Get multi in Queenstown this ski season

Skiers and boarders heading to Queenstown’s Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski areas this year can get ‘fully flexi’ with discount multi-day lift and transport passes.

Designed for snowsports lovers who like to pick and choose the best of days on either mountain, and make life simple in terms of getting there, the multi-day passes can be bought independently of each other and used any time throughout the season.

The Multiday Lift Pass package means visitors buy their first day pass for either mountain at full price*, and as long as passes are bought in one transaction, every day thereafter is discounted by $5. Passes bought at Coronet Peak can be used at The Remarkables too.

NZSki Sales and Marketing General Manager Craig Douglas said there was no restriction on when passes were used during the season or how many can be bought.

“The multiday pass system is tailored mainly towards people who know they want to ski or ride for a number of days over the season, but want the flexibility to choose when,” he said.

“It means people living in Queenstown can pick and choose their days according to the best weather or ski conditions, or when they want to go up with friends,” he said.

A new transport pass system also offers discounts for multi-day purchases.

NZSki Transport Manager Etienne Raubenheimer said new five and ten-day passes would replace last season’s Transport Season Pass.

“We identified that the majority of Transport Season Pass holders last year either under-utilised their pass or just broke even, so we’re no longer offering that. This new five and ten pass system will suit a larger portion of our customers.”

The five day transport pass will cost $60 per person and a ten day pass $110 per person, both showing a discount on a single trip purchase. Each transport pass is for return bus transfers from the Snow Centre and can be used to get to Coronet Peak or The Remarkables throughout the season.

“Guests will be issued with a physical ticket with perforated sections which they will tear off for the driver. The ticket has to be attached to the original main ticket, as these multi-purchase transport passes are non-transferable, for security reasons for the ticket holder,” said Mr Raubenheimer.

Bus transport charges have risen this year with a return fare to each mountain from the Snow Centre costing $15.

“Previously the transport to our Queenstown mountains was heavily subsidised, but costs continue to rise and the bus system needs to stand on its own two feet, that’s commercial reality,” said Mr Raubenheimer.

“We’ve done our research and even though it now costs $15 for a return trip to either Coronet Peak or The Remarkables, it’s still very competitive in the marketplace.”

Mr Raubenheimer said NZSki continued with significant investment and commitment to its transport fleet.

“We’ve commissioned two brand-new custom-made buses that are currently under construction and will be ready and rolling for the start of the 2012 winter season,” he said.

*A Coronet Peak day lift pass costs $95 (Adult) and $52 (Youth/Senior) and is valid from 9am to 4pm. Second and additional days on the multiday pass system cost $90 (Adult) and $49 (Youth/Senior).

The Remarkables day lift pass costs $91 (Adult) $49 (Youth/Senior) and $70 (Student) and is valid from 9am to 4pm. Second and additional days on the multiday pass system cost $86 (Adult) $47 (Youth/Senior) and remain at $70 (Student).

Lift Passes bought at the Coronet Peak rate can be used at The Remarkables and at Mt Hutt in Canterbury. The Remarkables and Mt Hutt passes are also interchangeable.