Mount Hutt
New Zealand contains a number of excellent skiing facilities, and they don’t come much better than the free-riding terrain around Canterbury on the South Island. Mount Hutt offers the largest skiable area on the South Island, and attracts skiers of all levels from all over the world. Many top-level skiers train here, and the snow season usually runs from June to October.
The Mackenzie Basin
The Mackenzie Basin, which is located between Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island, should be a must-ski stop on any New Zealand ski tour. Mount Dobson offers slopes particularly suited to family excursions, and there is a team of international instructors ready to tutor beginner and intermediate level skiers. Expert level trails are also available.
North Island
The prime location for downhill skiing north of the Cook Strait is undoubtedly Mount Ruapehu, even though this is actually an active volcano! The slopes here are far less crowded than what you will find on the South Island, although the terrain is just as exciting and varied.