Treble Cone

Most South Island skiers will tell you that Treble Cone has a bit of a culture of arrogance and superiority. However the resort has the right to think they’re pretty good considering the great terrain on offer, and they must be good because the Powderhounds have awarded Treble Cone ski resort with the “best overall terrain” in New Zealand.

Treble Cone is the largest ski area in New Zealand, and with 705 metres of vertical there are some long leg-burning runs. Match this with a 6-person express lift, and you are guaranteed to get plenty of vertical under your belt in a day.

Treble Cone is renowned for being a great playground for expert skiers. With 45% of the terrain rated as advanced or expert, and the black runs being more challenging than the average NZ or Australian black run, there is plenty of gnarly steep terrain to test any experienced skier or snowboarder. Combined with an annual average snowfall of 5.5 metres, hard-core powderhounds will be pretty happy with what Treble Cone has to offer.

The attitude of the ski resort is reflected in the price of a one-day lift ticket which is the most expensive in the country. However if you compare it in terms of what you get for your dollar, it is definitely some of the best value skiing in NZ for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. For first-timers, packages are comparably cheaper than some other commercial ski resorts, so it is pretty economical for novices.

Included in the price of a lift ticket is the spectacular view. The resort sits on the side of a steep mountain, and you get the feeling of standing on the edge of the world as you look out across Lake Wanaka and across to Mt Aspiring. If you suffer from vertigo, Treble Cone might be a bit intimidating, and if you’re not a great skier you find it even more threatening.

Like most ski resorts in New Zealand, there is no accommodation on-mountain at Treble Cone. Wanaka is the closest town which is only 30 minutes away by car or shuttle bus. Some skiers also stay in Queenstown, which is a 90 minutes drive away from Treble Cone.