Chills, spills and thrills

The 2009 ski season was one of the best in years for the South Island's ski industry. Most of the industry's ski fields are up and running and Queenstown Airport will be servicing a record number of domestic and international flights throughout the winter months.
It may have been gold fever that first wooed the world's hopefuls and hapless to this alpine region, but the lure of powder-packed slopes and smashing scenery is today's great magnet, in what is a billion-dollar industry.
Take the plunge and treat yourself to the southern snowy splendour of the Queenstown-Wanaka region this winter. This is a guide to my three favourite ski fields, starting with the swish and cosmopolitan Coronet Peak.
The South Island's most popular mountain resort caters to all grades, from wide-eyed beginners to seasoned snow bunnies.
Coronet Peak's brand-spanking new base building attracts skiers, boarders and spectators of all ages by the truckload.
The ski field has one of the best beginner's areas in the country, with two surface conveyor lifts, a beginner tow and its own snow-making equipment. Daily opening hours are generous with First Tracks pass holders hitting the slopes from 8am and night skiing until 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
Coronet Peak is the training ground of New Zealand's national ski team and hosts a wealth of international ski events.
If you don't want to share the snow with Olympic-standard skiers, and are seeking are more relaxed family-oriented ambience, Cardrona is probably more conducive.
Powderhounds and speed-freaks are noticeably absent, making Cardrona a huge favourite with families, beginners, intermediates and freestylers. Views across the mountains and down into the South Lake Valley are spectacularly gorgeous.
Much of the ski field's 320ha consists of wide-open groomed slopes.
The runs are not particularly long because the vertical at Cardrona is only 390m, compared with 700m at Treble Cone and 462m at Coronet Peak.
Part of Cardrona's pulling power is its on-site alpine accommodation.
It boasts New Zealand's only apartments on the ski slopes - but be sure to book early.
In stark contrast to Cardrona, Treble Cone Ski Field is the holy grail for thrills and spills adventure-seekers.
The field has more terrain, more vertical and longer groomed intermediate runs.
Sprawling over three large basins with sublime views over Lake Wanaka, there are a swag of trails to choose from.
Treble Cone does welcome beginners, but the field's core clientele would make Speedy Gonzales look positively sluggish.
TOP TIPS
* For enquiries and bookings at the delightful, historic Cardrona Hotel, email Peter or Vicki at info@cardronahotel.co.nz
* For a comprehensive overview of all of the southern skifields, access information and weather conditions, an excellent port of call is www.newzealandnz.co.nz/ski-areas/
* JetStar, Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue have frequent services to Queenstown from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
* Cardrona is a 40-minute drive from the airport.