5 days in Wanaka this winter could be just what you've been looking for! With 2 days skiing or snowboarding at Treble Cone, spend your days tearing up the snow, with plenty of time to relax and explore this beautiful winter town. Head out for a hike, or perhaps add on a few extra local attractions, chat with us about customising it to fit you perfectly!
South Island Ski including Car Hire
This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,399 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Queenstown, finishes in Queenstown
6 days/5 nights
Motels
Rental car included
Viewed 52 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Arrive into Queenstown, collect you car then enjoy the beautiful drive to Wanaka. Accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Day 2: Explore Treble Cone today. Accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Day 3: Start exploring other basins that Treble Cone has to offer. Accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Day 4: Today is free, so check out some of Wanaka's other attractions. Accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Day 5: Today you'll depart Queenstown for home - Ask us for Queenstown activities. Accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Day 6: Today you'll depart Queenstown for home - Ask us for Queenstown activities.
Ski New Zealand have a superb range of cars suitable for winter driving in New Zealand. With a range of inclusions like ski racks, and snow chains that will suit your winter holiday perfectly. First time driving in New Zealand winter? Check out our helpful tips!
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.
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.
Stuart Landsborough’s remarkable Puzzling World is home to the original Great Maze as well as numerous illusion rooms which will leave you scratc...
Read moreStuart 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.
HideYour accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Bella Vista Wanaka is located in the heart of Wanaka, with shopping and dining right on your doorstep. These affordable motel rooms offer clean and modern self-catering accommodation with secure storage for skis and easy off street parking.Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg: 60 kms / 37 miles : 0.9 hours
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.
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.
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: Bella Vista Wanaka
Bella Vista Wanaka is located in the heart of Wanaka, with shopping and dining right on your doorstep. These affordable motel rooms offer clean and modern self-catering accommodation with secure storage for skis and easy off street parking.If you are feeling familiar with the home basin maybe it is time to head out wide and explore Matukituki Basin, be sure to stop out there and take in the spectacular views of the Southern Alps and down to Lake Wanaka.
Feel like a relaxing night, take yourself to the movies, Cinema Paradiso is not your average cinema. A classic movie theatre with comfy old sofas, an old Morris Minor car, and a cafe & bar serving delicious meals before, during, or after the movie. A great option for days when the weather is not so great up the ski field, especially for families! Paradiso provides a novel experience - they even have a half-time intermission where you can get homemade ice cream, a hot chocolate, or a freshly baked cookie! Tickets can be purchased at your own expense at the cinema prior to the session or up to a few days before the movie you wish to see. The seating is unallocated, so if you arrive early you get the pick of the couches, chairs, and cinema seating.
Your accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Bella Vista Wanaka is located in the heart of Wanaka, with shopping and dining right on your doorstep. These affordable motel rooms offer clean and modern self-catering accommodation with secure storage for skis and easy off street parking.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.
Lying close to the centre of Lake Wanaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. A unique glacial remnant of the last ice age, the island is also the histo...
Read moreLying close to the centre of Lake Wanaka is Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. A unique glacial remnant of the last ice age, the island is also the historic site of early shipbuilding and used to be a stopping place for the steamers and log rafts that once plied the lake. Accessible from Wanaka by a 35-minute boat cruise, the landing is on the eastern side of the island where the remnants of the early settlement remain; a stone wharf and a hut. A well-formed track leads from the landing and climbs steadily through native bush to near the top of Tyrwhitt Peak. Just before the top, we see Arethusa Pool, a small lake on the island with small islands in it - very intriguing! From the top, we have a sweeping 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its surrounding mountains and valleys, and below Arethusa Pool. The perfect spot to stop for tea or coffee. Going back down the track gives us more time to take in our surroundings, listening to and watching the lively bird-life, and just enjoying this unique wildlife reserve. You will feel well rewarded as you re-join the boat for the cruise back to Wanaka. Total cruise time is 1.5 hours. The trip runs subject to weather and lake conditions. Depending on the planting season, you can help The Reforestation of Mou Waho by planting a tree.
HideWinter 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...
Read moreWinter 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.
HideYour accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Bella Vista Wanaka is located in the heart of Wanaka, with shopping and dining right on your doorstep. These affordable motel rooms offer clean and modern self-catering accommodation with secure storage for skis and easy off street parking.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.
Your accommodation: Bella Vista Wanaka
Bella Vista Wanaka is located in the heart of Wanaka, with shopping and dining right on your doorstep. These affordable motel rooms offer clean and modern self-catering accommodation with secure storage for skis and easy off street parking.Leaving Wanaka you head over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road before dropping into Queenstown.
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: 65 kms / 41 miles : 1.1 hours
6 days, from Queenstown to Queenstown
6 days, from Queenstown to Queenstown
5 days, from Queenstown to Queenstown
5 days, from Queenstown to Queenstown