Accommodation for NZ Ski Resorts

Want to ski New Zealand but can’t decide where to stay?

Unlike many other parts of the world, on-mountain accommodation at the New Zealand ski resorts is not very common, and true New Zealand ski-in ski-out accommodation is very rare indeed. Most New Zealand accommodation is off-mountain in towns such as Queenstown, Wanaka, Methven, Lake Tekapo and Ohakune. These NZ ski towns offer plenty of après activities and you’ll definitely experience the genuine kiwi culture.

You’re guaranteed to find New Zealand accommodation to suit your taste and budget, and probably at a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere in the world. 

New Zealand Ski Resorts with On-Mountain Accommodation

Cardrona ski resort has on-mountain accommodation within 15 apartments of varying configurations, only a one minute walk from the lifts. Considering that convenient on-mountain accommodation is such a rarity in NZ, these units get booked out very early in the season. Most people stay in Wanaka accommodation instead.

Coronet Peak ski resort has limited on-mountain accommodation in the small Otago Ski Club. The dormitory style accommodation is not ski-in ski-out but rather a few minutes walk to the lifts. Most people stay in Queenstown accommodation.

At Porters ski field there is the club-run Alpine Lodge situated half-way down the access road, so it’s definitely not ski-in ski-out.

At Whakapapa on the North Island, there is a little bit of accommodation within club lodges just below the ski field. Otherwise most people stay down the road in Whakapapa Village in a couple of hotels or the holiday park.

The NZ club ski fields have on-mountain accommodation, but commonly it’s not purely ski-in ski-out. For example at Craigieburn and Broken River the lodges are ski-in in certain conditions, but not ski-out. The lodge at Mt Olympus is an example of ski in ski out accommodation. The club field lodges are very basic and ski fields are generally only suited to adventurous and experienced skiers and boarders. Mt Cheeseman also has ski-in ski-out accommodation, and is well suited to families and those learning to ski or snowboard.

New Zealand Ski Towns

Queenstown is like a small city on the picturesque Lake Wakapitu and it is incredibly popular with tourists. In addition to the skiing, there are lots of attractions to entertain the tourist, as well as a multitude of adventure activities such as bungy jumping, jet boating and heli skiing. The nightlife is also world famous. Queenstown accommodation options are prolific and range from 5-star resort hotels to inexpensive motels, and there’s a huge range of Queenstown backpackers.

Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, Wanaka is a chic and stylish town. Restaurants and bars abound, and there are various tourist activities on offer but these are more understated that than of Queenstown. Wanaka accommodation is of an extraordinary standard, and in addition to a couple of resort hotels, Wanaka has a large range of opulent bed and breakfast lodges. For the budget oriented there are also various backpackers.

Methven is a small rural town that has the spectacular Mt Hutt as a backdrop. Much quieter than Queenstown and Wanaka, Methven has a pleasantly laid-back culture and no fuss attitude. Methven accommodation is inexpensive, and in addition to a large number of Methven backpackers, the town also has lodges and a couple of luxurious bed and breakfasts. Methven doesn't have any luxury hotels.

Best Accommodation Locations for the NZ Ski Resorts

The Remarkables: Queenstown accommodation

Coronet Peak: Queenstown accommodation

Cardrona: Cardrona accommodation is mainly in Cardrona Valley near the turn off to the ski area, or Wanaka accommodation or Queenstown accommodation

Treble Cone: Wanaka accommodation is 30 minutes away 

Mt Hutt: Methven accommodation

Mt Dobson: Lake Tekapo hotels or Fairlie accommodation, both small towns in the MacKenzie District 

Roundhill: Lake Tekapo accommodation

Porters: Club run accommodation lodge situated half-way down the Porters access road, but it’s probably better to stay off-mountain in Canterbury Highlands accommodation.

Whakapapa (North Island): There is a little accommodation at the base of the mountain in Whakapapa Village. Otherwise the town of National Park is 21 km away.

Turoa (North Island): The town of Ohakune is 16km away.

Best Accommodation Options for the Club Fields Temple Basin: Stay in one of the two mountain lodges because it takes so long to walk up from the car park that you wouldn’t want to just visit for a day trip.

Mt Olympus: Stay on-mountain in the top hut, or in Methven accommodation.

Mt Cheeseman: Stay on-mountain in the ski-in ski-out lodge, or Methven accommodation.

Broken River: Stay at the Broken River accommodation, or in the Canterbury Highlands - Springfield, Castle Hill or Cass (Flockhill Lodge).

Craigieburn: Stay on-mountain at the Craigieburn accommodation or in the Canterbury Highlands – Springfield, Castle Hill or Cass (Flockhill Lodge).

Fox Peak: Stay in the town of Fairlie or Lake Tekapo.