Planning Your Ski Holiday

Book a package tour or get help from a company who’ll put together a custom-designed snow-specific package. Some good tour operators are:
New Zealand Adventure Specialists (t: +64 4 939 9323) www.nzadventure.com
SkiMax Aus (Aus fp: 1300 136 997) www.skimax.com.au
Ski Express (NZ fp: 0800 650 333) www.skiexpress.co.nz
Value Tours (Aus fp: 1300 361 322) www.valuetours.com.au
But if you prefer to be a bit more flexible, and want to put together your own New Zealand itinerary, there are some basics worth knowing.

Transport & Tours

Travelling around New Zealand is easy. You can choose the inexpensive and social option of taking a NZ bus or train and sit back and relax while enjoying New Zealand’s landscapes. New Zealand has an extensive public transport network comprising of national air, coach and train services. There are passenger and vehicle ferries crossing the Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton. Most ski areas offer mountain shuttles which run frequently during the ski season and make New Zealand ski areas easily accessible. To book your New Zealand transport check out www.brownbearski.co.nz. For the maximum independence you can rent a car or campervan. New Zealand car rental companies have desks at ferry terminals, airports and city depots throughout New Zealand. Most New Zealand car hire companies don’t rent cars to those younger than 21. When travelling between the North Island and South Island it’s a good idea to advise your NZ car hire company about your plans, as many companies let you drop off your rental car in one island and pick up another car on the other island. Be aware though that in wintertime roads might be icy in mountainous areas and so it’s advisable to rent chains. To find out more about New Zealand transport click here or browse our transport listings.

New Zealand Activities

New Zealand is a top ski destination but it also has many other activities on offer. Whether you’re after a soak in a thermal hot spring after a morning of skiing or a multi-day hiking adventure to complement your New Zealand holiday package, make sure you sample some of the many New Zealand outdoor activities. The temperate climate makes New Zealand the perfect place to head up the slopes for a day of snow fun and back down again for a boat cruise or wildlife encounter in the afternoon. Click on activities to find out what’s on offer!

Stay

After a long day of skiing and après-ski partying there’s nothing nicer than falling into bed or maybe relaxing in a hot tub with a glass of New Zealand wine. Don’t leave booking your New Zealand accommodation to the last minute or you might find yourself without a bed! Accommodation in popular winter resorts such as Queenstown and Wanaka books out regularly, especially around New Zealand’s winter events like the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival. You can find accommodation to suit any budget, from luxury lodges and hip hotels to budget backpackers. For the ultimate ski holiday you might want to stay on the mountain. Club ski areas offer cosy ski huts and lodges, and New Zealand has a great selection of mountain chalets and resorts at the foot of the mountain. For more info on NZ accommodation click here, or browse our listings to book right here and now!