For Australians wanting a winter holiday without travelling all the way to Europe, New Zealand is an obvious choice. It is relatively close to Australia, offers reliable access to alpine regions and has plenty to do whether you are an experienced skier, a complete beginner or simply want to experience a proper snowy winter with the family.
New Zealand’s ski season generally runs from mid-June to mid-October, with July and August typically being the peak months. Conditions and opening dates vary between ski fields, however, so it is important to check your chosen resort before booking.
For Australians planning a winter escape, the biggest decision may be whether to visit the South Island, the North Island, or attempt to combine both.
South Island or North Island?
The South Island is the natural choice for a classic alpine ski holiday. Queenstown and Wānaka are New Zealand’s most popular ski destinations, with several major ski areas within reach of both towns.
The North Island offers a rather different experience. The ski areas around Mt Ruapehu are set amongst volcanic landscapes in the Central Plateau, giving visitors the chance to combine snow activities with New Zealand’s geothermal and volcanic scenery.
For a short trip of around a week, choosing one island is likely to be simpler. Travellers with two or three weeks could potentially combine destinations, although remember that New Zealand may look small on a map while driving between regions can still take considerable time.
For families, staying in one region can also mean less time packing, unpacking and moving between accommodation.
Queenstown: The classic New Zealand winter holiday
Queenstown is arguably the most recognisable New Zealand destination for an Australian winter holiday.
It offers a combination that works particularly well for couples and groups of friends: skiing during the day, restaurants and bars in the evening, and plenty of adventure activities for days away from the slopes.
Two major ski areas are accessible from Queenstown: Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.
Coronet Peak is particularly convenient, being around 20 minutes from Queenstown, and offers beginner facilities as well as more challenging terrain. It also offers night skiing on selected evenings.
The Remarkables provides a range of terrain, including beginner areas, and has a family-friendly reputation. New Zealand’s official tourism website highlights its graded runs and beginner facilities.
That combination makes Queenstown a useful option for groups with different abilities. An experienced skier can spend the day tackling more challenging terrain while a beginner takes lessons.
Families can also find plenty to do away from skiing, which is important when children do not want to spend every day on the mountain. Queenstown’s wider attractions include scenic experiences, adventure activities and opportunities to simply enjoy the spectacular alpine scenery.
The downside is that Queenstown is a popular tourist destination, so accommodation, dining and activities can add up. Travellers looking for better value may want to compare accommodation outside the most central areas or consider travelling outside the busiest school-holiday periods.
Wānaka: A more relaxed base for snow lovers
Wānaka is another excellent South Island option, particularly for travellers whose priority is skiing rather than nightlife.
The town provides access to Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, giving experienced skiers and snowboarders plenty of terrain to explore. Cardrona is also promoted as a family snow destination, making it an appealing option for parents travelling with children.
Treble Cone is particularly well known for its views, long runs and more challenging terrain. It is likely to appeal more to experienced skiers, while Cardrona provides a broader range of facilities for families and beginners.
One useful feature of the Wānaka area is that you don’t have to ski every day. Cardrona also offers sightseeing options for visitors who simply want to experience the alpine environment without skiing or snowboarding.
Wānaka can therefore work particularly well for families where not everyone wants to ski, as well as couples looking for a quieter base.
It is also possible to visit both Queenstown and Wānaka during the same South Island holiday. The two destinations are relatively close compared with travelling between New Zealand’s islands, although the mountain roads and winter conditions mean you should allow plenty of time rather than treating the journey as a quick hop.
Ruapehu: The North Island’s snowy alternative
For something completely different, head to the North Island and the Mt Ruapehu region.
New Zealand’s largest volcano is home to two ski resorts, Whakapapa and Tūroa. Together they cover a large area of volcanic terrain, making Ruapehu the country’s largest ski area.
The surrounding Ruapehu region also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures beyond skiing. The area sits alongside Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and provides access to dramatic volcanic scenery and other outdoor activities.
This makes Ruapehu particularly interesting for travellers who want their winter holiday to be about more than skiing.
Families may appreciate the variety, particularly if some members are not keen on spending the entire holiday on the slopes. Couples can also combine snow activities with scenic drives and exploration of the Central Plateau.
One thing to consider is accessibility. Unlike Queenstown, where the airport and ski resorts are closely tied into an established tourist hub, a Ruapehu holiday may involve more driving. Winter weather can also affect road conditions, so allow extra time and check conditions before setting out.
Which New Zealand winter destination suits you?
The best choice depends heavily on what you want from the holiday.
Choose Queenstown if you want a lively destination with skiing, restaurants, nightlife and a huge range of activities. It is particularly suited to couples and groups, but families will also find plenty to do.
Choose Wānaka if skiing and the alpine environment are the main attraction but you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. It is also a strong option for families and mixed groups where some people ski and others do not.
Choose Ruapehu if you want a North Island snow adventure combined with volcanic scenery, national parks and outdoor activities. It can also make sense if you are already planning to visit other North Island destinations.
Can you visit both islands on one holiday?
You can, but whether it makes sense depends on the length of your trip.
For a seven-day holiday, trying to combine Queenstown, Wānaka and the North Island could leave you spending a significant portion of your holiday travelling.
With two weeks, you could potentially combine a South Island ski holiday with a few days in the North Island, particularly if you are happy to fly between islands.
With three weeks or more, there is considerably more flexibility. You could spend time around Queenstown and Wānaka, then fly north and explore the Ruapehu region before continuing to other North Island attractions.
Families should consider the pace carefully. Moving accommodation every couple of days may sound exciting but can become tiring when travelling with young children and large amounts of winter clothing.
For a shorter family trip, choosing one region and exploring it properly may provide a more relaxing experience.
What should families pack for a New Zealand snow holiday?
Families may need to buy or hire more specialist clothing than they would for an ordinary New Zealand holiday.
Layering is important. Children should have warm base layers, insulating mid-layers and waterproof outer clothing, along with warm socks, waterproof gloves and suitable snow boots.
If you are skiing or snowboarding, helmets should be properly fitted and designed for snow sports.
You do not necessarily need to buy all your specialist equipment. Skis, snowboards, boots and other equipment can generally be hired at ski resorts, which can be much more practical for children who are still growing.
It is also worth taking spare gloves and socks for younger children. Snow has an uncanny ability to find its way inside clothing, particularly when children are enthusiastically building snowmen.
Driving in New Zealand during winter
A hire car can be extremely useful, particularly for families carrying ski equipment and winter luggage. However, winter driving requires more preparation.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises drivers to check weather and road conditions before travelling and to adjust their speed for ice and snow. Conditions can change quickly, particularly around alpine roads.
If you are heading to a ski resort, check whether snow chains are required and whether your hire vehicle is equipped appropriately. Do not assume that because you are travelling in New Zealand rather than Europe, winter driving will be straightforward.
If a significant snowstorm is forecast, reconsider whether a planned mountain drive is necessary. Sometimes the safest choice is simply to wait for conditions to improve.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance is important on any overseas holiday, but a snow holiday can involve additional expenses and risks.
Skiing and snowboarding are not automatically covered under standard Go Insurance travel insurance. If you plan to participate in these activities, you generally need to select Snow Sports Cover when purchasing your policy, and it must appear on your Certificate of Insurance.
Go Insurance Snow Sports Travel Insurance provides more information about the optional cover and what to check before travelling.
Depending on the circumstances and the policy terms, Snow Sports Cover can provide benefits for eligible snow-sports injuries, emergency assistance, snow-sports equipment, certain unused ski passes, lessons or equipment hire, and some piste-closure or avalanche-related disruption.
If your family is planning a mixture of skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities, check each activity rather than assuming they all fall under the same cover.
Planning a winter holiday in New Zealand
New Zealand offers Australian travellers the chance to experience a genuine winter holiday without the enormous journey involved in travelling to Europe or North America.
For a classic ski-and-adventure holiday, Queenstown is hard to ignore. Wānaka offers another South Island option with excellent access to ski fields and a more relaxed atmosphere, while Ruapehu provides something distinctly different in the North Island.
Families should think beyond the ski slopes when choosing a destination. Having snow play, sightseeing and other activities available can make the holiday much more enjoyable when little legs need a day off skiing.
Couples and experienced skiers may want to focus more heavily on the quality and variety of the terrain, while families may place greater importance on beginner facilities, accommodation and easy access.
Whichever region you choose, allow extra time for winter travel, check mountain and road conditions, and make sure your luggage is prepared for genuinely cold weather.
Most importantly, make sure your travel insurance reflects the holiday you are actually taking. If skiing or snowboarding is part of the itinerary, select the appropriate Snow Sports Cover before you travel and check your Certificate of Insurance.
Then all that remains is to enjoy the snow, the mountains and the very different experience of a New Zealand winter.