Remarkables

Open
Pros
  • Great place to learn to ski
  • Closest ski resort to Queenstown
  • Some of the best terrain parks in the country
Cons
  • Expensive lift tickets and small ski area

Overall

3.8

The Remarkables, in the mountain range of the same name in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, offers a unique and family-friendly experience. It’s not commercialized like the other resorts – in fact, with the nearest lodging a half hour away, it’s more like a locals’ mountain and has the relaxed vibe to go with it. It has a nice mix of terrain, with broad and gentle slopes for beginners, terrain parks, and hike-to terrain to keep experts entertained. And don’t worry about that lodging bit – Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is a wonderful vacation destination on its own!

2018 Historical Snowfall

Best month to go

August

August is the best time to visit Remarkables, after the July school holiday crowds have left.

FLY TO

Queenstown Airport

DRIVE TO

Remarkables (30 minutes)

Queenstown (10-15 mi)

  • Adventure capital of the world
  • Wide range of accommodation with competitive pricing
  • Variety of restaurants and bars

Find accommodations around here

Frankton (8-10 mi)

  • Slightly closer to resort than Queenstown
  • Less lodging options than Queenstown
  • Offers a handful of luxury accommodation options

Find accommodations around here

For beginners

While Remarkables doesn't boast the greenest trails, their two beginner areas are perfect for learning on. The wide-open slopes in these areas have a gradual pitch making it an ideal spot for first-timers to practice with three conveyors (surface lifts) to ferry beginners.

For intermediates

Intermediates will have quite a few blues to choose from but our favorites would have to be Turquoise and Alta Blue off the Alta chair. Both are spacious slopes that allow for wide turns though Alta Blue provides more variety that is especially great for building skills on.

For experts

The best long lines for advanced skiers and snowboarders are off the Shadow Basin chair with the Alta Chutes being our top pick for off-piste skiing. For the freestylers, Remarkables offers some incredible terrain parks with the Burton Stash providing some gnarly natural features.

Find freshies

Freshness can be easily found in the Alta Lake side, just be prepared to hike for it. The Outward Bound area is another top spot for the fresh stuff though again it's quite a hike but if you're there on a powder day, you'll be rewarded with soft and buttery snow!

Ditch the crowds

July generally sees the most crowds thanks to the school holidays. Survey Basin during peak hours also gets quite busy while the beginner areas around the Learners and Shorty surface lifts are the busiest.

Non skiers

While the resort itself doesn't offer much for activities for non-skiers however, Queenstown is just 40 minutes away. Queenstown calls itself the adventure capital of the world, so non-skiers are guaranteed to find something fun to do.

Families

Remarkables is known for its family-friendliness! The beginner areas are nice and wide for families to ride together or for kids to practice on. There are also great kids facilities including childcare and all day ski lessons.

Save up to 38% when you book a Remarkables package!

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Remarkables Reviews

Good 3.8 / 5
based on 8 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Very Good!4 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Remarkables ReviewsDaniel O.
intermediate snowboarder
The remarkables is 45 minutes drive from Queenstown CBD. There will be a brand new 6 person chairlift going on next season 2020. The snowsports team is professional as I have taken few lesson from them. The rental team provide variety of gear and services. Cafe is just up the stairs. There is also a retail shop for souvenirs and snow gear. You just... More
Average!2.7 / 5Sep 12, 2018
RLRob L.
advanced snowboarder
Ok small sized hill. Mainly all beginner runs, wouldnt say they have any real black runs. Park 4 person chair super slow and outdated. Lifts contsantly running at half speed, i think this is so they try to control the flow of people down the very short runs, but leads to chair lift times being excessively long and buzz killing. Woke up and drove up... More
Good!3.8 / 5May 11, 2018
Remarkables ReviewsShaun M.
intermediate snowboarder
Very open resort that has easy access and has terrain for everyone from beginner to expert. Low crowds during the week means no waiting/long lift lines. Good terrain park that constantly changes during the season. Loads of blue bird days a all round good resort.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5May 02, 2018
Remarkables ReviewsIsaac N.
advanced skier
Absolutely the best resort in NZ terrain is great fo all levels. Was able to advance my skill so much. The instructor quality is great and i learned so much. I would highly recommend.... More
Good!3.7 / 5Nov 20, 2017
FFletch
advanced skier
The difficulty system is slightly overboard. The main blue run difficulty should only be counted as a green run The snow is magnificent, thou it does get very crowded note: storage for gear is highly priced at $20~ with food options over priced and abismal ... More
Average!3.4 / 5Nov 11, 2017
DDan
advanced snowboarder
One of the most naturally beautiful ski resorts I have been to. It has a great terrain park setup and a good variation of terrain. The road is it bit rough though.... More
Fabulous!4.2 / 5Nov 11, 2017
CBCesar B.
advanced snowboarder
It was home for the '17 southern winter, accessibility is by far the best in the area, excluding coronet peak; but having a lot better snow and back country than Coro. Out of all the resorts it was the most forward moving with food and beverage trends catering for my ridiculous paleo preference with quinoa dishes, coconut base/sugar free treats and... More
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 14, 2017
GGGary G.
Although it's smaller, the Remarkables is much more relaxed and less busy than Coronet Peak (even though it's the other big Queenstown resort). I haven't seen it yet but they also have a new lift which opens up a lot of terrain since I was last there and I believe there are plans to put in a gondola which would mean you don't have to drive up the... More