Lake Tekapo accommodation from AU$183

There are two main ski areas in Lake Tekapo. Mt. Dobson covers 400 hectares of mountainside and has New Zealand’s longest learners slope. Beginners can relax with the team of instructors close at hand as well as rope towing services that are a godsend if you get stuck, or are just too stuffed from all that skiing. While this area is tucked away in the mountains to the east of Lake Tekapo, Roundhill Ski Area is on the side of the Two Thumb mountain range that looks down right over the lake and its valley, giving you unmatched views while you fine tune your skills and graduate to faster, more exciting ski runs. The terrain here is filled with rolling gentle hills with lifts and tow systems that make it easy for inexperienced skiers to get themselves back up to the top for more.

For those days that you decide to give your legs a rest, the Lake Tekapo town and surrounding area offer up a surprising amount of activities to keep you busy in winter or summer. After all the skiing, you’re sure to have an appetite, so why not sample a bit of everything? From local grill restaurants serving savoury lamb dishes to casual cafes, bakeries, Japanese restaurants and pizza parlours, you’ll never get stuck eating the same thing! . One highly recommended eatery is Astro Café on the summit of Mt. John, to the lake’s west. You may find yourself more interested in the view than your coffee, although its very good! You can also join a Tekapo Starlight Tour to get a guided viewing of the night sky in a place where it really comes to life away from city lights and pollution. And, if you’re not too cold, you can tackle the town’s themed mini-golf course.

Getting there

If all this is what you’re after, you can catch a flight to either Christchurch or Queenstown and hop on a bus or rent a car and drive the spectacular 3 hour drive journey into town . Our great choice of Lake Tekapo accommodation is best coupled with fantastic fares on flights to New Zealand. After that, it’s smooth skiing all the way up to the ski slopes!

Need insider tips on must-see attractions in Lake Tekapo? Check out our Lake Tekapo travel guide!