
The Remarkables
Ski 385 hectares across three alpine bowls from 1,475–1,943m, with the Southern Hemisphere's only Burton Stash, 45 min from Queenstown.
The Remarkables is a big-mountain ski area set high in one of the world's most visually striking alpine ranges, rising sharply from the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu just 45 minutes from downtown Queenstown. The resort spans 385 hectares across three sheltered mountain bowls between 1,475m and 1,943m, with a 468m vertical drop and 46 runs graded 30% beginner, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced.
The Remarkables mountain range is one of only two in the world that runs directly north to south, and the ski area's horseshoe-shaped bowl layout provides natural protection from prevailing weather while catching generous afternoon sun on the base-area deck. Average annual snowfall of 3.67 metres — the highest of any resort in the Queenstown region — is supplemented by 158 snowmaking guns covering all key trails and terrain parks.
The resort hosts the Burton Stash, one of only six in the world and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere — a terrain feature designed in partnership with Burton Snowboards using natural materials integrated into the mountainside. Two additional terrain parks and a dedicated freestyle zone in Curvey Basin round out a strong freestyle offering. The Remarkables has also been selected to host the Freeride World Tour Academy, recognising the quality of its steep, natural big-mountain terrain.
The resort is operated by NZSki alongside Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt, with all three covered by the 3 Peak Season Pass. The Remarkables is also accessible on the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, and NZSki offers a unique Parent Pass — a shared day ticket for two parents to take turns on the mountain while the other stays with the family.
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The Remarkables operates from mid-June through to early October, with the 2026 season running from 13 June to 11 October. The resort's higher elevation relative to neighbouring Coronet Peak — base at 1,475m versus 1,187m — delivers both heavier natural snowfall and better snow preservation, with an average of 3.67 metres per season excluding snowmaking contributions.
The most reliable conditions fall between mid-July and September, with base depths at their peak through August and September. The resort's sheltered bowl terrain holds snow well even during warmer spells, and the extensive snowmaking system ensures key runs remain in good condition throughout the season window.
Spring skiing in September and early October offers warmer days, softer snow and thinner crowds. The afternoon sun that floods the base area and lower bowls makes late-season sessions particularly pleasant, with the deck outside the base lodge a popular spot for soaking up the views across to Coronet Peak and the Wakatipu Basin.
New Zealand school holidays in July typically bring the highest visitor numbers. The three-bowl layout helps distribute skier traffic, and the combination of covered learner conveyors at the base and high-capacity six-person chairs on the upper mountain keeps the system moving efficiently even on busy days.
The Remarkables sits 24km from central Queenstown, accessed via the Remarkables Road — a route that begins on sealed highway before transitioning to an unsealed mountain road for the final kilometres up to the base area at 1,475m. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes from town, and chains may be required on the upper access road during and after snowfall. Several car parks are staggered along the approach, with a shuttle service running between them and the base building.
Daily ski bus services operate from Queenstown's Snow Centre at 25 Shotover Street, with hotel pick-ups available en route. Carpooling incentives give vehicles with three or more passengers access to priority parking closer to the base. MyPass kiosks are located at Queenstown Airport (beside baggage claim), the Snow Centre in town, and on the mountain.
Queenstown Airport is the nearest gateway, approximately 30 minutes from the base of the access road, with domestic connections from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and direct international flights from Australian east-coast cities. Wānaka is roughly one hour away, and Invercargill approximately two hours to the south.
The base building houses a fully licensed restaurant and bar, a café, a retail shop, rental department, snowsports school and the Skiwiland childcare centre. The striking visual backdrop of the Remarkables range — sheer rock faces, glacial cirques and the towering Double Cone summit at 2,319m above — makes the drive up and the views from the ski area among the most dramatic of any resort in Australasia.
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