Queenstown’s ski season is getting an unusually early start this year, with Coronet Peak leading the charge as New Zealand’s winter operations kick off from May 29 under a new “Early Winter: WINTER MADE EARLY” rollout powered by the resort’s Snow Factory technology. This makes Coronet Peak the first resort to start the 2026 season in the Southern Hemisphere — although Hanmer Springs offered a couple of days of April skiing after an early-season snow storm brought early snowfalls. However, Hanmer Springs then closed again, meaning the April opening did not mark the start of the season for the small club ski field.
The early opening marks a significant shift for the ski area above Queenstown, with Coronet Peak leveraging its new snowmaking infrastructure to build a reliable base even while natural winter conditions are still developing across the Southern Alps.
From May 29 to June 12, the mountain will operate in a limited early-season format, running selected terrain and conveyor lifts daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From June 13, Coronet Peak is scheduled to transition into full mountain operations with normal lift hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Early Winter setup focuses on beginner-friendly terrain designed for first-timers, families, and skiers and snowboarders returning for the season. A dedicated snow zone will operate on lower slopes, supported by Magic Carpet conveyor lifts and a sledding lane.
Visitors during this early period will be able to access a range of on-mountain experiences, including sightseeing rides on the Peak Gondola, ski and snowboard lessons for beginners and private students, sled hire, and full equipment rental. The resort café will also operate, catering to early-season visitors making the trip up from Queenstown via ski bus or private transport.
Coronet Peak’s Snow Factory is central to the early opening strategy. The system allows the resort to produce snow in marginal temperatures, creating a skiable surface ahead of traditional snowfall windows and helping extend both ends of the season.
While early openings are not unprecedented for New Zealand ski fields, this timing places Coronet Peak among the earliest operational ski areas in the country’s modern season calendar.
For Queenstown, the launch reinforces its reputation as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s first major ski destinations to come online each year, with Coronet Peak once again setting the pace for the region’s winter tourism industry.
PHOTOS
