Joanna James
We all know New Zealand for its scenery but come winter this becomes a snow capped paradise perfect for sports such as skiing. Below are some of the best areas to experience the joys of skiing.
Carpeted by 2 of the country's most popular ski fields; The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, Queenstown enjoys quite the ski crowd every winter. Often nicknamed the 'Concrete Park' thanks to its icy cover, Coronet has a characteristic feel to it. Regardless of whether you are an expert or a novice, Coronet caters to all. The Remarkables - the other top ski spot in Queensland, works better among seasoned skiers. After all, this spot has terrain parks and plenty of steep slopes, while even the average snowfall here is significantly higher than the Coronet Peak. The Remarkables has always enjoyed being a popular start off point for skiers. In fact, in 2014 a new terrain plus a chairlift was added to the area making the entire experience all the more interesting. For those based at a Queenstown ski resort, the 2 hotspots, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are usually in close proximity. From the Oaks Club Resort, for instance, Coronet Peak is a 25 minute drive and The Remarkables is a 30 minute drive away.
Wanaka does not enjoy as much buzz as Queenstown does but it is the closest town to New Zealand's best ski field; the Treble Cone. The Treble Cone has often been sighted as a favourite ski spot among professional skiers. If you do your homework you can read what experts such as Pete Ilinsky have to say about the Treble Cone and it is all great things! The fact that it is not overly touristy and crowded is another plus point, for this goes well with the serene ambience of the place. The field features thick snow during winter and is also the place where you can find the longest vertical lift service in New Zealand.
Offering a diverse ski experience, Canterbury is yet another favourite city among skiers. It is home to Mount Hutt and if you are an ardent skier you would have definitely heard of this one. This large and rather commercial ski field offers a total of 365 hectares of terrain and has an average of 4m of snowfall every winter. Canterbury offers a little more challenge than the other cities but the uncrowded blissful setting that one can enjoy here makes it all worth the while. In addition to Mount Hutt, Canterbury is also home to the New Zealand Club Fields which for many beats the heart of New Zealand skiing. It caters to a diverse crowd and places like the Broken River is perfect for those visiting with the family; likewise, for those thrill seekers looking for the steepest slope in the country, it really does not get better than the Temple Basin. To have access to almost all of the city's club fields get hold of a "chill pass".
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
