Man kneeling on snow holds a child in ski gear with snowy mountains and valley in the background.

Winter Made Early

Early Winter Opening | 29 May–12 June 2026

Fresh snow. Beginner laps. Snow play magic. And views from the top.

New for 2026: thanks to our brand new Snow Factory, we’re opening earlier than ever from 29 May, with snow on the ground even when winter’s still finding its rhythm.

29 May–12 June: Early Winter operations (10am–3pm)

From 13 June: Full mountain opens as usual (9am–4pm)

What's available Early season

29 May - 12 June

We’re running a focused Early Season snow zone on our beginner terrain. Perfect for first-time skiers and snowboarders, families, learners getting their legs back and anyone looking for some fun on the snow!

Open daily, 10am – 3pm

  • Peak Gondola for sightseeing adventures to the top of Coronet Peak featuring amazing views
  • Magic Carpet lifts for ski and snowboard access to our beginner terrain and sledding lane
  • Snow Sledding Lane (via Magic Carpet lift), fun and smiles guaranteed!
  • Sled hire (bookings required)
  • Equipment rental (skis/snowboard, boots, poles, clothing, helmets)
  • Ski and snowboard lessons (First Timer + Private)
  • Café for great coffee and kiwi hospitality at altitude
  • Ski bus return transport from Queenstown
Child in camo ski suit with helmet and goggles raising arm, adult behind on snowy mountain ski resort.
Snow Report
Weather Updates

Your best source for mountain conditions

Full Season Operations

Available from 13 June - winter ramps up

  • Full mountain terrain and chairlift access begin from 13 June
  • Sledding lane will move to another area from 13 June without Surface Conveyor access
  • Full winter operations kick in, which includes more snowsports coaching options, Skiwiland and an expanded ski bus service
  • Full cafe, restaurant and bar facilities available as we get into the main winter season

What Pass do I need?

Choose your adventure

Winter Good Times are even closer than you think with our Early Season Passes & Packages. We have a range of Ski, Sledding & Sightseeing passes bound to create a magical start to your winter.

lift passes

Pick the pass that fits your pace

Lift Pass Options
lessons

progress with a lesson

start the season with some coaching to build your skills
rentals

Carve it Up with our quality rental gear

Hire on the mountain
Professional Gear Fitting
Our experienced team will ensure you're correctly fitted for a fun and comfortable day on the snow.
Staff member assisting with snowboard equipment in a rental shop at Mt Hutt
Recreational Rentals
All Ages Child | Adult | Student | Senior
All Levels | First Time | Learner Zone | Green Zone | Blue Zone | Red Zone | Black Zone
All Ages
Ski & Snowboard
3 Peaks

We offer a wide range of ski and snowboard equipment, regularly tuned and maintained to keep you riding smoothly.

  • Book consecutive days & save
  • Includes: skis/snowboard, boots and poles/wrist guards, helmet
  • Professional fitting from our experienced staff
Number of days
Book More Days & Save
$
65
Per Day
People selecting ski jackets in a rental shop at Mt Hutt
Jacket & Pants Rental
All Ages Child | Adult | Student | Senior
All Levels | First Time | Learner Zone | Green Zone | Blue Zone | Red Zone | Black Zone
Kids Size 4 +
Full Day
3 Peaks

We’ve got you covered with jackets and trousers to keep you warm, dry, and ready for an epic day on the snow. 

  • Quality clothing to keep you warm & dry
  • Wide range to ensure great fit
Number of days
$
45
Per person
packages

Packages

WHy get a package?

The Snow Factory

Winter Made Early

Our new Snow Factory helps us build our snow base earlier by making it independent of air temperature. It works using a closed circuit that freezes water into snow without chemical additives.

That means a longer season and more reliable beginner conditions.

Snow machine spraying artificial snow onto a large mound with mountains and trees in the background.
Snow machine spraying artificial snow onto a large mound with mountains and trees in the background.
A man and child sledding down a snowy hill on a blue sled, both smiling and wearing winter gear.
Sledding & Sightseeing
Winter Magic Without Skis
Blue and green bus with the text CORONET PEAK and THE REMARKABLES parked near snowy mountains.
Getting Here
Get the full rundown

faqs

Are my kids too young to ski?

From age 4 and up, kids can join our group ski and snowboard lessons, where they’ll start learning the basics with other young shredders. Our team knows how to keep things fun, confidence-building, and age-appropriate whether it’s their first time sliding or they’re ready to tackle the beginner slopes.

Private lessons are also available. These one-on-one sessions are tailored to your child’s pace and needs, perfect for those who learn best with individual attention.

And the best part? Kids aged 5 and under ski free. You can purchase a Child 5 & Under Season Pass from our online store or at Guest Services. We also offer child passes for ages 6+ that work across Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt.

No matter their age or stage, we’re here to help your tamariki fall in love with the snow.

Do you have rental equipment for kids?

Hire skis, snowboards, clothing, and helmets right on the mountain.

For hygiene reasons, we don’t rent gloves or goggles, but you can buy them at our Mt Hutt retail shop.

To book your rental gear, simply add rentals when booking online or through Guest Services. On arrival, bring your MyPass card to the rental department, our team will get you fitted quickly and efficiently.

Multi-day rental? Take advantage of free overnight gear storage.

We have equipment for adults and kids aged 4+. For younger children, contact us to discuss options.

Choose from top brands like Head, Burton, and Salomon. As your skills progress, upgrade to performance gear. All equipment is regularly tuned for top performance.

Need to swap boots or skis? No problem, visit us anytime for a better fit and maximum comfort.

Where do I collect my pass?

All of your products will be loaded to your MyPass Card. This is essentially your ticket to the mountain, to access the lifts at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables or Mt Hutt you will need a MyPass Card assigned to your profile with your products loaded onto it.

Skied with us before?

  • Great, welcome back! If you already have your MyPass card, you can use this again to access our lifts, pick up your rentals, or to join your Snowsports lesson.

Purchased online?

  • You can collect your MyPass Card by scanning the barcode in your confirmation email at one of our Kiosks or by visiting Guest Services.
  • Using the Kiosk: Simply scan the barcode in your confirmation email and the Kiosk will print your MyPass card - from there you can head straight to the lift.
How do I get to Coronet Peak?

Coronet Peak is just 16km from central Queenstown and is accessed via a fully sealed alpine road. You can either drive yourself or take our daily Ski Bus from town, which is a great option if you prefer not to drive.

If you're driving, snow chains must be carried at all times, regardless of the weather in town. Chain use is often required after fresh snowfall or icy conditions. We recommend doing a practice fit before you need them. For real-time road conditions and chain updates, always check our Daily Snow Report before heading up.

How to stay safe on the mountain

A great ski day starts with knowing your limits, following mountain signage and taking your time while learning. Stay in control, give others space, and always stop in visible areas. If you’re unsure where to start, a lesson is the best way to build confidence safely. Check out our Mountain Safety Guide for more tips & tricks to keep your ski day safe & fun.

Six tips for chairlift loading for kids

Wait your turn

  • Line up in the lift queue and wait your turn before sliding forward to the chair loading zone.

Load with an experienced adult

  1. If you are over 120cm tall you can ride the lift by yourself.
  2. If you are under 120cm you must ride the lift with an adult
  3. If you are riding the chairlift with a friend, get your adult to sit between you both to help you on and off.
  4. Only you and one friend can ride with one adult, if you have lots of friends in your group, other adults will be asked to help.

Sit back-to-back

  • Sit all the way to the back of the chairlift so your back is touching the back rest.

Put the safety bar down

  • If you are tall enough you can pull the safety bar down, but if you can’t reach it let the adult put it down for you.

Sit still and hold on

  • Once you are on the chair and the safety bar is down, sit still and hold on until you are up the top of the mountain.

Let the adult raise the bar and tell you when to slide off

  • When you reach the top of the mountain, don’t rush to get off. Wait until you can touch the ground then slide off and enjoy your day.
What do I need to bring for a ski day at Coronet Peak?

Planning a ski or snowboard day at Coronet Peak? Here’s what you’ll need to bring to make the most of your time on the mountain – whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned shredder.

Essential gear to bring:

  • Warm, waterproof outerwear (jacket and pants)
  • Base layers (thermal or merino)
  • Gloves or mittens
  • Goggles or sunglasses
  • Helmet (required for lessons – rentals available)
  • Thick socks (ski or snowboard-specific recommended)
  • MyPass card or booking QR code
  • Water bottle and snacks
  • Sunscreen and lip balm

Don’t have all the gear? No worries. We offer ski and snowboard rentals, including clothing and helmets, right at the base building. Our Rental Centre has everything you need for a full day on snow.

What facilities are available at Coronet Peak?

We keep things simple up here at Coronet Peak. Everything you need for a smooth day on the snow is right at base, no mucking about.

Facilities
You’ll find bathrooms, changing areas, outside storage for easy access, and paid storage lockers in our Base Building. Whether you're travelling light or toting the full whānau setup, we’ve got space to stash your gear while you hit the slopes.

Rentals
First time up the hill? Travelling light? Our on-mountain Rental Centre has you sorted with skis, snowboards, boots, helmets and waterproof outerwear.

Food & Coffee
We have a range of cafes & restaurants on-mountain to keep you fueled for the day whether you're looking for a hearty meal, quick snack, or a cheeky aperol to end your day on a high, we've got something to match your speed.

Lessons
Whether it's their first slide or they’re ready to level up, our ski and snowboard lessons are run by qualified instructors who know how to keep it fun and confidence-building for both kids and adults.

Getting Around
We’ve made getting around easy. From our fast lifts to our free car park shuttles running all day between lower lots. No need to carry all the gear uphill.

Extras
We’ve got free Wi-Fi at base, water refill stations, and a team of legends on hand to help you out. Got a question? Just ask, we’re all about making your day epic.

What will my kids learn in their ski lesson?

Our kid’s lessons cater for all ability levels, so if it’s their first time on snow our experienced instructors will help them learn the basics. If your kids already have some experience our team will help them build their ski or snowboarding skills and confidence.