We’ll go as far as saying that Queenstown is probably South Island, New Zealand’s (NZ) crown jewel. It’s a veritable snow chaser’s paradise and one of the country’s top skiing destinations. That’s not surprising, given that there are not one but three excellent skiing regions less than an hour’s drive from the town center! If that wasn’t enough, what made the package all the more inviting and alluring is the gorgeous Southern Alps scenery and the most fun après ski scene. So, we were definitely spoilt for choice when it came to ski resorts in Queenstown, given that the combined skiable terrain was more than 3,855 acres! That, combined with excellent annual snowfall and skiing resorts to suit every skier’s level and budget, and no one will have any trouble finding some serious powder here.
One of the things you need to remember is that since Queenstown sits in the southern hemisphere, its winter season, and thus, skiing season, runs between June and early October. So, what’s all the delay about? Pull your skiing socks up and check out these wonderful skiing resorts in what is rightfully called the “Adventure Capital of the World.” You could start by checking out all the top things to do in Queenstown.
Table of contents
Snow Farm
5
The country’s only XC skiing area. Behold NZ’s only cross-country skiing region, the Snow Farm, which sits an hour away from Queenstown. NZ’s only Nordic skiing area, Snow Farm, is all about boatloads of wintertime fun. What’s more, it even boasts a snow fun zone where we could hire tubes to slide down snow lanes at a great speed. Or, you could do what we did – simply play in the snow! Did you know that this place has a biathlon range too? Yep. The region also offered ice and snow driving experiences and husky dog sled tours!
Just because this place is small doesn’t mean that it’s without amenities. There are many facilities here, which include an alpine lodge, some backcountry huts, a snow shop, a repair and rental workshop, and even a cafe and a restaurant. In fact, they even offer lessons and packages for those who want to begin their skiing journey here.
The Terrain. Snow Farm offers 34 mi (55 km) of classic skiing as well as ski skating and snowshoeing.
The Town. There’s no base town as such, as there’s no establishment between Snow Farm and Queenstown. That said, since the road to Queenstown passes through Arrow Junction, skiers have a ton of options for towns around since all of them are close to Queenstown.
At a glance
- Known for: It’s the only cross-country Nordic skiing region in New Zealand.
- Opening: End of June
- Closing: Mid-September
- Elevation: 4,987 ft (1520 m)
- Summit: 5,065 ft (1,544 m)
- Lifts: N/A
- Airport: Queenstown International Airport, 33 mi (54 km)
Pros
- It was easier to learn skiing here.
- The equipment here was affordable to rent.
- They even have lesson packages on offer.
Cons
- There are no onsite accommodation options.
Where to Stay: One good thing is that we didn’t have to get as far as the town to look for stay options, for as we climbed down the ski road, we chanced upon Waiorau Homestead. Since we’ve always wanted to stay in a homestead to enjoy a unique skiing experience, this was perfect for us. The B&B lies on a tranquil rural estate, and we had every modern comfort imaginable, right from an outdoor pool and a hot tub to free Wi-Fi. The first two were a real blessing when it came to unwinding after a day of skiing. Our room boasted a mountain view and even had a spa bath. afternoons were reserved for grabbing the free bikes to explore the countryside, while we spent evenings by the large outdoor fireplace.
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Treble Cone Ski Area
4
Best for experts. As far as expert terrain is concerned, Treble Cone is the striking jewel in NZ’s crown. Of all the skiing resorts in the Queenstown region, it not only has the largest skiable area of 1,359 acres, but it also has the highest number of black runs. In many ways, Treble Cone offered us the real New Zealand snow experience, and we were able to indulge in some of the country’s best free-riding on the legendary off-piste terrain and the long uncrowded slopes. But we need to mention the epic views, which are the best at Treble Cone. And with scenery as spectacular as that of New Zealand, it’s an important factor when it comes to choosing a ski field!
Just because the terrain is directed towards experts doesn’t mean that we beginner skiers and snowboarders didn’t have anything to do. There was a protected slope for us, along with a free dedicated lift, and that too, right next to the convenience of the base lodge. Plus, there was also a kid’s fun trail and a small terrain park, along with a thriving backcountry ski/snowboarding scene. Finally, we were impressed that Treble Cone provided a free shuttle from the car parking at the bottom of the mountain road to the base lodge.
The Terrain. With 13 mi (22 km) of skiing routes, Treble Cone’s terrain is divided into 18% beginner runs and 41% intermediate and expert ones each. If that wasn’t enough, it also has the longest vertical rise in the Southern Lakes, at 2,296 ft (700 m).
The Town. Wānaka is just 18.6 mi (30 km) away on the way to Queenstown. Moreover, it has excellent choices for stays, shopping, restaurants, and pubs, which made for a fantastic addition to our South Island skiing itinerary.
At a glance
- Known for: It has a natural free-ride terrain with inspiring views and lots of snow.
- Opening: Beginning of July
- Closing: Start of September/October
- Elevation: 4,134 ft (1,260 m)
- Summit: 6,850 ft (2,088 m)
- Lifts: 3 (2 chairlifts, 1 magic carpet)
- Airport: Queenstown International Airport, mi ( km)
Pros
- It boasts NZ’s highest annual snowfall.
- It has fantastic runs for experts and intermediates.
- Treble Cone has the largest skiing area on the South Island.
Cons
- The beginner terrain is quite limited.
Where to Stay: We stayed at the Edgewater Hotel on the shores of Lake Wānaka, just half an hour away from Treble Cone. At the same time, it’s just five minutes from the town center. We especially loved the picturesque lake views, which were terrific in the winter. After a long day of skiing, a visit to the spa was just the ticket. We could even take bikes and explore the region if we wanted. Of course, we were never wanting for any cuisine, thanks to the onsite restaurant and a café, both with lake views. Wrapping things up were the comfy accommodations, which were not only spacious but plush and came with views.
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Cardrona Alpine Resort
3
Best skiing resort for beginners and families. If you’re a beginner like us, then Cardrona Alpine Resort is where you should be. This extremely family-friendly resort lies in the heart of one of NZ’s most scenic road-tripping regions. With 988 acres of skiable acreage, Cardrona is NZ’s only resort with green runs along the mountaintop. That, combined with the specialized beginner packages and the easy-to-use surface lifts, ensured that we had a memorable skiing holiday here. Are you just learning the ropes of skiing? You might find it easier at Cardrona, thanks to the “chondola” (chair+gondola cabin), making it much easier for us to alight than a traditional chairlift.
Aside from skiing, Cardrona boasts the most extensive terrain park facilities in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Not only does it have four amazing terrain parks, but it also has two half-pipes, as well as a fantastic gravity-cross course. But what impressed us most was the fully licensed childcare center, where we could leave little ones less than five years old. Not only do they have smaller snow play areas for kids, but there are also adventure programs for them.
The Terrain. 25 mi (40 km) of skiing routes and a vertical of 1,968.5 ft (600 m) are spread across 24% beginner runs, 49% intermediate ones, and 27% expert runs. Apart from the even spread of runs, Cardrona is also home to the Southern Hemisphere’s sole Olympic-standard superpipe.
The Town. Wanaka is closer to the skiing region than Queenstown, but the smaller hamlet of Cardrona, which is just 20 minutes away, could also be considered a base town.
At a glance
- Known for: It has a convenient location for families and beginners.
- Opening: Mid-June
- Closing: Mid-October
- Elevation: 5,479 ft (1,670 m)
- Summit: 6,214 ft (1,894 m)
- Lifts: 8 (1 chondola, 4 chairlifts, 3 magic carpets)
- Airport: Queenstown International Airport, mi ( km)
Pros
- It offers very easy access to Wanaka and Queenstown.
- It boasts modern infrastructure.
- It’s an all-rounder resort with a good mix of terrain.
Cons
- Since it lies between Wanaka and Queenstown, crowds are unavoidable. However, the overall “skiwi” culture is great!
Where to Stay: We decided to stay at Oakridge Resort, close to Lake Wanaka. Thanks to the heated outdoor pool with a poolside bar, our apres ski was taken care of once we got back from skiing. The relaxing continued at the day spa, followed by a hearty meal at the excellent restaurant. Comfy, spacious rooms with mod-cons and excellent views completed the place.
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Coronet Peak
2
Closest ski field. Located just 20 minutes from Queenstown’s town center, Coronet Peak is something of a unique ski resort in Queenstown, New Zealand. For one, it has somewhat inconsistent snowfall, but it boasts the country’s most extensive snowmaking system. What’s more, there are on-mountain accommodations here, which is very rare in New Zealand. If that wasn’t enough, the mountain had night skiing on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays under the lights! No matter our skill level or the terrain we chose for skiing, we were treated to mesmerizing views from Coronet Peak across Lake Wakatipu. It’s one of the reasons it’s dubbed as the “original” resort ski area around.
Due to its extensive winter recreation facilities, Coronet Peak is also popular with families like ours. After skiing, we headed to the dedicated snow play area. We threw snowballs, made snow angels, and felt the wind in our hair as we flew down the slopes on Toboggans. Coronet Peak also had Yooners for rent, the newest plaything to hit the ski market. It combines skiing and sledding, which meant we were sitting feet-front on a comfy seat raised 20 cm above the ground but carving the mountain just like traditional skiing. And it really did get our hearts pumping! That’s why they also offer lessons.
The Terrain. 24.8 mi (40 km) of skiing routes are divided into 20% easy runs and 40% intermediate and expert runs each. What’s more, it’s the training ground for many world-class athletes and has hosted many calendared international ski races.
The Town. Since it’s just 20 minutes from Queenstown, the adventure destination is the base for this skiing resort. It boasts one of the liveliest après-ski scenes on the South Island.
At a glance
- Known for: It’s the most popular South Island ski resort and offers night skiing.
- Opening: Mid-June
- Closing: Mid-September
- Elevation: 3,894 ft (1,187 m)
- Summit: 5,410 ft (1,649 m)
- Lifts: 8 (1 chondola, 2 chairlifts, 1 T-bar, 4 magic carpets)
- Airport: Queenstown International Airport, 12.5 mi (20 km)
Pros
- It boasts an efficient lift system.
- It’s particularly great for intermediate skiers and riders.
- It’s easy to get to from Queenstown.
Cons
- Natural snowfall is a bit inconsistent here.
Where to Stay: We wanted to ditch regular hotels, which is why we stayed at the Hulbert House, one of the best hotels in Queenstown, NZ. Tucked in a beautifully restored 1888-built Victorian villa, the hotel is one of the town’s most beautiful luxury boutique hotels. We could choose between two categories of suites, the ground-floor Grand Rooms with lake views and Premium Rooms with garden and mountain views. Our days began with gourmet breakfasts, after which we’d head off to the slopes to enjoy skiing. After a long day, we’d enjoy an aperitif at the bar/salon onsite.
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The Remarkables Ski Area
1
Excuse the corny phrase, but there’s a lot that’s remarkable about the Remarkables Ski Area, which is fun for the entire family. Known as The Remarks lovingly, this mountain’s cloud-piercing peak has grown bigger and larger than ever. Featuring 551 acres of sun-kissed north-facing terrain, the slopes suit everyone from beginners like us to advanced skiers. The terrain might be limited, but the views are absolutely amazing, and to date is the ultimate destination for skiing off-piste on a powder day. Not only was it an excellent choice for beginners like us and families, but also there were many expert runs for skiers who were okay with hiking.
What sets the Remarkables ski area apart from others in the country, besides the skiing, is the base lodge, which is one of the best in the country. Fresh food, soaring glass walls, and the views from them made it the perfect spot for us to rest our weary legs. In fact, we were thoroughly impressed by the architecturally designed building. Aside from skiing, there’s even a terrain park where snowboarders were showing off their tricks to the hilt. As for families like ours, the Tubing Park was an absolute hit, where we’d grab tubes and go zooming down the hill. The best bit is that fun and experienced coaches are available for snowboard/ski lessons for everyone.
The Terrain. 12.5 mi (40 km) of skiing routes are divided into 30% beginner runs, 40% intermediate ones, and 30% expert runs.
The Town. Queenstown, which lies 14.7 mi (23.6 km) away, is the base town for the Remarkables. So, we had everything from great restaurants, bars, shops, and stays right at our doorstep.
At a glance
- Known for: It’s one of NZ’s most photographed mountains and offers a family-friendly experience.
- Opening: Mid-June
- Closing: Early October
- Elevation: 5,282 ft (1,610 m)
- Summit: 6,375 ft (1,943 m)
- Lifts: 8 (4 chairlifts, 4 magic carpets)
- Airport: Queenstown International Airport, mi ( km)
Pros
- It has one of the best terrain parks in the country.
- It’s the closest skiing resort to Queenstown.
- It’s a fabulous place to learn to ski.
Cons
- The ski area is relatively small.
Where to Stay: Located just half an hour from the skiing region, the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa is one of the best resorts in the region. Nestled right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this Hilton outpost boasted one of the best heated indoor pools and day spas we’d ever seen. It was a blessing to spend time here after a long, cold day on the slopes. We especially loved our room here, which came with a gas fireplace, a bathtub, and gorgeous lake views. When the hunger pangs came calling, the onsite restaurant and bar served amazing cuisines and a range of local and international wines. Finally, we’d wind up the day at the landscaped outdoor terrace, which offered even lovelier lakeside views.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all the skiing places in Queenstown, we created a specialized list to help you decide where to head to first!
- The country’s only XC skiing area: Snow Farm
- Best for experts: Treble Cone Ski Area
- Best skiing resort for beginners and families: Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Closest ski field: Coronet Peak
Is skiing in Queenstown expensive?
It’s not more than skiing in other parts of the world, with the average cost of a day pass being around 130 NZD (80 USD) for adults.
What is better, Coronet Peak or The Remarkables?
The Remarkables Ski Area is more versatile as it sits in a valley where the snow is protected from the wind and the sun. Plus, it has a lot of backcountry ski areas.
What time of year can you go skiing in Queenstown?
Since Queenstown sits in the southern hemisphere, the skiing season runs from mid-June to the end of September or the beginning of October.
