Your Complete Guide to Skiing in South Island
Practical insights on 18 ski resorts across South Island, with honest reviews and planning advice for your next ski trip.Southern Alps glacier skiing with dramatic mountain scenery.
Why Choose South Island for Skiing?
What Makes South Island Special
- ✓Southern Alps
- ✓Glacier skiing
- ✓Dramatic scenery
- ✓Queenstown adventure
Best For
- •Glacier skiing
- •Adventure activities
- •Dramatic Alpine scenery
Peak Season: January to March
18 Ski Resorts in South Island
From beginner-friendly slopes of Mt Lyford through to the advanced terrain of Awakino
18
Resorts
82
Total Lifts
443
Total Trails
11,556ac
Skiable Area
Filter & Sort Resorts
Showing 18 of 18 resorts
Awakino
3
Lifts
22
Trails
124 ac
Resort Size
1,450m
Base
1,880m
Summit
430m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
10%
30%
60%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Broken River
6
Lifts
25
Trails
432 ac
Resort Size
1,420m
Base
1,820m
Summit
400m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
5%
50%
45%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Cardrona
7
Lifts
38
Trails
988 ac
Resort Size
1,260m
Base
1,860m
Summit
600m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
25%
30%
20%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Coronet Peak
9
Lifts
32
Trails
692 ac
Resort Size
1,187m
Base
1,649m
Summit
462m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
14%
34%
25%
27%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Craigieburn
3
Lifts
25
Trails
988 ac
Resort Size
1,308m
Base
1,811m
Summit
503m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
55%
25%
20%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Hanmer Springs
3
Lifts
15
Trails
128 ac
Resort Size
1,459m
Base
1,769m
Summit
310m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
10%
60%
30%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Mt Cheeseman
3
Lifts
15
Trails
124 ac
Resort Size
1,540m
Base
1,874m
Summit
334m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
15%
40%
45%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Mt Dobson
3
Lifts
14
Trails
988 ac
Resort Size
1,600m
Base
2,030m
Summit
430m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
50%
25%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Mt Hutt
5
Lifts
26
Trails
902 ac
Resort Size
1,403m
Base
2,086m
Summit
683m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
50%
25%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Mt Lyford
5
Lifts
20
Trails
445 ac
Resort Size
1,249m
Base
1,750m
Summit
501m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
30%
40%
30%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Mt Olympus
4
Lifts
18
Trails
148 ac
Resort Size
1,430m
Base
1,880m
Summit
450m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
10%
55%
35%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Ohau
2
Lifts
15
Trails
309 ac
Resort Size
1,425m
Base
1,825m
Summit
400m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
20%
50%
30%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Porters
6
Lifts
21
Trails
704 ac
Resort Size
1,302m
Base
1,980m
Summit
678m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
15%
50%
30%
5%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Rainbow Ski Area
5
Lifts
15
Trails
124 ac
Resort Size
1,540m
Base
1,760m
Summit
220m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
55%
20%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Roundhill
4
Lifts
20
Trails
1359 ac
Resort Size
1,350m
Base
2,133m
Summit
783m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
20%
45%
35%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Temple Basin
3
Lifts
36
Trails
791 ac
Resort Size
1,493m
Base
1,923m
Summit
430m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
25%
50%
15%
10%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
The Remarkables
7
Lifts
46
Trails
951 ac
Resort Size
1,475m
Base
1,943m
Summit
468m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
30%
40%
30%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Treble Cone
4
Lifts
40
Trails
1359 ac
Resort Size
1,260m
Base
1,960m
Summit
700m
Vertical
Trail Difficulty
10%
45%
30%
15%
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert
Planning Tips for South Island
From Our Research
Queenstown is adventure capital - book accommodation early
How It Compares: Higher altitude and more reliable snow than North Island
Planning Questions
Best time to ski in South Island?
January to March typically offers the best conditions. Check individual resort pages for specific timing and current snow reports.
How do these resorts compare globally?
Higher altitude and more reliable snow than North Island
What is the best ski resort in South Island?
For beginners, Mt Lyford offers excellent learning terrain, while Awakino provides the most challenging slopes for advanced skiers. Check our detailed resort profiles below for specific recommendations.
Can I ski multiple resorts in South Island?
South Island has 18 ski resorts. Check individual resort pages for information about multi-resort passes and connections between ski areas.