FAQs

Want to take a day off the mountains whilst on your holiday? No problem at all! Simply drop just your skis or boards back into us by 10am and we know you are not skiing that day, so do not charge you. Keep hold of boots, helmets, etc., so all you need to do to head up the mountain again is come in and grab your skis/boards which we have stored for you, and you save a day's rental charge with minimal effort. Staying in a hotel in town? We can pick the gear up the night before your day off, and then redeliver it to you. Just call us before we close the evening before.

The most economical service by far is to jump on the local bus (as long as your accommodation is then easily accessible). It costs only $2 a ride, as long as you purchase your Bee Card for $5. Then just tag on, and tag off at the other end. Multiple people can share a Bee card (though you would need to talk to the driver for the extra people). Otherwise, for a door to door service, the cheapest is provided Super Shuttle. There are group per person rates. All vehicles have trailers so skis or boards are not an issue. You can make a booking online at www.supershuttle.co.nz

Taxi's also operate from the airport, and cost approx $50. Local number is (03) 442 6666.

Ski boots can make or break your ski holiday - that's a fact!

Don't ruin your ski time by trying to put up with it, come and see us in Shotover Street, we have some of the most experienced boot fitters and best equipment in the country! There are a myriad of minute adjustments that we can make to the inner or even the shell of the boot itself to increase your comfort. We also believe that custom made footbeds are an absolute must!

Getting a comfortable fit from your boots can be a lot easier if you help your feet with a few simple steps.

The first thing to look at is your socks.  You are best to wear one good quality, thin pair of socks.  This allows for a good, exact fit inside the boot.  When your feet slop around inside your boots, you lose serious ski performance inhibiting your ability to turn, and requiring much more effort.  Your ski boots should feel like a firm handshake on your feet and lower legs.  Sounds obvious, but be sure that there are no wrinkles in your socks – that can be a real killer for your feet and shins.

If you are still uncomfortable or your feet are slopping around, it’s time to look at your equipment.   

If you are travelling by air, due to luggage restrictions, it may be more convenient for you to rent boots in Queenstown.  Choose a rental shop like Browns Ski Shop which carries several well known brands of boots to see which brand suits your foot shape best, and gives you the level of performance that you need.  One boot type definitely doesn’t suit all feet.

If you are thinking of buying boots, always work with a specialty boot fitter.  This is one piece of gear that needs to be a collaborative effort between the boot fitter and you, if you want happy feet and great skiing.

Our advice for this has definitely changed in recent years. It used to be that nothing really needed to be booked in advance, but that is no longer the case.

It can be a good idea to pre-book your equipment if you need to rent, particularly if you want to try a specific ski. It does also speed up the process in store, especially during our busiest times. You can do so on our booking page. If you are coming during the July school holidays, or during Snow Machine Festival in early September, you should definitely think about booking, but at any other time we will have plenty of gear, so it is up to you.

With Coronet Peak and Remarkables you don't need to pre-book lift passes or ski school, other than private lessons and child care/lessons for the littlies. But for Cardrona, they are limiting numbers on the mountain every day, so booking are almost essential.

Mountain Transport should also be booked in advance now, which never used to be the case. See 'Can You Recommend a Shuttle Company?'.

All of the ski areas have facilities for beginners, but probably the most beginner friendly areas are Cardrona and the Remarkables. Both ski fields have good sized beginner dedicated areas and beginner lifts. Once you have mastered controlled stopping and turning, the progression to bigger slopes is nice and gentle and fairly non-threatening. This is important because it allows your technique to develop without being in a situation where survival becomes the dominant factor! The beginner areas at the Remarkables face the sun throughout the day so despite the extra altitude, they can be warmer than other areas.

About 90% of our Executive fleet is new every season. The types of skis in this category are all high performance skis. Mid-Range skis are renewed every three seasons. Skis in this category are suitable for people requiring less ski performance i.e. beginners and basic intermediates.

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.

If you rent equipment from Browns Ski Shop you can change from skis to a board (and back again) whenever you like during the rental period at no extra charge.

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. DO put the chains on when you are directed to do so, in the interest of everyone’s safety! This includes if you have a 4WD. Cost for rental depends on the particular chains needed for the size of the wheels. Greentoad and Quest in town both rent chains.

If you are hiring a car in Queenstown, rental cars should all have chains. Double check that the chains are in the boot when you pick it up. Otherwise insist that they provide you with chains. This is called "skierizing" your rental and should be part of your rental automatically.

Lift passes have gone high tech throughout the Southern Lakes

Remarkables and Coronet Peak

Mypass is the NZSKI electronic RFID card.  You simply put it in a pocket at a suitable height, and you can scan yourself through the lift gates. You can also load money on to the Mypass, to use to buy food and drink up the mountain, to save bringing any cash or cards.

Cardrona and Treble Cone

Both of the 'Wanaka' Ski fields also use RFID cards. If you are heading to Cardrona by car, if you buy your passes at their shop in Queenstown, you can then park in the lower car park at the bottom of Valley View Quad and save yourself a few km's of driving.

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 which is great because you don't have to buy an All Mountain pass that you are not going to need on day one. 

Multiple thin or medium weight layers of clothing are warmer than one big thick garment as warm air is trapped and acts as an effective insulator. Look for products that include Possum fur as Opossums and Polar Bears are the only two animals in the world whose fur is hollow and has a layer of air inside, preventing it from freezing! A cuddly fleece neck warmer also keeps you nice and warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves as your fingers are together and can heat each other. You can purchase single use glove and toe warmers which are activated when the particles inside are shaken, and then give off heat. You can also buy rechargeable boot heaters which you might just decide, if you suffer from cold feet, was the best purchase you ever made!

Goggles are a fairly vital piece of equipment that should be carried in the mountains. The weather can change very quickly and sunglasses just don't cut it as far as protecting your eyes and face from harsh conditions. Goggles cover more of your face and seal around your eyes to keep out wind and snow. Amber or rose coloured lenses are designed for low light conditions therefore making it easier to see when conditions are not great. Some goggles come with interchangeable lenses for different lighting conditions.

There are many different options for transport up to the mountains. The companies that own the ski fields have their own buses that you can book return trips on. In the past you could just show up and queue, but as of 2023, you now need to book a specific seat for heading up in the morning for Coronet Peak and Remarkables.

There are also a number of independent transport operators. These seem to change a bit every year as different companies get in on the act, often using transport they normally use for summer activities, so there is not one that we would recommend above the others. Some have specific pick up points, and others will come to your accomodation. 

Whatever transport you choose, if you are not driving yourself, make sure you get it booked in advance so you are not stuck in town on a blue bird powder day.

Yes, we offer free overnight storage to anyone that has rented from us. Drop your skis/board and boots back to us every evening if you like, and pick it up again in the morning. There may be a little delay at both ends when we are busy, but we will get to you as soon as possible, as it is a staffed managed storage. For extra brownie points, please do up your boots before handing them in in the evening. You should be doing this with boots anyway as soon as they are off your feet, to make them retain their shape and make it easier for you to get them done up again the next day. 

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. Car Poolers in Queenstown get better parking spots than single occupancy drivers.

The car pool pick up on the way to Coronet Peak is just past Strike Bowl. For Remarkables the pick up point is the bottom of the access road.

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

Cardrona is about 75 minutes by car from Queenstown via the Crown Range. Treble Cone is a little further, a little short of 2 hours.

Always carry chains as conditions change quickly in the mountains and you may need them to get down the ski area roads even if you did not need them to go up! Never ignore signs or ski area staff who tell you that you should fit chains, even if you have 4WD, particularly if you are not used to driving in snowy and/or icy conditions.

Basically leather gloves should be treated the same as a pair of leather shoes. They need to be protected before use by conditioning with a product such as Hestra Leather Balm. When they get wet they should be dried slowly in a warm place, never directly on a hot radiator or heater. Re-proof and condition often.

Always read (and follow) the laundering instructions before cleaning. Generally the most effective way to clean your outerwear is in a washing machine on cold wash with non-biological washing powder or a product such as Nikwax TX.direct which also re-proofs the garment. After a quick spin (unless advised against this by the washing instructions), line dry or dry on a hanger in a warm room. Handy tip - down filled jackets can generally be dried in the drier - put a tennis ball in the drier with the jacket as this aids the process by "fluffing" up the feathers.

Best is to come in the afternoon/evening before your first day on snow, after 3pm. You can then take the gear away with you, store it in the shop overnight, or have it delivered to a hotel. If you decide to come in on the morning of your first day on snow, either come early or late as we are often busiest between 9am and 10am.

The Ski Bus Express transport from The Station leaves every 30 minutes departing from 8am until 9.30 for The Remarkables and noon for Coronet Peak. These do now need to be booked in advance.

Alternatively there is a hotel pick-up service, which costs a little more, and needs to be pre-booked. Your seat is guaranteed.  Buses often go to multiple hotels, especially at the end of the day, so sit back and have a wee snooze after your days exertions and don't necessarily expect an express type service.

Night Skiing return transport leaves from The Station only from 3pm to 6pm.

There are also multiple transport companies in town that offer private shuttles, such as https://familyadventuresnz.rezdy.com (enter promo code BROWNS15 to get a discount with this one). If you wish to drive yourself to the mountains please be aware that this season they will park cars with only one or two people in them in the lower car parks.

You don't need to pre-book adult or child group lessons at any of the ski areas. Group lessons pretty much start at around 10.30 and at 2pm at all of the ski areas. During quieter times, you might end up with very few people in your group, but on the flip side, during peak season the group sizes can grow, and if you want to accelerate your learning, a private lesson might be worth considering.

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!

Getting accelerated learning and lift queue priority is always good and in the busy times, can be a real boon.  Most ski areas recommend booking ahead. 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.

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?

Dress warmly in layers. It’s easy to take off a layer if you are hot, but remember that conditions can change quickly in the mountains, and you may also need extra layers to keep warm particularly if the wind is blowing. Ski areas generally have day storage facilities so you can leave a bag with extra layers safely with no hassle.

The first layer should be a thermal layer and this is crucial to the performance of your ski/snowboard outerwear as it will keep you warm and dry by drawing perspiration away from the skin allowing it to escape through the breathable fabric of your outerwear. A cotton tee shirt for instance does not work this way, so you may find you get quite chilled by the moisture held in the fabric next to your skin. You should have both a thermal vest (or undergarment) and also thermal long johns.

The next layer should be a mid-layer of fleece or wool. You may wish to take an extra mid-warmth layer for really cold days. Finish off the layers with an insulated jacket, pants, gloves, socks, a helmet and goggles. It is really important to keep your head warm - most heat loss is via the head. A 'Buff' or thin cap can be worn under the helmet for extra warmth - beanies should not be worn under helmets for safety reasons. If you suffer from the cold you can also use glove warmers and toe warmers (also known by some as 'Atomic teabags').

In warmer conditions (e.g. spring skiing at the end of the season) a light base layer top, a shell jacket, pants, socks and gloves should be sufficient. It is still advisable to always wear a helmet. If it has vents, you can open these to help cool off.

The Remarkables and Cardrona get the 'family friendly' big tick! Both ski areas are well suited to families. The Remarks has a great tubing run which is a lot of fun for the whole family, and Cardrona has probably the most comprehensive kids ski school and child minding for kids from as young as 3 months old.

Most ski areas have great slope viewing areas where you can hang out with a coffee and a good book. The Remarkables often has live music, DJ's and entertainment throughout the season and they also have a great tubing park. At Coronet Peak you can ride in one of the gondolas up to the top, and then hang out on the viewing deck or walk up to the very peak of the Peak. Warm waterproof footwear (not ski boots) is a good idea for your comfort. You can rent apres ski boots if you are planning on playing around in the snow.