Queenstown is the top ski destination in New Zealand for a reason. Beautiful views, three world-class ski resorts within easy reach, a buzzing après-ski scene, and an extensive range of accommodation and restaurant options make this a jewel of the southern hemisphere ski scene. This guide breaks down everything you need to know when planning the perfect ski holiday in Queenstown, no matter your skill level or who you’re travelling with.
Queenstown is within easy access of three mountains: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Cardrona Alpine Resort. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are owned by the same company, so the Queenstown Superpass is valid at both mountains.
Meanwhile, Cardrona Alpine Resort is slightly closer to the smaller ski town of Wanaka, so many visitors choose to split their stay between the two towns and save Cardrona Alpine Resort for their time in Wanaka.
Before you head up to your mountain of choice, you’ll find a number of ski services down in Queenstown. These include:
All three ski fields are accessed via steep gravel roads, so you will want a 4WD vehicle to drive safely to the base. Alternatively, the buses are a convenient and affordable option that saves you the headache of parking.
The town itself is large and offers a wide range of accommodation options, from hostels to 5-star hotels. When we book your ski package, we select the very best based on what’s important to you, whether that is walkability to downtown, lake views, or space.
There are many other things to do in Queenstown besides skiing, and it rarely snows down at the level of the town. You’ll find excellent cafes, restaurants, and bars, along with adventure activities, walking trails, sightseeing opportunities, and much more.
If this is your first time in Queenstown, be sure to allow yourself time to explore and make the most of the buzzing resort town.
Coronet Peak is Queenstown’s closest ski field, just 25 minutes from downtown. Boasting spectacular rollercoaster terrain, a variety of runs (it is known for its legendary blue runs), and night skiing on select nights, Coronet Peak is a fun destination for all ages and skill levels.
With breathtaking views overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables is the most iconic of the Queenstown ski fields, located 45 minutes from downtown. Here you’ll find freestyle parks and extensive off-piste terrain, as well as runs suited for all skill levels.
An hour and 15 minutes from Queenstown, Cardrona Alpine Resort is the largest ski field in New Zealand, perched atop a rolling ridge. The terrain includes extensive beginner runs, making this the best place to learn to ski in Queenstown. Cardrona Alpine Resort is often visited from the nearby town of Wanaka and shares a flexi-pass with Treble Cone, another ski field near Wanaka (both of which are also accessible from Queenstown).
No matter who you are travelling with or what your skill level is, there’s an amazing Queenstown ski holiday waiting for you.
If you’re travelling as a couple, you have the freedom and flexibility to choose the pace that suits you best.
Beginning skiers? Book lessons to get yourselves up to speed. Experienced skiers? Pack in as many days on the snow as your schedule will allow. Hoping to see and do more than just ski while in New Zealand? Choose a Ski & Play package to make the most of your time.
Queenstown is an amazing destination for a family ski holiday. Whether you are travelling with young children or teens, you’ll find plenty on offer for all ages – both on slope and off.
For young children, you will want to plan your ski holiday around the childcare and lessons on offer at each ski resort. All three have lessons for older children, including full-day lessons. However, the options for younger children are more varied.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is the ideal destination for families with young children. They offer childcare for ages 3 months and up, with ski lessons available for 3.5 years and up.
In addition, the “chondola” just outside the base building combines a regular chairlift with gondolas that are safe for all ages.
Coronet Peak offers a range of lessons and childcare services, with childcare beginning from age 2 and lessons from age 3. Choose from group lessons, private lessons, and even high performance workshops.
Families can also book a private lesson for the whole family, which is perfect if everyone is on a similar level and wants to upskill together. Or choose a Parent Pass if you want to take turns on the lift with your child, sharing the same lift pass between two parents.
Though it does not have dedicated childcare services, The Remarkables offers lessons for children ages 4+. Choose from group lessons, private lessons, or learn to ski lessons.
Please note that we can amend any of these packages to include both the Queenstown Superpass and the Cardrona Alpine Resort pass if you want to sample all three Queenstown ski fields while staying in Queenstown.
Queenstown is a great destination for solo skiers and groups, as it offers great flexibility in everything from accommodation to transportation. You’re sure to find something that suits you.
For accommodation, solo travelers may want to look at hostels or 3.5-star options for a more affordable visit. And groups can make the most of the large apartment-style accommodation offered by several operators around town.
The ski buses are fantastic for solo travellers, as they are far less expensive than renting a car. And larger groups might also want to consider using bus transport, since it allows for more flexibility if not everyone wants to ski for the same length of time each day. In addition, there is usually a minimum age of 25 for renting a car in New Zealand.
There are also buses to Cardrona Alpine Resort, so we can include this as part of your Queenstown ski holiday package if you want to sample all three resorts near Queenstown. (You can even catch the bus from Queenstown to Treble Cone, which shares a flexi pass with Cardrona Alpine Resort. This is 1 hour 45 minutes from Queenstown.)
All three Queenstown ski fields offer First Timer Packages, which bundle together learner area lift passes, lessons, and rental equipment. If you book a multi-day lesson package at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, you can redeem each day’s lesson at either ski field.
Once you are ready to move past the learner area, Cardrona Alpine Resort is a great place to test your skills, with a variety of beginner runs that will help you gain confidence so you are ready to tackle more difficult terrain.
If you want to switch things up and include ski days up at Cardrona Alpine Resort, just let us know!
If you want to make the most of your time in New Zealand, Queenstown is bursting with opportunities for sightseeing and adventure activities. Not only is the town itself stunning, but it serves as a base for visiting some of the most scenic parts of New Zealand.
If you have your own rental car, you can visit several of the top destinations around Queenstown on a day trip or half-day excursion. These include Wanaka, Arrowtown, and Glenorchy.
Other sightseeing highlights include Milford Sound cruises (available as a full-day bus tour and cruise combo out of Queenstown), helicopter flights, and TSS Earnslaw cruises.
In addition, Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, which means it is home to a dizzying array of adventure activities. These include jet-boat rides, skydiving, bungy jumping, paragliding, rafting, canyon swings, and ziplining. Plus, if you want to maximise your time on the snow, you can book heli-skiing excursions.
August is the best month if you’re looking for reliable snow cover and fewer crowds. The days are getting warmer, the school holidays are over, and the ski season is in full swing.
July is the most popular time to ski due to the Australia and New Zealand school holidays, so book very early if you want to visit Queenstown in July.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is the best family ski field in Queenstown, with lessons and childcare offered for very young children, an extensive range of beginner terrain, and gondola carriages on the Chondola which are safe for all ages.
Coronet Peak is also a great family ski field in Queenstown, with childcare offered for ages 2+ and a range of terrain catering for all levels.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is the best beginner ski field in Queenstown due to its extensive beginner terrain. However, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak also offer great Learn to Ski packages.
You don’t have to choose because you can visit them both on the same pass! Coronet Peak is closer to downtown Queenstown but sometimes has less snow cover, while The Remarkables is further but the drive is epic.
Coronet Peak is known for its excellent set of blue runs, while The Remarkables has something for everyone, with off-piste terrain for the experts. And Coronet Peak hosts night skiing several times a week!
Contact your personal New Zealand Travel specialist today...
Contact us: +64 3 443 2111
E: info@newzealandskipackages.com
Hours: Mon–Sat, 9am-5pm (NZDT)
CALL US
Phone: +64 3 443 2111
EMAIL US
info@newzealandskipackages.com
OUR LOCATION
37 Reece Crescent
Wanaka 9305, New Zealand
POSTAL ADDRESS
PO Box 762, Wanaka 9343
New Zealand
© 2026 NZ Travel Organiser Ltd
Website by Webstudio
