New Zealand’s South Island is famous for incredible ski fields and trails that only get better as soon as the winter season starts. Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for the freshest morning corduroy or a complete beginner, a South Island winter road trip won’t disappoint you. GO Rentals has the expertise and the vehicles to get you up the unsealed Alpine roads in one piece.
With our ski car rentals in Christchurch, you don’t have to pack light or wait to squeeze onto resort shuttle buses. Make your own itinerary and take in the sights and slopes of Mt Hutt or Ohau at your own pace with fully equipped 4WD vehicles or a minibus for your whole crew. Your equipment and safety are completely covered with ski racks and snow chains available for rent with your booking.
Enjoy unlimited kilometres to get you from trail to trail and 24-hour roadside assistance for any breakdowns included with our Total Road Care package. GO Rentals is here to make your ride as smooth as your first tracks.
Be sure to check the snowfall using the fresh powder report before booking a ski car rental. Depending on the report, you may even be able to squeeze in some extra ski time past the typically late June - early October period.
At GO Rentals, we are always ready to service. Even last-minute car hires are welcome to book with us for an easy pick-up-and-go trip to catch the last snowfall.
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.
By hiring a 4WD, you can enjoy a sturdy, reliable vehicle built to handle off-road paths with ease. A 4WD has enough space for up to 5 or 7 people and can also maintain control and stability for an overall safer ride. Drive with confidence and peace of mind by hiring a 4WD for your ski trip today.
SUVs have plenty of legroom for the whole crew and a 5-star ANCAP safety rating for that extra peace of mind on the 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.
Looking for a fuel-efficient ski trip? GO Rentals hybrid car hires use an electric battery to take some of the load off the petrol engine and keep your vehicle running for longer on less fuel. Thanks to regenerative braking technology that recharges the battery, GO Rentals hybrid cars don’t even need to be plugged in, just refuelled. Reduce your carbon emissions in comfortable rentals spacious enough for up to 5/7 people.
Electric vehicles are unfortunately not suitable as ski rentals, as snow chains cannot be fitted onto the wheels.
If you and your ski group are travelling with a few bags each, a minibus rental can provide the comfort, safety and space you need to make it up the long mountain roads. A single minibus instead of multiple rental cars will reduce travel costs and give you enough legroom and luggage space for up to 12 people.
Many ski resorts also offer easier parking for carpool travellers; be sure to check with the resort in advance for any discounts.
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.
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.
So glad we had our trusty GO Rentals car to get us safely up the mountain! It also was a great spot to take a relaxing lunch break and recover from skiing lessons :)
Our weekend was made even more magical when we came across snow on our wee road trip to Lake Tekapo. Our wee car made the journey nice and smooth when faced with cold conditions; we even had to clear the snow off it. Exploring the South covered in snow was a memory we will never forget.
When you feel blue, GO Rentals! This car quickly became our trusty travel companion on a holiday to the ski slopes and multiple road trips across New Zealand.
Driving from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo. It's the first big dump of snow for the winter season. Absolutely beautiful to see!
With ski fields on both the North and South Island, you can get GOing on a winter trip from any of our 9 branches:
With a Queenstown ski car rental, you can head off to some amazing places from our Queenstown Airport branch that are simply breathtaking in the winter months.
Head to The Remarkables for outstanding ski trails and a friendly atmosphere, or take the Queenstown Gondola to see a stunning overview of the snow-covered landscape. For an incredibly scenic drive, a light layer of snow decorated the hills on the already beautiful road from Queenstown to Glenorchy, creating an unforgettable view.
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.
