The Wanaka skiing season runs from mid-June to early October each year. However, dates can vary based on snow cover.
| Ski field | 2026 Opening Dates | 2026 Closing Dates |
| Cardrona Alpine Resort | 13 June 2026 | 4 October 2026 |
| Treble Cone | 27 June 2026 | 27 September 2026 |
For all North Island, South Island, and club ski field dates, read our full list here>>
Cardrona Alpine Resort boasts the most dependable snow cover of the whole region, which means it is usually able to honour the projected opening and closing dates. This is because its high elevation is bolstered by extensive snowmaking capabilities.
Treble Cone has a shorter season, since it is more dependent on snowfall. However, the shared lift pass valid at both mountains ensures you won’t miss out on a day of skiing even if one of the ski fields is closed.
Read on for an overview of the Wanaka ski resorts and skiing season month by month, plus recommendations for our most popular Wanaka ski packages.
Home to two of New Zealand’s top ski resorts, Wanaka is one of the most popular ski destinations in the country. The town buzzes in winter, with a fun, laid-back vibe both on and off the slopes.
Plus, Wanaka is just an hour’s drive from Queenstown International Airport, so it’s an easy destination to visit no matter how long you have to stay.
The two local ski fields are owned by the same company, which means your Wanaka ski pass is valid at both mountains.
Located at the top of a ridge, Cardrona Alpine Resort is a large ski field with a great range of facilities. At the base, you’ll find an assortment of restaurants and cafes, plus there is on-mountain accommodation if you want to maximise your time on the snow! (Though most visitors stay in Wanaka.)
Cardrona is an excellent ski field for first-time through to intermediate skiers, with extensive beginner terrain and wide slopes that leave lots of room to maneuver.
And there’s plenty for advanced skiers too! The new Soho Basin opened up 150ha of extra terrain, with both groomed runs and off-piste areas. Add to that the most extensive terrain park in the Southern Hemisphere, and Cardrona has something for everyone.
Highlights of Cardrona Alpine Resort include:
Treble Cone takes your ski adventure to the next level, with legendary off-piste terrain, some of New Zealand’s longest groomed runs, and epic views over Lake Wanaka.
Catering to intermediate-to-advanced skiers, Treble Cone offers advanced skills workshops but fewer child-oriented programmes. You’ll find several meal options at the base building.
Treble Cone tends to be less crowded than Cardrona, especially during the school holidays, and is a favourite among locals!
Highlights of Treble Cone include:
Since Treble Cone doesn’t open until the very end of the month, June is perfect for those who only want to ski at Cardrona Alpine Resort. This might include families who want to take advantage of the comprehensive childcare and lesson offerings, and beginning skiers who want to practice their skills on the wide-open green runs.
June is also one of the cheapest and quietest months to ski in Wanaka. May and June are the low season here, which means you’ll find deep discounts on accommodation and uncrowded slopes.
July is the busiest month in the Wanaka skiing season, since it coincides with both the New Zealand and Australia school holidays. The snow cover can be inconsistent early in the month, getting more dependable as the month goes on, and the lines are long.
If you plan to travel in July, make sure you book your Wanaka ski holiday well in advance. Accommodation books out early, especially for family-style apartments, and prices can be steep. In addition, make sure you take advantage of services like early lift pass redemption down in Wanaka rather than queuing up on the mountain.
August is the prime month for skiing in Wanaka. The crowds aren’t as big as in July, the snow is at its best, and you’re likely to get a few bluebird days.
This is the most popular time for couples to visit for a ski holiday, and you might even be lucky enough to score a few powder days!
September is similar to August, only warmer. The crowds are starting to drop off a bit, though September is still a very popular time to ski in Wanaka.
The Treble Cone season ends in late September, so if you want guaranteed good snow cover at Treble Cone, you’ll want to plan your visit earlier in the month.
October is the tail end of the ski season, with just a few open days remaining at Cardrona Alpine Resort. This is also when the regular summer tourist season starts to ramp up.
If you’re visiting in October, it would be a great opportunity to combine a couple days of skiing with sightseeing around the South Island. (See our Ski & Play packages for more inspiration!)
However, it can be tricky to count on snow cover this late in the season, so our overseas visitors usually schedule their Wanaka skiing holidays earlier in the season.
Our Wanaka ski packages are perfect for visitors who want the convenience of all-inclusive travel, with rental car, accommodation, lift passes, and any required rental equipment or lessons bundled together.
We offer a wide range of Wanaka ski packages for the 2026 skiing season, with different options for families, first-timers, and everything in between. These are a few of our most popular Wanaka ski packages:
Our standard Wanaka ski packages all include accommodation, 4WD car hire, and lift passes valid at Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone. The Ski Max packages include more days of skiing, while the Ski Relax packages leave more free days for you to rest and explore Wanaka.
We can also include ski or snowboard hire in these packages – we are able to get discounted rates if we bundle these with your lift passes.
Our family ski packages are similar to our standard Wanaka skiing packages, except they include accommodation and car hire suitable for a family. Subject to availability, we prefer to book apartment-style accommodation that will give you multiple bedrooms plus a lounge and kitchen. This is great for families who are staying for several days and need space to spread out.
Childcare and/or lesson packages are extras that are very commonly added to our family ski packages. Let us know what you are after, as we have a wide range of options to choose from.
Our Learn to Ski packages are suited for both adults and children. These include the standard accommodation and car hire, plus a “First Timer” package that includes lift passes, rental equipment, and lessons.
These First Timer packages are based at Cardrona Alpine Resort, so you can visit any time during the Wanaka skiing season, even before Treble Cone opens.
The Wanaka Ski Coach packages are perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to drive or is travelling in small groups where the ski coach option is cheaper than hiring a vehicle.
Your package includes all coach transfers, including the coach from Queenstown to Wanaka upon arrival, plus daily ski field transport. And we make sure to book central accommodation within easy walking distance of all the main restaurants and shops in Wanaka.
Our Ski & Play packages are perfect for anyone who wants to make the most of their time in New Zealand by combining skiing with sightseeing.
Each of these packages includes lift passes at both Queenstown and Wanaka ski fields, plus a range of activities, from jet-boating to skydiving.
The Ski to Alps holiday packages start in Queenstown before heading up the West Coast, finishing with a ride on the iconic TranzAlpine Train.
Contact us at info@newzealandskipackages.com or +64 3 443 2111 to start planning your Wanaka ski holiday today. No matter when in the Wanaka skiing season you plan to visit, we’ll make sure your visit is unforgettable!
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