Loading
Phone1800 960 693AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

6-Day Wanaka and Cardrona First Timers Ski Holiday

Customisable Itinerary
4.8 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

If this is your first time skiing or snowboarding, then there is simply no better place than Wanaka and Cardrona Ski Field!

On this six-day New Zealand ski trip, you'll stay in a luxury lakefront apartment and spend three days on the slopes of Cardrona or Treble Cone. With lessons from qualified ski instructors, you'll go from zero to hero in no time.

Splitting your time between Cardona, Treble Cone and the sights of Wanaka and its surroundings, this will be a trip that you won't forget!
Skiing
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing

Customise this trip for a perfect match

Private, Personalised TravelNo generic group tours. Just the activities you love, and nothing you don't.
Insider Local KnowledgeAccess insider tips, hidden gems and authentic experiences known only to locals.
End-to-end ServiceFrom the initial planning to full support while travelling, Designer Journeys provides seamless service every step of the way.
Travel With ConfidenceFeel assured travelling with an accredited Australian company with comprehensive financial guarantees and a local emergency system.
More than 1900 travellers have booked with us. Join them to make your next trip full of lifelong memories.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Queenstown, Collect your Rental Car & Drive to Wanaka

Closeaccordion
Arrive in Queenstown, Collect your Rental Car & Drive to Wanaka

Once you touch down for your New Zealand ski trip, your detailed tour pack will be hand-delivered by one of the trusted representatives. The pack contains everything you need for the duration of your stay. After collecting your rental car, you'll leave Queenstown, heading over New Zealand's highest sealed road, Crown Range Road, before dropping into Wanaka. Today, it is recommended that you visit the Cardrona Alpine Resort Office and collect your lift pass to save you time tomorrow.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakeside Apartments5 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wanaka

  • notes icon
    Notes

    Once you touch down in New Zealand, your detailed tour pack will be hand-delivered by one of the trusted representatives. The pack contains everything you need for the duration of your stay. It will include a comprehensive, printed and bound version of your itinerary as well as clear driving instructions and maps for each leg of your journey. It also contains all the reservation details for your accommodation and activities - along with relevant brochures and information.

    Today it is recommended that you visit the Cardrona Alpine Resort Office located at the corner of Helwick and Dunmore Streets and collect your lift pass. This will save you heaps of time tomorrow as you'll avoid the morning queues and can head straight to the mountain with more time to ski and ride. When you visit the Cardrona Wanaka Office, please take your Ski New Zealand itinerary with you as the staff will need the reference number off this. Each person in your group receives their own card and must collect their own card as your photo will be taken at the time of issue. All your lift passes, rental equipment, lessons and more will be loaded onto your card.

Day 2

First-Timer All-Inclusive Lessons on Cardona's Slopes

Closeaccordion
First-Timer All-Inclusive Lessons on Cardona's Slopes

Today, you'll head to Cardrona to begin your skiing experience. Included in your trip are two packages, one for adults and one for children. These packages include lessons from a qualified ski instructor which are perfect for adults and children who are stepping onto the slopes for the first time. By the end of your day of lessons, you'll be feeling confident to tackle the bigger slopes in the next few days! The shuttle transport to and from the slopes is included.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakeside Apartments5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cardrona Adult First Timer All-Inclusive Package: Introduction & Lessons

    Cardrona Kids First Timer All Inclusive Package

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wanaka

    Cardrona

Day 3

More Lessons & More Fun on Cardrona's Slopes!

Closeaccordion
More Lessons & More Fun on Cardrona's Slopes!

Today, it is time to hit the slopes once again with more lessons catering to all different abilities. If you are travelling with children, you can send them off to Cardrona's Kids Club Ski and Snowboard School for the day where they'll learn to confidently navigate the slopes through lessons with a qualified ski instructor. If you're feeling slightly more confident today, you can boost your skills with a group lesson learning how to stop and change direction!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakeside Apartments5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cardrona Single Group Lesson, Lift Pass and Rental Package

    Cardrona Kids Club Ski and Snowboard School Full Day

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wanaka

    Cardrona

Day 4

Explore Wanaka & Visit Puzzling World

Closeaccordion
Explore Wanaka & Visit Puzzling World

The alpine village of Wanaka sits on the shores of the third largest lake in the Queenstown Lakes District and is surrounded by the southern alps. Wanaka draws those seeking adventure, spectacular scenery and a relaxed atmosphere and today, you can use your free time to take part in a number of exciting activities. You'll also have the opportunity to visit Puzzling World, a mix of bizarre buildings, rooms of illusion and the world-famous Great Maze.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakeside Apartments5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake WanakaOptional Activity

    Puzzling World

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wanaka

    Otago

Day 5

Treble Cone Ski Field

Closeaccordion
Treble Cone Ski Field

Today, you can test out what you've learnt so far and head to Treble Cone Ski Field! Treble Cone, the largest ski area in New Zealand’s South Island, is famous for its long, uncrowded groomed runs, legendary off-piste terrain, and unrivalled views over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. No matter what type of skier or snowboarder you are, Treble Cone offers an unforgettable New Zealand snow experience.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lakeside Apartments5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Treble Cone Ski Area

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wanaka

    Treble Cone

  • notes icon
    Notes

    The dual-mountain pass is the most flexible way to ski or snowboard in Wanaka. With this pass, you have the freedom to choose from 850 hectares of NZ's best skiing and snowboarding terrain at Cardrona or Treble Cone. Don't own your own gear or snow clothing, or not sure if your skills are up to scratch? No worries, you can rent it all!

Day 6

Travel from Wanaka Back to Queenstown

Closeaccordion
Travel from Wanaka Back to Queenstown

This morning, you'll enjoy your final few hours in Wanaka before driving to the airport in Queenstown and catching your flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Wanaka to Queenstown

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wanaka

Share With Your Partners

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

What’s included?

  • 5 nights accommodation
  • 6 activities
  • Ground transportation

What’s not included?

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
As seen on
Partners