The Remarkables Ski Area
Skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of inviting slopes at this ski mountain, known for being one of New Zealand’s best venues for freestyle snow riding.
Enjoy 543 acres (220 hectares) of slopes less than an hour’s drive from central Queenstown at the Remarkables. Test yourself at the terrain parks or watch the action from the warmth of a café while sipping a hot chocolate.
The Remarkables may be one of New Zealand’s smaller resorts, but it offers a range of excellent slopes, as well as the kind of facilities you would expect of a much larger resort.
If this is your first time on the slopes, the Remarkables’ beginners’ area provides an ideal place to practice. Book a lesson with one of the experienced teachers and hone your new moves on the gentle gradients. Each of the practice slopes finishes close to the base center, so you won’t have to worry about trekking across the snow.
Those looking for something a little more challenging can head to the extensive network of blue- to black-graded slopes. The long, leisurely Serpentine run has fantastic views and connects with the Upper and Lower Gallery sections, which take you all the way from the top to the bottom of the mountain.
Check out the three diverse terrain parks, where snowboarders and extreme skiers work on aerial tricks and maneuvers. If you want to try the parks for yourself, you’ll find ramps and pipes to suit all abilities.
After a long day’s skiing or boarding, make your way back to the bars and cafés at the foot of the slopes to swap tales over a meal and a refreshing drink. A large outdoor seating area has a spectacular view of the mountain range.
The Remarkables are a 45-minute drive from Queenstown. The snow season runs from June through October. Equipment rental and lessons are available every day. There is also a crèche for younger children.