For those used to skiing at Australia's overdeveloped and often overcrowded resorts the relatively uncrowded New Zealand slopes, with just a handful of lifts, can look somewhat unsophisticated. Don't be deceived. The multi-seater lifts move fast, there's a mass of skiable terrain and when the snow's plentiful, the breadth of runs servicing skiers and snowboarders of all abilities - from complete beginners to experts looking for off-piste powder and the most challenging black diamond trails – is unparalleled.
For families, New Zealand works particularly well. You can fly direct to Queenstown from Sydney and Melbourne. Basing yourself in Queenstown or Wanaka, you have easy access to four world-class snowfields: The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone. Alternatively, fly to Christchurch for access to Mount Hutt and other snowfields in the Canterbury region, or team a Queenstown sojourn with a day or two at Mt Hutt, enjoying the spectacularly beautiful drive between the two, across the Lindis Pass, skirting Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps, and through bucolic Canterbury farmland.
Although most international visitors tend to head to the South Island, there is also excellent skiing and boarding to be had at Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano near Lake Taupo in the middle of the North Island.
The New Zealand season normally runs from early June to mid October, with spring skiing offering almost empty mountains, crisp sunny days, but still good snow. If you avoid the New Zealand school holidays you might just find that your child's group lesson ends up being a private one.
With the exception of Cardrona, which has 15 self-catering apartments, you don't stay on-mountain at any of the Kiwi resorts, so most morning lessons don't start until 10am or even 10.30am.
Enjoying snow sports in New Zealand can also be more affordable than skiing locally (if you discount the airfare). Day passes are at least 20 per cent cheaper in New Zealand than Australia, and at several resorts kids ski free.
THE PLACE
Coronet Peak
WHERE
An easy 20-minute drive from Queenstown makes Coronet Peak the most accessible of all New Zealand ski resorts.
MUST KNOW
The varied terrain suits all abilities, with 45 per cent of runs perfect for intermediates.
WHAT'S NEW
Weekend night skiing and boarding, including the Park After Dark freestyle terrain park of boxes and jumps, is one of Coronet Peak's major drawcards. An added attraction this year is the Snow Tubing Lane to be launched in July. It also has excellent kids' clubs.
INSIDER TIP
Coronet Peak is owned by the same company as The Remarkables. The MyPass card (see breakout) services both resorts; hire gear at one place and return it to the other. The ski school lesson levels are identical so you can switch between the two resorts. Kids six years and under ski free.
APRES SKI
Perennial foodie favourites in Queenstown are Fergburger's takeaway burgers, and churros and hot chocolate at Patagonia.
THE PLACE
The Remarkables
WHERE
The jagged peaks of The Remarkables mountain range dominate every Queenstown view. The ski resort is 45-minutes' drive from town.
MUST KNOW
With sunny, north-facing slopes across three natural bowls, The Remarkables offers superlative skiing and boarding and extraordinary views of the Southern Alps and the Wakatipu Basin below. Catering to all abilities, with a wide open basin perfect for novices, it is famed for its off-piste runs, dedicated freestyle areas (complete with an airbag for jumpers) and superb natural snow supported by state of the art snowmaking facilities. The children's program is identical to that at Coronet Peak.
WHAT'S NEW
A six-seater Curvey Basin chairlift opened last year as part of a major makeover of The Remarkables. It can transport 2800 people an hour, opening up 20 per cent more beginner and intermediate terrain. There's a stunning new Base Lodge facility, enabling direct access from the car park to a purpose-built beginners' slope, and much improved dining options.
INSIDER TIP
Ride to the top of the Shadow Basin chair, ditch the skis, and climb up to the lookout for a spectacular panorama of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu below.
APRES SKI
There are excellent wineries in the region; Amisfield winery and bistro is probably the closest and one of the best.
THE PLACE
Cardrona
WHERE
Cardrona is just over an hour's drive from Queenstown or 30 minutes from Wanaka. If you want the on-mountain experience book at one of the resort's 15 self-catering apartments.
MUST KNOW
Cardrona is arguably New Zealand's most family-friendly resort. There's a spacious beginners area, several freestyle zones, plus two half pipes where you'll often find elite US, Canadian and European snowboarding teams in training. When the snow's plentiful there are some excellent advanced runs to enjoy. Cardrona also serves the south island's best on-mountain food.
INSIDER TIP
Cardrona's kids' facilities and childcare set-up is particularly impressive: the Nursery & Kindy is a licensed early childhood centre; there's a separate Ski Kindy for three- to four-year-olds, with a well balanced program of lessons and play time.
APRES SKI
Make sure you stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel at the end of the day for marshmallow hot chocolates or a restorative mulled wine.
THE PLACE
Mount Hutt
WHERE
The favourite ski resort for the Canterbury area, Mount Hutt is about 112 kilometres from Christchurch. On a clear day from Mount Hutt's highest accessible point, 2086 metres above sea level, you can see the Pacific Ocean in one direction and into the heart of the Southern Alps in the other.
MUST KNOW
With some of the best natural snowfall of all New Zealand resorts, and plenty of wide groomed runs, Mount Hutt has one of the longest vertical drops in the South Island and the greatest variety of terrain including plenty of double-black-diamond chutes for advanced skiers.
It's also very affordable, with plenty of reasonably priced accommodation close by. Kids 10 and under not only ski free but also get free transport up the mountain, free ski/board rental at selected businesses in nearby Methven, and free food and accommodation in selected Methven properties.
INSIDER TIP
The road up to Mount Hutt is at times terrifying, with steep drops and unfenced gravel roads. An option is to take the regular shuttle bus from Methven.
APRES SKI
On the way to Christchurch airport, drop by the fascinating International Antarctic Centre, where you can experience an Antarctic storm and learn about life at Scott Base.
Some of the road approaches to ski fields are extremely precarious. If you don't have a four-wheel drive and chains, then consider a shuttle bus up the mountain instead.
If skiing around Queenstown, variety is the spice of life. Check weather and snow forecasts and head to the mountain that will work best.
There is always something else to do if the weather closes in and ski fields are closed. Around Queenstown and Wanaka try jetboating, the Skyline Gondola and Luge, or wine tasting in Central Otago.
The MyPass card issued by Remarkables/Coronet Peak/Mount Hutt ski areas can be charged up and used at all three resorts as an on-mountain debit card. As well as working as a lift pass, it stores your rental profile and lesson details, and tracks your mountain stats.
There's usually one week when Australian school holidays don't coincide with New Zealand school holidays. If you can, pick that week to travel.
You can still do great skiing through to October. Occasionally the snow gets patchy but the empty slopes make up for it.
For details on Coronet Peak, Remarkables and Mount Hutt, see nzski.com
For Cardrona, see cardrona.com
Qantas has three direct flights weekly between Sydney and Queenstown, plus two direct Jetstar flights. The service increases to five a week from June to October and daily in July and August. There are two direct flights between Melbourne and Queenstown with Jetstar and daily connections via Christchurch. Qantas and Emirates operate daily services from Sydney to Christchurch all year. See qantas.com.au, jetstar.com.au.
Queenstown
Pounamu Apartments on Frankton Road in Queenstown offer spacious, well-equipped two-bedroom apartments with glorious views across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables. Two-bedroom apartments $655 a night, with special deals throughout the season, see pounamuapartments.co.nz
Methven
The friendly Brinkleys Resort is a cluster of pretty townhouses with knockout views to Mount Hutt. Two-bedroom apartments $285 a night. See brinkleyresort.co.nz
With the exception of Cardrona, on-mountain eating is somewhat limited and, like ski resorts the world over, expensive. Consider packing a picnic and hiring a day locker to store it in. Self-catering accommodation is also a sound option.
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