Southern Hemisphere Ski Honeymoon> > by Rachael Oakes-Ash        
There is nothing more romantic than watching snow flakes fall while sitting around an open fire drinking red wine. It’s a setting ripe for honeymoon romance. The Southern Hemisphere boasts a great range of exclusive ski resorts with fabulous terrain, romantic chalets, luxurious accommodation - the perfect setting for a romantic snow & ski honeymoon. Rachael Oakes-Ash explores the best Ski Destinations for your honeymoon in Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. WANAKA, New Zealand The picture-perfect resort town of Wanaka sits on the shores of Lake Wanaka and is nestled amongst a mountain amphitheatre of the Aspiring Ranges. Home to the ski resorts of Treble Cone, Cardrona and Snow Park, Wanaka has a relaxed laid-back atmosphere with home-grown local hospitality. Leave your glad rags at home, they dress down for dinner here. Most suitable for skiers: Treble Cone offers some of the best advanced in bound terrain in New Zealand and serves up perhaps the most spectacular view from a ski resort in the world. Cardrona is ideal for intermediates to advanced skiers and boarders and those who like lattes at lunch time. Snow Park is for the serious terrain park enthusiast, if you don’t know what a jib or a grab is then stay home. Best room for romance: Whare Kea’s private chalet is only accessible by helicopter and comes with a butler and housekeeper and a 360-degree mountain view. Wine and dine: If Rippon Vineyard had a restaurant it would be booked out. Instead, take a tasting tour then head into town and try the Cow for relaxed pizza or Botswana Butchery for all things carnivore. QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand If Wanaka is low key then Queenstown is ‘look at me’ with bling worthy of its sister town of Aspen, Colorado. Come sundown the shores of Lake Wakatipu sparkle with lights from the 150 bars and restaurants in the town’s square kilometre. Expect learjets at the international airport. Most suitable for skiers: NZ Ski has a monopoly on the ski areas of Queenstown with The Remarkables and Coronet Peak nearby. A 45-minute drive to the boutique resort of The Remarkables will find you in an alpine setting with enough to keep beginners and advanced skiers amused but not as much for intermediates. Coronet Peak has more for all levels with night skiing adding to the romance once a week and is a mere 20 minutes from town. If you want more then Cardrona is an hour away or take to the skies for some heliskiing. Best room for romance: Azur Lodge offers a selection of private villas for two with intimate views of Lake Wakatipu and bathrooms made for couples with floor to ceiling glass. A complimentary shuttle takes guests into town. If you prefer to be amongst it then the boutique The Spire Hotel is a shrine to design with service to match and beds made to stay in. Wine and dine: The Bunker bar’s pedestrian laneway location reveals a basement style restaurant that seats a mere 16. Expect fine dining and cocktails in the upstairs bar. For long luscious lunching go straight to Amisfield Winery, you won’t come home. FALLS CREEK, Australia Falls Creek is a true alpine village with ski-in ski-out accommodation, pedestrian only access and over 30 intimate bars and restaurants. This pretty ski town is in the heart of Victoria’s gourmet alpine region so expect a commitment to après-ski dining and snowball fights for dessert. Most suitable for skiers: Intermediates will love Falls Creek with its dedication to impeccable grooming. If you’re more advanced take a snow mobile over to Mt McKay or go play in ‘the Maze’, a series of snow gum tree runs that provide plenty of entertainment. Best room for romance: It’s all about the fireplace at the Astra Lodge. Nothing says romance like an open fire with leather couches. The specialty vodka bar helps, try to drink your way through the 70 on offer then ask for the penthouse. Wine and dine: Summit Ridge Alpine Lodge consistently wins food awards for a reason. Expect friendly relaxed service, impeccable fine dining and an impressive wine list which is the pride and joy of Simon, the owner. THREDBO, Australia Deep in the heart of Kosciusko National Park sits the alpine village of Thredbo. This is where the celebrities come to play each winter, attracted by the longest run in Australasia, the 5.9-kilometre Super Trail that burns the thighs. Thank goodness for the eleven on-mountain dining options to ski in and rest up. The Saturday night flare run is legendary as a line of ski instructors make their way down the super trail after dark by flare light held high above their heads. Most suitable for skiers: Thredbo may be known for adventurous terrain, steeper runs and long trails but the beginner area of Friday Flat has a stand alone chairlift with a graded experience to have you at the top of the mountain in no time. Best room for romance: The boutique Denman Hotel’s Queen Balcony Rooms feature mountain-side views by moonlight, perfect for a cosy night in. Add the hotel’s Terrace restaurant (known as the best restaurant in Thredbo) a basement après-ski bar and Thalgo day spa for the complete package. Wine and dine: Terrace restaurant at the Denman is a must but book ahead. Ski into Merritt’s Mountain House on the mountain for gourmet produce, beefy stews, fresh juices and chunky pizzas. Make a detour to the Wild Brumby Schnapps distillery on the way back to Sydney. VILLA LA ANGOSTURA, Argentina It doesn’t get better than Villa La Angostura in Argentina’s Patagonia. Picture a European-influenced mountain town on the shores of an alpine lake, no, make that two lakes, and surround it with the Andes mountains. That is Villa La Angostura. Most suitable for skiers: The resort of Cerro Bayo is nine kilometres from Villa La Angostura with spectacular views of Lake Nahuel Huapi from the slopes. The resort has twelve chairlifts and enough on piste runs for beginners and intermediates and off-piste tree runs for the more advanced. Best room for romance: The remote and stunning Correntoso Lake and River Hotel is a Small Luxury Hotel property and sits on the mouth of the Correntoso River where it meets Lake Nahuel Huapi. This traditional hotel is steeped in history and started life as a fishing cabin before it grew into a world-class luxury destination. Wood features heavily with a blend of old-world leathers for a classic lodge environment. Wine and dine: Lakeside dining in an intimate setting with traditional Patagonian cuisine is found at Relais Chateaux’s Las Balsas and is known in the region for an extensive wine cellar so catch a cab. For Europe’s Tyrolean fare and fondue try Waldhaus or Rincon Suiza. |
