Roundhill Ski Area
Located deep in the centre of the Southern Alps of New Zealand you will find an extremely underrated ski resort which is home to the world’s longest and steepest rope tow and the longest vertical drop in Australasia (Australia & New Zealand). Roundhill ski area is the perfect place to learn how to ride and gives you uninterrupted views of Aoraki Mt Cook, the Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo which glows with an aqua blue glow year-round and contrast the surrounding mountains.
Roundhill ski area is home to 6 lifts which are a collection of platters, T-bars and rope tows. In the beginner zone riders can get familiar with a platter lift and T-bars which move you around the mellow zone as you learn to ride. The resort has a ski school with experienced instructors, making it an ideal place for beginners to learn how to ski or snowboard.
Once you progress up to the T-Bars you can explore the endless intermediate trails that all connect back to the base of the resort. Those looking for a thrill or a challenge can get onto the worlds longest rope tow and climb over 600m to the top of the resort. Make sure you stop at the top not only to catch your breath but to take in the absolute glory that is the southern alps of New Zealand, you could be mistaken for being in middle earth.
Roundhill ski area is a day only resort which means there is no on mountain accommodation however the local town of Lake Tekapo is 45 minutes down the road and has plenty of accommodation options and all the amenities for a perfect family ski holiday. Overall, Roundhill ski area is a beautiful and fun destination for winter sports enthusiasts, families, and tourists visiting the Lake Tekapo area.
Roundhill Web Cam & Live Snow Cams
Stay up to date with the snow conditions from every corner of Roundhill Ski Area. We have collected all the best shots from the Roundhill web cam so you can see every aspect of the ski resort.
If you want to check out the snow depth from the latest storm, see if the sun is going to be shining or check out the weather before your next visit - check out the Roundhill web cam below.
Roundhill Web Cam | T1 Summit
This Roundhill web cam is located at the top of the T1 lift and looks back down the intermediate zone to the base area.
Elevation: 1,621m (5,318ft)
Roundhill Resort Lift System
Roundhill Resort Stats
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Seasons
OPENING AND CLOSING DATES -
The official opening and closing dates at for current and past seasons. These dates are subject to change at Ski Resort discretion based on weather and snowfall. Estimated dates are based on historical averages or advice from the resort and retrieved from the resort website.| Season | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ||
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*Closed early due to COVID-19
Where is Roundhill Ski Area?
3 hours from Christchurch
3 hours from Queenstown
1.5 hours from Timaru
1 hour from Fairlie
35 minutes from Lake Tekapo Village
Driving from Lake Tekapo Village
Roundhill ski area address is 2544 Lilybank Road. Lilybank Road joins State Highway 8 on the eastern side of Lake Tekapo Village. Enjoy the stunning scenery as you drive 24km along the Eastern side of Lake Tekapo on Lilybank Road, then turnoff onto the Roundhill access road which is only 8km long and has a wide and gradual gradient.
Please always carry snow chains as you’re driving in an alpine environment and be ready to fit them if required. Chains must be fitted to all 2WD vehicles at the “Fit Chains Here” sign if it is out. Only in exceptional circumstances will the fitting of chains to 4WD vehicles be required, if this is the case it will be advised in the snow report and a staff member will be stationed at the chain fitting area to ensure compliance.
The road is suitable for campervans and heavy vehicles too, with the same rules regarding chains as above. For the current road status and conditions check out the snow report page on the day.
Roundhill Snow News
Other New Zealand resorts you might love
Despite a milder winter in the Northeast, ski resorts in the region have persevered, benefiting from late-season snowstorms. Riders, known for their resilience, continue to ski as long as the lifts are operational. Thanks to recent storms, many resorts are extending their season into mid-April and even May. A list of projected closing dates for resorts has been compiled, with some expected to remain open longer. However, these dates are subject to change, so it's advisable to check resort websites for the latest updates.