SKI > Treble Cone

It is said that legends are made at Treble Cone and there is no question that when it comes to truly gnarly off piste skiing, Treble Cone Ski Resort (the South Islands largest skiable area) is insane. This must be some of the most stunning views in the world – you get to the top and as you look down out across the lakes and mountains to Wanaka you realise this is amazing. There are only two chairlifts but they get you out to experience a huge amount of terrain and if you are game and your legs are ready for it, you can experience the legendary Motatapu Chutes which are some of the steepest and most challenging terrain within the boundaries of any patrolled ski area in the world.

For those slightly less ambitious the Saddle Basin and Summit Slopes offer some natural half pipe runs that open into brilliant powder bowls and you know that once you get a taste for ‘TC’ you are likely to be hooked.

Getting There

‘TC’ is 96 kms from Queenstown which is going to take you about 1 hour 40 mins if you choose to drive, alternatively there are buses that run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (so plan and book accordingly) the bus tickets are $50 return. If you are staying in Wanaka it’s 30kms and takes about 35 mins and there is a free shuttle to take you up (how good is that!).

Just like at Cardrona, you can also choose to park at the base of the mountain (avoid putting chains on the car) and take the shuttle up the hill. Those shuttles are due to depart at the bottom of the mountain at 08.00, 08.30, 09.00, 09.30, 10.00 and at 12.30.

What is it like to ski?

This is not a mountain for beginners, while TC claim that 10% of the runs are suitable for beginners, they are much more advanced that you would expect so if you want to learn head to Cardrona first. For advanced skiers and boarders, Treble Cone offers some incredible terrain that will challenge you to find your limits and then remind you of how well or badly you did with the muscle pain later that evening!

The Saddle Basin offers some excellent loops that drop into a series of ungroomed half pipe ravines, with little drop offs and powder bowls, it is a taste of what is out there to explore. If you take the Saddle Basin Quad to the top and take a right down the ‘Upper High Street’ and back right down ‘Bullet’ or ‘Raffels Run’ you come down the spine of the ridge to ‘Pete’s Treat’ a few snappy turns and you are back in the lift queue.

Village Facilities

There is no village or accomodation on the mountain – there are food outlets, ski hire and a small retail store for those things you might have forgotten. For everything else there is Queenstown or Wanaka.

Where to Stay

There is lots of great accomodation in downtown Queenstown consider QT Queenstown for a bit of lux. But if you are looking for something different consider staying in picturesque and historic Arrow Town. If you just want to get up the hill fast there is accomodation in Frankton near the airport and much closer to the Mountain. Consider Wyndham Garden Queenstown or the Queenstown Village Apartments.

Wanaka has a bunch of great accomodation from clamping in Geodesic Domes (Cross Hill Lodge & Domes), to smart apartments with views of the lake (Aspiring Lofts), smart hotels on the lake (Hawea Hotel) and a whole lot more.

and while you are in the area visit one of the amazing wineries like Nanny Goat Vineyard or Rippon Vineyard, there are two breweries in Wanaka, Rhyme x Reason Brewery and Ground Up Brewing and there is even a distillery (Cardrona Distillery).

LINKS

• https://www.treblecone.com
• https://www.lakewanaka.co.nz
• http://www.cardronadistillery.com/
• http://www.rippon.co.nz/
• http://www.groundup.co.nz/
• https://www.rhymeandreason.beer/
• http://nannygoatvineyard.co.nz/
• https://www.crosshill.co.nz/
• https://www.aspiringlofts.co.nz