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Best snow destinations in Oceania

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Queenstown
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw
  • ⚡ Zipline through the pine trees at Bob's Peak
  • 🚡 Ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views
Wanaka
Alpine Adventure, Lakeside Serenity
8.6
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.
Highlights:
  • 🧗‍♂️ Climb the world's highest waterfall via ferrata at Wildwire
  • 🌳 Snap photos of the iconic Wanaka Tree by the lake
  • 🥾 Hike Roys Peak for breathtaking lake and mountain views
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
8.6
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 Walk along Auckland’s Sky Tower observation deck
  • 🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton and stroll through the Shire movie set
  • 🔥 Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua’s hot springs and geysers
Perisher
World‑class slopes amid snow‑capped peaks
8.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐟 Savor fresh trout at a mountain lodge
  • ❄️ Explore alpine meadows on a guided snowshoe trek
  • ⛷️ Ride the iconic Perisher Ski Lift to summit
Thredbo
Snowy peaks and alpine adventure
8.8
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic village shops and cafés
  • 🎡 Ride the scenic Thredbo Alpine Village gondola
  • 🏂 Ski down Thredbo's world‑class slopes
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