The Remarkables, New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The Remarkables are a mountain
range and skifield in Otago, South Island
of New Zealand
. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu
, the range lives up to its name by rising sharply to create an impressive backdrop for the waters. The range is clearly visible from the nearby town of Queenstown
.
High point in the range is Single Cone (2319 metres) with Ben Nevis (2230 metres, named after the Scottish mountain of the same name
) a little further south in the Hector mountains.
The mountains were allegedly named The Remarkables because they are one of only two mountain ranges in the world which run directly north to south. An alternate explanation for the name given by locals is that early Queenstown settlers, upon seeing the mountain range during sunset one evening, named them the Remarkables to describe the sight.
and other winter activities. The ski area has 3 mountain bowls covering 540 acres (2.2 km²). The patrolled area covers 220 ha with 6 lifts (3 quad chairs, 3 magic carpets, and a tow rope). Terrain is rated as 30% beginners, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced. The whole skifield area is 540 acres (2.2 km²) with 5 lifts. Average annual snowfall is 3.67 metres. In 2007 automated snowmaking
was installed and a new snow groomer
has also been acquired. There's also a snow tubing park and in 2008 a terrain park was developed. The Remarkables are part of NZSki, which incorporate Coronet Peak
and Mt Hutt.
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
range and skifield in Otago, South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Located on the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of Otago Region, near its boundary with Southland.With a length of , it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at , its third largest...
, the range lives up to its name by rising sharply to create an impressive backdrop for the waters. The range is clearly visible from the nearby town of Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains....
.
High point in the range is Single Cone (2319 metres) with Ben Nevis (2230 metres, named after the Scottish mountain of the same name
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. It is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William....
) a little further south in the Hector mountains.
The mountains were allegedly named The Remarkables because they are one of only two mountain ranges in the world which run directly north to south. An alternate explanation for the name given by locals is that early Queenstown settlers, upon seeing the mountain range during sunset one evening, named them the Remarkables to describe the sight.
Skifield
During the winter months The Remarkables skifield has skiingSkiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and other winter activities. The ski area has 3 mountain bowls covering 540 acres (2.2 km²). The patrolled area covers 220 ha with 6 lifts (3 quad chairs, 3 magic carpets, and a tow rope). Terrain is rated as 30% beginners, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced. The whole skifield area is 540 acres (2.2 km²) with 5 lifts. Average annual snowfall is 3.67 metres. In 2007 automated snowmaking
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover and to extend their ski...
was installed and a new snow groomer
Snow groomer
Snow grooming is the process to manipulate snow for recreational uses, usually using a snow groomer vehicle. This can be a tractor, truck or snowcat towing specialized equipment to move and manipulate snow...
has also been acquired. There's also a snow tubing park and in 2008 a terrain park was developed. The Remarkables are part of NZSki, which incorporate Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak is a commercial skifield in Otago, New Zealand located 18 kilometres to the northeast of the town of Queenstown and seven kilometres west of Arrowtown, on the southern slopes of the 1,649 metre peak which shares its name...
and Mt Hutt.
| The Remarkables Skifields | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1943 meters |
| Vertical | 357 meters |
| Ski Ski A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes... able Area |
220 hectares |
| Lifts | 3 quad chairs, 3 surface conveyor lifts, 1 handle tow Highest lifted point: 1943 meters Lowest lift: 1622 meters |
| Lift Operation | 9.00am - 4.00pm |
| Terrain | 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced |
| Standard Season | 18th June - 16th October |
| Average Snowfall | 3.67 meters per year (excluding snowmaking) |
| Snowmaking | Halfpipe, terrain park, beginners' area, Alta Green, Casterway, Gotham City & Turquoise novice trails and Ozone Tubing Park |
| Nearest Town | Queestown (28km/45 minutes) |
| Shuttle Services | Multiple daily return services from Queenstown |