The best places to carve it up in Queenstown

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Every year Aussies flock to New Zealand for the ski season.

In fact, Queenstown is one of the most popular winter destinations for Australians.

Here is a little guide of where to go and what you need to know if you’re thinking of heading over there for a winter adventure.

The Remarkables

The famous Remarkables mountain range is easy 40-minute drive from downtown Queenstown.

The ski field boasts an impressive new architecturally-designed base building, new high-speed six-seater chairlift to Curvey Basin, as well as additional snowmakers and more car parks. Three quarters of the road to the Remarkables is now sealed with an additional 5.5km sealed over summer. New snow clearing equipment will also help make the journey up quicker and easier.

With return transport provided for Outward Bound skiers/riders, and the base building removed, The Remarkables accessible terrain has also gone up from 265.5 to 385 hectares. Additional snowmaking guns at The Remarkables’ Curvey Basin Trail will also add more snow this season.

Intermediate skiers and serious high-flying freestylers and boarders love The Remarkables. The Curvey Basin lift gets you to all the action at Sugar Bowl and some of New Zealands best Freestyle terrain including the Burton-designed Stash. But it’s not only rails and features, this is a big mountain with world renowned chutes and epic open black runs.

The location and 1943m elevation also attracts fantastic natural snow, supported by the firepower of more than 100 snow guns to keep trails across the 385 ha skiable terrain topped up nicely.

New this year is a Double Conveyor Lift on Learner Slopes. The slinky-style transparent tube will enhance the learner experience over the magic carpet area.

The Remarkables opens on June Saturday 10.

Coronet Peak

Coronet Peak is the home of skiing, New Zealand’s original commercial ski field this year celebrating 70 years of fun on the snow.

This is Queenstown’s playground, the place where you’ll find everything you need in one day. Start with freshly-groomed trails at First Tracks from 8am right through to Night Skiing on Friday and Saturdays (plus Wednesdays in July) until 9pm, and get lessons, put the kids in childcare and enjoy a wide range of food and dining options in the most picturesque locations.

Skiers and boarders of all ability love the 280 hectares of open, rolling, varied terrain, while they take in spectacular views across Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to The Remarkables Mountains. Attractions such as Heidi’s Hut restaurant and the Ice Bar, now located off Greengates, are not only great for relaxing but also offer those epic photo opportunities.

The combination of world class facilities, all terrain and ease of access – easy 25-minute drive from central Queenstown – makes it very popular with locals and tourists as well as international athletes, including Winter Olympic ski teams from around the world.

Night skiing will operate on Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 9pm as well as Wednesdays in. Sit down for dinner and drinks at the base building, while a DJ spins tunes in the background. Night skiers will also be able to enjoy two new additions to the floodlit trails.

Coronet Peak has something for everyone, whether you’re a novice or advanced skiier. As well as a large beginner terrain, there are plenty of intermediate and advanced trails, as well as some of the best off-piste in New Zealand. With the largest snow-making capacity in New Zealand, natural snow gets topped up regularly for a more consistent season.

There are several lesson and childcare packages available for children from 3 months up to 17 years of age, with those under five getting a free lift pass. But as well as programs, the terrain is geared to family fun. New this year is a kids’ fun zone complete with tunnel and bank turns near The Meadows Express Chair.

Coronet Peak opens on Saturday June 17

Cardrona Alpine Resort

Cardrona Alpine Resort has a laid-back and friendly vibe, deep snow cover, wide open slopes, serious half pipes, steep chutes and an extensive terrain park for freestylers, great family facilities, and on-mountain accommodation.

There are more than $15 million worth of developments for the 2017 winter season including the new McDougall’s Express Chondola; a combination of gondola cabins and chairs, the first of its kind in New Zealand. Cardrona is an hour’s drive from Queenstown and shuttle options are available. Cardrona is scheduled to open 10 June.

Treble Cone

Treble Cone is the South Island’s biggest ski area and a favourite for advanced skiers and snowboarders with the longest vertical rise in the Southern Lakes, two large basins, great off-piste terrain and stunning views.

In 2017 the ski area has introduced snow-making capabilities for Easy Rider from the top of Home Basin all the way to the base lodge and provide snow cover for main Street.  Novices are also well catered for with a dedicated learning area.

The ski area is an hour and a half’s drive or a short 15-minute flight from Queenstown. Scheduled to open 21 June.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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