Cardrona Alpine Resort

A little further from Queenstown and accessed from the Crown Range Road linking to Wanaka, is the Cardrona Alpine Resort, complete with the its down-to-earth vibe and colourful toy town base buildings.

Spanning three basins, the field is home to New Zealand's first chondola (a cross between a chairlift and gondola cabin-style lift), handy for windy days when riding an exposed chairlift makes one wonder why they just didn't stay at home. The chondola has also opened up the top of the mountain to learners and non-skiers alongside more experienced snow bunnies.

The wide, open trails and extensive terrain parks and pipes accommodate all levels of skiers and snowboarders, from beginners to professionals. Little ones are looked after too – drop them off at Ski Kindy or Kids' Club, and know they're in good hands while out on the slopes.

There are eight different cafés and restaurants to choose from for a quick snack or even a cheeky après beer. With an orientation looking out over the intimate Cardrona Valley, the views are spectacular, spanning all the way from Wanaka to Queenstown. cardrona.com