Whether you like to cruise down a fresh powder trail or shred a gnarly run, New Zealand has a ski field for every skill level. If you want to book a family vacation from Australia or grab a group of ripper mates to hit the slopes with, you should experience the freedom of the alpine roads.
Don't squeeze onto a bus with strangers. Instead, decide your own itinerary, stop and take in the breathtaking snow-capped mountains whenever you want, and make quality memories in a ski car rental. From 4WD vehicles with safety features to group-trip-worthy minibuses, you can be ridin' to the ski fields in no time. Your equipment and safety are completely covered with ski racks and snow chains available to add to your booking.
With unlimited kilometres and 24-hour roadside assistance for ANY breakdown included in our Total Road Care package, we can keep your snow trip as smooth as fresh powder.
With many diverse ski fields, breathtaking snow-capped mountains, and stunning glaciers to explore, you can plan an epic South Island winter road trip.
Explore incredible alpine resorts, then take a trip to a natural geothermal spa on a North Island winter road trip.
We know you may want to wait for a perfect snow day for a smooth, groomed run, and we are ready to take your last-minute ski car rental bookings. You can book a car hire even on the day of pick-up and be ready to find those freshies.
With easy online check-in or app booking management, you can provide all your paperwork straight away. This means all we have to do is fit your ski racks, show you how to fit snow chains, and give you the keys.
Check out the snow report for your favourite ski field and get GOing!
Hit the slopes with money left over for a thick hot chocolate with GO Rentals ski car rental deals, offering up to 15% off on your car hires.
Hot Deals
Secure the best deals for your car rental in New Zealand. From discounted bookings across our most popular cars to relocation deals for one-way trips. Discover how you can save with GO.
AA Member Discount
AA Members get an exclusive 15% off the daily rate from every GO Rentals car booking.
Book online or call us with your membership number to redeem this offer.
Snap Happy
Your travel memories matter to us!
Snap a picture of your adventure around New Zealand, and be in to win up to $500 of the cost of your rental back.
If it is your first time driving a steep alpine road or you are going to tackle the unsealed Treble Cone route, then we recommend a 4WD or AWD to stay vigilant with challenging terrain. 4x4 tyres typically have a deeper or more rugged tread pattern so you can relax with a little more traction on snowy or icy roads.
Most mountain locations in New Zealand are easy to get to with a 2WD and snow chains if necessary. A 2WD SUV is ideal for you if you are a confident driver or often head to the slopes. Our 2WD ski rental cars are modern, have 5-star ANCAP safety ratings, and are large enough to tackle a Kiwi mountain road.
Most mountain locations in New Zealand are easy to get to with a compact 2WD and snow chains if necessary. A compact 2WD is ideal for 2-3 people with minimal luggage and who are confident drivers. Our compact 2WD ski rental cars are modern and have 5-star ANCAP safety ratings.
Most ski resorts in New Zealand have ambitions to be carbon-neutral or sustainable, and this value is important to us, too. With a range of fuel-efficient hybrid cars and a GO Zero carbon emission offset partnership, you can shred the slopes without shredding the environment. Hybrids generally have a lower fuel economy, so you can go further for cheaper. How's that for a ripper trip?
If you want an even more sustainable car for your ski trip, unfortunately, electric vehicles cannot be fitted with snow chains or ski racks.
If you want to carve up the mountain with your best mates, then a group minivan may be the way to go. Fit in your full group and have space for skis or snowboards in an 8, 9, 10, or 12-seater minibus. This would suit you if you're a confident driver with experience with alpine driving.
Ski and snowboard racks are the ideal way to transport your group equipment to the snow. Our racks comfortably hold 6 pairs of skis or 4 snowboards.
To hire a rack, add your itinerary details into the booking widget, select a ski rack-compatible car and add the ski rack to your reservation. Our team can fit your ski rack, so all you have to do is pick up the keys, load up your equipment and get GOing.
Our ski and snowboard racks are compatible with:
Please note: Ski racks and snowboards can cause damage to the boot, which is not covered under rental car insurance. We strongly advise booking a ski rack-compatible car.
You may not require snow chains, but it is advisable to carry them in case the weather changes.
To book our snow chains, add your itinerary details in the booking widget, select a ski rack-compatible car and add the snow chains to your reservation. Our team can show you how to fit snow chains so you can be confident on the road.
Snow chains are compatible with the following cars:
Please note: Damage from snow chains is not covered under rental car insurance. Ensure you fit your snow chains correctly for the best traction on the road without causing damage to the car.
FREE basic car rental insurance
Our basic insurance cover is included in the cost of every car hire with two upgraded insurance options available!
One-way car rentals
We can organise one-way rentals with pick-up in one location and drop-off in another. Stick to your dream itinerary without worrying about circling back.
Offset carbon emissions
In partnership with CarbonClick, you can choose to offset the carbon emission of your GO Rentals road trip.
24hr AA roadside assistance
All GO Rentals hire cars have access to the AA 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance and our Tesla EVs have access to Tesla Roadside Assistance.
GO App
With our GO Rentals App, you can book a car, check in faster and even control your Tesla car functions, right from the palm of your hand.
A comprehensive $3 per day fee ensures your journey is simple and stress-free, we include the following services:
Roadside Assistance
Complimentary callout service for ALL types of breakdowns.
Government Road Taxes
Covers registration costs, safety inspections and road user charges.
Toll Road Freedom
Enjoy free passage on all toll roads, we cover all costs including admin fees.
With Total Road Care, we handle all the essentials so you can focus on the adventure ahead.
We're confident a GO Rentals vehicle is perfect for your New Zealand road trip. To prove it, here are a few reviews from our satisfied customers.
Winter Driving with Peace of Mind
Your car rental rate and Total Road Care package with GO Rentals include 24-hour AA roadside assistance and complimentary callout service for ALL types of breakdowns.
Your stress-free car rental experience is a priority and our insurance coverage has peace of mind built right in.
Cost per day
$0 extra cost. Included as standard in our rental fees which varies depending on the rental vehicle.
Excess
Excess liability paid by the hirer in the event of an accident or damage covered under the rental terms. The excess amount for this package is dependent on the vehicle selected.
Bond
A pre-authorised amount to be paid at pick-up and returned to hirer if no damage is caused. The bond amount differs depending on the vehicle and hire period selected.
Credit or Debit
A credit card with the main hirer’s name is required for this insurance option.
Cover
Full comprehensive cover including third-party liability, windscreen and tyre damage. The hirer is liable for the excess amount only if conditions under the agreement are met.
Cost per day
A fee per day will be charged for the full duration of your hire period depending on the rental vehicle. This is an insurance premium and non-refundable.
Excess
Excess is reduced from the maximum depending on the vehicle selected. This is only to be paid by the hirer in the event of an accident or damage covered under the rental terms.
Bond
Starting from $0 depending on the rental vehicle. A pre-authorised amount will be paid at pick-up and returned to hirer if no damage is caused.
Credit or Debit
A credit card with the main hirer’s name is only required for rental vehicles with a bond deposit.
Cover
Full comprehensive cover including third-party liability, windscreen and tyre damage. The hirer is liable for the excess amount only if conditions under the agreement are met.
Cost per day
A cost per day depends on the rental vehicle selected. The upgrade fee is an insurance premium and non-refundable.
Excess
From $0 excess liability and calculated based on the rental vehicle chosen. The hirer may have to pay an excess in the event of an accident or damage covered under the rental terms.
Bond
A credit card with the main hirer’s name is only required for rental vehicles with a bond deposit.
Credit or Debit
A credit card or debit card can be used.
Cover
Full comprehensive cover including third-party liability, windscreen and tyre damage.
Have peace of mind when you GO green! All of our coverage options cover our electric car fleet with the following amendments:
For full details on the electric car insurance, please read our terms.
Our Snap Happy Photo Competition has rippers hyped up about our ski car hire in New Zealand! Submit a cool photo of your GO winter travel memory and be in with a chance to WIN up to $500 back from your booking.
Took a scenic drive up to the ski field in Cardrona to see the view, although we ended up driving into where the clouds were. Had to get a little piccy with the best rental car we’ve ever had.
Four skiers from Wellington hired a GO Rentals Toyota RAV4 and had three fabulous days skiing at Cardrona. The snap depicts the joyous feeling one gets from playing in the snow-covered mountains, all thanks to GO Rentals for making this possible.
Taken after completing the Hooker Valley track trail, on the second to last day of our epic NZ road trip. From Auckland to Queenstown! Got very lucky with the weather - heavy rain the day before and heavy snow the morning after - but our car handled it all :)
We found snow while travelling around Central Otago. It made our family reunion weekend even more perfect than I had thought possible. The van we hired allowed all of us to travel together in comfort. Thanks, GO Rentals.
With ski fields on both the North and South Island, you can get GOing on a winter trip from any of our 9 branches:
Our Christchurch branch is perfectly located for a trip to the breathtaking Mt. Hutt or stunning Ohau, ideal for beginner to intermediate skiers and snowboarders. With extended pick-up hours from 06:00 to 02:00 every day and drop-off 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we are always ready to get you on the road in a Christchurch ski car hire.
Queenstown is the perfect place to start a ski car rental if you want to experience the diverse terrain, from smooth runs to gnarly trails. With NZ’s biggest ski field in Cardrona and the popular Treble Cone, you are spoilt for choice on a Queenstown snow trip. Our Queenstown branch offers pick-up and drop-off 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can get GOing with a car rental, snow chains, and ski racks.
Driving across New Zealand in winter presents stunning sights of snowy mountains and fields of sleet. However, the cold weather poses unique risks to drivers unfamiliar with colder temperatures.
Getting ready to kick off your New Zealand self-driving holiday is incredibly exciting. However, you might be feeling a little stressed at the thought of navigating unfamiliar roads in heavy rain.
Embark on an unforgettable winter adventure as you hit the road to New Zealand’s snow-capped wonderland! With its breathtaking landscapes and thrilling snowy peaks, the journey promises excitement and adrenaline.
New Zealand is home to some unbelievable scenic beauty. In order to see the very best of it all, it can be necessary to take on some treacherous roads. During winter months, these roads are prone to build-ups of snow and ice.
There’s nothing worse than when you’re all set to kick off the next leg of your road trip, but your car windows and windscreen are foggy and obstructing your vision.
