- 1Destination Queenstown lists four ski areas from Queenstown: Coronet Peak and The Remarkables close to town, plus Cardrona and Treble Cone.
- 2Coronet Peak is 16 km from central Queenstown on a fully sealed road; The Remarkables is a 24 km drive, and its final section is unsealed.
- 3For 2027 the operators list Coronet Peak's full season as 18 June to 3 October and The Remarkables' season as 19 June to 10 October.
- 4Lift prices vary by date, so check current prices, road status and the snow report before you go.
01 / Short answer
choose by distance, terrain and the day's conditions
Most visitors skiing from Queenstown choose between Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, the two ski areas closest to town. Destination Queenstown lists a 20 minute self drive to Coronet Peak and 45 minutes to The Remarkables. It lists Cardrona at 60 minutes by self drive, and Treble Cone as the fourth ski area. The figures below come from each operator's mountain information page and Destination Queenstown. Season dates, lifts and prices can change, so check current status with the operator before you travel.
02 / Compare
How do Coronet Peak and The Remarkables compare?
| What we checked | Coronet Peak | The Remarkables |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from central Queenstown | 16 km on a fully sealed alpine road, about 20 minutes | 24 km, about 45 minutes; sealed for the first 10 km, then unsealed |
| Highest lifted point | 1649 m | 1990 m |
| Skiable terrain | Over 280 ha | Over 449 ha |
| Groomable runs | 41 | 26 |
| Terrain split (Destination Queenstown) | 14% beginner, 33% intermediate, 25% advanced, 27% expert | 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced |
| Lifts the operator lists | 3 chairlifts, 3 carpets and 1 T-bar; the trail map key also shows the Peak Gondola | 4 chairlifts and 4 carpets |
| Night skiing | Listed for 2027 (see section 03) | Not listed by the operator |
| 2027 season listed | Early winter 29 May to 17 June; full season 18 June to 3 October | 19 June to 10 October |
03 / Each ski area
What does each ski area list?
Details from each operator's own site.
Coronet Peak
Skied since 1947, with night skiing
The Remarkables
Basins and terrain parks
Cardrona and Treble Cone
Further from town
04 / Getting there
How do you get to the ski fields from Queenstown?
These are the transport facts the operators publish.
- Ski bus
The ski bus page on The Remarkables site says you must book online. Its published timetable showed buses leaving 9 Duke Street from 7.30am, half hourly to 9am, then at 11am, with returns from 1.30pm. Check the 2027 timetable and prices.
- Cardrona and Treble Cone bus
The Cardrona and Treble Cone transport page lists a ski bus from Queenstown. Check current times and prices there.
- Driving to Coronet Peak
The operator describes a 16 km fully sealed alpine road from central Queenstown. Check road status before you leave.
- Driving to The Remarkables
The Remarkables Road is sealed for the first 10 km, with the final section unsealed. The operator says to carry snow chains at all times and calls them mandatory.
- Rental cars
The Remarkables advises checking with your rental company, because alpine roads or snow chains are not always covered.
05 / Passes and hire
What should you check about passes and hire?
This guide lists no prices, because the operators price by date. Check current prices with the operator.
- Lift passes
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables price lift passes by date in their online booking tools, so check the price for your dates there.
- Superpass
The Superpass covers Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt, plus nine more ski areas by exchange.
- Afternoon Pass
The Remarkables lists an Afternoon Pass from 12.30pm to 4pm. Check whether it is offered for your dates.
- Hire at The Remarkables
The operator says rentals cannot be booked in advance and are issued first in, first served, though you can prepay online.
- Hire for Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak recommends booking rentals online in peak periods, and lists a Snow Centre at 25 Shotover Street.