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Winter in Wanaka Package

Wanaka is a superb winter destination. On this 8-day ski or snowboard package, you will have time to enjoy everything that this beautiful alpine town has to offer, combined with 5 days at the outstanding Cardrona Alpine Resort where there is something for everyone and more than enough runs to keep you entertained.

Tour summary and feature

South Island Ski including Car Hire

This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,948 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Queenstown, finishes in Queenstown

8 days/7 nights

Hotel 3 star

 Rental car included

 Viewed 33 times in the last 7 days

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Tour at a glance

Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown, collect your car and enjoy the scenic drive to Wanaka. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 2: With your 5 day Cardrona Lift Pass you have enough time to experience it all. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 3: Today is free, so check out some of Wanaka's other attractions. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 4: Explore Cardrona Skifield today. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 5: Find some terrain that you haven't explored before. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 6: Ensure you soak in the amazing views from the top. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 7: Enjoy your last day at the this spectacular NZ Ski Resort. Accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Day 8: Today you'll depart for Queenstown, then head for home.

Tour full itinerary
Itinerary
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 1
Collect your Ski New Zealand rental car

Ski New Zealand have a superb range of cars from all the top companies and with a range of insurance options and inclusions like ski racks, and snow chains that will suit you perfectly.

Take the short drive from Queenstown to Wanaka

Head out of Queenstown and over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road before dropping into Wanaka. Take it easy as this road can be a little 'interesting' in winter. There are plenty of signs advising the road conditions and there is a slightly longer but lower altitude route via Cromwell. If you do take the Crown Range route then you should time your trip to stop at the Cardrona Hotel for 'sustenance'. This 'world famous in New Zealand' landmark will have some great food and a welcoming log fire.

Arrive into Wanaka and collect your lift pass

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 x Treble Cone Wanaka Office (located at 50 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka) 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. 

Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 60 kms / 37 miles : 0.9 hours

Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 2
Cardrona & Treble Cone - 5 of 8 Day Dual Mountain Lift Pass and Rental Package

Cardrona is New Zealand's fun and family-friendly ski resort with the most reliable snow conditions in the region. Its high elevation and southerly aspect mean dry natural snow is plentiful, which is further enhanced by snowmaking facilities. Cardrona is the perfect place for beginners and intermediates, with NZ's only combined gondola chairlift, easy-to-use surface lifts, specialised beginner packages and plenty of wide open trails spread over three basins. If you're up for a challenge, you'll find it in Arcadia, with secret powder stashes, chutes and cliff drops. Cardrona is home to the NZ Park & Pipe Team & offers the most extensive terrain park facilities in the Southern Hemisphere with four terrain parks, two half pipes and a gravity-cross course. Boasting eight distinctly different cafes, fully licensed kids' centres, on-mountain accommodation, retail; ski & snowboard lessons; and a fully equipped rental department, Cardrona is pure gold.
This pass also allows access to Treble Cone Ski Field, the largest ski area in NZ’s South Island It is famous for its long, uncrowded groomed runs, legendary off-piste terrain and unrivalled views over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. Located just a 35-minute scenic drive from Wanaka and a 90 minute drive from Queenstown via the Crown Range road.
Treble Cone is a must-do experience for skiers and snowboarders with a massive 700m of vertical, which also allows for some of New Zealand’s longest groomed trails and best free-riding terrain.
Your rentals and lift pass may be collected from Cardrona or Treble Cone Ski Field, and allows you to change from skiing to snowboarding during the day if you feel like trying something new.

Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 3
Explore the winter wonderland of Wanaka

Explore what else Wanaka has to offer, including a range of cafes, bars, and restaurants to enjoy, miles of scenic walking and biking tracks, vineyards and distilleries to visit, and if you are looking for something indoors experience Puzzling World, Transport and Toy Museum or the Base Indoor Climbing Wall. If you still want to be skiing and your legs can handle it then book heli-skiing as it's one of the most breathtaking places to do it in the world.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling world

Stuart Landsborough’s remarkable Puzzling World is home to the original Great Maze as well as numerous illusion rooms which will leave you scratc...

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Stuart Landsborough’s remarkable Puzzling World is home to the original Great Maze as well as numerous illusion rooms which will leave you scratching your head in wonder.  This is a great destination for those days when the weather doesn’t play ball or you need to rest the legs and still keep the kids entertained.  Great for all ages this is a must for your winter holiday in Wanaka.

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SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Central Otago Afternoon Wine Tour

Winter in Central Otago is a magical time, with crisp days and frosty mornings.  A great way to unwind from your previous days adventures on the s...

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Winter in Central Otago is a magical time, with crisp days and frosty mornings.  A great way to unwind from your previous days adventures on the slopes is to join an afternoon wine tour of the boutique vineyards and wineries that the region is famous for.  Travelling in a small group you’ll explore the countryside surrounding Wanaka as you visit 4 specially chosen vineyards.  You’ll taste the delicious Pinot Noir the region is best known for as well as excellent examples of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay.  Enjoy a gourmet canapé matched tasting at one of the vineyards and throughout the tour take in the magical Central scenery.

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SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Heli Ski - Classic 4 Run Day ex Wanaka

The mountains surrounding the world-renowned resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka feature thrilling backcountry terrain and dramatic scenery. Enjoy a...

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The mountains surrounding the world-renowned resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka feature thrilling backcountry terrain and dramatic scenery. Enjoy an unforgettable day with 4 runs of heli-ski or heli-board bliss. Runs vary between 1500 to 2500 vertical feet of treeless skiing in sheltered basins, bowls and wide rolling mountain flanks with the opportunity to sample some of more advanced terrain.

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information click here.

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Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 4
2nd Day Cardrona Alpine Resort

Set over 465 hectares with 25% beginner, 25% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 20% expert terrain, there is definitely something to suit all abilities. With 5 lifts spread over 4 basins, there is plenty to explore. Cardrona also offers parks and pipes of different levels for those that enjoy jumps and freestyle fun.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Cardrona Distillery Classic Tour

The tour includes a journey through the working distillery and barrelhouse and finishes with a tutored tasting of Cardrona Distillery's artisan spirit...

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The tour includes a journey through the working distillery and barrelhouse and finishes with a tutored tasting of Cardrona Distillery's artisan spirits.

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Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 5
Your 3rd day at Cardrona Alpine Resort

Started in the 1970s Cardrona ski field is the dream child of the Lees, a local farming family. In 1978, they installed the first tow rope on the mountain and added an access road with a suitable gradient for even a bus to travel along. The field went from strength to strength with the introduction of the fields first snow groomer in 1981 and double chair lift in 1983. By the end of the 80s snowboarders had also caught on that there was fun to be had and the county's first international halfpipe was built above the learners' area. Since then Cardrona ski field has gone from strength to strength and is opening up more terrain all the time.

Reduce the pace on one of Wanaka's self-guided short walks

If you have had enough of those tight boots or just want to explore more of the local area, these short walks come highly recommended by the whole Ski New Zealand team:
Waterfall Creek Track

A must when you visit Wanaka, the track starts from the west end of Roys Bay and soon reaches Wānaka Station Park, a beautiful picnic area, on the left. The track then winds along the lake's western shores for superb views and a great photo opportunity at the famous “Wānaka Tree”. The trail then passes Edgewater and Rippon Vineyard – where a cellar door and wine tastings are available – and on to Waterfall Creek with views of Ruby Island.
Distance: 2.5km Completion Time: 1 hour
Outlet Track
This is a local favourite as it is an easy walk suitable for all ages and abilities. It begins from Wanaka town centre and takes you around picturesque Lake Wanaka to the outlet to the Clutha River and on to Albert Town. This track can also be explored by bike.
Distance: 3 km one way. Completion Time: 1 hour one way.
Mount Iron Track
This very popular, close-to-Wanaka-town loop walk suits all ages and abilities and offers great views of Lake Hawea from the summit.
Distance: 4.5 km. Completion Time: 1.5 hours.
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Tracks
These two excellent walks in the Diamond Lake Conservation Area give wonderful views of the surrounding alps and Lake Wanaka.
Distance: 2km - 7 km depending on the trail. Completion Time: 45 minutes - 3 hours depending on the trail.

Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 6
Your 4th day at Cardrona Alpine Resort

Cardrona has picturesque views so ensure you take some time to soak up the view, whichever way you look it's breathtaking. There is a swing at top of Mcdougall's Express Chondola which makes for an amazing photo opportunity.

Cardrona Hotel Dinner - Suggested Activity

If you feel like spoiling yourself and learning about the area's history we recommend taking yourself out for lunch or dinner at The Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic hotels which sits between Queenstown and Wanaka on the stunning Crown Range Road. Nestled in a beautiful mountain valley, the town of Cardrona boasts a rich and vibrant history: settled in the 1860s as hundreds of hopeful prospectors flooded into the valley chasing gold, the Cardrona Hotel was one of four hotels quickly established to offer accommodation, food, livery services and a coaching-stop for miners and travellers. With the short-lived gold mining boom beginning to wind down in the late 1800s, the area quietened down, with the Cardrona Hotel eventually becoming the sole remaining hotel in the valley. In more recent times the township of Cardrona has seen a resurgence in visitors, people clamouring to get a taste of old the old town feel, stopping in for a pint or delicious meal and a few fantastic photo opportunities in the quaint village that harkens back to a time of hope, gold and good fortune.

Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 7
Your 5th day at Cardrona Alpine Resort

If you haven't taken the time to enjoy the cuisine at Cardrona maybe you will today. The Mezz café offers spectacular views over the learners slope, and there are delicious dumplings on offer at the Noodle Bar and if you get time to get to Captain's basin then maybe you can grab yourself a slice of pizza.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Stevenson Island Cruise & Nature Walk

Take a leisurely 45 minute cruise out to Stevensons Peninsula and then into Stevensons Arm, home to Mount Burke high country sheep station. Rolling gr...

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Take a leisurely 45 minute cruise out to Stevensons Peninsula and then into Stevensons Arm, home to Mount Burke high country sheep station. Rolling green pastures precede Mount Gold and Mount Burke which rise majestically into the Eastern skyline. Relax in comfort as you cruise up the arm to Stevensons Island where Dual Image will make a beach landing. Your guide will take you ashore via the front loading ramp for a short hike to the summit of the Island and some excellent photo opportunities. Stevensons Island is an inspiration for photographers - shaped by winds that funnel down the arm, rock and twisted trunks meld into nature's finest backdrop. Your experience is complete with afternoon tea on return to Dual Image and another 40 minute scenic cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront.

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Your accommodation: Wanaka Hotel

Situated right in the heart of Wanaka, only a couple of minutes walk to the town center and lakefront. Beautiful garden or lake-facing rooms and great facilities.
Winter in Wanaka Package - Day 8
Wanaka to Queenstown

Leaving Wanaka you head over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road before dropping into Queenstown.

Take one last spin around Queenstown before returning your car to the airport.

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.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Queenstown Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak

For a different perspective of Queenstown take the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak. The Queenstown Skyline Gondola (or cable car as it&...

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For a different perspective of Queenstown take the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak. The Queenstown Skyline Gondola (or cable car as it’s also known) is the steepest in the Southern Hemisphere so you very quickly reach heights that offer spectacular 220 degree views. At the top you’ll have access to viewing platforms for great views of Queenstown and your favourite mountains, there’s also a café to enjoy a drink while soaking up the surrounds.

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Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 65 kms / 41 miles : 1.1 hours

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