with unmatched deals from Motorhome Republic.