By Liam Naden
New Zealand Travel Expert, about.com
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Recent investment in the Coronet Peak ski area has made it one of the best places in New Zealand for skiing and snowboarding. It is the oldest commercial ski field in New Zealand and opened in 1947. Due to its proximity to Queenstown it is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country.
Coronet Peak Location
Coronet Peak is one of the closest ski resorts to Queenstown. It is 18 kilometers/11 miles northeast of the town and just 7 kilometers/4.4 miles west of Arrowtown. The ski area is on the southern side of the mountain (1,649 meters high) and has commanding views of the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain and Runs at Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak has some of the best terrain and runs in New Zealand, covering 280 hectares. It is a mix of Beginners (25%), Intermediate (45%) and Advanced (30%).
Coronet Peak Facilities
In 2008, $30 million was spent to create state-of-the-art ski facilities.
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The base building area has three dining options, a cafe, a restaurant and an outdoor lunch bar. Away from the base, at the bottom of the Rocky Gully T-bar lift is another restaurant called Heidi's Hut; this serves Italian cuisine and is also open in the evenings. A meal here can make for a memorable night out, with an open fire and panoramic views down to Lake Wakatipu and the lights of Queenstown.
Coronet Peak also offers full rental gear, a number of shops and of course toilets and changing rooms. Free wi-fi is also available in and around the base building.
When to Visit Coronet Peak
The most extensive system of snowmaking in New Zealand means that Coronet Peak has one of the longest seasons of any field in the country. It generally runs from mid June until mid October.
New Zealand school holiday periods and weekends are the busy times, where there will be queues for most lifts. The rest of the time it can feel positively quiet, so if you have the option, visit mid week outside the holidays.
Getting There
It takes approximately 20 minutes to drive from Queenstown to Coronet Peak.
The access road up the mountain is one of the best of any ski resort in New Zealand. The entire road surface is sealed and the gradient is relatively easy. This makes it driveable even for motorhomes, campervans and buses. Chains are not always required, although should be carried just in case.
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The alternative to driving there is to catch a shuttle bus from Queenstown, These depart regularly throughout the day and have many collection and drop off points, including many of the hotels. The Snowline Express leaves from the Queenstown Snow Center in the middle of town, every 20 minutes during the peak times. The cost is $15 return per person ($30 per person for hotel pickup, although this is subject to availability.
Accommodation
The best place to stay is Queenstown, which has a huge range of accommodation options. There are also a few places near Arrowtown. At peak times, make sure you book your accommodation in advance as vacancies can be scarce during these times.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit to Coronet Peak
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Coronet Peak is a world-class resort and has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand for all levels of ability. A few tips to make your experience more enjoyable are:
New Zealand Travel Expert, about.com
[post_ads_2]
Recent investment in the Coronet Peak ski area has made it one of the best places in New Zealand for skiing and snowboarding. It is the oldest commercial ski field in New Zealand and opened in 1947. Due to its proximity to Queenstown it is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country.
Coronet Peak Location
Coronet Peak is one of the closest ski resorts to Queenstown. It is 18 kilometers/11 miles northeast of the town and just 7 kilometers/4.4 miles west of Arrowtown. The ski area is on the southern side of the mountain (1,649 meters high) and has commanding views of the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain and Runs at Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak has some of the best terrain and runs in New Zealand, covering 280 hectares. It is a mix of Beginners (25%), Intermediate (45%) and Advanced (30%).
Coronet Peak Facilities
In 2008, $30 million was spent to create state-of-the-art ski facilities.
[post_ads_2]
The base building area has three dining options, a cafe, a restaurant and an outdoor lunch bar. Away from the base, at the bottom of the Rocky Gully T-bar lift is another restaurant called Heidi's Hut; this serves Italian cuisine and is also open in the evenings. A meal here can make for a memorable night out, with an open fire and panoramic views down to Lake Wakatipu and the lights of Queenstown.
Coronet Peak also offers full rental gear, a number of shops and of course toilets and changing rooms. Free wi-fi is also available in and around the base building.
When to Visit Coronet Peak
The most extensive system of snowmaking in New Zealand means that Coronet Peak has one of the longest seasons of any field in the country. It generally runs from mid June until mid October.
New Zealand school holiday periods and weekends are the busy times, where there will be queues for most lifts. The rest of the time it can feel positively quiet, so if you have the option, visit mid week outside the holidays.
Getting There
It takes approximately 20 minutes to drive from Queenstown to Coronet Peak.
The access road up the mountain is one of the best of any ski resort in New Zealand. The entire road surface is sealed and the gradient is relatively easy. This makes it driveable even for motorhomes, campervans and buses. Chains are not always required, although should be carried just in case.
[post_ads_2]
The alternative to driving there is to catch a shuttle bus from Queenstown, These depart regularly throughout the day and have many collection and drop off points, including many of the hotels. The Snowline Express leaves from the Queenstown Snow Center in the middle of town, every 20 minutes during the peak times. The cost is $15 return per person ($30 per person for hotel pickup, although this is subject to availability.
Accommodation
The best place to stay is Queenstown, which has a huge range of accommodation options. There are also a few places near Arrowtown. At peak times, make sure you book your accommodation in advance as vacancies can be scarce during these times.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit to Coronet Peak
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Coronet Peak is a world-class resort and has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand for all levels of ability. A few tips to make your experience more enjoyable are:
- Check the weather report daily. Conditions can change quickly so make sure you know what you are in for. A snow report is posted at around 6.30am daily on the Coronet Peak website.
- Take your sunscreen. The New Zealand sun is very harsh, even on cloudy days. Don't spoil your holiday by getting burnt.
- Ski to your level. There are runs for all level of ability at Coronet Peak. Choose a slope that matches your skill level and be safe.
- Take in some of the other sights and activities of the Queenstown area. Queenstown is known as the Adventure Capital of New Zealand and there is an amazing selection of things to see and do. If the weather turns bad, or you feel like a break from skiing or snowboarding, there are many other fun ways to occupy your holiday in Queenstown.
