South Island skiing

Skiing New Zealand's spectacular South Island offers some of the most incredible scenery in the world. From lakes and plains to majestic mountains, there's something to take your breath away around every turn.

The Southern Alps of New Zealand soar over 2000m and in 2011 will offer countless opportunities for excellent skiing in both club fields and non-commercial ski fields.

Queenstown and beyond

Located on the lovely Lake Wakatipu, the action-packed Queenstown is a great choice for families looking to spend their winter 2011 holiday in New Zealand. There's never a dull moment here.

The two ski fields closest to Queenstown are Coronet Peak and the Remarkables. Coronet Peak is roughly a 20 minute drive uphill from town and its outdoor stage, bar and restaurant are always bustling. Coronet Peak also offers night skiing, fabulous for a really social affair. It's a better place for learners than The Remarkables, which operates around trickier terrain. However, if it's a challenge you're after, The Remarkables will definitely give you that.

Hop in the car and drive an hour from Queenstown and you'll reach the beautiful and far more peaceful Wanaka. The surrounding region has the biggest concentration of established ski fields in the South Island, the widest variety of terrain and activities and — even better — guaranteed snowfall.

Wanaka

Wanaka, located next to a lake, is more of a 'local' destination. You won't feel as much of a social vibe in this area, but if it's peace, quiet and the odd beer in a nice restaurant you're after come aprés, you can't go wrong with these:

• Cardrona: Great for families and excellent for beginners, Cardrona is a fun place for everyone and learners will love the easy, time-saving magic carpets, which are moving walkways designed to get you around quicker than the usual T-bar. Cardrona is also the location for the New Zealand national snowboard championships. Look out for the giant toy clock tower.

• Snow Farm: If Nordic cross country skiing is your thing, Snow Farm boasts over 50kms of trails, all groomed to a professional standard to allow both classic and skate skiing. If you're new to cross country, enroll in a class with Snow Farm's international ski school. You'll be bracing those slopes before you know it.

• Treble Cone: With a view of the glistening lake as you make your way down the mountain, many people return to Treble Cone year after year, just for the scenery. The terrain is quite difficult for beginners and has been compared to that of The Remarkables, but this means experts and intermediates will escape the crowds and experience the skiing session of their life.

• Snow Park NZ: This is New Zealand's first dedicated terrain park and features two superpipes, a quarterpipe, over 40 rails, hits and jumps and big kickers. The Progressions Park is a novice park for snowboarders and skiers alike to enter the world of freestyle.

Top three commercial ski fields in the South Island

• Mt Hutt (Canterbury)
• Treble Cone and Cardrona (Wanaka)
• The Remarkables and Coronet Peak (Queenstown)

Mt Hutt and surrounding club fields

Further north, near Christchurch, Mt Hutt gets the longest snow season in the South Island. The local town, Methven, is slightly livelier than Wanaka, but not as activity-packed as Queenstown. The club fields (usually privately managed but open to everyone) attract those looking for smaller ski fields. Ohau and Temple Basin are two such fields for more adventurous skiers, and those really seeking a thrill should try Craigieburn, with its vertical drop of 500m.

Off-piste

Want to leave the crowds behind and do something slightly different? The best way of getting a slice of New Zealand's back country in the South Island is with a guide. There are a number of tour operators taking people off-piste these days and skiers can explore the wilds in a number of ways, from landing in the unknown in a helicopter, to taking a champagne lunch on an untouched mountain.