The Best New Zealand Ski Resorts

Mount Ruapehu

• Mount Ruapehu on the North Island provides natural skiing and snowboarding terrain with snow-filled basins, steep chutes, drop-offs and powder stashes. The resort is separated by two mountains, Whakapapa and Turoa, similar in terrain and height. Both sites offer learners facilities, terrain parks for snowboarders and free skiers of all abilities.

  The advanced terrain on Whakapapa provides 24 black and black diamond runs plus the lift; Turoa has 25 black and black diamond runs and two lift-accessed back-country areas. Accommodations include a choice of lodges, hotels and chateaus. The Bayview Chateau Tongariro on Mount Ruapehu has won several awards, including the World Travel Award for Australasia and a designation as New Zealand's leading ski resort.

  Ruapehu Alpine Lifts

  Private Bag 71902

  Mount Ruapehu 3951

  New Zealand

  Turoa +64-6-385-8456

  Whakapapa +64-7-892-4000

  mtruapehu.com

Temple Basin Ski Field

• Temple Basin is a ski and snowboarding area in the middle of the New Zealand's Southern Alps, surrounded by Arthur's Pass National Park and close to the city of Christchurch on the South Island. "Transworld Snowboarding" magazine ranks Temple Basin as one of the best snowboarding and ski areas in the world. Lodge accommodation is available on the site, and skiing takes place seven days a week. Beginners are welcome as well as intermediate and advanced skiers. The elevation of the trails is 5.751 feet, with a vertical drop of 1,400 feet.

  Temple Basin Ski Field

  State Highway 73

  Arthur's Pass

  New Zealand

  0-800-500-660

  ski-newzealand.co.nz

Ohau Snow Fields and Lake Ohau Lodge

• Lake Ohau Lodge and Ohau Snow Fields are 199 miles south of Christchurch and 170 miles north of Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island. The lodge is separate accommodation from the ski area and is a 20-minute drive to the snow fields on Mount Sutton. Skiers can drive themselves or take a bus that leaves every morning from the lodge at 9:15 and returns at the end of the day. Beginners are welcome as well as intermediate and advanced skiers. The highest lift is 4,921 feet, with a vertical drop of 1,312 feet. On-site instructors offer skiing and snowboarding instruction and mountain awareness programs. The Ohau area won the Snowco 2009 Service Award.

  Ohau Snow Fields and Lake Ohau Lodge

  2295 Lake Ohau Road

  P.O. Box 51

  Twizel 7944

  03 438 9885

  ohau.co.nz