A overview of Skiing in Queenstown and Wanaka
The Ski season begins late June, lasting through till October. Queenstown's two main ski fields, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, offer lot's of variety
for all levels of ability. Both fields have a regular ski bus service.
A new 1330 metre long, high speed detachable six-seater chair has been installed, this will significantly increase lift capacity, open up wide tracks of fantastic terrain, and get skiers and boarders from the base to the top of the mountain in just 4.5 minutes. It has been positioned to provide maximum vertical and maximum access to the slopes previously only been accessible to advanced and expert skiers. Part of the development, includes a 200 space car park at the base of the new chairlift allowing direct access for those with season passes or pre purchased tickets.
Night Skiing is from 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Friday & Saturday.
The Remarkable Ski Field $89 day lift ticket- is 20 - 30 minutes away on the other side of the valley. Being higher up is a major plus, giving this ski field a long, reliable season – and the north facing aspect makes it a natural sun-trap, sheltered from the southerly winds.
It’s the best place in Queenstown to ski, with a series of sheltered bowls all accessed by chair lifts. Also a good place to learn how to ski. Nearly three quarters of the slopes are rated beginner to intermediate – but there’s still plenty of off-piste challenge if you’re inclined towards the extreme. Equipment hire, ski school, restaurant etc. Buses leave from town for the field. Scheduled to open on the 25th June. The beginner - novice terrain park has been doubled in size this year. Improvements to the 150m Super pipe with earthwork alterations and in the Sugar Bowl chair area to give more runs for the intermediate skier. The steeper trails will be groomed this year with a new type of groomer.
At Wanaka there are another three popular ski areas.
The Cardrona Ski Field. $89 day lift ticket adult $44 day ticket for child. This is a great family field. This is perfect for learners, with a easy walk from the car parking area. This field like the others has all the facilities. The drive from here 'Trelawn Place' is approximately an hour’s drive to the car park. 30 minutes from Wanaka, 26 kms. A good gravel access road. This ski area has a relaxed ‘Club field’ atmosphere, and it doesn’t feel as commercial as the two main Queenstown fields. The combined lift capacity at Cardrona exceeds 6500 people per hour - almost double that of Coronet Peak! This equates to very little waiting and lots and lots of skiing. At the top of the field there are wonderful views of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka. There is several bus services to this field.
What's new - better ticketing area should reduce queuing times, a new juice bar and coffee shop on the ground floor of the base building. Cardrona's retail outlet has doubled in size.
Waiorau Snow Farm area is across the valley from Cardrona. The main season is from early July to late Sept. If you've never tried Cross country skiing above the tree line, you're in for a treat. At 1500m New Zealand's best Nordic skiing in dry snow, excellent grooming for skating, or classic skiing, high performance ski rentals. 55kms of trails have been created for all levels of Cross Country Skiers, some trails are new. On field accommodation for up to 70 people Phone 03 443 7542
Treble Cone Ski Field, this is 3/4 of an hours drive from Wanaka, around the lake to the west. Treble Cone offers awesome terrain for all abilities, fast lifts, some of the most reliable snow and uncrowded slopes. A ski field for the intermediate to advanced skier. Equipment can be rented on the field as well as in the Wanaka township.
From Wanaka you drive around the lake for 30 minutes and then climb to a spectacular field for the intermediate to advanced skier. Treble Cone offers deep powder snow in 550 ha and 705m vertical decent. View some of the most exhilarating and longest groomed runs in New Zealand.
There are trails for the those that don't like the steep stuff. The field provides all the services like the other fields. At the top there is a view of lake Wanaka that is hard to beat.
A great ski field. This is were you can meet the locals. The field doesn't attract the overseas ski package tours, thus it's not so crowded. Scheduled to start on the 26th June.
What's new - a quad chair lift, this goes from the bottom of the existing double up to a area known as Tim's Table just short of the summit, this opens up 45 hectares of new intermediate terrain to lift access. There is a new winch groomer for intermediate slopes. The longest intermediate run is now more than 4kms starting at the top of the Quad chair lift.
Ski pass rates for coming season
Coronet $95 and Remarkable ski fields 1 day lift pass $89
Treble Cone 1 day pass $91 adult. $46 child
Cardrona 1 day pass $89 adult $44 child
Heli-skiing
The Harris Mountain Heli-Ski company offers 7 mountain ranges and over 3000 square kilometres of terrain to choose from. This is a established an experienced organisation that will show you a fun time.
If you would like a more personalized service we can recommend the Over the Top Tours helicopter company for small groups.
Queenstown Ski Rentals, Ski Equipment for hire.
Browns Ski Shop - 4 Brecon Street and 39 Shotover Street Queenstown ph 03 442 4004
Outside Sports Ski and Board Hire - Top of the Mall Queenstown ph 03 442 8883
Snobiz Ski Hire - 10 Athol Street Queenstown ph 03 442 2085
Queenstown weekly Accommodation rates for Luxury Apartments
Now available for for this coming ski season. Minimum stay of 7 nights for both the Cottage and the Apartment. $225 per night for 2 - 3 people. The Cherry Tree house weekly rate is $275 per night for two. Extra person $50 check our availability online with no obligation Linen is provided with use of the laundry and hot tub.