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    South Island, New Zealand · Ikon / Mountain Collective

    Coronet Peak

    Ski 280 hectares just 20 minutes from Queenstown, with night skiing, First Tracks and NZ's largest snowmaking system.

    Season 2026
    Opens
    13 June 2026
    Closes
    4 Oct 2026
    Days open
    113
    Annual snow
    2m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Coronet Peak is Queenstown's closest ski area and the oldest commercial ski field in New Zealand, first opening in 1947 with a single rope tow. The resort spans 280 hectares of skiable terrain on the southern flanks of the 1,649m peak, seven kilometres west of Arrowtown and just 20 minutes by sealed road from downtown Queenstown. The mountain rises from 1,187m to 1,649m with a 462m vertical drop across 32 runs — 14% beginner, 34% intermediate, 25% advanced and 27% expert.

    The terrain is characterised by its rolling, undulating profile — often described as roller coaster skiing — with open faces, natural gullies and back bowls that reward confident skiers willing to explore beyond the groomed trails. Northern Hemisphere race teams regularly use Coronet Peak as a southern-season training base, and the mountain is the home field of local Queenstown skier Alice Robinson, a World Cup giant slalom winner.

    Coronet Peak is the only resort in the Queenstown region to offer night skiing, with floodlit runs open from 4–9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays plus select Saturday nights from late June through early September. Combined with a First Tracks programme offering exclusive early access from 8–9am, the resort delivers the longest ski day in New Zealand — up to 13 hours of on-snow time.

    The resort is operated by NZSki alongside The Remarkables and Mt Hutt, and all three mountains sit on a shared Superpass and 3 Peak Season Pass. Coronet Peak is also included on the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, making it accessible to international pass holders without a separate ticket purchase.

    462m
    Vertical
    32
    Runs
    692 acres
    Skiable
    2m
    Annual snow
    Ikon / Mountain Collective
    Pass
    The Terrain

    32 runs across 692 acres skiable

    Coronet Peak spreads 32 runs across 692 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 34%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 17 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    32
    runs
    32 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner4 runs · 14%
    Intermediate11 runs · 34%
    Advanced8 runs · 25%
    Expert9 runs · 27%
    Time it right

    When to visit Coronet Peak

    Coronet Peak typically runs the longest season of any non-glacier resort in New Zealand, with the 2026 season operating from 13 June to 4 October. The new Snow Factory extends activity even earlier: from 30 May 2026, the learner slopes and a dedicated snow play zone will open for beginners, families and snow tubing, making Coronet Peak the first New Zealand resort to open for the 2026 season.

    Average annual natural snowfall is approximately 2 metres, but the resort's comprehensive snowmaking system — capable of laying half a metre of cover across all main trails — means conditions are far less dependent on natural falls than at higher-altitude, non-snowmaking fields. The south-facing aspect helps preserve snow quality, and world-class grooming ensures piste conditions hold up even in variable weather.

    The most reliable snow window runs from late July through August, when natural snowfall peaks and base depths are typically at their deepest. Spring skiing through September offers warmer days and fewer crowds, though the lower elevation means the season can tighten if conditions turn mild.

    Night skiing runs from late June through early September on Wednesday and Friday evenings, with additional Saturday sessions during the July school holidays. The floodlit sessions draw a strong local crowd from Queenstown and are widely regarded as one of the region's signature winter experiences, with views across the illuminated slopes to the lights of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu below.

    Season 2026
    13 June 2026
    Opens
    4 Oct 2026
    Closes
    113
    Days open
    2 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Coronet Peak, and where to stay

    Coronet Peak sits just 18km from Queenstown on a fully sealed access road, making it the most accessible alpine ski area in the Southern Lakes region. The drive takes around 20 minutes from central Queenstown, with no chains required on the sealed road in normal conditions — a notable advantage over most other New Zealand ski fields, which typically involve gravel access roads.

    Multiple shuttle bus services operate daily from Queenstown's Snow Centre, with hotel pick-ups available en route. The resort's proximity means it works well as a half-day activity, easily combined with Queenstown's other winter attractions. Arrowtown, the historic gold-mining village, lies just seven kilometres to the east.

    Queenstown Airport is the nearest gateway, approximately 30 minutes from the resort, with domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and direct international services from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The resort is also accessible from Invercargill (approximately two hours) and Dunedin (approximately three and a half hours).

    The base area houses a large purpose-built lodge with restaurants, a bar, Cafe 1200, the iconic Heidi's Hut mid-mountain dining stop, and the Skiwiland childcare centre catering for children aged two to five. A retail shop, rental department and snowsports school round out the on-mountain facilities, and a new Heidi's Hot Tub provides a post-ski soak beside the hut.

    Where to stay

    Search all stays →

    Hotels and lodges near Coronet Peak, powered by Stay22.

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    Coronet Peak Lift Tickets

    Coronet Peak lift tickets & passes

    Coronet Peak is currently open for the 2026 season through Oct 4, 2026. Lift tickets are available for daily and multi-day visits.

    Day passes start from NZ$40, with peak rates up to NZ$159.

    Ikon / Mountain Collective9 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 16–64

    Adult Daily Superpass

    NZ$105up to NZ$159 peak

    Full mountain access to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt with one flexible pass. Experience Queenstown's closest ski resort with New Zealand's longest ski day, world-class snowmaking, and iconic night skiing just 20 minutes from downtown Queenstown.

    Buy pass
    Child 6–15

    Child Daily Superpass

    NZ$60up to NZ$99 peak

    Child Superpass for Coronet Peak providing access to three premier New Zealand ski resorts. Children aged 6-15 enjoy discounted access to Queenstown's famous night skiing and roller coaster terrain.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–5

    Children 5 & Under - Free

    Free

    Free skiing for children 5 years and under at Coronet Peak. Young children ski free with paying adult, perfect for families experiencing Queenstown's premier ski resort and New Zealand's home of night skiing.

    Buy pass
    Adult 16–64

    Learners Area Pass

    NZ$105up to NZ$130 peak

    Beginner-focused pass for Coronet Peak's learning terrain including surface conveyor lifts from 9am-4pm. From 12:30pm includes access to Meadows Express chairlift. Perfect for first-time skiers at Queenstown's closest resort.

    Buy pass
    Adult 16–64

    Night Skiing Pass

    NZ$60up to NZ$75 peak

    Queenstown's bucket list winter activity! Night skiing at Coronet Peak from 4-9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays plus select Saturday nights during school holidays. Experience the magic of skiing under lights with Queenstown's city lights below.

    Buy pass
    Adult 16–64

    First Tracks Pass

    NZ$40up to NZ$50 peak

    Exclusive early access to Coronet Peak from 8-9am with sunrise over the Wakatipu Basin. Join a lucky few to carve untouched corduroy before regular operations begin. Available daily from late June to mid-September.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 16–64

    Afternoon Half-Day Pass

    NZ$105up to NZ$130 peak

    Half-day afternoon access to Coronet Peak from 12:30pm to 4pm. Perfect for late starters or combining with morning activities in Queenstown. Experience the famous afternoon light over the Wakatipu Basin.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 16–64

    Multi-Day Superpass (2-7 Days)

    NZ$200up to NZ$300 peak

    Flexible multi-day Superpass for Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt. Choose from 2-7 days with increasing savings for longer passes. Perfect for extended Queenstown ski holidays with maximum flexibility.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 16–64

    3 Peak Season Pass

    NZ$899up to NZ$1,199 peak

    Unlimited season access to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt. The ultimate New Zealand skiing experience with access to diverse terrain across Queenstown and Canterbury regions, plus night skiing at Coronet Peak.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Coronet Peak day pass cost?+
    Coronet Peak day passes range from NZ$40 to NZ$159 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Coronet Peak lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Coronet Peak lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Coronet Peak, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Coronet Peak lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Coronet Peak - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Coronet Peak lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Coronet Peak offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Coronet Peak directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Coronet Peak.

    More Coronet Peak intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.