Local Wisdom

Need to know

Lift Pass Info

It’s our intention here to give you a brief summary of some of the lift pass options available hoping that you may find it helpful!  For full information on lift passes, prices, package combos, inclusions and conditions, check out the website for each of the ski areas. There are a lot of options!  Lift passes can be pre-purchased online.

Children (or Youth) age is 7yrs to 17yrs, except at Remarks where Youth = 10yrs to 17yrs

Children eligible for Free Child passes (see ages at each Ski Area below), must still wear a lift pass.  These passes are available at the Ticket Office. 

Seniors are now 65yrs - 74years and get a special rate at most ski areas.

Multi-day passes are available for most mountains. There are a lot of options, so it is best to check and probably book online at the ski area of your choice.  There is a slightly reduced rate when you purchase additional days.

New in 2012 the OnePassNZ which allows unlimited use at the following 8 South Island Mountain Resorts - Cardrona, Treble Cone, Ohau, Porter Heights, Round Hill, Snowfarm & Snow Park.

NZSki.com offers a Twilight pass from 12.30pm till 9pm or a Night Ski pass from 4pm - 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays from July to September (weather permitting).  Afternoon passes are also available from 12.30 at most ski areas.  Cardrona is the only area to offer a morning only.  In this instance you purchase a full day pass and return it to the ticket office by 12.30 for a partial refund.

Full day passes,  Adult Beginners Packages and Passes.

Ski Area Adult Child Beginners Package Adult Beginner Pass only Adult Child Ages for FOC passes Senior's FOC
Coronet Peak $95 $52 $135 $48 6 yrs & under 75 years +
*Remarks' $91 $49 $120 $45 10 yrs & under 75 years +
Cardrona $95 $48 $120  $50 5 yrs & under 75 years +
Treble Cone $95 $48 $105 or $150** FREE 5 yrs & under 70 years +
OnePassNZ $95 $48 n/a n/a 5 yrs & under 70 years +

*Remarkables lift passes NO LONGER includes free transport from the Station.

Beginner Package Combo

All of the Southern Lakes ski areas offer a special combo package for first time skiers or boarders. This is definitely the best value deal around as it includes equipment rental (generally NOT clothing), two lessons (except at Treble Cone where there is a choice of only one or two lessons **), and the appropriate lift pass. This package is a great way to get into snow sports as you start having fun right from the beginning with a group of people in the same boat as yourself, you learn faster by not having to learn by your mistakes and it's by far the best deal price-wise.

Beginner Passes (only)

A beginner pass generally gives you access to the surface lifts e.g. rope tows and magic carpets, but excludes chair lifts. Naturally this is significantly cheaper than a full lift pass, which is great because you don't have to buy the full pass if you are not going to  use it right from the beginning.  Treble Cone's beginner lifts are free for everyone. 

Package tour operators offer various options for consecutive day passes as well as vouchers for single day passes. Be sure to let your tour operator know if you don't want to ski or ride everyday consecutively so they can be sure to give you the right vouchers. Also be aware that if you have for example 3 vouchers which you hand in together at the ski area ticket office, you will generally get a 3 day multi day pass in return. If you don't want to ski or ride consecutive days, exchange the vouchers individually for day passes as you want them.

Mountain Transport List Pass & Bus Ride Combo's:

NZSKI Snowline

Transport from The Station to Remarkables (Green Line along Frankton Road), or Coronet Peak (Blue Line) costs $15 return for either adult or child, departing every 20 minutes from 8am until 11.30 for Remarkables and noon for Coronet Peak.  Don't forget that even tho 10 years and under ski for free at the Remarks, they will still need a bus ticket @ $12.

Hotel pick-ups cost $30 per adult and $20 per child and need to be pre-booked on (03) 450 1970.   Your seat is guaranteed.

Mountain Transport

There are a number of different operators who provide transport to the various Southern Lakes Ski Areas. Operators who take you to the Wanaka fields need to take a seat reservation the evening prior. For full information, combos and pricing you can check out the websites of each of the companies listed below.

Here follows a little summary of the main options - hoping to help you get pointed in the right direction!

TAXIS are also happy to take you, or a group of you, to the Ski Areas. It costs approx. $70 for up to 4 people to go up to Coronet Peak, or $80/$90 for a mini bus which can take 5 to 11 people. These prices are one way although you can book a car or van to collect you when you are ready to get off the mountain as well. 

Wanaka Ski Areas and Private Transport Operators

OperatorToAdultChildWebsite 
Info & Track Cardrona $45 $32 www.infotrack.co.nz
Buckley Transport

All

on demand

 poa   buckleytransport.co.nz
Serious Fun Snow Shuttles Cardrona $55 $45 www.snowshuttles.co.nz

Kiwi Discovery

CP & Remarks

Cardrona

Treble Cone

$24

$45

$49

$15

$32

$37

 kiwidiscovery.com 
Queenstown Taxis

Coronet Peak

$70 (car 1-4)

$90 (up to 11)

 n/a

 www.queenstowntaxis.com

Rental Cars

Don't forget if you are renting a vehicle to ask for it to be "skierised". This means that you want chains and a roof rack.

Chains

Whether you have a rental or your own car, it is ESSENTIAL TO CARRY CHAINS pretty much all season long. Don't under estimate how quickly and dramatically the weather can change in the mountains -and for heaven’s sake - DO put the chains on when you are directed to do so in the interest of everyone’s safety! Cost depends on the particular chains needed. A deposit is generally also required.  The Mobile Service Station just near the round about in Frankton is the only petrol station I could find that rents chains.  Their local number is (03) 442 2077

Car Pooling

Check out www.snowpool.org.nz and see if you fancy joining up with other people who want to car pool. This site is a contact point for all the major NZ ski fields.  There is also a car pool pick up on the way to Coronet Peak just past the Coronet Hotel & bowling alley.

Ski School Advice

A little bit of advice that you might find helpful if you are looking for some lessons with the various mountain Snowsports Schools (it’s not called Ski School)

Group Lessons

You don't need to pre-book adult or child (over 6 yrs for ski and 8 yrs for snowboard except Treble Cone which is also 6 yrs) group lessons at any of the ski areas. Group lessons pretty much start at 10.30 and at 2pm at all of the ski areas.

Group lessons for the littlies (5 yrs and under) are best booked in advance by calling or emailing the ski area. This is because there are limited places available due to a strict control on the number of children to staff and specialist facilities. Obviously there is very high demand in School Holiday times, so if you think your family holiday will work better with the kids in Snowsports School - then book ahead!

Cardrona probably has the most comprehensive Kids Centre in the area having 4 different facilities based on age. They are no longer the only mountain who has facilities for children from as young as 3 months old. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables have also continued to upgrade their facilities and also cater for the really little ones.

Group lessons purchased at Cardrona and Treble Cone  can be used at any of the ski areas that accept NZOnePass lift tickets.

For children's information for

For more information on children's options (including School Holiday programmes), check out our Kids page.

Private Lessons ("Personal Training Sessions"):

Most ski areas recommend booking ahead for these too. Prices vary a little between mountains and the time of day that you take the lesson. If you do take private lessons with a friend/friends, it’s important that both/all of you are a fairly similar level i.e. you ski at a similar pace and on similar terrain, even if your respective styles vary. Generally speaking, 5/6 people is the maximum number for multi person privates. Getting accelerated learning and lift queue priority is always good and in the busy times, can be a real boon. Did you know that you can also "request" a particular Instructor, so if you know someone or someone has been recommended to you, you can ask for that person.

Areas

 Early Bird hour 1 hour Half day Full day Extra people

Treble Cone*

 $90 $120 $260 (2.5hrs) $450 (5 hrs) $55 (max 3)
Cardrona $100 ** $120 $325 (3 hrs) $550 (6 hrs) $40 (max 5)
Coronet Peak & Remarkables

$100 **

 $120 $315 (3 hrs) $500 (5 hrs) Price bands for 2-4, 5-6 people

* Treble Cone - Private lesson price includes TWO participants (all the other areas pricing is for one person only).

** Coronet Peak/Remarkables & Cardrona - new for 2012, "last call" discounted private lesson at 3pm @ $100.  Cardrona also offers telemark lessons.

For bookings or info:-

        

First Time Skiers or Boarders

See previous section regarding Beginners Combo's - highly recommended and available at all mountains.