Wanaka in the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in NZ: mountains, glaciers and a lake surround the town which is the base for many mountain sports year-round. When winter hits, snowsports enthusiasts flock to Wanaka located about an hour's drive North of Queenstown. Queenstown claims to be the adventure capital of the world although Wanaka is its less well-known rival to this claim escaping the commercialism and hype.

Wanaka is big enough to have a range of bars and great restaurants providing excellent après-ski venues while at the same time having that small-town feel where it doesn't take long to get to know everyone.

A great place to hang out on a day-off from riding, while in Wanaka check out the world famous 'Puzzle World' head up into the hills for some great single-track mountain biking, have a go at catching some freshwater trout, or go for a hike to check out the Rob Roy Glacier.

If you want to look more in depth at the resorts and area then use the following websites.

www.LakeWanaka.co.nz
www.Cardrona.co.nz
www.snowparknz.com

www.treblecone.com

Included in the Seasonaires Cl-Classic package you get a season pass for Cardrona Alpine Resort.
Host of the NZ Nationals, Cardrona has been voted the number 1 snowboard resort by the New Zealand Snowboard Association for the last two years and has made a strong commitment to the sport over the previous decade. In 2003 the resort offered 4 halfpipes (shaped every day by the Kassbohrer Super-pipe magician), a world-class terrain park and a permanent Snow-cross course.

The other nearby resorts i.e. snowpark and Treble Cone you can add passes for at an extra cost.

Feel free to email the hosts direct and ask any questions you have about the resort. Send An Email

    Towels: Bring your own towels

  Drinking water: The tap water in Wanaka is drinkable.

The Electricity
In NZ they run on 240V

Kitchen
  The kitchen will be fully equipped and available for everyone's use at all times. As it is a common kitchen its cleanliness must be maintained at all times by ALL seasoners.

Wanaka is big enough to have a range of bars and great restaurants providing excellent après-ski venues while at the same time having that small-town feel where it doesn't take long to get to know everyone. Paddy's is a good place to go for some live music, Red Rock has good bar-food and a couple of pool tables, Shooter's has decent happy-hour prices from 5-6pm and 9-10pm, and has a great deck with a view of the lake to watch the sun go down after a hard day on the slopes.

A fairly short hike from Cardrona resort will put you on the top of Mt Cardrona where there are some good lines to be had. The back bowls of Captain's basin are other alternatives to get some fresh or to build your own kicker. Treble Cone has some great backcountry riding, and amazing views of the lake and he town.

Wanaka is more expensive than other NZ towns as far as food shoppnig goes, but you can eat healthily for as little as $60-70 per week if you are on a tight budget, or live the life of luxury eating out every night for $150-$170 a week

Wanaka has two medical centres.

Lots of resorts nearby for day trips, and a bit of variation. If you plan early it is cheaper to buy a season pass in some resorts, then you can visit them when you want.
In New Zealand all the ski fields are a short drive from the nearest town or base. Cardrona, Snowpark and Treble Cone are all within a forty-minute drive of Wanaka. They are very different mountains which compliment each other: Cardrona's rolling slopes, halfpipes and terrain parks are balanced with Treble Cone's natural steeps, chutes and gullies. If it is purely freestyle action you are after then head to the Snowpark and ride their Superpipe, rails and tabletops.

www.TrebleCone.com
Voted the best freeride resort in Australasia, Treble Cone is the place to be on a powder day! With 2000 feet of vertical, the natural terrain at TC speaks for itself: ideal for honing freeriding skills.

There are a number of resorts around the Wanaka Lakes area, the premier all-round resort is Cardrona. In the Seasonaires Cl-Classic package a season pass for Cardrona is included in the cost.

Wanaka is located about 1 hrs transfer from Queenstown airport.
If you book the Classic package then this is the transfet that is free. Should your flight arive at a different airport then there will be a surcharge made.

Mountain Access

Access to the mountains can be arranged and a season pass with Good Sports. Checkout www.good-sports.co.nz The cheapest way to get up the hill is to hitch-hike which is possible all season long, although if there are a few of you to split the costs then buying your own car makes sense. Christchurch and Dunedin are good places to pick up a used car which can be found for as little as $500. As insurance is not compulasory in NZ buynig your own car is a cheap option and the freedom it will give you is well worthwhile.