Queenstown truly glimmers during the winter months, and it’s not just from the sun reflecting of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The town comes alive as the snow starts to fall and the chair lifts start spinning.
With shops to book tickets and pick up rentals in town, shuttle bus services to the tops of the mountains and plenty of lessons available, it’s the perfect place for a ski trip whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned pro.
There’s five ski areas within easy reach of town catering to skiers and boarders of all abilities. Here’s where you should go.
Ski areas within reach of Queenstown
Coronet Peak
Type: Alpine
Skiable terrain: 692 acres
Vertical drop: 462m
Number of runs: 32
Terrain mix: 14% beginner | 34% intermediate | 25% advanced | 27% expert
Number of lifts: 8 (3 chairlifts, 3 magic carpets, 1 T-bar)
Season dates: Mid-June to early-October (depending on conditions)
The closest ski area to Queenstown, Coronet Peak is not only an easy choice due to its proximity, it’s also got a nice variety of terrain for beginners, experts and everyone in between. There are plenty of snow-making machines here, so when it’s cold enough but not snowy enough, the crew here is able to make some. There’s also the newly added Snow Factory, where they can make snow inside of a shipping container, regardless of the conditions outside. This means early openings for snow play and the beginner slopes; in 2026 it was able to open as early as late-May.
Prices at Coronet Peak
An adult lift pass costs NZ$180 for the day, and is actually valid at up to nine different ski areas in the country. That means you can ski the morning at Coronet Peak and the afternoon at The Remarkables. (The others are too far to travel between in a single day, but can be used for multi-day passes).
If you need rentals, that’s an extra NZ$65 for the day. This includes skis, boots and poles or snowboard boots with a snowboard. You’ll also be able to use a helmet. Need snow gear? You can rent jackets and pants, too. That’s NZ$45 per day.
Multi-day discounts are available when you book passes for two days or more.
Getting to Coronet Peak from Queenstown
At 15.9km away up a windy alpine road, it’s about a 20-minute drive from town. During the ski season, you may not always need chains on your tyres, but you do need them in your car at all times.
If you don’t know how to use them, or are in a rental, it may be best to book the shuttle bus from town. The bus was NZ$36.
✅ We’ve been here!
Our experience at Coronet Peak
Our first foray into skiing near Queenstown, we had a fantastic day at Coronet in late June. It was very much early season conditions and if we weren’t limited due to pre-booked flights, we would have waited a few more weeks to be able to ski more open runs.
Who is Coronet Peak best for?
Night skiers; it’s the only ski resort in the country where you can ski beneath the lights. It’s offered on Wednesdays and Fridays and will have DJs and a great après ski vibe.
The Remarkables
Type: Alpine
Skiable terrain: 540 acres
Vertical drop: 357m
Number of runs: 46
Terrain mix: 30% beginner | 40% intermediate | 30% advanced
Number of lifts: 8 (4 chairlifts and 4 magic carpets)
Season dates: Mid-June to mid-October (depending on conditions)
Tucked into the mountain range of the same name, The Remarkables ski area is spread across three bowls, with the highest peak sitting at 1,942m above sea level. If you’re into backcountry skiing, this is a great place to do it. There’s an entire bowl dedicated to it, in fact. (Just keep in mind this area has no lifts, so you’re in for a hike if you do want to ski here.)
When the full mountain is up and running for the season, there’s three terrain parks if pipes, jumps and rails are your thing.
Prices at The Remarkables
Part of the same group as Coronet Peak, everything at The Remarkables costs the same. An adult lift pass is NZ$180 for the day, and is also valid at up to nine different ski areas in the country. That means you can ski the morning at both The Remarkables and Coronet Peak in one day (including night skiing at Coronet). (The others are too far to travel between in a single day, but can be used for multi-day passes).
If you need rentals, you’ll need to pay an extra NZ$65 for the day. This price includes skis, boots and poles or snowboard boots with a snowboard, plus a helmet. Jackets and pants can be rented too for NZ$45 per day.
Multi-day discounts are available when you book passes for two days or more.
Getting to The Remarkables from Queenstown
The slopes are 23.5km from Queenstown, and the trip takes about 40 minutes from town. Like Coronet Peak, there’s a shuttle bus that leaves from town throughout the morning at NZ$35 return.
Who is The Remarkables best for?
Daredevils looking to play in the terrain park. The Remarkables is the only ski area in New Zealand with a Burton Stash terrain park, designed by snowboarding pioneers Jake Burton and Craig Kelly. It’s one of just six in the world and is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cardrona
Type: Alpine
Skiable terrain: 1,520 acres
Vertical drop: 600m
Number of runs: 47
Terrain mix: 25% beginner | 25% intermediate | 30% advanced | 20% expert
Number of lifts: 11 (6 chairlifts, 3 magic carpets, 1 T-bar, 1 platter)
Season dates: Mid-June to early-October
Expanded for the 2025 season with the opening of Soho Basin, Cardrona is officially New Zealand’s largest ski resort with a whopping 1,520 acres of skiable area — that’s almost triple what The Remarkables has to offer. It’s also the second-highest, next to resort sibling treble cone.
Prices at Cardrona
Slightly more expensive than the other resorts, full-day lift passes at Cardrona are NZ$184 for single days, but get cheaper if you book multiple days. Passes can be used at either Cardrona or Treble Cone, which is ideal for multi-day tickets. It does offer half-day access from NZ$145.
Rental prices are NZ$63 per day, without any savings for multi-day rentals. Jackets, pants, goggles and a helmet can be added on for NZ$78 per day.
Getting to Cardrona from Queenstown
The mountain is 46km from Queenstown, and the trip takes about 50 minutes from town. If you’re driving, remember that you do need to carry snow chains in your car, regardless of whether they’re actually required on the day you go. There’s also a shuttle you can take for NZ$45 return.
Who is Cardrona best for?
Those looking for variety and a large skiable area; Cardrona offers the most hectares of terrain in the Queenstown area with 1,520 acres. There’s also a pretty even split when it comes to difficulty level.
Treble Cone
Type: Alpine
Skiable terrain: 1,359 acres
Vertical drop: 700m
Number of runs: 40
Terrain mix: 10% beginner | 45% intermediate | 30% advanced | 15% expert
Number of lifts: 3 (2 chairlifts, 1 platter)
Season dates: Late-June to late-September
Offering the highest vertical drop in the area, Treble Cone offers a huge 700m in vertical. With that, also comes the South Island’s longest run, at 4km of non-stop skiing. Treble Cone is the sister-resort to Cardona, meaning you can use multi-day passes at either area offering even more variety.
There aren’t many beginner runs here, so if you’re just learning or are still getting your ski legs, it may not be the place for you
Prices at Treble Cone
Slightly more expensive than the other resorts, full-day lift passes at Cardrona are NZ$184 for single days, but get cheaper if you book multiple days. Passes can be used at either Cardrona or Treble Cone, which is ideal for multi-day tickets. It does offer half-day access from NZ$145.
Rental prices are NZ$63 per day, without any savings for multi-day rentals. Jackets, pants, goggles and a helmet can be added on for NZ$78 per day.
Getting to Treble Cone from Queenstown
At 96km away, Treble Cone is the furthest ski area from Queenstown, pushing the day-trippable limits at a 1 hour, 42 minute drive. If you don’t think you’ll be up for the drive after a ful day on the slopes, there is a bus service available for NZ$45 return from Queenstown.
Who is Treble Cone best for?
If you like long runs and tons of vertical, Treble Cone is for you. It’s got both the highest vertical drop in the Queenstown/Wanaka area (700m) and longest run (4km) on the South Island.
Snow Farm
Type: Cross-country
Skiable terrain: 55km of trails
Number of trails: 36
Terrain mix: 36% beginner | 36% intermediate | 28% expert
Season dates: Late-June to mid-September
New Zealand’s only cross-country ski area, Snow Farm offers a great range of trails ranging from beginner-friendly 200m tracks to challenging 5.58km courses. Combine different ones to create longer adventures that last a day or more.
A unique option offered at Snow Farm is that you can book huts along the tracks so you can actually book multi-day ski adventures. Add-ons to have your bags delivered or to rent sleds to carry your belongings are available with your pass.
Prices at Snow Farm
it’s NZ$59 for access to Snow Farm’s 55km of trails. If you don’t have your own gear, you can book a rentals and access package for NZ$121 per day, or NZ$108 for a half-day.
Overnight options start at NZ$65 or NZ$127 with rentals. There are different huts to choose from, and prices start from just NZ$15 per night.
Getting to Snow Farm from Queenstown
Quite close to Cardrona, Snow Farm is about a 1-hour and 15-minute drive from Queenstown.
Who is Snow Farm best for?
Cross-country skiers, as it’s actually the only place for it in New Zealand.
Queenstown ski resorts compared
| Feature | The Remarkables | Coronet Peak | Cardrona | Treble Cone | Snow Farm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Alpine | Alpine | Alpine | Alpine | Cross-country |
| Skiable terrain | 220 ha (540 ac) | 280 ha (692 ac) | 615 ha (1,520 ac) NZ’s largest | 550 ha (1,359 ac) | 55 km of groomed trails |
| Vertical drop | 357 m 1,610–1,943 m | 462 m 1,187–1,649 m | 600 m 1,260–1,860 m | 700 m 1,260–1,960 m | N/A |
| Number of runs | 30% beg / 40% int / 30% adv | 32 runs 14% beg / 34% int / 52% adv–exp | 47 pistes 25% beg / 25% int / 50% adv–exp | ~40 runs 10% beg / 45% int / 45% adv–exp | Trails, not runs |
| Number of lifts | 8 4 chairlifts, 4 magic carpets | 8 3 chairs, 1 T-bar, 3 carpets | 11 inc. chondola + Soho Express 6-seater | 4 2 quad chairs, 2 learner lifts | None |
| Season dates (approx.) | Mid-June – mid-October | Mid-June – early October Snow Factory opens late May | Mid-June – early October 2026: ~13 Jun – 11 Oct | Late June – late September 2025: 27 Jun – 28 Sep | Late June – mid-September |
| Night skiing | No | Yes — Wed, Fri & select Sat 4pm–9pm, late Jun–early Sep | No | No | No |
| Distance from Queenstown | 45 min drive | 20 min drive | 60 min drive | 90 min drive | 60 min drive |
| Best suited for | All levels; strong freestyle / terrain park scene | All levels; best grooming & snowmaking; race training | All levels; NZ’s top freestyle & halfpipe venue | Intermediate to advanced; big mountain / off-piste | Cross-country skiers, snowshoers, families |
| Operator | NZSki (with Coronet Peak & Mt Hutt) | NZSki (with The Remarkables & Mt Hutt) | Cardrona Alpine Resort (with Treble Cone) | Cardrona Alpine Resort (with Cardrona) | Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust (non-profit) |
What to know about skiing near Queenstown
We’ll be honest; skiing in New Zealand isn’t cheap. Cross-country is certainly a cheaper option as resorts don’t need to account for lift operational costs. This can cost as little as NZ$65. A full-day of downhill skiing is cheapest at either Coronet Peak or The Remarkables where passes are NZ$180.
Currently, it’s Cardrona with 1,520 acres of skiable area. However, an expansion plan at The Remarkables will overtake this if approved. When completed, it will offer a huge 2,402 acres. At the moment though, it is just a plan, and would likely take a few years to complete.
Coronet Peak is the closest ski area to Queenstown. It’s just 15.9km away.
“Best” is certainly subjective, but based on the variety of runs, vertical drop and skiable area we’d say Cardrona. On our recent trip, this was our first pick for where to ski, but unfortunately it didn’t have many runs open due to the weather.
