The best winter holidays in New Zealand

Discover New Zealand's best winter holidays. (Image: Miles Holden)

Last updated . 31 January 2022

New Zealand is one of the world’s greatest ski destinations – and with experiences like this on offer, it’s not hard to see why.

For such a compact country, New Zealand punches well above its weight with world-class ski resorts ideal for every kind of skier or snowboarder, built beside some of the world’s most iconic ski towns like Wānaka and Queenstown. It’s time to discover the best winter holidays in New Zealand: one to six of our 101 Reasons To Stop Dreaming About New Zealand And Go.

1. The South Island’s best winter ski resorts

New Zealand’s South Island is home to a pick and mix of some of the best ski resorts in the world. Here, we break it down into a handy guide for you.

Read more here.

Ski through the beautiful Coronet Peak.

2. Ski the top end of New Zealand

Most Aussie skiers don’t even know you can ski New Zealand’s North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui. But it’s home to two of the country’s largest ski resorts.

Read more here.

Ski the top end of New Zealand in Mt Ruapehu (Image: Camilla Rutherford).

3. Ride New Zealand’s most unique gondola experience

The ski resort of Whakapapa has New Zealand’s most unique gondola experience: a 1.8-kilometre ride through one of the North Island’s most rugged landscapes with floor-to-ceiling views of the volcanic landscape outside.

Read more here.

Watch the sun go down in a gondola.

4. Ski New Zealand’s largest glacier

For the ultimate ski experience in New Zealand, you are going to want to ski the country’s largest glacier on one of the longest ski runs in the Antipodes.

Read more here.

Ski through the Tasman Glacier (Image: Tai Naka).

5. Delight in New Zealand’s warm & cosy après scene

Half the fun of a skiing holiday is the après scene that awaits once the skis and boards are done for the day. Here are New Zealand’s best.

Read more here.

Enjoy a cold one after a day on the slopes at the Cardrona Hotel (Image: Kate Craig).

6. Cross-country ski at Snow Farm (and spend the night)

Snow Farm is a popular cross-country ski area that caters to families and even the four-legged members of the clan – and has unique accommodation stays to match.

Read more here.