Your Guide to Wānaka’s Ski Areas

Cardrona Alpine Resort (aka Cardies) is your hill of all trades. Beginner areas, intermediate slopes, advanced terrain, check. Park laps and race tracks, check. Groomers, off-piste terrain, a couple lips and dips to keep it fun? Check again. This winter also offers a whole new playground, with a new chair in the Soho Basin bringing an extra 150ha of off-piste and groomed terrain. And in Main Basin, there’s a shiny new T-Bar to make your park laps that much more efficient. Cardies is open 14 June – 5 October.

Treble Cone (aka TC) is a quiet favourite amongst many a local. Rugged, playful, and cheeky, TC is perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers keen to let loose, challenge themselves, and holler their way down the mountain. With steep chutes, big bowls, corded groomers, lips and dips and off-piste terrain that goes for miles, there’s endless natural features to keep you entertained. Open 28 June – 28 September, you’d better go play.

Snow Farm is New Zealand’s only dedicated cross-country ski area, offering 55 km of groomed trails, snowshoe loops, tubing, and endless views over the Pisa Range. Try your hand at cross-country skiing, and enjoy a quieter experience than the big ski resorts on the other side of the Cardrona Valley. Open 28 June – 14 September.

Cardrona: Mid‑July through September offers firm cord and full park setups. Arrive just before first chair to snag those crisp morning lines. More into warmer afternoons and corn? September is perfect for those perfect afternoons spring skiing. 

Treble Cone: Mid‑winter storm cycles typically bring fresh powder. Get there earlier in the day to get a taste of those fresh snow pockets before they’re too carved up by the afternoon sun.

Snow Farm: The early-morning frost makes for ideal grip when cross-country skiing, then ease into your day with a warm cuppa at the lodge.

If you’ve got a rental car, fill it with your mates and carpool up. Cardies and Snow Farm sit on opposite sides of the Cardrona Valley, the start of each mountain road about 20 minutes out of Wānaka. TC is a 30-minute drive from Wānaka out past Glendhu Bay. You may need chains or a 4WD if weather and road conditions are bleak, so make sure to check the reports before you go.

There are also bus services operating from both Queenstown and Wānaka to Cardies and TC, and free shuttles up the mountain road from the bottom carparks.

Cardrona is best for families, beginners, or freestyle/park training. With wide, forgiving blues, new backcountry terrain out in Soho Basin, and an Olympic half-pipe and world-class park facilities, there’s truly something for everyone.

Treble Cone is ideal for intermediate to expert riders, with more challenging terrain. Think steep groomers, chutes, bowls, and off-piste terrain for the thrill seekers.

Snow Farm is perfect for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, or those wanting to give it a whirl. Or, grab your family or friends and overnight in a backcountry hut with a warm fire and a clear view of the stars.

At Cardrona, you’ll find a brand new base and dining area, including the world-famous-in-New Zealand Noodle Bar that just got an even bigger upgrade. In terms of facilities, you’ve got 7+ lifts, a full rental shop, a ski school to book a lesson or two, and a snow shop with everything you need to gear up for a day on the hill. 

At Treble Cone, grab your lunch down at base, or snag a pizza at the top of High Street and soak in the best views in New Zealand overlooking Lake Wānaka. It’s exactly as good as the hype. TC has two chairs, a learner T-Bar, a ski school with private or group lessons, a rental area, medical centre, gear shop, and several food options across the hill.

At Snow Farm, you’ll find a lounge-style lodge, on-site cross-country rentals, snowshoe gear, and a tubing hill. Grab a warm soup from the lodge cafe, or something heartier to keep you fueled.

Cardrona: First things first, buy your passes online to avoid the queues. Then, head up for first tracks and book it straight to Captains. The snow softens up early here, and the natural halfpipe terrain rides like a dream mid-morning.

Treble Cone: On a powder day, head to the Motatapu Chutes and traverse hard. Locals know how to squeeze every metre of vertical by hiking/skating along the ridgelines, but note this area is for advanced skiers only. Check all ski area signage and follow patrol guidance. Safety first, safety second.

Snow Farm: Snow Farm catches the morning light beautifully. Locals often ski the Merino Glen or Meadow Loop just after sunrise for immaculate grooming and golden light across the Pisa Ranges. Pack a lunch, strap on your skis or snowshoes, and make a day of it.

We’re so glad you asked. Here’s our full 5-7 day winter itinerary for your Wānaka ski holiday.