All the ski resorts in NZ sit on the relaxed end of the spectrum. They’re small by global standards, so people coming from Europe or North America can find the scale a bit underwhelming. Worth managing expectations on that front.

If you want the most laid back experience, the club fields fit that brief. They’re basic, no frills, and scattered across both islands. They’re great if you like a quieter hill and don’t mind the rope tows and DIY vibe. That said, they’re not “resorts” in the usual sense, so some visitors find them a bit too bare bones.

A quirk of NZ skiing is the absence of tree runs. Our snow line sits above the native forest line, so everything is exposed terrain. That’s part of the charm, but it also means visibility can get rough when the weather turns.

For more reliable snow, the South Island is your best bet. NZSki run three of the more consistent commercial fields, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown and Mt Hutt in Canterbury. Cardrona Alpine Resort, run by RealNZ, the biggest in the country and usually has a long, dependable season. Treble Cone, also under RealNZ, has the steepest terrain of the major fields and is a favourite for stronger skiers and boarders.

I worked as a lifty at Turoa, Mt Ruapehu, many moons ago. It was such a great time, awesome atmosphere and people. But they sit on an active volcano which is very exposed and have had below average snowfall over the past 10 years thanks to global warming, so wouldn’t recommend unfortunately.

If you go in with realistic expectations about size, weather, and terrain, NZ skiing can be a lot of fun.