Your ultimate guide to Queenstown ski season

Queenstown is an epic winter sports destination. Sure, I’ll admit I might be biased—as an Aussie from New South Wales, it’s the closest mountain around (an easy three-hour flight across the Tasman Sea from Sydney). But let’s look at the facts, shall we? Queenstown has four world-class ski areas and one of the longest ski seasons in the southern hemisphere. Plus, it’s surrounded by some of the South Island’s most spectacular mountains (and in New Zealand, that’s saying something).

Note to northerners: Queenstown shifts into ski gear in mid-June and peaks in July and August before winding down in late September or early October. After a day on the slopes, ski bunnies bounce to the lakeside towns of Queenstown and Wānaka, where buzzy après scenes await. Ready to shred? Here’s my insider’s guide to make the most of your winter trip.

Just 20 minutes from Queenstown, Coronet Peak is ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities keen to get on the mountain quickly. Get a First Tracks pass to carve up the corduroy for an hour before the crowds arrive at 9 am, or stick around for night skiing, with trails lighting up from 4 to 9 pm on Wednesday, Friday, and some Saturday nights. Bonus: Coronet Peak and The Remarkables share one pass, so you can decide where to ski day-by-day.

Coronet Peak’s proximity to Queenstown makes it particularly popular with locals. But it’s also beginner friendly, with a dedicated area for newbies. Three chairlifts (including a chondola), one T-bar, and three surface lifts cover its 692 acres of terrain. But keep in mind, the south-facing slopes can get a little icy, so it’s best to visit right after a fresh snowfall.

Because Coronet Peak doesn’t have on-mountain accommodation, Queenstown is the obvious base, with a whopping 2,500 lodging options, spanning studio apartments to five-star hotels. Check out the QT Queenstown, which has many rooms with magnificent views of Lake Wakatipu as well as a designated ski storage area, where the staff will dry out your gear and have it ready for you first thing in the morning. The historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is also just a 20-minute drive from the slopes, if you prefer a quieter scene.

There’s a party vibe in central Queenstown every night of the week during ski season, with live bands and DJs regularly performing in local bars and clubs. Elevate your après session with a creative craft cocktail at Little Blackwood or Little Mez, then mop up the drinks with a gourmet burger from Fergburger—a Queenstown institution.

Queenstown has a long list of off-mountain activities, when you’re ready to mix it up. Keep your adrenaline pumping on bungy jumps, giant swings, and ziplines, or take an exhilarating jet boat ride in the Shotover River—all of which run year-round. Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital, after all.

Spread across three sun-drenched bowls, The Remarkables is a sick spot for both backcountry riders and skiers of all abilities. It also has 1.6 miles of new trails after the Sugarbowl Express Lift opening in 2020. But the biggest draw is the trio of freestyle parks known as Remarks Parks.

Park rats gravitate to the Remarks Parks, which have the southern hemisphere’s only Burton Stash, a park run through the trees with jumps and transitions aplenty. There’s also the Slopestyle Park for advanced riders, and the Progression Park for all abilities. The Remarkables really comes into its own after a fresh dump, with off-piste adventures galore for freeriders. Keep an eye out for rocks.

With no on-mountain accommodation at The Remarkables, the most practical home base is Queenstown, a 45-minute drive away. Tip: The winding, cliffside road up to the resort can be a bit hairy, so I recommend taking the comfortable ski bus from the center of town. The Dairy Private Hotel by Naumi Hotels is two short blocks from the ski bus stop, meaning you won’t have to worry about hauling your gear too far.

You’ll probably work up an appetite after a day on the slopes. Food-lovers can get a taste of New Zealand at top Queenstown restaurants, including Sherwood and Rātā. Menus at both shift with the seasons to showcase local produce, and could include anything from a punchy starter of pickled Stewart Island mussels at Sherwood or a perfectly grilled Lake Ōhau wagyu steak at Rātā.

Wore yourself out on the slopes? Soak your ski legs in a private cedar tub at the Japanese-inspired Onsen Hot Pools, overlooking the Shotover River. You can also join one of Queenstown’s seasonal festivals such as Winter Pride and the Winter Games (both held from late August to early September) or Snow Machine, which hosts four days of après events at The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and in Queenstown in September.

Nestled in the Cardrona Valley roughly halfway between Queenstown and Wānaka, Cardrona covers all bases, with more ski lifts and dining options than any other Queenstown resort. Heck, it even has a childcare center and a range of facilities for wheelchair users and other adaptive guests. For a change of scenery, Cardrona lift passes can also be used at Treble Cone (and vice versa).

With 50 percent of its 1,149-acre ski area designated for beginner and intermediate riders, Cardrona has long been a favorite among families and newbies. Cardrona has five chairlifts including the brand new Willows Quad, the platter lift servicing two halfpipes and the Big Air Jump, plus three conveyor belts for people who are learning. In other exciting news: Cardrona is set to become New Zealand’s largest ski area in 2025, when a new express chairlift opens in Soho Basin, creating an extra 371 acres of terrain to explore.

Sleep steps from the slopes in one of Cardrona’s 15 on-mountain Alpine Apartments, or consider the historic Cardrona Hotel, 25 minutes down the road. Established in 1863, the gold rush-era hotel has cozy rooms, a hot tub, and two stone fireplaces perfect for curling up with some mulled wine. If you want to stay in town, Wānaka is a 40-minute drive and Queenstown is just over an hour away.

Start après early with a cheeky glass of bubbles at the on-mountain Vista Bar or a glass of local Otago pinot noir at The Mezz down at the base. Stop into the Cardrona Distillery for a whisky, or tuck into some après wedges with sour cream, sweet chili sauce, melted cheese, and bacon at the Cardrona Hotel’s popular restaurant.

Close to Cardrona, Snow Farm New Zealand has cross-country ski trails and a family-focused Snow Fun Zone. Find more indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family in Queenstown, from ice skating to electric go-karting.

Treble Cone is an alpine playground for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Spread across two main basins, both overlooking Lake Wānaka, it’s South Island’s largest ski area (for now). Treble Cone also tends to receive the most snowfall, increasing your chances of scoring a power day.

More than 1,300 acres of terrain and 2,297 feet of vertical drop greets you at Treble Cone, so no wonder why it’s one of the most challenging mountains. There’s one chairlift in each of the resort’s twin basins, with a bunny lift near the main base ensuring beginners are not forgotten. Feel the burn on long, groomed trails, or choose your own off-piste adventure. When you need to refuel, stop at the mountaintop bar, Altitude.

Wānaka, 40 minutes away, is the most popular base for riders planning to spend most of their trip shredding Treble Cone, which doesn’t have on-mountain accommodation. There are free daily shuttles to the mountain from Wānaka, and a ski bus service from Queenstown four days per week during ski season. Guests rave about Wanaka Homestead Lodge and Cottages’ hot tub, homemade breakfast, and fireplace for roasting marshmallows.

With four craft breweries, several wineries, and the Cardrona Distillery just up the road, you won’t go thirsty in Wānaka. Managed by the team at Cardrona and Treble Cone, Après is another fun spot to unwind over a pizza and a pint while more discerning foodies won’t want to miss the Spanish tapas at Kika.

After a few days of adrenaline, you’ve earned some downtime. Catch a film at one of Wānaka’s two cinemas, take a snap of That Wanaka Tree, an Insta-famous willow tree growing out of the southern end of Lake Wānaka, or lose yourself in the Great Maze at Puzzling World.