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A skier looks across snowy peaks and a cloud inversion from Treble Cone ski field.
Explore / Treble Cone / Destination Guide

TREBLE CONE

📍Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand

⬛ Steep & Deep🏔️ Expert Paradise🏞️ Scenic Cruiser🧗 Backcountry AccessIndependent

Photo: Luca Calderone · Unsplash License · Photo details

⬇️
Vertical drop
2,321 ft
🗻
Skiable terrain
1,359 acres
❄️
Avg snowfall
217 in*
🚡
Lifts
3*

SOUTHERN LAKES / OTAGO REGION

Treble Cone overlooks Lake Wanaka from the Southern Alps, a mountain landscape where dramatic peaks rise from crystalline alpine lakes. The Otago regi...

THE REGION

Treble Cone overlooks Lake Wanaka from the Southern Alps, a mountain landscape where dramatic peaks rise from crystalline alpine lakes. The Otago region is the heart of New Zealand's South Island skiing and adventure tourism. Wanaka and nearby Queenstown create a twin-hub system for exploring the Southern Lakes.

The landscape features stark Alpine terrain at elevation, transitioning through beech forests to temperate lake shores. The region offers everything from backcountry skiing to jet boating, bungee jumping, and summer mountain biking. Winter skiing is just one element of year-round outdoor activity.

THE LOCAL SCENE

Wānaka’s lakefront makes a natural base for mountain days. Stop at TC Bar before heading down, or meet back in town at Après on Cardrona Valley Road. Francesca Wānaka suits a pizza-and-pasta dinner, while Kika on Dunmore Street puts seasonal ingredients into plates for sharing.

GETTING THERE

Queenstown Airport is the main gateway for Wānaka and Treble Cone. In ski season, the resort offers buses from Wānaka and Queenstown. Drivers can follow the mountain road or leave their vehicle at the carpark at its foot and take the separate free road shuttle. Check current departures, chain requirements and road status before setting out.

WHEN TO GO

July and August are winter months in the Southern Lakes. The mountain’s natural snow cover and wind can affect how much terrain opens in any week. Check the snow report and lift status when planning an early-season visit or a spring trip in September.

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🏔️

Lake Wanaka

Outdoor

Alpine lake offering kayaking, cruises, and scenic walks along the shore

🏔️

Roys Peak Hike

Outdoor

A steep alpine day walk above Lake Wānaka. Check seasonal closures, snow conditions and track advice before setting out.

🏔️

Backcountry Skiing

Outdoor

Ski touring and backcountry access to untracked terrain

🏔️

Mountain Biking

Outdoor

Summer and shoulder-season mountain biking on regional trails

🏔️

Lake Hawea

Outdoor

A quieter lakeshore outing east of Wānaka.

🎭

National Transport and Toy Museum

Culture

Beside Wānaka Airport, explore a collection of vehicles, aircraft and toys.

WHERE TO STAY

Use Wānaka as a town base and plan the drive or bus pickup for Treble Cone. Haka House offers dorms, private rooms and a communal kitchen. Wanaka Homestead has lodge rooms and self-catering cottages, while Edgewater and Oakridge offer apartment layouts for groups. Minaret Station is a separate helicopter-accessed wilderness stay. For a regular lift-served ski trip, choose accommodation you can reach by road.

DESTINATION FACTS

Nearest Town
Wanaka (30km)
Population
~8,500
Elevation
About 1,250 m at the base / 2,088 m at the summit
Timezone
NZDT / NZST (UTC+13 / UTC+12)

LIVE WEATHER

Real-time conditions for planning your Treble Cone trip

❄️Snow Depth🌨️Precipitation💨Wind🌡️Temperature☁️Visibility

Powered by Ventusky — opens in new tab

Learn to read ski weather maps →

GETTING THERE

✈️
ZQN
Queenstown Airport
About 1–2 hours
✈️
WKA
Wanaka Airport
About 30–60 minutes

Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for winter conditions.

Sources & planning context

Historical planning figures · Figures marked * come from earlier references and may differ from current resort figures.

Other names · Treble Cone Ski Area, TC

Local recommendations are editorial guidance. Travel times are approximate and depend on your route and conditions.

Typically late June to late September

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗
Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗
Official website
https://cardrona-treblecone.com/
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs
22
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Skiable area (acres)
1359
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Summit elevation (ft)
6850
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
terrain · beginner
10
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
terrain · intermediate
30
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
terrain · advanced
40
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
terrain · expert
20
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Published opening time
08:30
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Published closing time
16:00
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Base elevation (ft)
4110
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft)
2321
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Historical mountain figures awaiting field-level confirmation: Lifts, Reported average snowfall (in), Longest run (mi).

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

Official metric and imperial elevations differ, so the retained elevations are historical references. Two chairlifts are listed separately from learning carpets.

Treble Cone area maps ↗Home Basin has groomers and a beginner platter, Saddle Basin intermediate and advanced routes, Motatapu steep chutes. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Wānaka ski trails by ability ↗Easy Rider is a green switchback trail. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Mountain transport ↗Paid town buses and separate free mountain-road shuttle from base of Treble Cone access road; heed chain directions. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

National Transport and Toy Museum ↗Established museum adjacent to Wānaka Airport. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Museum collection ↗Regional visitor directory describes aircraft, vehicles and toys. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Minaret Station ↗accessible only by helicopter · world class cuisine · just four chalets · Queenstown and Wanaka region · heli-skiing · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Wanaka Homestead Lodge & Cottages | Explore | Wanaka Official Website ↗Award-winning lodge and self-catering cottage accommodation about 200 metres from Wānaka and the Wānaka Tree, opposite Station Park. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Edgewater Hotel Wānaka ↗edge of Lake Wānaka · guest rooms, suites and apartments · Apartment - 2 Bedroom · mountain views · lake-view terrace patio · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Oakridge Resort Wanaka - Wanaka | 20 Studholme Rd, Wanaka 9305, Wanaka ↗At 20 Studholme Road, Oakridge offers hotel rooms through two-bedroom apartments, nine outdoor heated pools, a lap pool, gym and restaurants. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Haka House · Wānaka ↗Current hostel at 94 Brownston Street with private and shared room options, communal kitchen and lounge. The former YHA/Purple Cow site matches its address. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Otago Daily Times · Wānaka hostel renovation ↗Local reporting identifies the former YHA at 94 Brownston as the property renovated for relaunch as Haka House. Used for historical identity continuity only. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Treble Cone Snow Sports School ↗Treble Cone offers private ski and snowboard coaching and a first-timer package combining a group lesson, rental gear and a beginner lift pass. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

TC Freeride Team ↗The 2026 program described on- and off-piste coaching for advanced skiers and snowboarders, with technical skills, decision-making and line selection. Later camp dates are unconfirmed. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Cardrona and Treble Cone ski equipment rentals ↗Core rental collection is available on the mountain or at the operator’s Wānaka and Queenstown locations. The premium performance package specifies mountain pickup. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Treble Cone cafés ↗TC Café and TC Bar are in the Treble Cone base building. The café serves wraps and pies. The operator also lists Après in Wānaka at 50 Cardrona Valley Road. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Francesca Wānaka ↗Francesca Wānaka is at 93 Ardmore Street. The restaurant serves wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta. Its seasonal Italian cooking incorporates local New Zealand ingredients. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Kika Wānaka ↗2 Dunmore Street. Dinner restaurant and bar with seasonal New Zealand ingredients and sharing plates influenced by international cooking. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

  • Cardrona & Treble Cone mountain info ↗

    The official Cardrona & Treble Cone mountain info page supports the asserted static mountain facts. Metric source values are stored in the site's rounded imperial display units.

SEE YOU UP THERE.

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