Queenstown’s ski season will officially begin this Saturday, with both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables set to open as planned from 9 a.m.
Paul Anderson, CEO of NZSki, confirmed that Coronet Peak will open fully from top to bottom. Skiers can expect all beginner conveyor lifts, the Meadows Chair, and the Coronet Express to be operating. However, the Rocky Gully and Green Gates areas will remain closed for now. Anderson said the team hopes to open these areas soon as conditions allow.
At The Remarkables, the beginner conveyors, Alta, and Curvey Basin will be open. Sugar Bowl and Shadow Basin will open later, Anderson added.
“Our goal in opening both mountains on the same day is to send a strong message to visitors — Queenstown is open for business,” Anderson said. “We hope this encourages people to come quickly and enjoy the season.”
Last weekend’s snowfall was perfectly timed, Anderson said, and was backed up by extensive snowmaking efforts. He noted this season’s snowmaking period was likely the longest Queenstown has seen in a decade. The new snow guns have proven especially effective.
At The Remarkables, snow machines produced snow piles taller than the conveyor covers, showing the volume of fresh snow being made.
Anderson estimated Coronet Peak has between 60cm and 120cm of snow on its trails, with around 60cm at The Remarkables.
“We expect local skiers to come out in large numbers once they hear how good the conditions are,” he said. “It would be great to have some fresh snowfall before the school holidays, but with or without it, we anticipate a strong holiday season.”
Nearby, Cardrona — also owned by Queenstown-based company RealNZ — will open on Saturday. Chief Mountains Officer Laura Hedley praised the snowmaking team’s hard work and some help from recent weather. The McDougalls Chondola and beginner conveyors will be running.
From Saturday, skiers and snowboarders can access the McDougalls trail and the beginner area. The North Face Cardrona parks crew will also add features to McPark, the temporary early-season terrain park near McDougalls.
“Our new base area building is nearly finished,” Hedley said. “We aim to open our new Cardrona Corner retail shop on Saturday as well.”
To match the early season, Cardrona’s day passes will be offered at reduced early-season rates until the Whitestar Express opens.
Treble Cone is scheduled to open on June 28.