Things to do in Wānaka
Snow
The Wānaka ski fields are the reason winter fills up here. Cardrona Alpine Resort suits beginners through to advanced, with a dedicated beginners' area and harder terrain in Arcadia. Treble Cone suits experienced off-piste skiers but has a learner's area and private lessons. Snow Farm NZ is cross-country, with trails for all levels.
Tentative 2026 season dates are 26 June to 18 October for Cardrona, 27 June to 27 September for Treble Cone and 26 June to 13 September for Snow Farm. Cardrona and Treble Cone open 8.30am to 4pm daily, weather dependent, and Snow Farm 9am to 4pm. Roads and weather decide the rest.
Staying at the park means an early departure without a drive from Queenstown first. Guest laundry, hot showers and the communal kitchen matter more in winter than anything else, and reception runs 9am to 7pm through the season. Motels and cabins suit families; the Nordic Village suits groups sharing a ski week.
Cardrona Alpine Resort
The region's biggest and most family-friendly ski area, about 35 km from Wānaka up the Cardrona Valley.
Suits beginners through to advanced, with a dedicated beginners' area and challenging terrain in Arcadia
Snow Farm NZ
New Zealand's only dedicated cross-country ski area, high on the Pisa Range above the Cardrona Valley.
Trails for all levels; described by the operator as a sport for everybody
Treble Cone
Steep, uncrowded terrain and the South Island's biggest vertical, about 30 minutes from Wānaka.
About 30 minutes' drive from Wānaka as stated by the resort and by Lake Wānaka TourismSuits experienced off-piste skiers, with a learner's area and private lessons available
Questions
Before you head out.
When does the Wānaka ski season run?
Tentative 2026 dates are 26 June to 18 October at Cardrona, 27 June to 27 September at Treble Cone and 26 June to 13 September at Snow Farm. All are weather dependent.
Which field suits beginners?
Cardrona has a dedicated beginners' area and terrain that runs through to advanced. Treble Cone leans towards experienced off-piste skiers but does have a learner's area and private lessons available.
Can we bring the dog to the snow?
Snow Farm NZ welcomes dogs, subject to the operator's rules and a dog pass. At the park, dogs stay on Camp Sites and in the Caravan Retreat, on lead inside the grounds.
Stay at Sundale
A base five minutes from the water.
Opening soon
Nordic Village
Sleep at Nordic Village, a Scandinavian-inspired escape in the Southern Alps.
Hotel-style rooms Mora Motels
Ensuite comfort, ready the moment you arrive.
Opening soon
Maru Cabins
A simple and comfortable base for your Wānaka escape.
Your Wānaka basecamp
Make Sundale your base.
Cabins, studios, motels and soft-grass camping, five minutes from the water and close to everything above.