The ski fields in the Southern Lakes District look like they are going to have a competition for attracting new skiers. Already NZSKI.com have posted very good specials for season passes, if you buy early.
Queenstown’s two main ski fields, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, both offer lots of variety for all levels of skiing ability. Both ski fields have a regular ski bus service, both provide ski hire with clothing hire if necessary. A common comment by visiting Australian skiers this season has been, “that they had no idea that skiing in NZ was this good.”
Here is a posting from Tripadvisor.com:
A “bad day” skiing in NZ is preferable to a “good day” skiing in Oz. We travel to NZ to ski in August and have yet to be dissapointed in over ten trips. Once you have been and experienced the conditions, the apres ski and the value you’ll never ski Oz again.
A common question asked about the Wanaka Queenstown area is, “which is the best slopes for a beginner”. Cardrona ski field is the answer that I have been often given for Wanaka. The Remarkables would be the better ski field in Queenstown.
Coronet Peak – $139 day lift ticket. Seniors $74. Night Skiing $65.
For all of you who enjoy a sleep-in or like a leisurely start to the day, the Afternoon lift pass is a new option for you. (12.30pm – 4pm) $102. Lift access from 12.30pm to 4pm. Available at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. There is also a Twilight pass for the weekends $139, 12.30 to 9pm. $139.
This ski field is the closest to Queenstown, has the better access road, and a bigger learners area than the Remarkables.
For those people that are looking at skiing for the first time consider a Adult Starter Package $199 for 2 one hour 50 minutes group lessons plus the lift pass for the learners lift, plus skis boots and poles.
A popular option with the locals is “First Tracks” $250 for the season. This is where you can use the Quad chair only from 8 am to 9. Most people get a easy 5 to 6 runs with no worry about running into anyone. This is a add on to a full seasons pass. If you are skiing more than a week, this is worth consideration.
Coronet Peak Ski Area – Opening day is the 15th of June this year. With it’s summit at 1649m and a 485m vertical drop, Coronet Peak offers terrain from the very beginner to the experienced. There is a Ski school, equipment hire, also clothing hire and Restaurant. Approximately 12 minutes from Queenstown by car on a good (hardtop) tar-sealed road.
A 1330 metre long, high speed detachable six-seater chair enables you to get in a easy 6 runs an hour, this has significantly increase lift capacity, and opened up wide tracks of fantastic terrain. Skiers and boarders can go from the base to the top of the mountain in just 4.5 minutes. Car park 2, a 200 space car park at the base of the Greengates Express chair lift allows direct access for those with season passes or pre purchased tickets.
Night Skiing is from (4:00 pm – 9:00 pm) Friday & Saturday. $65 and $40 – see the photo above, this Coronet at night. You can get get even better pictures of the mountain when all the snow guns and thier lights are going. Its like a huge Christmas tree.
The Remarkable Ski Field – $139 day lift ticket.
Scheduled to open on the 9th June.
The Remarkable Ski Field just 55 minutes from Trēlawn Place on the other side of the valley, this is the place to be this winter, sheltered and sunny.
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.
The Remarkables is the best place in Queenstown to snow board, with a series of sheltered bowls all accessed by chair lifts. Nearly three quarters of the slopes are rated beginner to intermediate – there’s off-piste areas to challenge you if you’re inclined towards the extreme. Equipment hire, ski school, restaurant etc. Buses leave from town for the field. 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.
At Wanaka there are another three popular ski areas.
Cardrona Ski Field – $140 day lift ticket adult $70 day ticket for child – peak season price.
Cardrona Ski Field – Opening 12th of June – is a great family ski field. This is perfect for learners, with a easy walk from the car parking area.
One day snowboard or ski package
Specifically for those who have not skied or snowboarded before, the one day First Timers Package at Cardrona includes learners area lift pass, rental equipment and two 2 hour group lessons.
This field like the others has all the facilities.
The drive from Queenstown is approximately an hour 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 ski field is considerably higher in elevation than Coronet Peak, thus on average better snow conditions. Top elevation is 1860m. 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.
Treble Cone Ski Field
Treble Cone Ski Field – Opening 28th June – is the closest ski field to Wanaka this is 3/4 of an hours drive. 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. Its the South Island’s largest ski and snowboard resort (550ha), featuring the longest vertical of all Wanaka and Queenstown ski fields.
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 28th June.
Air transport to Treble Cone – Fly from Queenstown over the mountains to Treble Cone skifield. By road it is one hour forty minutes to treble cone but you can be there in only forty minutes by air, saving two hours on the return trip. This option allows more time skiing and more time seeing the alpine environment from above. You can combine with rental and lift packages for ease of booking. … [more]
Soho Basin
Soho Basin is new, yet it’s like the first days of popular skiing in the 1930’s, when it was an adventure and a privilege to discover new runs.”
This is for those that like off-piste skiing.
Bookings are essential and by arrangement.
Telephone or book online:
Hamish McCrostie +64 27 476 9881
Mark Dewsbery +64 22 601 5576
The areas Ski pass rates for coming season
Coronet $119 and Remarkable ski fields 1 day lift pass $119
Treble Cone 1 day pass $138 adult. $68 child
Cardrona 1 day pass $115 adult $60 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 Browns Ski Shop
New for 2019, ‘Early Bird’ deals. Book online by the end of March and get a 20% discount off your entire rental booking. Unfortunately, this offer is not valid for rentals beginning from 29th June until 19th July.
On thursdays, sundays and mondays Browns have skis available for trial on site at the Coronet Quad lift station
Outside Sports Ski and Board Hire – Shotover streetl Queenstown ph 03 441 0074 Outside Sports – good rates.
Snobiz Ski Hire – 10 Athol Street Queenstown ph 03 442 2085 Snowbiz – book online 20% discount
Quest Queenstown – 27 Shotover St ph 03 442 4884 Quest store – book online for 30% pre season discount. Limited offer.
Queenstown Weekly Accommodation Rates for Luxury Apartments
Trēlawn Place is the ideal place to stay for your Queenstown ski accommodation.
Early Bird Specials, Discounted rates for both the Cottage and the Apartment. $280 – 300 per night. The Cherry Tree house room rate for 5 nights or more is is $300 per night, if you book early. There are other rating options available.
Check our availability online with no obligation.
Linen is provided, use of the laundry and hot tub.
For shoulder season periods we offer generous Non-Refundable Specials.