The South Island's biggest ski area offering really diverse terrain, Treble Cone is lots of fun in the powder and provides some enjoyable challenges for the advanced skier.
We were lucky enough to pick a spectacular ski day for our Treble Cone experience. There had been considerable snow over the last 24 hours and it turned out to be a bluebird day- great visibility with only a bit of wind at the top. As this will be our one time visiting Treble Cone, I can only comment with reference to near perfect conditions. (Sorry/ not sorry!)
A good 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Queenstown, this resort is much easier to access from Wanaka. The views out over Lake Wanaka from virtually the entire resort, are breath taking. The unsealed mountain road is narrower than Cardrona's and chains should always be carried.
A good 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Queenstown, this resort is much easier to access from Wanaka. The views out over Lake Wanaka from virtually the entire resort, are breath taking. The unsealed mountain road is narrower than Cardrona's and chains should always be carried.
Further comparisons with Cardrona, even though they are 'sister resorts', the two couldn't be more different.
Unlike 'Cardies' there is only one car park and it fills up quick. The lift office/ ski rental building is actually at the base (Cardrona's is almost the entire way up the mountain) and TC only has two chair lifts. Cardrona is the place to be if you are into park activities.
TC looks and feels like a real mountain. As in- it is more rugged with slightly menacing overtones. There are plenty of gullies and chutes throughout the resort, mixed between rocky outcrops.
Unlike 'Cardies' there is only one car park and it fills up quick. The lift office/ ski rental building is actually at the base (Cardrona's is almost the entire way up the mountain) and TC only has two chair lifts. Cardrona is the place to be if you are into park activities.
TC looks and feels like a real mountain. As in- it is more rugged with slightly menacing overtones. There are plenty of gullies and chutes throughout the resort, mixed between rocky outcrops.
Home Basin is a good all-rounder area, which can mean that the snow is not so great on the pistes due to high activity. To get the adrenalin going, it is best to head to the Saddle Basin and (if open) on into the Mototapu Basin. (We didn't get to check out Matukituki Basin unfortunately).
Saddle Basin has some great gullies which have become natural half pipes. Super Pipe and Shooter are both fairly narrow but gentle enough that it is literally like a swinging down the mountain and I had a huge smile on my face doing them. Burns those leg muscles though!
Saddle Basin has some great gullies which have become natural half pipes. Super Pipe and Shooter are both fairly narrow but gentle enough that it is literally like a swinging down the mountain and I had a huge smile on my face doing them. Burns those leg muscles though!
The Mototapu Basin is only open when the conditions are right. It requires a high level of skill and the terrain is difficult. Powder helps. To give it a good go, you will want to hike up to the ridge line, above The Meadows. The open Meadows area can provide untouched powder. The less challenging chutes are on the right looking down. We followed the majority of tracks to be on the safe side. It is a good idea to get advice from the lifties, or people on the chair who have done the chutes already.
The chute we went down was steeper and narrower than I have skied in the past and I won't lie, I was quite terrified. (I haven't been skiing for that long really). However, the snow was soft and meant that you could stop in a moment of panic if necessary.
The chute we went down was steeper and narrower than I have skied in the past and I won't lie, I was quite terrified. (I haven't been skiing for that long really). However, the snow was soft and meant that you could stop in a moment of panic if necessary.
After a great feeling of elation at having survived the chute and the amazing Meadows, you realise that you have to hike up out of the basin which is no mean feat in itself. Deep snow in ski boots = tiring work. We only did it the once.
All in all, Treble Cone is a cool resort. It has a lot to offer, and you definitely need more than a day there. If we were here short term, I would get a mix TC and Cardrona pass. I have heard that Cardrona is more consistent and reliable, but I think for those days when conditions all line up, it would be hard to beat TC.
(Also they have a kea population that hangs around their cafe, and I'm a total bird nerd.)
For further info; check out treblecone.com
All in all, Treble Cone is a cool resort. It has a lot to offer, and you definitely need more than a day there. If we were here short term, I would get a mix TC and Cardrona pass. I have heard that Cardrona is more consistent and reliable, but I think for those days when conditions all line up, it would be hard to beat TC.
(Also they have a kea population that hangs around their cafe, and I'm a total bird nerd.)
For further info; check out treblecone.com