-- Worldwide Ski Resorts - New Zealand - Coronet Peak --

Coronet Peak is just one of the satellite bases that serve the New Zealand South Island ski fields, the others being The Remarkables and the more distant Treble Cone and Cardrona. The actual resort village is at Queenstown, about a half hour drive away from Coronet Peak. There is no accommodation at Coronet Peak; it is simply where tourists access the lift systems. There are a few shops selling necessaries, the ski school offices and some cafes, but that is all.

Queenstown itself is a rather charmless conurbation of shops, luxury apartment blocks, bars and restaurants that exist to service the requirements of the tourist industry catering for the visitors who come here to ski in the season and to enjoy the full range of outdoor adventure activities on offer here throughout the rest of the year. Accommodation in Queenstown is mainly based in the huge, luxury hotel and apartment blocks that stand throughout the town. Some are actually situated a fair stretch from the centre and are not convenient for those tourists who wish to engage in the town's après ski scene. There are smaller guesthouses to be found as well as ‘cheap and cheerful' backpacker hostels.

Coronet Peak stands at 1230 m and access to the network of pistes that are graded according to the American system, is gained by any one of three lifts from the main base. The ski area is reasonably snow sure and has an adequate amount of snow making equipment. Each ski area is designed to provide suitable terrain for every category of skier, ranging from expert to novice and there is plenty of opportunity to explore off piste. Heli-skiing is available and is the best way to experience the finest off piste country. Snowboarders have a terrain park and two half pipes on Coronet Peak. Ski schools here are first class and child care facilities are of a very good standard.

The main mountain at Coronet Peak is made up almost entirely a system of intermediate runs that traverses wide, rolling country before getting steeper at the bottom. The mountain has its own ‘advanced skier only' Back Bowl and a number of serious black runs. Novices have a choice of superbly groomed nursery slopes, coupled with good progression runs. There are no mountain restaurants, so you either need a packed lunch, or you return to the base cafeteria.

At the last count, Queenstown had 160 licensed bars, so there is plenty of scope for having a great time off the slopes. There are plenty of clubs and discos and a casino at Steamer Wharf. There are also plenty of other activities on offer here, including river trips, bungee jumping and excursions to nearby historic townships. The resort holds a Winter Festival in mid July that is apparently an absolute riot of hedonism that should not be missed.