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Excellent New Zealand skiing and snowboarding opportunities are found in the Central North Island, and throughout the South Island. So it is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders from the Northern Hemisphere, as they can come and enjoy some excellent snow here in their off season.For a great ski holiday in New Zealand the country has quite a lot to offer.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND
New Zealand Ski and Snowboard Season
The ski and snowboard season is variable throughout New Zealand.Being a long narrow country we have very different climates between the north and the south.
South Island snow season - generally ranges from around early June to early October. They tend to have cold, and storms in the July/August time ,but lovely warm weather mid September, which make snowboarding and skiing a glorious activity with often clear blue skies topping pristine snow.
North Island ski season - starts a little later at the end of June and goes through to mid November. The skiing areas are in the Central North Island and Mt Taranaki. Depending on the year, the weather in July/ August is variable, usually the coldest time. The Desert Road is often closed from snow fall.
ABOUT THE SKI FIELDS
The ski and snowboarding terrain in New Zealand tends to be large open spaces, devoid of trees. The marked trails and open spaces providing an excellent skiing experience.
There are 17 commercial ski fields – very few actually have accommodation right on the mountains. There are several small club operated fields, some of which have their own huts. This brings the total to 24 ski areas. There are also 12 heli ski operators mainly in the Queenstown ,and Lake Wanaka areas.
Mt Ruapehu - Turoa,(Ohakune)Whakapapa, (National Park) and Tukino. There is a good selection of accommodation around National Park, or on the other side at Ohakune.
