Your 2022 Summative Guide to Queenstown's Ski Fields

It's that time of the year when we break out our Queenstown Newzealand Best Ride and Ski Guide!  So unpack the skis, scrape the storage wax off them and get them tuned up... because the season is about to start! 

Each year, we do a quick post comparing the 4 mountains that we have close and 'not so close' access to.  After a lean off shore tourism year last year, we are super excited to see an early snowfall and here that flights between OZ and New Zealand are full! 

If this is your first time down south, then this post should help and direct you to the information you need to make informed decisions about which fields to ski & board and assist in planning your days.

Our team at Spinnaker Bay Executive Apartments are super keen to help you with any decisions you need to make about skiing and riding in Queenstown this winter, so please just ask us! 

'Not So Close'

Treble Cone – Sweet Simplicity

Treble Cone, about 40 minutes outside of Wanaka and 1hr40 from Queenstown, is the South Islands' largest ski area and is an all-time powder day favourite.  With only a few lifts, but an enormous amount of very cool challenging terrain, there is plenty of space to find fresh off-piste tracks.   And the view is simply spectacular.  This is a mountain absolutely worth the trip, so come and talk to us about how to get there and how we can help

Getting There

The drive from Spinnaker Bay Executive Apartments in Queenstown is an easy 2 hours on good weather days, over the Crown Range and through Wanaka.  Please note that you absolutely MUST carry chains during winter.  And be prepared for a long drive around via Cromwell and Wanaka if the weather plays bad and the Crown Range is closed.

Top Tip

Pack the powder skis & allow time to wander around Wanaka at the end of the day for an Après ski drink (please drive responsibly and always remember a sober driver).

Costs

Day Pass: Adult $150 NZD       Child $75 NZD

2022 Ski Filed Opening Dates

25 June - 25 September 2022

Home basin express, nice 'n' easy platter, magic carpet 0830 – 1600

Saddle basin quad chair 0900 – 1530

Café operation hours 0800 – 1630

Mountain Details

• Ski area: 550ha (1,359 acres)
• Summit elevation:  2088m (6,850ft)
• Lift elevation: 1960m (6,430ft)
• Base elevation: 1260m (4,110ft)
• Lift serviced vertical drop: 700m (2,321ft)
• Longest run: 4km (2.5 miles)
• Beginner terrain: 10%
• Intermediate terrain: 45%
• Advanced terrain:  45%

Lifts

• 6 seater Home Basin Express
• Saddle Quad
• Nice‘n’Easy Surface Platter
• Beginner Magic Carpet

Total lift capacity 4,500 people per hour

Cardrona - Freedom & Fun

The first of the local ski fields to open, Cardrona is just an hour from Spinnaker Bay Executive Apartments to the base building car park. Cadrona is a fabulous resort that has a huge focus on open terrain for freeskiing and boarding, an abundance of off-piste opportunities, and a really local positive attitude to all guests!  Simply both refreshing and fantastic!  And the terrain park is as good, if not better than anything you’ll find in the world! 

Getting There

It’s an easy 1-hour commute from our door in Queenstown to theirs in the Cadrona Valley.  And worth it.  There are also transfer buses picking up from Queenstown so pop into reception and let us help you organise it all for a stress-free ski day! Otherwise, it’s over the Crown Range you go.  So pack the chains, check the weather forecast and be prepared that it may be a 1hr 40 commute if it snows too much and the road over is closed, forcing you around the long way.  But, quietly, it’s worth it. 

Top Tip

Take your camera…. Not only for those important action ski shots but also for the trip there and back across the pass.

Costs

Day Pass: Adult$150 NZD       Child $75 NZD

2022 Ski Filed Opening Dates

Winter 2021: June 11 – October 16, 2021
2021 Saver Season Pass/Earlybird Multi-Day Blackout Period: July 5- July 23, 2021.
Daily operations from 8.30am – 4pm
Half day passes: 8.30am – 12.30pm morning, 12.30 –4pm afternoon

Mountain Details

• Base Area Elevation: 1670m
• Highest Lifted Point: 1860m
• Vertical Rise: 600m
• Average Annual Snowfall: 2.9m – snowmaking supplements natural snow in the Main, Captain’s, Arcadia & Valley View basins.
• Terrain - 400 hectares
• 25% Beginner
• 25% Intermediate
• 30% Advanced
• 20% Expert

Lifts

• Mcdougall’s Express Chondola (Main Basin) 10x8-Seater Gondola Cabins, 40x6-Seater Chairs
• New For 2021! Willows Quad (Soho Basin)  4-Seater Fixed Grip Chair
• Whitestar Express (Main Basin)  4-Seater Express Chair
• Captain’s Express (Captain's Basin)  4-Seater Express Chair
• Valley View Quad (Valley View Basin)  4-Seater Fixed Grip Chair
• Wells Pipe Platter (Main Basin)  Platter Lift To Service Our 2 Halfpipes & Big Air Jump
• Conveyor Lifts (Main Basin - Beginner's Area)
• 150m Long Sunkid Conveyor With 'Gallery' See-Through Tunnel
• Mid-Level Conveyor
• KINDY CONVEYOR

Ski & Ride Local / Closer to Queenstown

The Remarkables - Family Friendly

The most ‘local’ of our mountains here in Queenstown New Zealand, The Remarks have wonderful open bowl terrain which can suit any type of boarding or skiing.  Fun for the whole family, they have 7 parks that suit children to experts and sun-drenched off-piste skiing!   This is a mountain full of surprises and passion and well worth a visit!

Getting There

It takes about 45 minutes to make your way up the windy mountain road.  If you doubt your winter driving skills, even a little, then catch a transfer.  Just ask at reception – we can help you book and direct you in the right direction.

Top Tip

Take the bus!

Cost

Day Pass: Adult $139 NZD       Child $74 NZD

2022 Ski Filed Opening Dates

June 18th – Oct 16th

Daily operations 9am – 4pm

Afternoon pass 12:30 - 4pm

Mountain Info

• Restaurant
• Cafe
• 2x bars
• Rentals department
• Ski & snowboard lessons
• Sightseeing
• Toboggans

Lifts

4x chairlifts
4x conveyor lifts
385 hectares

Treble Cone Ski 2022 Queenstown New Zealand Spinnaker Bay Apartments Accommodation

Coronet Peak - Close and Accessible

Just 25 minutes from Spinnaker Bay Apartments to be parked and ready for the shuttle to the base building, Coronet Peak specialises in easy and accessible skiing.

With a focus on International ski tourism, they boast the longest ski day with morning first tracks combined with night skiing. 

Getting There

It’s a very simple 25-minute commute to the mountain.  While there is a lot of parking on the hill, we recommend carpooling if you are staying with us as a mixed group.  The other recommendable option is taking the NZSki transport which costs NZD$15.00 per day for a return trip, per person.

Top Tip

If you are skiing with children and considering a night ski, then Wednesday is your best choice day.

2022 Ski Filed Opening Dates

June 17th – Sept 25th

Daily operations 9am – 4pm
Daily first tracks 8 - 9am 5th July – 12th sept
Night ski 4 - 9pm Wednesdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays in July and august.
Afternoon pass 12:30 - 4pm

Cost

Day Pass: Adult$139 NZD       Child $79 NZD

Adult First Tracks: $43  

Night Ski:  Adult $139 NZD    Child $79 NZD

Mountain Details

• 2x restaurants
• 2x bars / cafe
• Rentals department
• Ski & snowboard lessons
• Gondola + sightseeing
• Toboggans

Lifts

• 3x chairlifts
• 4x surface lifts
• 2x restaurants
• 2x bars / cafes

462m vertical drop
280 hectares

As always, the family-friendly crew at Spinnaker Bay Apartments are here to help you.  Drop us a line at reception and we can help you purchase your ticket or recommend a ski field to play in!  And at the end of the day, come back to your spacious well-appointed, ski ready apartments and relax in the pool or dine with the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.

The Remarkables Queenstown Ski Season 2022 Spinnaker Bay Apartments

• Day Trips, Ski, Adrenaline;