Queenstown & Wānaka Ski Area Guide
Five ski areas. Two alpine towns. Plenty to explore.
Queenstown and nearby Wānaka put five distinctive ski areas within reach: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Snow Farm, Cardrona and Treble Cone.
Stay in Queenstown for easy access to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, or venture further afield to explore the ski areas around Wānaka. From first turns and family skiing to terrain parks, freeride and cross-country adventures, each offers something different.
Use this guide to compare the region's ski areas and find the right mountain for your trip.
Queenstown & Wānaka Ski Areas Overview
Queenstown
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are Queenstown's two local ski areas. Both are accessible from central Queenstown by car or Ski Bus, making it easy to stay in town and ski either mountain throughout your trip.
The Remarkables is a 24km drive from Central Queenstown & Coronet Peak just 16km!
Wānaka
Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Farm are located closer to Wānaka. They can be added to a wider Southern Lakes ski itinerary or visited as a longer day trip from Queenstown.
From Queenstown, Cardrona is approximately a 58km drive, Treble Cone, 96km, and Snow Farm approximately 59km. Travel times can vary significantly depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Queenstown Ski Areas
2 Epic Local Mountains
Queenstown is home to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, giving you two very different mountains within easy reach of town.
Coronet Peak is the closest, known for varied terrain, long ski days and easy access from Queenstown. The Remarkables is Queenstown's big mountain, with wide-open terrain, progression, parks and freeride.
You don't need to pick just one. Lift passes such as the Superpass give you access to both, so you can choose where to ski throughout your trip.
Coronet Peak
Queenstown's local mountain
Just 16km from central Queenstown, Coronet Peak is the closest ski area to town and a great all-rounder for mixed-ability groups.
Beginners can find their feet on dedicated learning terrain, while intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders can explore groomed trails, rolling terrain, steeps and natural features across the mountain. Coronet Peak is also home to First Tracks from 8am and, on selected evenings, Night Ski, giving you the opportunity to spend even more of the day on snow.
The Remarkables
Made for progression and exploration
Around 24km from central Queenstown, The Remarkables combines wide-open trails with terrain parks, off-piste skiing and freeride terrain. It's particularly well suited to progression. First-timers can start on dedicated beginner terrain before moving onto longer runs and exploring more of the mountain as their confidence grows. More experienced riders can progress to challenging freeride terrain and terrain parks, including The Burton Stash, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, where natural mountain features meet freestyle riding.
Wānaka Ski Areas
2 Epic Local Mountains
If you've got an extra day to explore, Wānaka opens up another three distinctive ski experiences: Cardrona, Treble Cone and Snow Farm.
These ski areas are further from Queenstown than Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, so allow more travel time if you're visiting for the day.
What Ski Area should I visit?
Not sure where to start? The best ski area for you depends on your ability, who you're travelling with and what you want from your mountain day.
Beginners
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables both have dedicated beginner areas, lessons and terrain designed to help first-time skiers and snowboarders progress.
The Remarkables has a particularly strong progressive terrain, while Coronet Peak's proximity to Queenstown makes getting to and from the mountain quick and easy.
Families
Both Queenstown mountains cater well to families, with lessons, rentals, beginner terrain and facilities available on the mountain.
Cardrona is another popular family option if you're planning to explore further afield. Your best choice may come down to where you're staying, the ability levels within your family and how much travel time you want in your day.
Intermediate
You'll find plenty to explore across Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona, while confident intermediates may also enjoy Treble Cone.
If you're staying in Queenstown, skiing both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables is an easy way to experience different terrain without changing accommodation.
Advanced & Freeride
Advanced skiers and snowboarders have several strong options across the region.
Coronet Peak offers steeps and technical terrain close to town, while The Remarkables combines freeride terrain, chutes and parks. Further afield, Treble Cone is well known for its natural terrain and longer advanced runs.
Parks
The Remarkables and Cardrona are the key options for skiers and snowboarders looking for terrain park features, with offerings that cater to different levels of park riding.
Getting to The Mountains
Queenstown Ski Bus
You don't need a car to ski Queenstown's two local mountains. Ski Bus services connect Queenstown with Coronet Peak and The Remarkables throughout the ski season.
If you're planning to visit Cardrona, Treble Cone or Snow Farm from Queenstown, check transport options directly with the relevant ski area before travelling.
Queenstown Ski Holiday Guide
Everything you need to know for an epic ski trip
Best Time to Ski Guide
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FAQs
Absolutely. If you're staying for several days, you can use Queenstown as your base for Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and set aside an extra day to explore further afield.
Wānaka's ski areas require more travel time from Queenstown, so they're best treated as a full-day adventure rather than another local mountain.
If skiing several fields is a priority, you could also split your accommodation between Queenstown and Wānaka as part of a longer Southern Lakes ski trip.
Pass access varies by operator. The Superpass provides Lift access to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, while other regional ski areas have their own lift pass products.
Yes. The Remarkables has dedicated terrain parks, including The Burton Stash, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Cardrona also offers terrain park facilities.
