Epic mountains and adventurous locals make Wanaka the ultimate South Island ski town. Here’s what to do if you’ve got 48 hours there.

Day one

Afternoon

When you arrive in Wanaka after the hour’s drive from Queenstown, stretch your legs along the famous waterfront, where couples picnic and locals jog with their dogs. Then cross over the road and wander Helwick Street, lined with outdoor clothing stores and women’s boutiques. For artisan tea, jaw-dropping photography and quality keepsakes, peruse Revology Concept Store, then head to The Next Chapter Wanaka Bookshop, a well-stocked shipping container with plenty of inspiring NZ reads.

Check in

After you’ve picked up a page-turner, drive 15 minutes to Lake Hawea, where you’ll find the delightful Cross Hill Lodge and Domes. Located on a campground that’s quiet in winter, this accommodation delivers solitude with style. Six domed glamping tents are nestled into their own garden, and inside each is a gas fireplace, air-conditioning, a kitchenette, bathroom, and king bed (NZ super king), with an electric blanket.

Dinner

Enjoy a communal dinner in Cross Hill’s main lodge, where themes include the ‘farmhouse table night’ consisting of dishes such as duck and foraged mushroom tart, and a cheese cake ‘toadstool’ for dessert. The skilled house chef creates menus around the seasonality of local produce.

Evening

Spend the night staring at the Milky Way from your private hot tub steps from the main lodge. Make a reservation so the staff can light the wood fire and fill the stainless steel and timber tub for a magical way to round out a ski day.

Day two

Early morning

One of the best cafes in Wanaka for breakfast is Scroggin Coffee and Eatery. It’s open from 7am, so it’s easy to call in for a sit-down meal before hitting the slopes. Start your day with rhubarb porridge or a slice of chocolate banana bread.

Daytime

Treble Cone Ski Area is a mountain for skiers and snowboarders who have one thing on the mind: epic terrain. Forget the bells and whistles of other resorts and be prepared to lap the two chairlifts at “TC” all day, with a stack of intermediate, advanced and expert trails to hit up. Inevitably, you’ll need a break, so you can ride to the mid-mountain Altitude Bar for pizza, or return to the base for a poke bowl and truffle fries in front of the patio fire. If you’re a hardcore skier/boarder who prefers a big breakfast and quick DIY lunch, TC has converted a shipping container into a free storage unit, so you can leave a bag with a packed lunch. Tip: Take advantage of the free shuttle from the car park to the resort.

*Note: If you want to drive and need to hire chains, head to Green Toad off Wanaka’s lakefront Ardmore Street.

Dinner

Grab an early dinner at one of the best restaurants in Wanaka – Big Fig. This place is popular not only because it is great value, but also because the food is healthy and wholesome, and the service is friendly and quick. Pick a plate size and a mix of protein and veggies, and enjoy an easy meal with mates.

Evening

The Secret Sauna, a stroll from your domed tent, is a relaxing place to unwind before bed. Book a private session in one of two barrel saunas located on the shore of Lake Hawea, then alternate between heat and a cold-water dip; reservations required.

Day three

Early morning

You’ll have to hit the road early if you want fresh powder or corduroy at Cardrona Alpine Resort, 40 minutes’ drive from Wanaka. Call into Fedeli and grab a takeaway cheese scone and ginger crunch slice—both are New Zealand specialties.

Daytime

Totally different to Treble Cone, Cardrona Alpine Resort is the most popular ski resort in the Queenstown district. Thanks to the new Soho Basin, it’s also now the largest resort in New Zealand. If you’re travelling with young children, beginner skiers, or riders who love hitting rails and jumps, Cardrona ticks all of the boxes. It also has an impressive variety of dining. There’s a main cafeteria with wraps and chips, the cosy Lounge cafe for mulled wine, the new Noodle Bar, and (my favourite) The Mezz with its focus on locally-sourced food, plus more. Cardrona also has a great free shuttle service, which is worth using if the access road is dusty.

Afternoon

A trip to Cardrona is never complete without driving that little further up the road to Cardrona Hotel, one of the country’s oldest pubs dating back to the mid-1800s. Stay toasty inside one of the pub’s many dark rooms or bask in winter sun at a greenhouse-style table in the garden. Order the Scotch egg or the tartiflette (potato gratin) and, afterwards, check out The Old School House selling artisan nicknacks.

Well before sunset you’ll want to hit Cardrona Valley Road, which wends over the Crown Range into Queenstown, 45 minutes’ away. Spend a few days skiing in Queenstown, with The Cottages at Lake Hayes a stylish accommodation choice for families of four, and Mt Rosa Lodge perfect for couples.

Escape Route

Getting there

The best way to reach Wanaka is by flying into Queenstown and hiring a car from the airport; there are numerous rental companies. Be sure to double check the length of the vehicle if you’re carrying your own skis/snowboard, or request roof racks, and you’ll need to hire snow chains too.

 

Where to stay

Accommodation in Wanaka primarily consists of holiday rentals or budget hotels, however Cross Hill Lodge and Domes, at Lake Hawea, is a fun, premium stay, with each dome large enough to sleep two.

Snowboarding/skiing

The NZ ski season runs until the end of September/early October. Treble Cone and Cardrona offer numerous lift pass options, while ski equipment can be hired at the resorts or in Wanaka.

 

 

This article was originally published by Escape by Jennifer Ennion. The writer travelled as a guest of Tourism New Zealand and Destination Queenstown.