For some people, a holiday means relaxing on a beach. For adventurers like Izabela Handerek and her husband, it means flying from their home in Poland to New Zealand in the middle of winter to chase snow in a Wilderness motorhome. They planned their entire South Island journey around the freedom to follow the best ski conditions and embrace the unexpected.
In this blog, Izabela shares their incredible journey and how they discovered that the best adventures are often the ones you make up as you go along.
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Embracing the excitement and overcoming the nerves
That feeling of finally booking a dream trip to New Zealand is amazing, but Izabella says it can also come with a few pre-flight jitters.
“I was incredibly excited to finally explore New Zealand, a country with such a great reputation for its breathtaking nature and people. What made us a bit nervous, though, was the idea of driving a big motorhome on the left side of the road, packed with so many facilities we were not used to. In the end, it turned out to be super easy, very comfortable, and felt extremely safe.”
Why a motorhome was the perfect choice for a winter couple's trip
Planning a winter ski trip can be tricky—you never know exactly where the best snow will be. That's why a motorhome was the only choice for Izabela and her husband.
“Choosing a Wilderness motorhome made perfect sense for a winter trip,” she says. “It gave us maximum comfort and convenience with the freedom to explore at our own pace. We didn’t need to book hotels in advance, which meant we could chase the snow for skiing and decide our route day by day.”
An epic South Island itinerary of mountains, glaciers and fjords
So what does a go-with-the-flow South Island itinerary actually look like? Izabela’s route is a masterclass in hitting the most incredible alpine spots.
“We focused entirely on the South Island. We started in Arthur’s Pass, then followed the coast, where we loved walking through lush tropical forests with snowy peaks as a backdrop. From there, we headed to Wanaka and Treble Cone for skiing adventures, hiked Roys Peak at sunrise and continued to Glenorchy, where we walked part of the Routeburn Track. Milford Sound was another highlight. We climbed Key Summit and even did a boat excursion in the fjord.
"Toward the end, we spent several days in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. We stayed overnight in Mueller Hut, climbed with skis for an unforgettable descent and topped it all with a one-day heliskiing trip on the Tasman Glacier—the most memorable experience of the holiday!”
The daily rhythm of life on the road
So what does a perfect day of adventuring and relaxing actually look like? Izabela gives us a peek into their daily routine.
“Mornings always began with coffee and breakfast in the heated motorhome with incredible views through the window. We’d then drive to our next spot and spend the day hiking or skiing. In the afternoon, we’d return for a warm coffee before driving again, enjoying the landscapes unfolding before us. Evenings were all about cosiness: cooking something tasty, sipping a cold glass of New Zealand white wine and relaxing inside our motorhome.”
The most memorable moment of the trip
Every great trip has that one moment that stands out above all the rest. For Izabela that moment arrived in the stunning Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
“Definitely our time in Aoraki National Park, staying in Mueller Hut and then heliskiing on the Tasman Glacier. Those moments combined adventure, beauty and a sense of being somewhere truly unique.”
A spontaneous decision that became a highlight
Sometimes the best parts of a trip are the ones you never saw coming. Izabela shares how a split-second decision led to their ultimate adventure.
“The heliski trip! We hadn’t planned it at all, but once in Aoraki National Park, we saw so many helicopters flying that we thought: Why not us? It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance—and it was.”
A surprising feature that made a big difference
You expect a modern motorhome to be comfortable, but sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Izabela was surprised by how easy it was to live completely independently for several days.
"Emptying the toilet and grey water was surprisingly quick and hassle-free, which gave us the freedom to stay remote for three or four days in a row. On top of that, the safety features blew us away: the motorhome literally helped us stay in our lane while driving so we could relax a bit and still enjoy the landscapes through the window.”
The best meal and the million-dollar view
Forget fancy restaurants—the best dining room in New Zealand is often right outside your motorhome window, says Izabela.
“One of our favourite meals was simple but perfect: edamame as an appetiser paired with a glass of white wine, followed by fresh salmon sashimi we found by Lake Pukaki with stunning views across the turquoise water to Mount Aoraki.”
Izabela's advice for your own adventure
So what's the one piece of advice Izabela would give to someone planning their own trip? It all comes down to one word: flexibility.
“Don’t over-plan. Get a feel for the geography, but leave room for spontaneity. Follow the snow, listen to locals, take tips from other travellers you meet on the road. The best memories often come from unplanned decisions.”
Izabela says the whole experience has changed the way they want to travel in the future.
“It completely changed how we think about travelling. The comfort and flexibility of a motorhome made everything so much easier, especially in New Zealand, where the infrastructure for motorhome travel is so well thought-out. From now on, it’s definitely an option we’ll look for in other parts of the world.”
For a closer look at their journey, read Izabela's detailed daily breakdown on her travel blog.
