Ski Wanaka New Zealand
With a couple of Wanaka ski fields within close proximity and some great heli skiing nearby, Wanaka is a fabulous ski town. Other than the Wanaka skiing, a major attraction is Lake Wanaka, which makes it a picturesque and tranquil place. The town is nestled along the shores of Lake Wanaka, and views abound across the lake to Mt Aspiring, the Matterhorn of New Zealand. When you gaze across the lake on a still day, you would swear you are seeing double as you take in the reflections on the water.
Wanaka is a place of contradictions and it finds the perfect balance between being low-key and upmarket. The architecture is modern and stylish, as are some of the trendy people that grace the caffe latte establishments, yet there is also a grungy scene. It doesn’t have the tourist hype seen in Queenstown, and Wanaka still manages to retain the feel of a relaxed ski town.
Ski Wanaka NZ – Pros and Cons
Pros
- The Wanaka ski fields are better than the Queenstown ski resorts (hence why some people staying in Queenstown make the trek to get to Cardrona and Treble Cone).
- Wanaka skiing is less afflicted by the weather compared to Mt Hutt near Methven.
- Heli skiing makes a fabulous adjunct to your Wanaka ski holiday.
- The town has a cosmopolitan flair whilst retaining a chilled out vibe.
- Wanaka has lots of great cafes, restaurants and bars.
- Looking out across Lake Wanaka and the snow capped mountains is stunning.
Cons
- Like other NZ ski towns, there’s no ski-in ski-out accommodation in Wanaka and you’ll have a daily commute to the ski resorts.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
- Wanaka is more subdued than Queenstown. It’s not crazy busy like Queenstown, and the nightlife is quieter and there are less activities on offer.
Where is Wanaka NZ?
Wanaka (pronounced Wonaka) is the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park and is located 428km SW of Christchurch, and 68km NE (about 1 hour) of
Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand.
Wanaka Ski Fields
Treble Cone is one of the Wanaka ski resorts, located 26km northwest of town (a 30-35 minute drive). Treble Cone is particularly well suited to advanced to expert riders – see our
Treble Cone review for more information.
The other main Wanaka ski field is
Cardrona, which is 34km southwest of town. Cardrona has great terrain parks and good terrain for beginner to advanced riders.
On the opposite side of Cardrona Valley from Cardrona Ski Resort is Snowfarm, a cross country skiing area.
Heli Skiing Wanaka
Wanaka is also home to two of the biggest New Zealand heli skiing outfits,
Harris Mountains Heliski and
Southern Lakes Heliski, with vast terrain in the mountain ranges near Treble Cone and north of Lake Wanaka. Both companies have a fairly similar offering but you can check out our reviews regarding the subtle differences (
Harris Mountains Heliski review &
Southern Lakes Heliski review).
Wanaka Accommodation
Much of the
Wanaka accommodation is of very high quality, and there is great diversity in the type of lodging available. In addition to a few resort hotels, Wanaka has 5-star luxurious bed and breakfast retreats, inexpensive motels, and a range of backpackers. Some of the accommodation is in the centre of town, located along the shores of Lake Wanaka, or a short walk or drive out of town. See the
Wanaka accommodation page for more information.
Wanaka Accom Listings
Activities
Whilst Wanaka is much more understated than the crazy Queenstown, there are still various
Wanaka activities on offer besides skiing and snowboarding. The Wanaka area has a few adventure pursuits as well as lots of R and R activities such as day spas, wineries, or a cruise on Lake Wanaka.
There are also a plethora of
Wanaka restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs to suit all entertainment tastes.
Wanaka shopping is also pretty good, especially if you’re in the market for a new ski or snowboard outfit.