Skiing

They go for better snow - and more of it - and the chance to combine quality skiing with jetboating, rafting and boutique shopping at the country’s stunning alpine resorts.

New Zealand’s larger and higher mountains have treeless, uncrowded slopes, fewer queues, longer runs and, of course, varied terrain with sensational views. You can advance to heli or glacier skiing, have a go at cross-country or the new “sno cat” skiing, using snow groomers to access untracked slopes over the back of The Remarkables in Queenstown. This is the only place in the Southern Hemisphere where ‘sno cat’ skiing is available.

Queenstown is a popular base for skiing several different ski areas. It’s a great getaway with a medley of indulgent pleasures and adventure options, and you can fly there direct from Sydney or Brisbane. Nearby Wanaka, and Ruapehu in the North Island, are also good for this style of holiday, and Mt Hutt is little more than an hour from the attractions of Christchurch.

Long Season - the season opens as early as the end of May, and closes as late as November. Early season falls are ideally suited to beginners and improvers. More serious skiers should find reliable skiing from early July, with the season peak from mid-July to mid-September when powder snow is at its most plentiful. Some of the best skiing comes in the spring months, particularly on the North Island's Turoa and Whakapapa skifields on Mount Ruapehu.