Mount Dobson

For beginners, a gentle drag serves a decent learning area, then two longer lifts – a T-bar and a triple chair – serve the rest of the mountain. There’s some good long blues and a number of marked blacks on the piste map, but experts will want to make the most of the hike-to off piste terrain from the tops of the lifts. There’s a very friendly atmosphere on the hill, so make the most of this and have a chat to the locals whilst you’re riding the lift.

The ski area is located to the south of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, just outside the small lakeside town of Tekapo. You’ll need snow chains and a 4WD to guarantee access up the road to the ski area in the morning. Away from the slopes, there’s lots of outdoor activities in the surrounding area and getting here from Christchurch is fairly simple – the drive takes around 3 hours. Other ski areas nearby include Roundhill, Ohau and Fox Peak.

Resort website: mtdobson.co.nz