Held on August 30, the Merino Muster offers skiers a truly unique experience at Snow Farm — the only cross-country ski area in New Zealand. Just a 40-minute drive from the lakeside town of Wānaka, Snow Farm sits high in the Southern Alps. Offering wide-open trails, spectacular views, and a warm, down-to-earth community vibe.
Where to Stay
The charming town of Wānaka is the ideal base for your Merino Muster experience. Set on the shores of Lake Wānaka with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, this alpine town combines stunning scenery, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere — plus, it’s only 40 minutes from Snow Farm. Here are a few of the best accommodation options tailored to skiers:
Wanaka XC Luxury Accommodation Package
For those wanting a fully-supported ski holiday, Wanaka XC offers a premium 7-night, all-inclusive package run by passionate local skiers. Since 2016, their Merino Muster packages have welcomed skiers from around the globe. Taking care of every detail from your arrival at Queenstown Airport to your race day and beyond. With a limit of just nine people, it’s an intimate, highly personal experience — you just show up and ski. See the website here.
Merino Muster & Worldloppet Passport Holder Package – Wanaka Hotel
A great choice for independent travellers or skiers new to cross-country skiing. This package includes accommodation at the centrally-located Wanaka Hotel and daily bus transfers to Snow Farm. The hotel has three room categories, a communal kitchen, and is steps away from the town’s best cafés. A welcome dinner and post-race prizegiving are held right next door, making it super convenient. See the website here.
Airbnb and Self-Catering Options
There are also plenty of Airbnb rentals in Wānaka, Queenstown, and — if you’re lucky — even closer in Cardrona. Whether you’re after a cabin or a stylish apartment, there’s something for every budget and group size.
Getting There
The closest airport isQueenstown, just over an hour’s drive from Wānaka. It’s the most convenient gateway, with spectacular views to greet you as you descend. For a longer but scenic road trip, flying intoChristchurchand driving south (around 5.5 hours) lets you explore some of the South Island’s iconic landscapes. Think crystal-clear lakes, rolling hills, snow-covered peaks and the home of the Lord of the Rings!
A Destination for Top Skiers
Over the past decade, there has been a steady stream of top World Cup athletes making the journey to train in New Zealand. Teams from Canada, Poland, Japan, China, and the U.S.A., to name a few, have called Snow Farm (known as Waiorau in Māori) their training base over the past 15 years.
While the name “Snow Farm” might bring to mind something different in Davos, Switzerland. The New Zealand Snow Farm owes its name to its history as a Merino Sheep Station (Farm). Importantly, Snow Farm does not use artificial snow, offering athletes the opportunity to train on real snow in variable conditions.
U.S. team coach Jason Cork spoke about why New Zealand and the Merino Muster are such a unique opportunity for elite skiers like Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern. “It’s a great opportunity to come to a really well-run event, really good grooming, and good snow consistently here. It’s just always really fun to come out in August and September and be able to xc ski on amazing trails and get in training we would not normally be able to get.”
Jessie Diggins shared her thoughts on why New Zealand is such a special place to spend part of her summer training. “It’s awesome training. I feel like there are places you can go, you can go ski in the tunnel, you can ski in a lot of places, but here you are outside in real snow, in variable conditions. I’ve always needed to work on my striding and my classic a lot, and I feel like I really get that here!”
Read more about Snow FarmHERE
(Missed the first part? Catch up here:Exploring Down Under Part 1 – A Comprehensive XC Skiing Guide)
