Best snow destinations in Oceania
Best snow destinations in Oceania
Glacial mountain slopes and alpine winter fields in Oceania
Most people think of beaches when they picture Oceania, but New Zealand and southeastern Australia get real snow every winter, and the ski season arrives just as the Northern Hemisphere heads into summer.
Queenstown is the best-known base in New Zealand, with Coronet Peak and The Remarkables close to town and plenty of bars and restaurants for the evenings. Nearby Wanaka is more relaxed, and on the North Island you can ski on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano. In Australia, Thredbo and Perisher in the Snowy Mountains are the main resorts, and they are a few hours' drive from Canberra or a longer road trip from Sydney. The snow here is usually less reliable than in Japan or the Alps, but the views and the relaxed atmosphere make up for a lot.
School holidays in July are the busiest time, so August is often a better choice.
Lists by region
Town in New Zealand
Queenstown
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
The Remarkables mountain range rises southeast of this town and has its own ski field. The town is on the northwest edge of Lake Wakatipu, a long S-shaped lake formed by glaciers. Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone are also nearby. Cross-country skiers can use the Snow Farm near Cardrona.
Town in New Zealand
Wanaka
Alpine Adventure, Lakeside Serenity
Cardrona Alpine Resort near this town opened in 1980. It has 615 hectares of skiable terrain and seven terrain parks and pipes. Treble Cone is the closest ski area to Wānaka, about a 35 minute drive away. It is known for views over Lake Wānaka and Mount Aspiring.
Region in New Zealand
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano and the highest point on this island. It rises 2,797 metres and has a crater lake that is warm and acidic. Whakapapa ski field is on its northwestern slopes and Tūroa is on the southwestern slopes. Both are inside Tongariro National Park.
Ski Resort in Australia
Perisher
World‑class slopes amid snow‑capped peaks
The first ski lodges opened in Perisher Valley in 1951. Later Blue Cow and Guthega joined Perisher to form the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. It has four villages and about 45 lifts. The resort is in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains.
Ski Resort in Australia
Thredbo
Snowy peaks and alpine adventure
In the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, this village is set inside Kosciuszko National Park. The Crackenback Supertrail is the longest single run in Australia. Karel's T-Bar reaches 2,037 metres, the highest lifted point in the resort. Backcountry ski tours to Mount Kosciuszko start from the top of this lift.
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