A fully customisable 4 nights in Wanaka with 2 days skiing at Cardrona or Treble Cone, two of the best ski fields in New Zealand. Ski both days or chat with us to change up the activities to create your custom Wanaka winter break!
South Island Self Drive
This suggested tour costs from NZD$885 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Queenstown, finishes in Queenstown
4 days/3 nights
Hotel 3 star
Rental car included
Viewed 31 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Arrive into Queenstown then its a short drive to Wanaka. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
Day 2: Explore the runs at Cardrona Ski Resort. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
Day 3: Why not test your skills at Treble Cone today?. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
Day 4: Return to Queenstown for your flight home.
Ski New Zealand have a superb range of cars from all the top companies and with a range of insurance options and inclusions that will suit you perfectly.
Today you’ll take the short drive to Wanaka. Choose from either the Crown Range Road which may need snow chains fitted depending on conditions, or the slightly longer route via the Kawarau Gorge and past Cromwell.
Welcome to Wanaka for your winter ski or snowboarding holiday. It’s not just the skiing that makes Wanaka a fantastic winter destination, there’s also the spectacular scenery, amazing adventures, and endless activities to keep you entertained when you’re not on the slopes. After each action-packed day, you’ll also find a superb variety of cafes and restaurants to relax and refuel at.
Today we recommend you visit the Cardrona Alpine Resort Office located at the corner of Helwick and Dunmore Streets and collect your lift pass. This will save you heaps of time tomorrow as you’ll avoid the morning queues and can head straight to the mountain with more time to ski and ride. When you visit the Cardrona Wanaka Office please take your Ski New Zealand itinerary with you as the staff will need the reference number off this. Each person in your group receives their own card and must collect their own card as your photo will be taken at the time of issue. All your lift passes, rental equipment, lessons, etc will be loaded onto your card.
Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
The Wanaka Hotel offers affordable accommodation in a fantastic location. Stay in the center of town only one minute walk to the lake and Town Centre.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 60 kms / 38 miles : 0.9 hours
The dual-mountain pass is the most flexible way to ski or snowboard in Wanaka. With this you have the freedom to explore 850 hectares of NZ's best skiing and snowboarding terrain at Cardrona and Treble Cone.
Don't own your own gear or snow clothing, or not sure if your skills are up to scratch?
No worries, chat to us about adding rentals and lessons.
Cardrona ski field is located between Wanaka and Queenstown so it's handy to both alpine resorts. Set over 345 hectares with 20% beginner, 55% intermediate and 25% advanced there are runs to suit all abilities. Cardrona offers parks and pipes of different levels for those that enjoy jumps and freestyle snow fun. If you're bringing the family, Cardrona has the best facilities for kids with a nursery for 3 months to 3yrs, ski kindy for 3-4 yrs and kids ski school for 5yr+. There's also ski school for the big kids no matter your skill level. With onsite full ski and snowboard gear rental available you don't have to worry about packing gear and when you need to rest the legs or fuel your fire, there are 5 cafes on the mountain so you'll find whatever you're craving.
Nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps, the Cardrona Valley offers some of the best conditions on Earth for stargazing. Not only does it have a dar...
Read moreNestled in the heart of the Southern Alps, the Cardrona Valley offers some of the best conditions on Earth for stargazing. Not only does it have a dark sky with minimal light pollution, but it’s far enough south to have a great vantage point to view the famous Southern Sky. Your guide will talk about the night sky specific to our location in New Zealand - You’ll cover highlights of the Southern Sky, constellations, movements of planets, celestial navigation, and general information about what can be seen without the aid of a telescope before using the telescope to get a closer look at star clusters, nebulae and planets.
The tour includes a journey through the working distillery and barrelhouse and finishes with a tutored tasting of Cardrona Distillery's artisan spirit...
Read moreThe tour includes a journey through the working distillery and barrelhouse and finishes with a tutored tasting of Cardrona Distillery's artisan spirits.
HideYour accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
The Wanaka Hotel offers affordable accommodation in a fantastic location. Stay in the center of town only one minute walk to the lake and Town Centre.Treble Cone, the largest ski area in NZ’s South Island, is famous for its long, uncrowded groomed runs, legendary off-piste terrain and unrivaled views over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps.
For beginner skiers and snowboarders, Treble Cone's learner area is located alongside the comforts of the Base lodge and café with the convenience of a fully kitted ski and snowboard rental shop.
Intermediates will revel Treble Cone’s massive 700m of vertical, the longest in the Queenstown Southern Lakes District which allows for some of New Zealand’s longest groomed trails and of course, Treble Cone’s famous off-piste terrain.
Advanced and expert riders will find a playground of open powder faces and natural half pipes in the Saddle Basin and on the Summit Slopes and the Motatapu Chutes offer some of the steepest and most challenging terrain within the boundaries of a patrolled and protected ski area.
Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel
The Wanaka Hotel offers affordable accommodation in a fantastic location. Stay in the center of town only one minute walk to the lake and Town Centre.From Wanaka there are two routes you can take to get to Queenstown. Either head over the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest sealed road (make sure you’re carrying snow chains and check the road conditions) or take the longer route via Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge.
If time allows sneak in a few more Queenstown sights or maybe take an early morning ride on the Skyline gondola before returning your rental car to the airport and catching your flight home.
Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 68 kms / 42 miles : 1.1 hours