| Winter in New Zealand is different from many parts | | | | at Wanaka, and Coronet Peak and the Remarkables |
| of the world, where they lie under snow for months | | | | in Queenstown. |
| on end. Apart from the peaks of our Southern Alps, | | | | Perhaps the most amazing thing about all of these ski |
| and the North Island's small group of volcanoes - | | | | fields is that they are at most a day's drive from the |
| Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, snow very rarely | | | | furthest north, to the furthest south. So you have |
| sits anywhere for more than a few days at a time, | | | | plenty of options within driving distance should one |
| even in the depths of winter. | | | | field be closed. |
| New Zealand has a temperate climate - which means | | | | A great way to follow the best snow conditions and |
| it doesn't get excessively hot in summer (most of | | | | combine your transport and accommodation into one, |
| the time) and equally, doesn't get incredibly cold in | | | | is to hire a six berth campervan and get a group of |
| winter, despite the fact that it's the last populated | | | | your friends together for the trip. You can park at |
| country en route to Antarctica. | | | | the bottom of the ski field road and take a shuttle |
| The southernmost parts of the South Island can | | | | up to the top, or with fields like Coronet that have |
| certainly feel the bite of southerly winds blowing up | | | | fully sealed roads all the way up the mountain, you |
| from the Ice, but overall, New Zealand is an easy | | | | can easily drive your campervan up to the carpark, |
| place to spend a holiday - no matter what time of | | | | so it can act as your base for the day's activities. |
| year it is. | | | | If you are hiring a campervan for your winter holiday, |
| Having said that, there are some key things to | | | | make sure you check out these winter driving tips |
| remember if you plan on having a wonderful winter | | | | from the New Zealand Automobile Association - and |
| holiday in New Zealand. | | | | most importantly, remember that in New Zealand we |
| - There may not be snow on the ground, but there | | | | drive on the left hand side of the road! |
| will be plenty of rain, possibly hail from time to time, | | | | To buy ski passes and get all the information you |
| and occasional fog. | | | | need to plan your trip, visit ski-newzealand.co.nz for |
| - There will also be a high likelihood of frost, especially | | | | information and prices on ski areas throughout the |
| if you are anywhere from Lake Taupo south. The | | | | South Island, gear hire packages and more. |
| great thing about frosty days, is that almost without | | | | Skiing and snowboarding are not the only fun winter |
| exception, they turn into a beautiful blue sky, sunny | | | | activities to be had in the South Island - outdoor |
| day once the icicles have thawed. | | | | ice-skating is another option. |
| - So pack warm clothes and head for the places you | | | | For the full winter wonderland experience, you really |
| can really enjoy the best of winter outdoors - the | | | | can't beat the South Island's Lake Tekapo mid winter. |
| snow fields and skating rinks. | | | | Not only do you have a great learners ski field at |
| - Make sure your hire vehicle comes with chains if | | | | Round Hill, there's the Southern Alps backdrop all |
| you are headed anywhere near the mountains - and | | | | around, the stunning aqua coloured water of the lake, |
| make sure you know how to put them on the car or | | | | and the perfect combo of skating rink and hot pools |
| van. | | | | at Alpine Springs and Spa. Local teams play ice |
| - Try to plan your driving so you are travelling during | | | | hockey on the rink and it's a favourite for |
| daylight hours - and remember it gets dark by about | | | | recreational skating with travelers too. This great |
| 5.30pm in mid-winter. | | | | facility also offers snow tubing, for anyone who |
| Skiers and Snowboarders Welcome | | | | wants winter fun with absolutely no prior experience |
| New Zealand is very well endowed with great ski | | | | required. |
| areas - most of them in the South Island, including | | | | There are plenty of other activities to be enjoyed on |
| the largest ski area with the longest season in | | | | a crisp winter's day too - a few rounds of golf on |
| Australasia, Mt Hutt. In all, the province of Canterbury | | | | some of the world's most beautiful golf courses, |
| has 18 ski fields, if you include the commercial fields | | | | doing the winery tours, which are to be enjoyed |
| of Hutt, Porters Pass, Mt Lyford, Round Hill, Mt | | | | year round and of course enjoying the many cafes, |
| Dobson and Ohau, as well as a range of club fields | | | | bars and eating establishments around the country. If |
| and heli-skiing opportunities. | | | | you are planning a trip to NZ in winter, the Tourism |
| Further south, Queenstown and Wanaka are the | | | | New Zealand website is a great place to start. |
| dominant players, boasting Treble Cone and Cardrona | | | | |