Best Ski Resorts

Powderhounds Awards for the Best NZ Ski ResortsThe Powderhounds awards for the "Best Skiing in New Zealand" provide information on what we view as the best NZ ski resorts and ski towns. Here are some of our favourites regarding the skiing and snowboarding, nightlife, and tours in New Zealand.

Top Rated Resorts for Powder Hounds
Based on advanced/expert terrain + snow quality & quantity+ lack of people riding off-piste
     


Best Overall Resorts
Based on infrastructure, terrain, family friendliness, snow & cost
     

Other Best NZ Skiing / Snowboarding (Powderhounds Awards)
Best overall terrain: Treble Cone, Craigieburn, Mt Hutt
Best beginner ski resort: Cardrona, Mt Dobson
Best intermediate terrain: Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak
Best steeps: Craigieburn , Treble Cone, Mt Olympus
Best off-piste: Craigieburn Ski Area
Best backcountry: Craigieburn, Broken River
Best uncrowded slopes: Mt Lyford, Roundhill, Hanmer Springs
Best family resort: Cardrona, Whakapapa
Best lift infrastructure: Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak
Best terrain park: Snowpark, The Remarkables
Best powder: Craigieburn, Broken River , Mt Olympus
Easy on the hip pocket: Mt Dobson, Roundhill

Best New Zealand Heli Skiing
Top heli skiing: Harris Mountains Heliski

Nightlife
Best après: Queenstown / Wanaka
Best nightlife: Queenstown
Best selection of restaurants: Queenstown

Shopping
Best ski/snowboard equipment and clothing: Queenstown
Best clothes shopping: Queenstown
Best souvenir shopping: Queenstown

Tours & Adventure Activities
Best sightseeing tour: Milford Sound Tour
Best adventure activity: Shotover Jet, Queenstown

For more information on ski resorts and ski towns of NZ that rate well on various factors, see our powderhounds ratings. Examples of some of the categories are beginners terrain, intermediate terrain, steeps, powder, lunchtime freshies, lift infrastructure, uncrowded lift lines and slopes, restaurants, apres and much more.

For more info on the NZ heli skiing operations, see our heli ski ratings.

Best Skiing in New Zealand – Public Reviews These awards for the "best ski resorts in New Zealand" are based on public reviews.

Best overall ski field/resort: Temple Basin, Mt Olympus
Best snow: Temple Basin, Craigieburn
Most uncrowded: Mt Dobson, Ohau, Hanmer Springs
Best lifts: Cardrona, Mt Olympus
Piste trails: Turoa, Cardrona
Off-piste: Temple Basin, Mt Olympus
Child friendly: Cardrona
Value for money: Craigieburn
Nightlife: Temple Basin

NB only ski fields with a minimum of 2 reviews were considered in the awards. The best ski resort/field is based on an average of the other above factors.

Come and have your say on the best skiing in New Zealand by reviewing and rating a ski area or a heli skiing operation. Navigate to the New Zealand ski resort or heli ski company you want to review and click on the "add review" link in the left-hand-column. Put your vote in!