Winter Driving in New Zealand

When is winter driving a concern in New Zealand?

Winter runs from June to August, but snow and ice can affect high roads from about May to September — and an early or late cold snap can bring snow outside those months. Most city and coastal driving is unaffected; the challenges are the alpine passes, the roads around the ski areas and shaded corners where ice lingers all day.

Which roads are most affected?

• Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wānaka — New Zealand’s highest main road.
• Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) between Twizel and Tarras.
• Arthur’s Pass (State Highway 73) and Lewis Pass (State Highway 7) across the Southern Alps from Canterbury to the West Coast.
• Haast Pass (State Highway 6) between Wānaka and the West Coast.
• Milford Road (State Highway 94) from Te Anau to Milford Sound — avalanche-prone, and chains may be required in winter.
• Desert Road (State Highway 1) on the central plateau of the North Island, which can close in snow.

Roads can close at short notice. Check the NZTA travel map before you set off each day and again before a pass.

Do I need snow chains in a rental car?

On some roads you must carry them when signs say so — the Milford Road is the best-known example in winter. Many rental companies in Queenstown and the South Island hire out chains; some include them in winter. Ask when you book, and practise fitting them in the car park before you need them — fitting chains for the first time on a freezing roadside is hard.

If you’re not confident driving in snow, take a coach or tour for the Milford Road and the ski fields instead.

Can I drive a rental car up to the ski fields?

Check first. Several ski-field access roads are steep and unsealed, and some rental agreements exclude them or exclude damage there. Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona all have shuttle buses from Queenstown or Wānaka, which avoid the problem altogether.

Driving on ice and snow

• Drive slowly and smoothly — gentle steering, braking and acceleration.
• Look out for black ice on shaded corners, bridges and early in the morning, even when the rest of the road looks dry.
• Leave a big gap — stopping distances on ice can be many times longer.
• Use low gears downhill rather than riding the brakes.
• Start later in the day on high roads, when ice has had time to melt and graders have cleared snow.
• Fill up and pack warm clothes, water and snacks — if a road closes, you may wait a while. There’s no fuel between Te Anau and Milford Sound, for example.

Is it worth renting a 4WD or SUV in winter?

A 4WD or AWD SUV gives better traction getting moving on snow, and more ground clearance — but it doesn’t stop faster on ice, and chain rules still apply. Good tyres, slow speeds and checking conditions matter more than the car type.