New Zealand 2013 Wanaka/Queenstown
mount cook 
Treble cone on a powder day is the one thing i haven’t experienced yet, the terrain is ridic.
I cant speak for Mt Hutt but Treble is epic if you get decent snow
Anyone have any recommendations for mountains to visit in the South Island other than Coronet Peak, Remarkables, or Cardrona? Already been to them. I know of Mt Hutt and and Treble Cone, but they are nowhere near each other, so can’t visit both easily. Are there other good ones near Wanaka beyond Treble Cone or others near Christchurch besides Mt Hutt? They have to be beginner friendly also! Cheers.
Bump 
Anyone been around Lake Tekapo? It’s meant to be half way between Queenstown and Christchurch. Mountains nearby are Roundhill, Mount Dobson, and Ohau. All the mountains sound a bit quieter and smaller, which could be nice. Roundhill and Mt Dobson are meant to be pretty good for beginners too. A visit to Mt Hutt first and then Lake Tekapo perhaps…
Anyone been around Lake Tekapo? It’s meant to be half way between Queenstown and Christchurch. Mountains nearby are Roundhill, Mount Dobson, and Ohau. All the mountains sound a bit quieter and smaller, which could be nice. Roundhill and Mt Dobson are meant to be pretty good for beginners too. A visit to Mt Hutt first and then Lake Tekapo perhaps…
isnt the only lift at roundhill a really long rope tow?
Chumpy did a stint there at Temple Basin (NZ club field in the South Island) a while ago… think it was season 11, and it looks awesome. We drove past last year, and the scenery alone was worth it… We saw a heap of those places, all of them look great. Only times I’ve been there Hutt has been shut. This one at Cardrona.
Temple Basin Buddy Pass… 4 people get a season pass for $135pp. how’s that??? 
(finished end May… damn!)
Anyone been around Lake Tekapo? It’s meant to be half way between Queenstown and Christchurch. Mountains nearby are Roundhill, Mount Dobson, and Ohau. All the mountains sound a bit quieter and smaller, which could be nice. Roundhill and Mt Dobson are meant to be pretty good for beginners too. A visit to Mt Hutt first and then Lake Tekapo perhaps…
On a pow day, there is NO better commercial snow resort in NZ than Ohau.
However, would you be driving from Queenstown, Wanaka, or as part of a multi-stop drive from Christchurch to Queenstown?
Treble cone on a powder day is the one thing i haven’t experienced yet, the terrain is ridic.
I cant speak for Mt Hutt but Treble is epic if you get decent snow
Inbounds - both resorts get tracked out REALLY fast on a pow day. However, there are ways to get some more sneaky ones in - and I’ve had one of the BEST pow runs I’ve EVER had at Mt Hutt. I’m a bit busy now to elaborate, but I’ll get back to you.
Chucky, haven’t got concrete plans at all yet but at this stage not really thinking of either Queenstown or Wanaka. I want to go to resorts I’ve never visited, so ruling out Coronet, Remarks and Cardrona. I know that leaves Treble Cone near Wanaka still, which I want to do, but with minimal time (6 days probably) I would rather minimise driving and stick closer to Christchurch. Open to all suggestions. Are there any other resorts around Wanaka?
Hey, Daughter #1 went to a snow expo in Melbourne, she picked up some free rental for boots / board (or skis) for Mount Dobson.
There are a few other discounts and such for other areas. If you are heading that way and want them, let me know and I’ll whack them in the good old Aussie Post to you
Isn’t the only lift at Roundhill a really long rope tow?
Nah, the main part of the resort is serviced by a T-bar. The nutcracker rope tow is a relatively new addition, and it’s AWESOME - it takes you high up to a ridge line which you hike along and choose your spot to drop in. It’s an awesome intro to nutcracker tows, and if it’s snowed a lot recently you’ll soon realise the true definition of ‘steep and deep’. Well worth it - as is the drive into Roundhill (for the amazing scenery).
Roundhill this morning:
Chucky, haven’t got concrete plans at all yet but at this stage not really thinking of either Queenstown or Wanaka. I want to go to resorts I’ve never visited, so ruling out Coronet, Remarks and Cardrona. I know that leaves Treble Cone near Wanaka still, which I want to do, but with minimal time (6 days probably) I would rather minimise driving and stick closer to Christchurch. Open to all suggestions. Are there any other resorts around Wanaka?
Hmmmmmmm. Minimising driving and sticking close to Christchurch don’t really go together.
Porters is the closest resort to Christchurch (just over an hour - if conditions are good), and Christchurch to Mount Hutt is around 1.5 hours if conditions are good. The Canterbury club fields are all further out than that.
A road trip is the way to go - so you’re not driving to and from each resort, visiting them on the way instead.
This is really depressing.
last year I was in NZ in the Queenstown area and the snow was below par.
this year I bought a perisher season pass and im still waiting for snow.. it always seems the good snow is where im not.