Skiing in New Zealand

New Zealand is a major skiing destination in the Southern Hemisphere, due to its high latitude, mountainous terrain, and well-developed economy and tourism industry.

While there are several ski resorts on the North Island, most are found in the South Island. There are both major commercial resorts, and smaller club skifields which provide access to affordable skiing for club members. There are also specialist backcountry skiing areas such as Mount Potts and Invincible Snowfields which provide heliskiing and snowcat skiing for adventure-seekers.

New Zealand has competed at most Winter Olympics since 1952, when Sir Roy McKenzie led a team. In 1992 Annelise Coberger became the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to win a medal at the Winter Olympics when she won silver in the slalom at Albertville in France.

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching a height of 3,754 metres (12,316 ft).^[1] It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination,^[2]

Gallery

See also

• List of ski areas and resorts in New Zealand
• Club skifield

References

External links

• http://www.snow.co.nz — provides a wide range of information on resorts, gear, weather etc.
• http://www.chillout.co.nz — provides information on the 11 resorts covered by their "Chill-out pass".
• http://www.tuicampers.co.nz/ski-areas/index.html - information on 26 ski areas, plus heli-skiing.
• http://www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/BushAndMountainRecreation/Skiing/en - Skiing from Te Ara the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
• http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/S/Ski-ing/Ski-ing/en - History of Skiing in New Zealand from the 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand