Guidance for New Zealand trip, August 2026

[DebbieSue]

Lucky me , , , have a work conference in Brisbane, Australia Aug 9-14.
Since I'm travelling all the way from Boston, seems I should extend the trip for some tourism and this seems a unique opportunity to ski in New Zealand.
I have about 5 days available to add on.
I've concluded that flying Brisbane to Queenstown and skiing Coronet/Remarkables would be efficient use of time and my IKON pass. Mt. Hutt seems less convenient for travel and fewer options for accommodations, maybe better snow, but more chance of wind holds.
And since I'll be solo and prefer to ski with people, I've found:
Women of Winter 3day Camps

https://shop.theremarkables.co.nz/shop/product/85/womens-performance,

Any Divas with experience with this company?
For my dates the camp is at Coronet. I'm an advanced skier, not aggressive or fast, but used to ice, cold, thin cover, whatever New England has to offer.
Reading about Coronet vs Remarkables it seems that Remarkables has more variety and challenge. But no women's camp for my best dates.
I found a 3 day Performance camp at Remarkables that takes men and women, same price similarly organized.
Sitco runs 3 day performance camps, but depends on demand, less info on their site.
Any opinions on those options?
I'm inclined to stay in Queenstown or Frankton and take the SkiBus rather than hassle with car, road conditions, and parking.
Any suggestions as to accommodations? I value convenient location to transport and variety of restaurants more than luxury for a ski trip.
I welcome any/all advice. Looking forward to this Kiwi adventure.

 

[scandium]

I haven't ever done a camp so really don't have opinions. With the new lift I personally think Remarks is much better, although locals would suggest Coronet on a good day is hard to beat. There are minimal public transport options so if good food is important and options for gear hire, I would stay in Queenstown.

 

[Tvan]

Paging @AJM and @Rashika !

 

[santacruz skier]

Yes exactly paging @AJM ..... how cool and fortunate are you to go to NZ for work and then, of course, why not add on a ski trip??? And joining a clinic is a great way to navigate a brand new mountain and meet people.... Long ways from Boston..... how many hours?
Do it ! I would !

 

[VickiK]

Fun and exciting!

 

[MissySki]

I'm SO jealous, what a fun adventure @DebbieSue!! Can't wait to see your trip report!

 

[santacruz skier]

On another note, I did get an email from Women Who Ski that there is one spot available on their trip to South America. I was intrigued.

 

[elemmac]

@DebbieSue - No advice from me on this one. But can't wait to hear about how it all works out and your adventures down under. Sounds like a fun one!

Also, if your company is hiring you an assistant for this conference, you can throw my name into the application pool

 

[DebbieSue]

Yes exactly paging @AJM ..... how cool and fortunate are you to go to NZ for work and then, of course, why not add on a ski trip??? And joining a clinic is a great way to navigate a brand new mountain and meet people.... Long ways from Boston..... how many hours?
Do it ! I would !

Seems about 23 including layover of 2-3h in the 1 stop itineraries.
I'm trying not to think about that. But jet lag is one reason I want to ski after the conference!! It is much more important to be at my best for the skiing part

 

[scandium]

Oh and snack/food wise - both Remarks and Coronet basically have one main cafe at the base, so food options are limited. I would recommend stocking up on snacks, particularly good local ones like Whittaker's chocolate (either a block or the small bars, both are excellent ski snacks) and Cookie Time cookies.

 

[GladeDuchess]

OMG @DebbieSue , you so need to find a way to ski down there!
I'm no help with advice, but all I can say is that skiing is sooooo much sweeter when work pays for the travel : P Can't wait to see your trip report and see the pictures though.

 

[Magnatude]

The whole ski school structure has changed somewhat since I last worked there (in 2022 I think), but I'd assume the camp will be taught by NZSki-employed instructors, same as the regular ski school. There are a few NZSIA (also BASI, and others) trainers and examiners based at Coronet Peak, so the teaching quality should be high. I generally prefer Coronet for training -- there tends to be better fall-line skiing, with fewer traverses and flat spots, and longer runs, and in the last couple of years it seems less crowded than the Remarkables. Even better, school holidays are very early and late in the ski season, so you'll miss the worst of the crowds.

Mid August should be safe for decent snow, and while the last couple of seasons have been a bit lean, at least Coronet has fewer rocks!

Food in the cafeterias at both mountains is pretty standard fare, which hasn't changed much over the years, but Coronet also has Heidi's hut, by the T bar, which does good pizza (and coffee).

I'd personally be happy to use the bus service up Coronet Peak, and most international visitors feel the same about the Remarkables road.

Sitco is one of the local instructor training providers. They are well established, and very good. Their trainers are also employed by NZSki in the resort ski school.

I'm not much help advising re accommodation, though if you're skiing mainly at Coronet, and bussing and not renting a car, it could be more convenient to stay either in Queenstown (or Arthurs Point, at the base of Coronet). Frankton is closer to the Remarkables, and the Remarkables bus passes through that suburb, although it starts its journey from Queenstown town centre. And Queenstown has plenty of accommodation, ski shops, restaurants etc.

 

[DebbieSue]

The whole ski school structure has changed somewhat since I last worked there (in 2022 I think), but I'd assume the camp will be taught by NZSki-employed instructors, same as the regular ski school. There are a few NZSIA (also BASI, and others) trainers and examiners based at Coronet Peak, so the teaching quality should be high. I generally prefer Coronet for training -- there tends to be better fall-line skiing, with fewer traverses and flat spots, and longer runs, and in the last couple of years it seems less crowded than the Remarkables. Even better, school holidays are very early and late in the ski season, so you'll miss the worst of the crowds.

Mid August should be safe for decent snow, and while the last couple of seasons have been a bit lean, at least Coronet has fewer rocks!

Food in the cafeterias at both mountains is pretty standard fare, which hasn't changed much over the years, but Coronet also has Heidi's hut, by the T bar, which does good pizza (and coffee).

I'd personally be happy to use the bus service up Coronet Peak, and most international visitors feel the same about the Remarkables road.

Sitco is one of the local instructor training providers. They are well established, and very good. Their trainers are also employed by NZSki in the resort ski school.

I'm not much help advising re accommodation, though if you're skiing mainly at Coronet, and bussing and not renting a car, it could be more convenient to stay either in Queenstown (or Arthurs Point, at the base of Coronet). Frankton is closer to the Remarkables, and the Remarkables bus passes through that suburb, although it starts its journey from Queenstown town centre. And Queenstown has plenty of accommodation, ski shops, restaurants etc.

Thanks esp for info on Coronet. Making me reevaluate my bias toward Remarkables.

 

[Magnatude]

Thanks esp for info on Coronet. Making me reevaluate my bias toward Remarkables.

I'm not trying to talk you out of skiing there though! Definitely worth a day or two, and it is quite a different experience at Remarks, although beware of skiing offpiste if the base is less than 85cm. It's great having the choice between the two, and there are often surprisingly different weather and snow conditions at each mountain. They're close enough to each other (and they're on the same pass) that it is possible to ski the morning at one and the afternoon at the other if conditions look better there. It takes about an hour in a car (probably not by bus) if you plan your trip to avoid the traffic on the flat.

 

[Bookworm]

I'm jealous! New Zealand is on my bucket list!

 

[AJM]

Ooooh how exciting ! It sounds like you're on the right path in heading to Queenstown and @Magnatude has heaps of knowledge around which might the best option for you.
Im sorry but Im no use re accomodation but I'm sure you'll have a great time and looking forward to seeing what you decide

 

[AJM]

I do see that Deb Armstrong has moved over here and I'm waiting to see if she ends up running a clinc or two .... wouldnt that be great

 

[MissySki]

I do see that Deb Armstrong has moved over here and I'm waiting to see if she ends up running a clinc or two .... wouldnt that be great

Wait, what?? She moved there? I saw she was there in a post she did but thought it was just a visit.

 

[diymom]

Debra Armstrong on Instagram: "A new chapter has begun. I will offer SkiStrong camps in Steamboat next year, stay tuned. Maybe I’ll have a SkiStrong camp down here. Where should it be? Let me know! @fischerski @tarashaktiski @onewaysport"

2,094 likes, 257 comments - armstrong.deb on March 27, 2026: "A new chapter has begun. I will offer SkiStrong camps in Steamboat next year, stay tuned. Maybe I’ll have a SkiStrong camp down here. Where should it be? Let me know! @fischerski @tarashaktiski @onewaysport".

www.instagram.com

 

[AJM]

Wait, what?? She moved there? I saw she was there in a post she did but thought it was just a visit.

Apparently so, not sure for how long. It looks like she's up in Northland in the North Island so not a lot of skiing to be done there.