Thanks that helps,
I don't have heaps of specific questions either but that description of the mountains helps, we are all diffrent levels of ability.
Do you know if it is very difficult to get accsess to more than 1 mountain? eg a lift pass that works on both or do you tend to get "stuck" on one?
It also appears jetstar don't let you book a ticket Adelaide- Queenstown and I am not one to book multipule flights on more than 1 ticket. Unless i am failing at using the JQ website...
Unfortunately the lift passes don’t allow you to use both mountains, unless you have a specific season pass that allows that. Of interest perhaps, you can buy season passes pre-season (from 16 Feb at
NZSki.com Home - NZ's premiere Ski and Snowboard Website) that are possible to pay off within a week of buying the everyday ski passes. Depends how long you’ll be skiing for of course. Cardona and TC probably offer the same, but see below as to which I think will be more cost effective
Also, to use both mountains you’d have to drive down to town and back up the next one, as they’re not part of the same range. They look across at each other.
I don’t believe any airline flies from Adelaide direct to Queenstown. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane will all fly direct though, so you’ll probably have to connect. Happy to be proved wrong though if a new service to Adelaide has begun and I’ve completely missed it
As a kiwi personal preferences of mountains are Cardrona (#1) and Treble cone. Further away unless you stay in Wanaka instead of Queenstown but still absolutely doable. Last time I went skiing in Queenstown we spent more time at these two places than either Queenstown resorts. we tried them all but one day at Coronet Peak/Remarkables was enough. Coronet Peak has plenty of runs but gets very busy. Personally don't like the Remarkables at all, has some good runs but if snow not brilliant runs are very restricted. Cardrona has best range of runs and is usually totally uncrowded with some excellent on-snow restaurants, have always loved skiing here. Treble Cone has the best "hard" runs but no good at all for beginners or even really lower level intermediates.
Cardrona also has an excellent pub at the bottom of the mountain I seem to remember spending a fair bit of time at, just a good country pub but very easy to spend a fair bit of time there after a days skiing.
I’ll chime in here just because I disagree with a few of your points
Cardrona, yes, totally agree it’s a great mountain for all abilities and with their expanded terrain, when they get a lot of snow, there’s a lot to do. They also have a noodle bar, which serves some great food and a cafe on the far side that’s great to meet at for lunch.
That said, it can get so incredibly busy up there that I usually spend 20 minutes waiting to get on the lifts, and have even waited longer in cases.
Cardrona Hotel is nice, though does get to be an issue if you want to drive home. Love sitting by one of the fires outside.
As for Treble Cone, while the terrain there is phenomenal for advanced riders, last year they had hardly any snow for ages, while everything else was still open. It’s a 2-hour drive from Queenstown, and most importantly, they rip locals and tourists off alike with their high prices.
I did a season on Treble Cone at the MECNZ hut halfway up the mountain and while I had some great times there, wouldn’t pay them what they wanted every year! I rarely go back, sadly.
Wanaka… nice town, been compared in a lot of different ways to Queenstown as an older-version or a less built up one but having lived there in 2006 I do think it’s gone down a little since then. I don’t want it to be Queenstown, but it honestly feels less fun than it was back then. I dunno.
I’d definitely say it’s worth a visit, but if you’re looking for a good experience, good times, fun bars, all that, it’s Queenstown. If you want a laid back holiday, perhaps Wanaka.
