Your Summative Guide to Queenstown's Ski Fields

With the recent snowfall, it's a timely reminder to unpack the skis from the shed, dust them down and get them to the ski tech for their first early-season tune.  Yes, it's that time of the year again.   When you live, work and play in an alpine destination town such as Queenstown, winter heralds in a whole new wardrobe and sports focus. 

Each year, we do a quick post comparing the 4 mountains that we have close and 'not so close' access to.  Last year was a surprisingly busy year and we expect much of the same now that the quarantine free bubble with Australia has been formed.  

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.

Remember, we are still in the Covid affected era of travel so make sure you keep up to date with your travel information and if in doubt, call us - we are here to help.

'Not So Close'

Treble Cone – Sweet Simplicity

Treble Cone 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 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 $140 NZD       Child $70 NZD

2021 Ski Filed Opening Dates

25 June - 26 September 2021

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

Just an hour from our door 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! New to 2021 is Soho’s Basin’s Willows Quad opening a whole new face to ski!  Bring it on!

Getting There

It’s an easy 1-hour commute from our door to theirs.  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$140 NZD       Child $70 NZD

2021 Ski Filed Opening Dates

Winter 2021: June 12 – October 17, 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

Close

The Remarkables - Family Friendly

The most ‘local’ of our mountains, 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

2021 Ski Filed Opening Dates

June 26th – oct 17th

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

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.

2021 Ski Filed Opening Dates

June 19th – sept 26th
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 $74 NZD

Adult First Tracks: $TBC  (Approx. 35NZD – previous years prices…)

Night Ski:  Adult $65 NZD    Child $45 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

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