Skiing and Snowboarding with the Family

All you need to know for your Queenstown or Wanaka snow vacation with the kids!

With more mountains than Switzerland, more than 25 scenic ski areas and lots of perfect, crisp, blue-sky days, New Zealand has the best ski and snowboard areas in the Southern Hemisphere.
Base yourself in Queenstown or Wanaka and you'll be as little as half an hour's drive from five fantastic ski areas, with tons of snow to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, toboggan, tube and play in.

If your snow vacation includes the kids, you can find everything independently or book a ski or snow holiday package.  A snow holiday package can include flights, car rental or mountain transport, pants or gear hire, ski or snowboard lessons, lift passes and more.  The New Zealand ski season runs from late June to late September, although the snow areas of New Zealand do not open or close at the same time; it depends on the season and weather.  Click on the individual ski field's website to find out their expected open and close date for the next snow season.

First, here's the lowdown on the ski and snowboard areas close to Queenstown and Wanaka, Southern Lakes, New Zealand.

How far is Coronet Peak from Queenstown and Wanaka?
Coronet Peak
18km / 25 mins from Queenstown or 80km / 75 mins from Wanaka
Coronet Peak is the South Island’s most popular mountain resort. There’s heaps of fun for kids, from the state-of-the-art Skiwiland Crèche to the beginner slopes with handle tow and twin conveyor lifts, plus fantastic off-piste for the more intrepid! If you’ve never skied after sundown don’t miss Night Skiing, exclusive to Coronet Peak, Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm (July to mid Sept.). Kids 6 years and under receive free day passes.

How far is The Remarkables from Queenstown and Wanaka?
The Remarkables
28km / 45 mins from Queenstown or 83km / 90 mins from Wanaka
Known for its friendly atmosphere and relaxed feel this is a great family field – a fantastic sun trap with a large, wide, gentle beginner area, and a unique tubing park. The Skiwiland Crèche was revamped last season and capacity increased. The Remarkables offers lots for intermediates plus incredible off-piste powder runs. Kids 10 years and under receive free day passes. Great deals on family passes available.

How far is Cardrona Alpine Resort from Queenstown and Wanaka?
Cardrona Alpine Resort
58km / 60 mins from Queenstown or 34km / 35 mins from Wanaka
Cardrona is the largest ski area easily accessed from Queenstown and New Zealand’s favourite family mountain! Kids love Cardrona thanks to its crazy colourful base area and mellow groomed runs perfect for young ones finding their feet. There are plenty of packages and options available which means parents can have as much free time as they wish. We offer childminding, care, activities, lessons and FUN in multi-day, full day and half day options. Shorter lessons are available for families who like to spend more time skiing together.

How far is Treble Cone from Queenstown and Wanaka?
Treble Cone
90km / 90 mins from Queenstown or 30km / 35 mins from Wanaka
Treble Cone is a exciting winter playground offering endless options for families who are either first timers or regular skiers and snowboarders. Our congestion free slopes and two chairlifts provide access to South Islands largest ski area in the Southern Alps. Families can also learn to ski or ride together, sightsee or just play in the snow on the lower mountain. Activity & Enviro-Silver Qualmark endorsed.

How far is The Snow Park from Queenstown and Wanaka?
The Snow Park
58km / 60 mins from Queenstown or 34km / 35 mins from Wanaka
From first time park riders to the most advanced, Snow Park NZ offers something for everyone. The beginner jumps and boxes allow for easy and fast progression. If you don’t think you are ready for the Superpipe check out the learner’s pipe and hit the beginner boxes on your way back to the lift. There is a great progression of beginner jumps, rails and boxes as well as a learner’s half-pipe. Combine this with our excellent coaching program, relaxed riding atmosphere you will quickly learn what Snow Park is all about.

Transport

With the exception of Coronet Peak the ski field access roads are unsealed.  If you're not comfortable with fitting chains or mountain driving in snow or icy conditions, you'll be far better off letting someone else drive you to the ski slopes.  If you're driivng always remember to drive to the conditions, carry warm clothing, food, water, blankets, chains, a shovel, first aid kit and keep your petrol tank full.
There are snow shuttle buses that will take you from Queenstown to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables and these stop at most hotels and close to most accommodation.  However if you're organising a whole family you might find it easier to travel at your leisure with a smaller service.  Kidz Go has some great recommendations – CLICK HERE

Gear Hire

If you don't ski at home you may not have all the warm ski clothing required to go skiing.  The right gear is important for everyone but especially for the kids - if they're cold they won't enjoy their day and will think they hate skiing!  Luckily both children and adults can easily hire ski clothing in Queenstown and Wanaka.  You can get ski clothing when you arrive or book it online before you get here.  Either way, it's cheaper to book ski clothing for a few days.  Items for hire are ski pants, ski jackets and ski suits, and wrist guards, helmets, goggles and gloves may also be available.  Note: most shops include free wrist guards with your ski clothing hire.  Often goggles and gloves are not rented out for hygiene reasons, but these are cheap to purchase.  Kidz Go recommends some family-friendly hire shops in Queenstown and Wanaka, and these also rent skis, snowboards and boots.  CLICK HERE