Luxury Ski Destination: Queenstown New Zealand

Queenstown is the premier ski destination for New Zealand and one of the best spots to find uncrowded slopes and hot apres ski anywhere in the world.

Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu

Photo Credit: _setev

Queenstown in the the centre of the South Island is on the edge of a lake, surrounded by ski fields in winter and “Lord of the Rings” landscape in the summer - a truly unusual ski resort which has no low season!

Queenstown combines a picturesque small town, with wineries - Central Otago’s world famous Pinot Noir’s are just down the road. There are not one but four ski fields within 1 hour’s drive of Queenstown, there is also a cross-country area for the fit amongst us. For the better skier who really want to understand why NZ skiing has such a great reputation go heli-skiing - there is a reason that the range of hills across from Queenstown is called the Remarkables!

Queenstown from the Cable Car

Photo Credit: Ibbo_oh

Taking a brief look at the ski fields accessible from Queenstown:

Coronet Peak Resort is the closest at only 18km on a fully sealed road from Queenstown. A new base area building houses slick gourmet cafes and a huge sun deck will be a feature for those who require more for lunch than the traditional Kiwi meat pie and chips. Coronet also has night skiing for a magical experience. Coronet Peak has wide open pistes which are great for a beginner or families if you want more of a challenge read on. Like all NZ ski fields you don’t have to worry about trees: you are well above the tree line in these latitudes.

The Remarkables Ski Area
Here there area of 220 skiable hectares with narrow chutes, rock falls, off-piste powder and wide sunny bowls for beginner/intermediate skiers. The Remarkables have a 4WD coach system which means you don’t have to worry about chain hire and fitting on the dirt road and instead you can commute from Queenstown within 45 minutes. If you do bring your car though be wary of the native thief: a grey pigeon called a Kea which will steal anything but particularly enjoys eating windscreen wiper blades!

For more information on these fields see NZ Ski

Cadrona Ski Field
Cadrona is closer to Wanaka (another delightful spot to stay) than Queenstown but is still only 58km from Queenstown. Cadrona is the highest of the fields and face south so is your best choice early or late (which can run to Christmas) in the season. The wide open slopes are fantastic for beginners and you will often see disabled skiers training here.
For more information on Cadroma www.cadrona.com

Treble Cone Ski Area
Another field close to Wanaka has a reputation as being only for serious skiers - though the view is fantastic, even of Queenstown’s standard, the slopes very from vertical to steep. Beginners look elsewhere but others will find the on and off-piste exciting. Check out the program for boarders who want to explore the back country.
For more info on Treble Cone: www.treble cone.com

Heli-skiing near Queenstown

Photo Credit: sweenpole2001
Luxury Lodgings:
In terms of where to stay: the Sofitel Queenstown Resort and Spa is one of the best - and that’s with serious competition. The Sofitel appears to really understand what a skier needs at the end of day on the slopes; rooms come complete with extra-deep designer tub with space to place your large glass of local Pinot Noir and a LCD TV. Your resident bathologist will draw your bath and mix your oils. The package comes complete with bath pillow, after-bath robe and fluffy slippers. Alternatively you can check out the steam rooms, saunas and massages. The Ski Concierge will help organise your lift pass and equipment, arrange door-to-door transport and update guests on weather conditions via cell phone and the in-room snowfone button on your TV.

So forget roughing - check out your options for a luxurious ski vacation in New Zealand.