The Cross-Country Area
The only non-profit ski area in the region, and New Zealand's oldest cross-country resort Snow Farm offers its visitors around 55 km (34 miles) of skating and classic trails. Although expert trails dominate, beginners and intermediates will also get their money's worth. You will even find a biathlon area. Most tracks start at Snow Farm Lodge. You can stay in this area, or venture further and be rewarded with some breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
For absolute newbies, professional staff is at hand to assist you during group or private lessons. You have some experience with cross-country, but would like to improve your technique? Intermediate courses are also on offer, making sure everyone can profit from a stay at Snow Farm.
Have Fun in the Snow
Cross-country skiing is not the only activity this extensive area has in store. Right next to Snow Farm Lodge you can find Snow Fun Zone. As its name implies, fun in the snow is the main goal here. The young and the old can use this area to enjoy some tobogganing or tubing, build a snowman, have a snowball fight, and more.
You want an experience off the beaten tracks? Maybe snowshoeing is the thing for you. In one to two hour long trips, a total of 24 km (15 miles) of snowshoe trails lead you into the mountains of wintery New Zealand.
The Most Beautiful Tracks
Beginners' Trails
The four beginners' trails all start at Snow Farm Lodge.
- Mary's Trail - 0,8 km
- Highlander - 1,9 km
- Merino Glen - 4,0 km
- River Run - 3,7 km
Intermediate Cross-Country
If you have some experience cross-country skiing, there are four more trails for intermediates adjacent to the beginners' trails. Two of them are only accessible seasonally.
- The Loop - 7,4 km
- Hanging Valley Connector - 0,8 km
- Tranquility - seasonal
- Old Loop - seasonal
Expert Trails
The biggest portion of trails at Snow Farm is for expert cross-country skiers. A total of 12 trails at expert level can be found in the area. They all start at Snow Farm Lodge.
- Hanging Valley - 7,1 km
- Gorge Trail - 3,1 km
- 2006 - 1,0 km
- Dog Loop - 1,7 km
- Whoopty Doo - 0,6 km
- D9 - 0,4 km
- The Wall - 0,2 km
- Biathlon Shortcut - 0,2 km
- Race Avoidance - 0,4 km
- Spur Connector - 0,3 km
- Kirsty Burn - saisonal
- Top Beat - saisonal
Interesting facts
- The cross-Country skiing area takes you to an elevation of 1,965 m.
- Snow Farm New Zealand features 27 sunny days on average per season. September is the sunniest month with an average of 12 sunny days.
Videos
Dining along the Tracks
When venturing on the trails at Snow Farm, make sure you have eaten or packed your own food, as dining facilities are rare along the tracks. Merely Snow Farm Lodge offers a number of options.
For a little snack, stop at Snow Farm Lodge Café. If you only want to have a cup of coffee or a cold beer, Snow Farm Lodge Bar is the place to go. Snow Farm Lodge Restaurant is sure to fill every hungry stomach with its breakfast-, lunch-, and dinner-buffets.
Getting Here
The closest international airport to Snow Farm ist in Christchurch. Approximately 500 km (310 miles) from Wanaka, continuing by car from here is possible. However, a domestic flight to Wanaka Airport might be the more convenient option.
Once you've made it to Wanaka, Snow Farm offers a shuttle service to Snow Farm and back twice a day. You can also rent a car. By car, simply drive towards Queenstown and Cadrona township via Cadrona Valley Road / Crown Range Road. About 200 m from the turnoff to Cadrona Alpine Resort you wil find Snow Farm Access Road. Please note that this road is unsealed, hence chains are absolutely essential in winter time.