The Remarkables mountain range can be seen towering over lake Wakatipu from Queenstown like a giant saw blade. Hidden just behind the ridgeline is the Remarkables ski area. Despite almost directly overlooking Queenstown it can take an hour or so to wind your way up to the snow. The road itself whilst not sealed is at least a sensible grade and wide enough with crash barriers where appropriate. Like its sister resort Coronet Peak there is a regular bus service.

The area is based in a hanging valley above the Frankton. It looks at first glance a bit like Val Thorens, with separate bowls and sub valleys. Below the base lodge is the beginner area served by a carpet lift. At the base of this one of the three chairs heads off up into its own valley, giving accesses to further bowls and couloirs with a little hiking or traversing. From the lodge a second chair heads up the main valley. From this the third chair heads off at right angles. These two provide access to easy angle slopes and a terrain park. Above both chairs there is quite a sizeable area of skiable terrain, which you can hike to.

The snow was firm but not icy on the pistes, with mainly transformed snow off piste, getting a little thin in places. Skiing of the two easy chairs was only so good but the runs off the steeper chair provided plenty of entertainment. After a short hike I got a great view over Lake Wakatipu towards Queenstown. From here there is a large open field back towards the access road which thoughtfully has a shuttle bus back to the lifts. At the end of the day I hiked the opposite side above the terrain park to get a long untracked run back to the same point.

The Remarkables is an entertaining and diverse little area with plenty of potential for the adventurous and for future development.

Words and Pictures from Tom Greenall - Natives Resort Reporter

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