Coronet Peak

In winter, Queenstown turns into an alpine skiers' paradise. The challenging terrain of Coronet Peak, an easy 19 km/12 miles north of Queenstown, offers excellent skiing from mid June until October.

Facilities at Coronet Peak are among the best in Australasia. A double chair lift transports skiers from the cafeteria restaurant at 1,140 meters/3,800 feet to the 1,650meter/5,400 foot summit. A triple chair lift provides access to the expert slopes, and other lifts take novice skiers to learners' areas.

One fine days, you'll see many skiers soaking up the sun from the restaurant deck.

Coronet Peak has a ski shop and ski school; you can rent skis, boots, and poles in town or at the ski area. Skiers find ample accommodations and plenty of apres ski activity in Queenstown; during ski season, regular coach service operates between Queenstown and the ski area.

In summer, sightseers take the chair lift to the summit station, then climb to a glassed in viewpoint for a breathtaking panorama over the Lake Wakatipu region and the Southern Alps. On chilly days, army greatcoats help ward off the biting wind during your ride.

A new warm weather attraction is Cresta Run, a 600 meter/1,800 foot stainless steel toboggan run. Adventurous riders maneuver one or two passenger toboggans down the curving slide beneath the chair lift.