AusLeisure

The Remarkables ski area, Queenstown’s much-loved Alpine playground, is adding another 45.5 hectares of lift-accessed skiable terrain to its already outstanding offering in 2016.

By establishing Car Park 4 below the existing Homeward pick up on the access road, skiers and boarders can now head up Shadow Basin chair, hit The Highway to the renowned powder bowl that is Homeward and further on to Outward Bound (with excellent off-piste skiing still within the ski area boundary) and even make that last run of the day straight back to their car. Otherwise a shuttle operates from the bottom of Homeward and Car Park 4 throughout the day to take skiers back up to the base building.

The new terrain is the latest innovation for a ski area that’s seen huge amounts of investment over the past three years.

After sealing the first 4 kilometres of the access road in time for last season, this year another 5.5 kilometres of road has been sealed, taking the new smooth surface through to the 9.5 kilometres mark.

Thanks to its location and elevation, The Remarks receives fantastic natural snow, supported as always by the ‘firepower’ of over 100 snowguns to keep trails topped up nicely.

On those big bluebird powder days the field’s been proving increasingly popular thanks to the new CurveyBasin lift and a spanking brand new base building, so another 150 car parks have been added with the completion of Car Park 4, increasing total capacity to at least 940 spaces.

The new building has received a few improvements after its first successful season with more staff behind the counter in Guest Services, improving response times for guests in rentals, and making the whole overnight storage service work more efficiently.

The new café, restaurant and coffee service at The Remarks proved a big hit last year, and there’s more improvements being made for 2016 to improve flows through all areas for entering, ordering and leaving (fuelled for the next few runs). With decks on three sides, stunning views up the mountain and down into the valley, and heaps of seating inside and out, it’s hands-down the best ski area building in the country right now. To enjoy those views, another 20 picnic tables have been added around the decks.

After two seasons operating Curvey Basin chairlift, the new trails have bedded in nicely and our regulars have already identified their favourite off-piste ‘lines’ across, around and down the basin.

Moving the Remarks Ice Bar a couple of seasons ago to its new, bigger and even sunnier spot at Curvey Junction (offering the best views of the ski area, Wakatipu Basin and Southern Alps in the distance) makes it the place to relax.

The Remarks offers a range of lessons and packages for everyone from complete beginners to adults keen to improve technique, or kids in school holiday programmes.

Intermediate skiers and serious high-flying freestylers and boarders now use Curvey to access Sugar Bowl and its terrain parks.

Hiring rental gear’s easy up at The Remarks – 80% of its rental ski stock has been replaced this season to maintain very high standards of equipment. The rental department is larger in the new building offering plenty of room to try on boots, get bindings set and pick up clothing before walking up onto the snow.

The Remarkables ski season starts on 18th June.

Images: The Remarkables ski area (top - courtesy of Nigel Kerr) and staff at The Remarkables (below).

2nd March 2016 - QUEENSTOWN SKI AREAS JOIN THE MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE

23rd December 2015 - NZSKI SEASON PASSES AIMED AT INCREASING SNOW SPORTS PARTICIPATION

12th July 2015 - ALPINE MEDICAL SERVICES BEGINS SERVICE PROVISION AT CORONET PEAK AND THE REMARKABLES SKI AREAS

29th June 2015 - BLUEBIRD OPENING AT THE REMARKABLES CELEBRATES GREAT SNOW AND NEW BASE BUILDING

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