Mountain Safety

We allow dogs in the following areas:

• Outside of the base building (main deck)
• In the carparks
• In our gondola cabins
• Viewing platform at the top of the Coronet Express
• Walking trail to the top of the Coronet Peak
• XC and Upper Rude Rock trails (without leash) as long as they trail can be confidently ridden by the owner.

Dogs are not allowed in the following areas:

• Coronet Downhill Grade 5 trail
• Accommodation lodges
• Patrol Base
• Lift shacks

Dogs who are accompanying ski tourers/hikers/snowshoers/mountain bikers may do so off-leash as long as they meet the following criteria;

1. The dog is well-mannered showing no aggression towards staff or members of the public.
2. The owner can immediately recall, leash and bring the dog under control.
3. They do not enter any of the dog on-leash or prohibited or areas.
4. The dog always walks / runs with the owner.
5. The owner has doggie bags and picks up all dog poo immediately and disposes of appropriately.
6. The XC and Upper Rude Rock trails can be confidently ridden by the owner.

We are committed to providing safe operations for our guests, which includes loading children safely onto our chairlifts.

Coronet Peak requires all children below the height of 130cm in height, measured at the lift (in their ski/ride gear if applicable), to ride the chairlift with an adult.

Babies in Packs: Baby packs need to be removed and sat next to the parent, utilising one seat. Maximum of one baby pack per caregiver. 

Children taking lessons and any children riding together in groups (regardless of height) may be asked to ride with another adult guest, so they can assist with the safety bar or in an emergency. Confirm with the adult if they are comfortable to assist prior to loading a child next to them. 

This policy applies for all children who use the chairlifts for skiing, snowboarding and sightseeing. 

All areas are smoke/vape/e-cigarette free excluding the one designated area, located by the stairs outside on the base building deck. All vehicles and transport options are smoke/vape/e-cigarette free.

The Coronet Peak recreation reserve is a popular take off area for commercial and recreational pilots. The Paragliding community have established AstroTurf take off zones in Car Park 4 and Rocky Gully. Greengates summit and Coronet Express summit are also used frequently.

The New Zealand Hang-Gliding and Paragliding Association (NZHGPA) is the governing body in NZ. It is a legal requirement for active pilots in NZ to be registered with the NZHGPA. NZSki expects pilots to abide by the laws, rules, and regulations therein.

This policy applies to commercial and recreational pilots and instructors, every month of the year. NZSki expects pilots to produce the following information and attend the relevant training and H&S inductions annually.

Commercial Pilots and Instructors will need to supply the following when launching from Car Park 4 & Rocky Gully:

• A contractual agreement with Coronet Peak
• Health and Safety plan
• CAA 115 Certification
• Public Liability Insurance (min $2m)
• NZSki Annual Health and Safety Induction

Please note that when launching from the summit of Coronet Peak, Recreational Pilots, Commercial Pilots and Instructors will need a valid Lift Pass for both the pilot and tandem passenger, as well as an NZSki “Safe Lift Loading Pass” (however guests who ride the Coronet Express Gondola will not need the Safe Lift Loading Pass).

NZSki requires pilots to maintain a minimum of 40m distance between any structures, terrain, and people once airborne.

NZSki Limited issues this Privacy Notice to inform our guests of the scope of the personal information that is collected with its Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system and your rights in relation to that information. Nothing in this Notice limits or excludes your rights under the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993.

NZSki has CCTV monitoring and recording capabilities at selected sites. This includes Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and The Remarkables ski areas as well as our Snow Centres, head office and operations facilities in Queenstown and Methven. CCTV cameras are primarily located in guest services, restaurants, cafe, bar’s and other public areas. Additional cameras are located throughout the properties owned or operated by NZSki that cover sensitive areas and processes. Signage advising of CCTV equipment will give notice of public areas covered by such equipment. The purpose of collecting information via our CCTV system is to support the compliance of our Health and Safety and Liquor Licensing obligations as well as supporting the reduction of crime and damage to property. Video footage may also be used to enhance safety training to our staff.

Audio is not recorded.

The security and integrity of your information is of the utmost importance to us and NZSki takes all reasonable steps to protect personal information against loss, manipulation, misuse and unauthorised access. NZSki employs protections against unauthorised access to personal information. NZSki may make archived CCTV images available to official government agencies in accordance with principles 10 & 11 of the New Zealand Privacy Act. Individuals who have been recorded by our CCTV cameras have the right to access that footage and to make any corrections so long as that information relates to you and is reasonably accessible. Video footage is stored for a maximum of 10 weeks unless its archival is required for one or more of the aforementioned reasons. The length of storage of footage varies between cameras so the information may not be available at the time of your request.

You may request confirmation of whether or not NZSki holds personal information about you and if so, you may request access to this information. Access will be granted unless one of the grounds for refusal, listed in the New Zealand Privacy Act, applies.

Any queries about this privacy notice should be directed to:

Brian McAtamney

Chief Information Officer

PO Box 956

Queenstown

Lift incidents are almost always avoidable. It's important (and part of Your Responsibility Code) to know how to load, ride and unload all lifts safely.

Loading

• Remove pole straps from wrists and hold in one hand. Remove backpacks and hold in your lap. Remove back foot from snowboard binding
• Be lined up with other guests and prepared to load before moving forward from the “wait Here” area.
• After the chair in front passes, move from the “Wait Here” area to the “Load Here” area
• At the “Load Here” area, look back and grab the part of the chair that is easiest for you, typically a side bar or backrest.
• If you need assistance or there is a problem, SPEAK UP, and tell a lift operator.

Riding

• Balance the chair and try to all sit in the middle
• When a restraint bar is available, tell others and lower the bar when you can do so safely.
• Sit back and remain seated.
• Do not swing on the chair and ride respectively with other guests.
• Never jump from the chair.

Unloading

• Check for lose clothing / bags that nothing will get caught
• Do not unload the chair until it is safe to do say. This is the area that specifies “unload here”
• When you are close, lift the safety bar up, keep tips up and ski/ride off the chair in a straight line. Move away from the unload ramp as quickly as possible.
• If you require the chair to be slowed – yell to the lift operator “slow chair”

Sightseeing/Foot Passengers

• Please see our Guest Foot Passenger policy for more details.

Look out for hazards and obstacles:

• Both natural and man-made. We may use poles, flags, ropes, fencing, signs, and other devices to provide visual warnings. We do our best to mark all hazards and obstacles. Be aware of changing conditions.
• If something requires Patrol's attention, please notify a member of staff immediately.

Look out for over-snow vehicles:

• They may be on the slopes heading uphill or downhill, so stay clear of them at all times.

Avalanche Safety

• Many ski resorts have avalanche-prone terrain, and the risk of avalanches cannot be completely eliminated.
• Ski Patrols use a variety of techniques and equipment for avalanche mitigation, including explosives. Avalanche mitigation may require terrain closures and delay opening. For your safety, never enter a closed area

White Outs

• Be prepared and always have a low light lens for harder to see days. Ensure you know your path ahead.

Changing Snow Conditions

• Please be prepared for changing weather conditions throughout the day. Make sure you check the snow report, plan ahead and pack appropriate clothing and equipment for all conditions. 

At Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt we have a doctor and at least one nurse as well as ski patrollers on duty from 8:30am – 4:30pm every day.

We provide emergency care and medical treatment for all guests and staff. We can arrange referrals to other medical facilities for further treatment if required.

Ski Patrol monitors our mountains constantly and can be approached for assistance at any time.

There are first aid kits throughout the resorts and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) located at appropriate locations. We do not have x-ray facilities on-site.

Anyone receiving treatment will be subject to a surcharge, which is payable on the day.

Here's a few tips to make sure you pack appropriate clothing, so you can stay dry and warm:

• Make sure that you dress warm when you plan to be visiting the mountain. Make sure that you wear water and wind-resistant outerwear, as well as layers to accommodate changing conditions.
• Don't forget to pack sunglasses or goggles and some sunscreen too - even though it's cold (or even overcast), the sun can be out in full force. 
• Wear a properly fitted helmet with the chin strap securely tightened to help prevent or minimize injuries.

• Ensure you have your bindings inspected and correctly adjusted by a certified technician
• Make sure your technician checks that your skis are tuned correctly.

Not sure who to see? No worries, we have you covered. Check out our friendly teams in the rentals department - they’ll see you right.

• Make sure you warm up properly before setting off for the day.
• Warm into the harder runs as your day progresses. 

Always carry snow chains with you, even when the sun is shining. Before you head up the mountain, make sure you've tested your snow chains and know how to put them on safely. 

Conditions change quickly and you may require chains to leave the mountain safely, even if you didn’t need them going up.

Only fit chains in our designated chain bays.

Chain socks are not allowed on our mountains, except for Coronet Peak. Chain socks are not to be used on metal/gravel roads that we have at Remarkables and Mt Hutt.

Drop zones are areas right at the main mountain building where you can drop your family and snow gear off before you park your car. Remember this is just a drop zone, so be ready to all depart once arrived.

Drive with extra caution in these areas as there are many kids, vehicles reversing and gear.

There are times when we implement carpool priority parking - this will be announced on social media and the weather report on the day. 

If you have three or more people in your vehicle, be sure to know you will have priority carparking up top. 

If you have less than three people in your vehicle, you'll be directed to our lower carparks and can jump on our shuttles from there.

We encourage you to use our Drop Zone. It’s the easiest way to unload your passengers and gear at the base building before parking

Not sure about driving yourself on the access roads? No worries at all - we have a Ski Bus service which runs from Central Queenstown to Coronet Peak's base building.