Hey winter frothers! To get you out on the slopes even faster, we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of opening dates for all the major NZ ski fields for ya. Just remember – mother nature can be super unpredictable! So these dates are subject to change. Winter is coming and we’re excited! Are you?

Shop SNOW GEAR now

North Island:

Mt Ruapehu Skiing

Mt Ruapehu is where the North Islanders hit the slopes. Based in the centre of the North Island, Mt Ruapehu is just over four hours drive from Auckland or Wellington. With two sides and its versatile terrain, Mt Ruapehu has lots to offer skiers and snowboarders.

Tukino | Mt Ruapehu – Waiouru:

Nestled on the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand’s North Island, Tukino Skifield offers the rare combination of adventure and lack of crowds, coupled with the friendliness and camaraderie that’s only found on club-operated fields. Tukino is a club ski field, operated and maintained by club members.

Open day: Saturday 7 July 2018

Website: http://www.tukino.co.nz 

Whakapapa | Mt Ruapehu – National Park:

Whakapapa Ski Area on the north-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand’s largest ski area. It is home to New Zealand’s premiere beginner’s area, happy valley. There’s a challenge for every ability with runs consisting of wide areas, bowls, bumps and shoots.

Open Day: Whakapapa Ski Field: 23 June, 2018 | Happy Valley: 2 June, 2018

Daily operations: 9am – 4pm

Website: http://www.mtruapehu.com

Turoa | Mt Ruapehu – Ohakune:

Turoa Ski Area on the south-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu offers a massive 722m of vertical descent on New Zealand’s highest chairlift – The “Highnoon Express”. Turoa offers wide and smooth ride and fun shoots and bowls to keep it interesting. Backcountry is a treat.

Open day: Friday 29 June, 2018

Daily operations: 9am – 4pm

Website: http://www.mtruapehu.com

Turoa Ski Field on a clear day

South island:

Queenstown & Wanaka Skiing

If catching a Kodak moment is just as important as enjoying some adrenalin-pumping skiing action, then the Queenstown and Wanaka region is perfect for you. Surrounded by the picturesque Alps, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale while ripping up the freshly dumped snow. There are four amazing ski resorts you can choose to check out in the area:

Coronet Peak | Queenstown:

Spectacular roller coaster terrain makes Coronet Peak ski area one of New Zealand’s most exciting ski resort destinations for snow lovers of any ability. Only 25 minutes away from Queenstown!

Open day: Saturday 16 June, 2018

Daily operations: First tracks: 8am – 4pm | night Skiing: 4pm – 9pm, Friday and Saturday

Website: https://www.nzski.com/queenstown/the-mountains/coronet-peak

The Remarkables | Queenstown:

With its relaxed atmosphere, sun-kissed slopes and dedicated learn to ski Facilities. The Remarkable is serious fun for families and big kids at heart.

Open Day: Saturday 9 June, 2018

Website: https://www.nzski.com

Cardrona | Wanaka:

With wide open trails, challenging chutes, world-class beginner facilities & the Southern Hemisphere’s most extensive terrain park facilities, there’s something for every snow enthusiast skiing & snowboarding at Cardrona!

Open day: Saturday 16 June, 2018

Daily operations:  8.30am – 4pm

Website: https://www.cardrona.com

Treble cone | Wanaka: 

Treble Cone is home to the longest ski and snowboard runs of the Queenstown and Wanaka NZ ski resorts. Treble Cone’s longest ski run is a leg burning 4km, with a vertical drop of 700m.

Open day: Thursday 28 June, 2018

Website: http://www.treblecone.com 

Treble Cone Ski Field – Always a treat with quality snow and beautiful surroundings

Canterbury Skiing

The Christchurch and Canterbury region is one of the most diverse in the South Island, featuring everything from towering mountain peaks to picturesque plains that stretch for miles. Check out either of the two major regions and allow yourself to be caught up in the magic of Christchurch and Canterbury.

Porters | Christchurch:

Porters learner facilities are outstanding. The Sunkid carpet-lift makes progression for beginners so easy, and an easy link to the platter lift provides one of the best intermediate slopes for snowsports skill development in the country. With a brand new four-seater chairlift and nice wide runs learning to ski has just become a lot easier.

Open day: Friday 22 June, 2018

Website: https://www.skiporters.co.nz

Craigieburn |Craigieburn Forest Park:

Craigieburn Valley Ski Area, located in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, where the ups are good, and the downs are even better. Steep narrow chutes, wide open powder bowls, un-crowded runs or just a place to take it easy in the awesome vista of the Craigieburn Range. If you are an advanced or expert rider then Craigieburn is your holy grail.

Open day: TBC

Website: http://craigieburn.co.nz

Mt Hutt |  Methven:

Voted NZ’s Best Ski Resort Mt Hutt boasts wide open terrain for all ski and snowboard ability levels, plus kids 10 years and under ski for free at Mt Hutt. Superb conditions, spectacular terrain and laid back kiwi hospitality will leave you dreaming for more.

Open Day: Friday 8 June, 2018

Website: https://www.nzski.com/mt-hutt

Mt Hutt Ski Field – So many tracks to be had

Mt Cook Skiing

Mt Cook definitely isn’t the top tourist spot for skiing in New Zealand, but that certainly doesn’t take anything away from the magic of the area. It’ll provide you with a bit more of a club field experience of the local slopes, with three main regions ready for you to explore:

Mt Dobson | Tekapo:

Ski and ride at Mt Dobson for natural dry powder snow, trails for all abilities and a huge learners area with all day sun and wide open uncrowded runs.

Open day: Friday 6 July, 2018

Website: http://www.mtdobson.co.nz

Roundhill | Tekapo:

Roundhill is a great a place for all ages and abilities. For the more adventurous, head up the world’s (yes that’s right!) longest and steepest rope tow and see what Australasia’s biggest vertical drop (783m) is all about. Offering super long natural half pipes, chutes this is skiing and riding at its best.

Open day: Saturday 30 June, 2018

Website: http://www.roundhill.co.nz

Ohau |Twizel:

The mountain caters for all abilities. The double chairlift and the wide flat slopes at the top of the mountain allow most intermediates to cruise down the Boulevard very comfortably. There’s some great hiking for the more adventurous, giving you access to extraordinary views and powder.

Open day: Saturday 30 June, 2018

Website: http://www.ohau.co.nz

Ohau Ski Field – Amazing views, amazing runs.

Wait! There’s more:

Make sure you check the links below to other little gems around the South Island. If locally run clubs, no queues, quality powder or unexplored terrain are your thing, then these guys are worth booking a trip.

Mt Lyford: http://www.mtlyford.co.nz

Hamner Springs: http://www.skihanmer.co.nz

Mt Cheeseman: https://www.mtcheeseman.co.nz

Broken River: http://silverstripe.brokenriver.co.nz

Rainbow: http://www.skirainbow.co.nz

Awakino: http://www.skiawakino.com

Temple Basin: http://www.templebasin.co.nz

Mt Olympus: http://www.mtolympus.co.nz