Best Ski Resorts
Can’t decide on where to go for a
ski New Zealand holiday? The Powderhounds awards for the "Best NZ Ski Resorts" provide information on what we view as the best ski resorts and best towns in New Zealand. Here are some of our favourites regarding the skiing/snowboarding, nightlife, accommodation and tours in New Zealand.
Skiing / Snowboarding Best Powderhounds Ski Area:
Craigieburn,
Broken River *
Best overall terrain:
Treble Cone
Best beginner ski resort:
Cardrona
Best NZ intermediate terrain:
Mt Hutt,
Treble Cone,
Coronet Peak
Best steeps:
Ski Craigieburn
Best powder:
Craigieburn,
Broken River
Best off-piste:
Craigieburn Ski Area
Best backcountry:
Craigieburn,
Broken River
Best uncrowded slopes:
Broken River Ski Area
Best family resort:
Porters Ski Field,
Coronet Peak
Best lift infrastructure:
Treble Cone /
Mt Hutt
Best cruisers:
Coronet Peak
Best racing run:
Mt Hutt
Best terrain park:
The Remarkables
* based on factors such as powder, likelihood of lunchtime freshies, crowds, and advanced terrain
Nightlife Best après:
Queenstown /
Wanaka
Best nightlife:
Queenstown
Best selection of restaurants:
Queenstown
Accommodation Best luxury accommodation:
Oakridge Resort, Wanaka
Best mid-level accommodation:
Mt Taylor Lodge, Methven
Best budget accommodation:
Flock Hill Lodge, Cass
Shopping Best ski/snowboard equipment and clothing:
Wanaka
Best clothes shopping:
Queenstown
Best souvenir shopping:
Queenstown
Tours/Sightseeing/Adventure activities Best heliskiing/cat skiing:
Harris Mountains Heli-ski
Best sightseeing tour: Milford Sound Scenic Flight
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.