The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, Queenstown's ski fields, are making learning to ski/ride a lot easier this season. A reconfiguration of the slopes and new conveyors in 2018 are making the progression from first-timer to confident intermediate easier and more gradual. Both mountains open in just over a month.
The 385ha Remarkables ski field, 40 minutes from downtown Queenstown, is extending the learner terrain by 70 percent with an additional 8,000m2 directly accessible from the base building (in the area where the previous base building was).
For novices or those looking to refresh their skills it means a steady progression from the wide, learner slope with its fully enclosed conveyor to Alta chair, a four-person lift with intermediate runs. A new 160m carpet conveyor will take learners to the new slope, another option to build confidence.
The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence says, “The learner experience is about progression, so providing another step at another degree steeper will get guests feeling even more comfortable and capable as they gradually move up the mountain.”
Across the Queenstown valley, Coronet Peak has also reconfigured the beginner's area for adults and children.
The children's slope for Skiwiland, the first ski school for children from 3 months to five years of age, has been turned and rebuilt to enhance the first steps experience, leading naturally to a shortened beginner carpet lift with a gentle slope.
A new 140m Magic Carpet will lift capacity at the Meadows learner area. It'll complement the rebuilding of 'Little Easy' to a 9% gradient slope so that when learners hop off four-seater Meadows Express chair they cruise down a 9% slope rather than a 22% slope.
Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Nigel Kerr says that for novice skiers and boarders these changes make it easier to progress onto a chair lift.
“With the slope of Little Easy being no greater than the carpet slopes, we are offering guests more beginner terrain and a greater chance of getting on to the first chair sooner.
“I'm sure we'll see a greater number of our guests riding the four-seater beginner Meadows Chair at end of day one than ever before.
“These guests will experience an even more successful and memorable day, ready to tackle the mountain on the rest of their holiday,” he says.
Also new in 2018 at The Remarkables & Coronet Peak is a better food and beverage operation, investment in roading and transport, upgrades to the kids spaces, new rental stock and better progression signage, plus snowmaking infrastructure developments.
