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Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Herald Sun
I tried the best new additions to New Zealand's snowfields
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. A ski holiday in New Zealand offers more than the terrain parks of Cardrona and the cocktail bars of Queenstown, more than free mountain shuttles and apres DJs, Fergburger and Cardrona Hotel. As great as they all are, it's time to expand your thinking on skiing and snowboarding in the South Island thanks to new terrain, glacier skiing, and a resort that's a firm locals' favourite. Here are three ways to play during a Kiwi winter. Snowboard Cardrona's new Soho Basin A decade in the making, Cardrona snow resort near Queenstown has added an extra 150ha to its skiable terrain with the new Soho Basin. Located over the back of the resort, the terrain is for intermediate skiers and boarders, with a huge amount of playful off-piste slopes sandwiched between groomers. The area is serviced by the new high-speed six-seater Soho Express chairlift, with the ride out leading back to intermediate runs around Captain's Express, or wide beginner runs at the front of the resort. The expansion means Cardrona is now New Zealand's biggest ski resort, taking the title from Whakapapa in the North Island. Also new to Cardrona is the Noodle Bar, a sophisticated Asian restaurant where you can enjoy bao buns and sip on saké while taking in great views of the slopes. The new Soho Basin at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Picture: Jennifer Ennion Glacier skiing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park If you want to be whisked in a helicopter to remote slopes in order to slide down them, you'll need to be an adept rider, but in the Mackenzie region, Alpine Guides offers a wonderful introduction to back-country adventuring with their Ski the Tasman day tour. You'll still need to be an intermediate skier but that's more about dealing with variable snow conditions than the pitch of the glacier, which is mostly mellow. Hire equipment from Alpine Guides' Mount Cook base, and then meet at nearby Mount Cook Airport for a briefing on how to use an avalanche beacon and to get kitted out with a harness in the case of a crevasse rescue. With a handful of others, you'll board a helicopter and take in the beauty of the Tasman Glacier, before enjoying two runs of between seven and 10km. The experience, which starts at $NZ1495 ($1370) per person, also includes ski touring to check out the topography, and a hearty lunch on snow. Skiing the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Picture: Jennifer Ennion Snowboard with Kiwis at Mount Hutt One of the biggest selling points of skiing and riding at Mount Hutt is that most visitors are New Zealanders from Christchurch (90 minutes away) or Methven (30 minutes away). Mount Hutt, the main ski resort in Canterbury, is far less touristy than its Queenstown competitors, however the access road is gnarly so take it slow and carry chains. As for the terrain, it's ideal for intermediates and advanced riders, with an epic ridge line you can drop off. For kids, there's a wide beginner trail, a fun tunnel, and a dedicated beginners' base area. Mount Hutt is known for its wild weather – that's strong winds and lots of snow – but my advice is to embrace the adventure. After all, we get plenty of blue-sky days in Australia, right? If you need a break from the weather, head to Opuke Kai, a cosy restaurant with a fireplace, located above Mount Hutt's main cafe and espresso bar. When you're off the hill, soak the afternoon away at the blissful Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa, in Methven. The solar-powered pools are a sanctuary that includes an adults-only retreat with a swim-up pool bar and cold plunge, as well as a family area, cafeteria and day spa. The modern facility is a popular spot with locals and skiers, so book your timeslot in advance. Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa, in Methven. Picture: Ashleigh Vermak How to get to the South Island skifields Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin all fly regularly from eastern Australia to Queenstown and Christchurch. Hire a car at the airport, as well as snow chains, even if you book a 4WD. You will be required to carry chains along alpine routes, and if there is fresh snow on the road you will probably need to use them. Cardrona has a great video on how to fit chains on the blog section of their website. Shuttles run to the resorts from both Queenstown and Christchurch, while Cardrona has a free shuttle from the mountain's base, and Mount Hutt has free shuttles from mid-mountain car parks. The Observatory Hotel in central Christchurch. Where to stay When visiting Cardrona, stay at the boutique Mt Rosa Lodge, perfect for couples wanting to mix skiing with sightseeing and romance. For Ski the Tasman, you'll want to stay two nights at the Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki/Mount Cook, a great base for hiking and heli-skiing. For Mount Hutt, stay at The Observatory Hotel in Christchurch and day trip to the resort. The 2025 ski season This year, Cardrona is open until October 5, while Mount Hutt is open until October 12. For the best value, buy the multi-day ski pass for Cardrona, which also allows you to ride neighbouring resort Treble Cone, and the more days you book the cheaper the day rate becomes. For Mount Hutt, buy a Superpass, which also allows you to ride at Hutt's Queenstown siblings The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. The Ski the Tasman experience is offered until September 30, 2025. Groups only go out in fine weather, so be flexible with your travel plans in case you need to ski a different day. The writer was a guest of Tourism New Zealand. Originally published as I tried the best new additions to New Zealand's snowfields
Courier-Mail
31-05-2025
- Courier-Mail
I spent 3 days at the USA's most scenic ski resort, Heavenly Mountain
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Like siblings hugging in a snowstorm, Heavenly Mountain Resort has two distinct sides – one in Nevada and the other California. Here's how to ski both in 72 hours, enjoying stunning Lake Tahoe views, epic tree runs, swathes of powder and a fun village. X DAY ONE: Afternoon Turn away from famous Lake Tahoe and point your rental all-wheel drive uphill, along a narrow road hugged by old lodges. You'll weave around bends that become increasingly white with snow until you find yourself side-by-side with skiers zipping down one of Heavenly's home trails. Instead of parking and racing onto the slopes, climb higher to the behemoth that is Tahoe Ridge Resort, a Holiday Inn Club Vacations property clinging to the mountainside. Spend the afternoon in the resort's heated pool, partially undercover but mostly not, and enjoy the magic of tiny flakes dancing to the water. Dinner One of the benefits of staying in a resort as large as Tahoe Ridge is you don't need to leave. In the main building, you can play pool and ping-pong, then enjoy burgers at The Ridge Club Bistro. If you feel like eating in your apartment, there's the small Marketplace on site, or you can drive 30 minutes down the mountain into Gardnerville for groceries. Tahoe Ridge Resort. DAY TWO: Morning After frying up bacon and eggs in your apartment, catch Tahoe Ridge Resort's fun Skier Express gondola to Stagecoach Express. The chairlift leads to some of the mountain's best intermediate runs, and if the snow has fallen thick and fast overnight, you can take advantage of the advanced wooded areas, chutes and bowls on the Nevada side of Heavenly. Lunch By lunchtime, make your way to Tamarack Lodge, a handy meeting point for friends riding opposite sides of the resort. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, so nab a table and cover it with plates of chicken tenders, pizzas and bowls of chilli. Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Afternoon If you're travelling with kids, take it slow in the beginner zone outside Tamarack Lodge. This is where you'll find the children's Ski & Ride School, as well as tubing and an alpine coaster. Families can access the tubing and coaster – without the need to ski – via Heavenly's gondola, caught from the heart of Heavenly Village, on the California side. Evening Enjoy an easy apartment dinner before making your way to Tahoe Ridge's single-room cinema to watch a complimentary screening of The Super Mario Bros Movie. Before you go, grab a packet of microwave popcorn from the Marketplace. Snowboard lessons on the resort's Californian side. Picture: Jennifer Ennion DAY THREE: Morning Enjoy a day off the slopes as you move to the California side of Heavenly where there's a pedestrian village full of restaurants, bars and shops, including big-brand stores such as Showcase and Patagonia. If you prefer community stores oozing authenticity, drive to The Village Board Shop to browse a top range of boards and outerwear. Lunch You're spoilt for choice for village dining options, but for something simple and affordable, swing by Sugar Pine Bakery for cinnamon scrolls and apple pies. Or for a real change of pace you can join locals at Cuppa Tahoe, a café in a bookshop with fabulous cosy nooks filled with vintage furniture and chalkboards. Order one of the specialty drinks, such as the caramelised pear tea latte. The Baked Bear ice-cream sandwich. Picture: Jennifer Ennion Afternoon Head back to the village for a spin on the small Heavenly Village Ice Rink before heading to The Baked Bear for an over-the-top ice-cream cookie sandwich. With bellies stretched, check into Forest Suites Resort, a sprawling low-level property a short stroll from Heavenly Mountain Gondola. It has an inviting foyer lounge, outdoor hot tubs, and apartments with full kitchens. Dinner Skip the tourist traps and cross the highway to Poké Rok, offering visitors a refreshing break from burgers and fried food. Order a giant sushi roll with crab or shrimp, or a poke bowl brimming with ahi tuna, salmon or teriyaki chicken. Your body will thank you for it. Forest Suites Resort at Heavenly Village. DAY FOUR: Morning Forest Suites offers a decent free buffet breakfast of pancakes, hash browns and sausages. You can then catch the gondola to mid-mountain or, to fully experience the California side of Heavenly, hop on the free shuttle to California Lodge. Eager skiers jump on the chairlift here, but if the weather is particularly wild, line up for the aerial tramway. There's a stack of epic runs on this side of the mountain, especially if you score a fresh snow day. If you're advanced, drop into Powder Bowl Woods and be sure to ride the black terrain back to the base at the end of the day. Lunch Lakeview Lodge is a great lunch spot, offering a cosy respite from a snowstorm. This lodge is the quintessential back-to-basics experience with plenty of character and window seats. Make yourself a cup of hot apple cider, order the gyro and grab a rocky road cookie while they're warm. Afternoon Spend the rest of the day lapping your favourite runs. If it's snowing heavily, keep your eyes on the opening of the Sky Express chair so you can claim more fresh turns through trees or down fast blues. (Sky Express offers some of the best views of Lake Tahoe on clear days.) Celebrate a day of fun riding back at Forest Suites Resort with free s'mores by an outdoor fire. The writer was a guest of Vail Resorts, South Lake Tahoe and Visit California. Skiers enjoy great views of Lake Tahoe. How to get to Heavenly Mountain Resort The closest airport to Heavenly Mountain Resort is in Reno, Nevada, but save yourself the hassle of two flights and travel with Qantas into San Francisco where you can collect a hire car for an easy 3.5-hour drive to Lake Tahoe. Find more travel tips at Where to stay at Heavenly Mountain Resort Tahoe Ridge Resort is an on-snow property with a restaurant, games room, activities centre, pool, hot tubs, saunas and free shuttle. In town, Forest Suites Resort is a great mid-range, family option, a short stroll to Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Skiing/snowboarding tips The Heavenly ski season is from mid-November to mid-April, snow dependent. If you're snowboarding in the Tahoe region for several days, buy an Epic Australia Pass for unlimited riding at three Aussie resorts, as well as Heavenly. Originally published as I spent 3 days at the USA's most surprising ski resort, Heavenly Mountain
