Treble Cone

Treble Cone, 19 km from Wanaka, is widely considered the best ski field in the South Island for serious skiers. It has the largest vertical drop in New Zealand (700 m), genuinely challenging terrain on the upper mountain, and consistently good snow owing to its southwest-facing aspect. The base is at 1,260 metres and the top at 1,960 metres.

The views from the upper lifts across Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps are extraordinary. The ski season runs from late June to October. A shuttle bus runs from Wanaka town in the morning and returns in the afternoon; booking ahead in peak season is essential.

things to do sight
A story
Treble Cone is named for the three peaks that form its summit ridge. It was one of the last major South Island ski fields to be developed commercially, which meant it avoided the infrastructure decisions that gave other resorts their crowded, narrow runs. Its upper mountain is exposed and demanding, which keeps the intermediate-and-below crowd away — a self-selecting filter that keeps it quieter than its quality would otherwise allow.