As the northern hemisphere’s ski season draws to a close, off-season skiing in the southern hemisphere gains popularity.
— The Chinese edition launch event of the "New Zealand Skiing Handbook" was held at Nanshan Ski Resort.
On March 3, 2018, as the ski season in the northern hemisphere neared its end, the Beijing Ski Association, in collaboration with Tourism New Zealand and Air China, hosted the launch event of the Chinese edition of the "New Zealand Skiing Handbook" at Nanshan Ski Resort.
While the northern hemisphere enters the hot summer months, New Zealand in the southern hemisphere welcomes its snowy winter. Blessed with unique geographical advantages and climatic conditions, New Zealand’s South and North Islands host numerous ski resorts, making it a globally acclaimed skiing destination. This Chinese edition of the "New Zealand Skiing Handbook" introduces seven top-quality ski resorts to Chinese skiers, while also bringing to everyone New Zealand’s pristine lakes, majestic mountains, and beautiful pastures.
Ski resorts around Beijing typically operate from late November to early March each year. In Hebei’s Chongli region and China’s northeast, the ski season is slightly longer, lasting from early November to early April. New Zealand’s ski season, varying by location and climate on the South and North Islands, runs from mid-to-late June to early October, forming an excellent complement to the northern hemisphere’s ski season—making it highly suitable for Chinese tourists seeking summer escapes and off-season skiing. New Zealand is a truly world-class skiing destination, offering wonderful snow experiences for skiers of all levels, whether they are beginners or seasoned enthusiasts in alpine skiing or snowboarding.
New Zealand’s ski resorts are located near major towns, with well-known slopes on both the North and South Islands. On the North Island, near Tongariro National Park, there are two resorts: WHAKAPAPA SKI AREA and TUROA SKI AREA. On the South Island, there’s MOUNT HUTT near Christchurch, and four resorts including CARDRONA near Queenstown and Wanaka. The Chinese edition of the "New Zealand Skiing Handbook," jointly launched with the Beijing Ski Association, provides a detailed introduction to New Zealand’s skiing resources. The country’s ski areas feature many expansive bowl-shaped runs and gentle slopes, ideal for first-time skiers, as well as natural powder snow and stunning scenery that attract seasoned enthusiasts. For more adventurous thrill-seekers, there are opportunities for off-piste skiing and exhilarating heli-skiing. Beyond skiing, a variety of attractions and activities await exploration, such as cycling tours, scenic boat cruises, and enriching Māori cultural experiences. Air China operates four direct flights per week between Beijing and Auckland on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, greatly facilitating trip planning for skiers.
During the 2018 summer vacation, the Beijing Ski Association will once again hold ski camp programs at CARDRONA on the South Island and WHAKAPAPA on the North Island. Leveraging New Zealand’s high-quality skiing resources and in partnership with Tourism New Zealand, the association will organize youth from Beijing to train in off-season skiing in New Zealand. Through various ski competitions and events, the initiative aims to inspire more young people to develop a love for winter sports, promote the growth of youth skiing in the city, and help identify, nurture, and reserve talent for the city’s competitive skiing teams—laying a solid foundation for achieving the goal of 8 million people participating in ice and snow sports by 2022.
It is hoped that more skiing enthusiasts will have the opportunity to experience the joy of off-season skiing in New Zealand and discover its pristine beauty. As the northern hemisphere’s ski season comes to an end, let us look forward together to the ski season in New Zealand amidst the summer heat.