While the chill that sweeps over the Southern Hemisphere from June to August might leave some of us dreaming of summer, the arrival of the snowy season is nothing but good news for skiers. That’s right, it’s time to hit the slopes.
One of the world’s most beautiful ski spots, Wanaka, found in New Zealand’s South Island, annually welcomes visitors from around the world to picturesque surrounding overlooking its eponymous lake.
In addition to its natural beauty, Wanaka sees more snowfall and ‘bluebird days’ (where the sky is brilliantly clear after a dumping of snow the night before) than any other ski destination in the country.
Come and visit – the powder’s fine!
Our Wanaka Home
Club Wyndham Wanaka is set right in the heart of this charming resort town. Not only do you have access to all the resort’s amenities, including a heated pool, sauna and unique indoor/outdoor fireplace, you’re also ideally located to explore the different skiing mountains in the arear, which boast 50% Intermediate and 25% Advanced runs.
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Just over 35 minutes’ drive from Club Wyndham Wanaka, this is a family friendly ski open from mid-June to October each year.
With 345 hectares of terrain, Cardrona is ideal for everyone from beginners to more experienced skiers, featuring a nice combination of 25% Beginner, 50% Intermediate and 25% Advanced runs. You can also take a break in one of the mountain’s five different cafes, or let the kids run wild at the Ski Kindy while you tackle the more challenging slopes.
Snow Farm
Try your hand navigating 55km of trails at Snow Farm. New Zealand’s only Nordic Ski Resort, Snow Farm’s cross-country trails offer spectacular views as you sail past the Pisa mountain range.
With a 60/40 split of Beginner to Intermediate/Advanced runs, there’s something for everyone.
What If I don’t Actually Know How To Ski?
Try learning! There’s no time like the present, so swallow your pride and jump on a beginner course. You can pop out from the cosy confines of your accommodation and rent your gear in town, or pick some up while you’re on the mountain. Get a few individual lessons under your belt, or take part in a group session, which is a great way to bond with the kids if it’s their first time on the slopes! Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Farm all offer different packages, so ask around to see which is right for you.
Trust us, there’s nothing quite like the rush of making it down your first run, so take the first step with a couple of lessons.
What If I Can’t/Really Don’t Want To Ski?
No problem – it’s time to break out the camera and capture the frozen beauty of the slopes. Take snaps of your family, or angle your lens up at the mountains and nod appreciatively at your LCD screen. Fiddling with the dials and muttering something along the lines of ‘needs more exposure compensation’ can help you look like a photography pro.
You can still get up the mountain even if you aren’t intending to tear up the slopes – each mountain has their own set of lift passes for pedestrians.
