Panorama Court Apartments from Finder Hotels
Located at the base of Roys Peak, Panorama Court sits near Wanaka's sightseeing attractions and is a 40-minute drive from Cardrona and Treble Cone. Each room has views of the Southern Alps.
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Wanaka is a popular home base to go skiing in Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Farm.
However, Cardrona and Snow Farm both offer accommodation options.
There's no accommodation between Treble Cone and Wanaka, so if you're planning to ski or snowboard there, your best bet is to stay in Wanaka.
Wanaka holiday accommodation
Wanaka Luxury Apartments from Finder Hotels
These self-contained apartments are just 500 metres from Lake Wanaka with the closest snow fields less than 45-minutes away. Ski storage and equipment hire is available on-site.
Wanaka Homestead Lodge and Cottages from Finder Hotels
Guests have the choice of staying in B&B accommodation or self-catering cottages. Either way, you will be greeted by a welcoming host and a spacious room.
Distinction Wanaka Serviced Apartments from Finder Hotels
Take in the panoramic mountain views and enjoy the short walk to the town centre from Distinction Wanaka Service Apartments. That's if you can find time between the skiing/snowboarding and outdoor adventures.
Cardrona and Snow Farm accommodation
Studio 26 from Expedia.com.au
Prepare to have all those homely feelings when you book your stay at Studio 26. It's a self-contained 1-bedroom home that comes with a pool – if you feel like going for a dip.
Cardrona Hotel from Agoda
Perfectly positioned at less than a 30-minute drive to either Cardrona Ski Resort or Snow Farm, Cardrona Hotel offers villas, queen or king rooms and family rooms to suit your snow party.
Waiorau Homestead from Finder Hotels
Hidden away from the street front, Waiorau Homestead is set on a tranquil rural estate just a short drive from Cardrona Alpine Resort. It's a great place to explore your surroundings on bike or by foot during the day before settling down by the fireplace in the evening.
Where is each area compared to Wanaka?
- Cardrona: 35-minute drive (34 kilometres) from Wanaka
- Treble Cone: 35-minute drive (29 kilometres) from Wanaka
- Snow Farm: 40-minute drive (33 kilometres) from Wanaka
Lift pass prices
All prices listed below are in NZD and are for the 2022 season.
Cardrona lift pass prices
If you purchase a multi-day pass, you'll be rewarded with discounts for the more days you purchase.
| Pass type | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | $150 | $280 | $300 | $400 | $500 |
| Child (6–17 years old) | $75 | $140 | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Student | $105 | $200 | $255 | $340 | $425 |
| Senior (65–74 years old) | $105 | $200 | $255 | $340 | $425 |
Treble Cone lift pass prices
All Treble Cone lift passes include a free shuttle bus service from Wanaka. Save money by purchasing a multi-day pass.
| Pass type | 1 day | 2 days | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $150 | $280 | $300 | $400 | $500 |
| Child (6–17 years old) | $75 | $140 | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Student | $105 | $200 | $255 | $340 | $425 |
| Senior (65–74 years old) | $105 | $200 | $255 | $340 | $425 |
Snow Farm trail pass prices
A season pass for Snow Farm gives you access to the fields' alpine wonderland. Snow Farm offers season passes for dog sledding, meaning the whole family can join in on the fun.
| Pass type | Half-day trail pass | 1-day trail pass | Season pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $44 | $50 | $229 | |
| Child | $22 | $28 | $99 | |
| Student | $39 | $44 | N/A |
Things you need to know about Cardrona Mountain
- Number of chair lifts: 5
- Ski season dates: 11 June – 16 October 2022
- Snow report: Check the daily snow report for a detailed and accurate look at recent snowfalls and conditions
- Trail breakdown: 25% beginner, 25% intermediate, 30% advanced and 20% expert
- Number of terrain parks: 4
- Longest run: 4 kilometres
- Skiable terrain: 600 hectares
Things you need to know about Treble Cone Mountain
- Number of chair lifts: 2
- Ski season dates: 25 June – 25 September 2022
- Snow report: Check the daily snow report for a detailed and accurate look at recent snowfalls and conditions
- Trail breakdown: 10% beginner, 45% intermediate and 45% advanced
- Number of terrain parks: 2
- Longest run: 4 kilometres
- Skiable terrain: 550 hectares
Things you need to know about Snow Farm Mountain
- Number of chair lifts: 2
- Ski season dates: 1 July – 19 September 2022
- Snow report: Check the daily snow report for a detailed and accurate look at recent snowfalls and conditions
- Trail breakdown: 40% beginner, 20% intermediate and 40% advanced
- Skiable terrain: 55 kilometres of trails (groomed for skating and classics), 10 km of snowshoe trails
Images: Snow Farm
How do I get to Wanaka?
The closest airport to Wanaka is Queenstown Airport. This is a 60-minute scenic drive to the centre of town.
Flights from Australia are serviced by Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Qantas.
How do I get to the ski fields?
If you're staying in Wanaka and plan to visit Cardrona: A shuttle service that has multiple pick-up points around town will take you to the ski fields. Shuttle tickets can be added to a lift pass at the time of purchase.
If you plan to drive, the journey is around 20-minutes and you will be on unsealed roads. In case of snow fall, bring snow chains.
If you're staying in Wanaka and plan to visit Treble Cone: A Wanaka Treble Cone Express shuttle service is available. It has 4 pick-up points across Wanaka and is free for lift pass holders. The services depart at 7:45am and 8:30am and return to Wanaka at 4pm and 4:30pm daily.
If you plan to drive, park at one of the lower-level car parks and take the shuttle to the Base Area.
Snow chains might be required to drive all the way to the resort. If you don't want the stress or cost, park at the bottom of the Treble Cone access road and hop on the shuttle. This will take you up to the mountain.
If you're staying in Wanaka and plan to visit Snow Farm: There is a morning and afternoon shuttle service to Snow Farm. It picks you up from your accommodation and drops you off at the end of the day.
If you plan to drive it will take you 40 minutes. The road is unsealed so you'll need chains in case they need to be fitted to your vehicle.
Ski schools available in Wanaka
Cardrona lessons
| Program | Who can participate? | What is involved? |
|---|---|---|
| Under-5 ski lesson | Children under the age of 5 | Children under the age of 5 are introduced to the snow and learn how to slide, stop and turn by themselves on the slopes. |
| Kids group lessons | Children aged between 5 and 14 | Children learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding and will be split up by age and ability to ensure they learn the foundations of skiing/boarding suitable for their skill level. |
| Adventure program | Children aged between 5 and 14 | A 4-day ski or snowboarding program packed with activities and lessons. The same instructor will teach every lesson to ensure children get the most out of the program. Participants will be presented with a report card of their achievements throughout the week. |
| Adult group lessons | Anyone aged 18 or above | A program dedicated to sharpening your skills in the beginner, learner, intermediate or advanced zone depending on your skills. |
| Private lessons | Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels | A certified instructor will give you their full attention to build your skills, technique and confidence on the slopes. |
Treble Cone lessons
| Program | Who can participate? | What is involved? |
|---|---|---|
| Kids lessons | Children aged between 6 and 17 | Children are grouped by age and ability with capped groups of 5 to take their skiing/snowboarding skills to the next level with games and terrain-based exploration. |
| Adult groups | Adults of all skill levels | Adults will take their skiing/snowboarding skills to the next level with lessons designed to encourage participants to ride more of the mountain with increased skills and confidence. |
| Private lessons | Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels | One-on-one coaching from a certified professional focusing on skill development so you can hit the slopes with more confidence and a better understanding of technique. |
Snow Farm lessons
| Program | Who can participate? | What is involved? |
|---|---|---|
| Youth cross-country programs | Children aged between 3 and 17 | This program is suitable for children of all skill levels and abilities, whether a beginner or a competitive cross-country racer. Skiers will be separated into groups to suit their abilities to ensure they get the most out of the lesson. |
| Adult cross-country programs | Adults of all skill levels | Participants will be put into groups based on abilities and be pushed to reach their potential on the slopes. If you're learning to ski for the first time or you're an avid skier, there's a program available to help you get comfortable on the Snow Farm mountain. |
| Private lessons | People of all skill levels | For people who are looking to refine their skills, you can take a one-on-one lesson with a qualified professional to focus on areas you feel you need to improve in. |
Where to get ski hire in Wanaka
If you don't own ski equipment or want to avoid the hassle of flying with your gear, you can hire ski equipment in Wanaka from these stores.
- BaseNZ: Ski and snowboard equipment, plus apparel for sale. Take advantage of the 30% early-bird discounts, 10% student discounts and 20% off for long rental deals. 22 Helwick Street, Wanaka, New Zealand
- Green Toad: Ski and snowboard gear, helmets, toboggans and outerwear. 10% early-bird online discount available. 6 Pembroke Mall, Wanaka Waterfront, Wanaka, New Zealand
- SnoPro: Ski and snowboard gear, helmets and outerwear. 10% discount for multi-day rentals. Delivery service
Looking for the best deals for a trip to Wanaka?
Deal
Up to 15% off New Zealand adventures
Available on tours in 2022–2023. Destinations include Christchurch, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Auckland and more.
Deal
Up to 10% off New Zealand ski experiences
Available on select travel dates from June – September 2022 and June – September 2023. Destinations include Queenstown, Wanaka, The Remarkables, Christchurch and more.
Deal
New Zealand: Wanaka escapes from $199 per night
Available on stays until December 2022. Sample stay is for an apartment stay.
Deal
Up to 25% off New Zealand ski passes, rentals shuttles and tours
Book ski passes, tours, heliskiing experiences, gear hire and more in Queenstown, Christchurch and Wanaka.
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