The Doolans expansion at The Remarkables
A whole new side of freedom
An exciting new chapter is underway at The Remarkables.
NZSki is planning to expand into Doolans Basin, a neighbouring valley that could open up a whole new side of The Remarkables. If approved, the expansion will turn The Remarkables into a multi-valley ski area with more terrain and more ways to move around the mountain.
What is the Doolans expansion?
- 262 hectares of new skiable terrain
- 711 hectares of total skiable terrain, the most of any ski area in New Zealand
- A 2.7 kilometre gondola linking Rastus Burn to Doolans Basin, New Zealand’s longest
- A new learner area, plus additional beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain
- Daily capacity increasing to 6,000 guests across the expanded ski area
- A larger base building and restaurant as well as an on mountain cafe in the Doolans
- More carparking and an expanded bus and shuttle service direct to the base building.
More room to ski & ride
Doolans Basin will add a whole new valley to The Remarkables ski area, bringing more terrain to discover, more space between runs and more options for how you spend your day.
The proposed terrain at Doolans Basin sits higher and faces south, so it holds snow well and offers reliable conditions. Expanding into this area helps ensure more reliable snow and more resilient seasons as weather patterns change.
It is also a smarter way to grow. Rather than asking the existing trails and lifts to do more, Doolans opens up a new part of the mountain, lifting the experience across the whole ski area.
Built for beginners, cruisers & Chargers
The Doolans is planned as a full-mountain experience, with terrain for skiers and snowboarders at every level.
- A dedicated learner area for those starting out More progression space for beginners building confidence
- Flowing terrain for intermediate cruisers
- More to explore for advanced riders pushing their limits
This is not just about making The Remarkables bigger. It is about making it better to ride.
Designed with the mountain in mind
The Remarkables is a special place, and any future development must respect that.
The proposal has been designed to minimise impact where possible, with construction kept consolidated, sensitive ecological habitats protected, and water management planned with expert input.
This is a long-term proposal, years in the making, with one clear goal: to grow carefully and build a more resilient future for skiing and snowboarding at The Remarkables.
What Happens Next?
The application was lodged via the fast-track consenting process in May 2026.
If approved, construction is expected to run over several summer seasons from November 2026, with work between November and May. Winter operations at The Remarkables will continue as normal.
You will not be dropping into Doolans just yet, but this is a major step forward and an exciting glimpse of what could be coming.
Once Doolans is open, The Remarkables will become New Zealand’s biggest ski area. That is something worth getting excited about.
policies
The Doolans Expansion will be staged over time, with transport infrastructure delivered alongside growth in visitor numbers.
While peak-day visitation may increase in the long term, the combination of park-and-ride facilities, expanded bus services, improved traffic management and intersection safety upgrades is designed to reduce pressure on the access road and improve the overall travel experience for both visitors and local residents.
Managing transport efficiently on the Remarkables Ski Area Access Road and minimising impacts on residents, particularly during peak winter periods, is a core focus of NZSki’s long-term planning for The Remarkables and the Doolans Expansion.
The proposed development is being designed with a strong emphasis on reducing reliance on private vehicles, improving traffic flow, and supporting safer, more efficient access to the ski area.
To accommodate future growth, NZSki will:
- Develop two new lower-mountain carparks (approximately 500 additional spaces) located at the base of the access road
- Operate frequent 4WD shuttle services from these carparks to the ski area, reducing the number of vehicles travelling up the access road
- Invest in additional 4WD buses to increase capacity and frequency during peak periods
- Establish a transit hub near State Highway 6 (SH6) to support park-and-ride, public transport connections, and ride share.
This approach is designed to encourage more visitors out of private vehicles and onto buses before they reach the upper mountain road.
We recognise that traffic pressures on SH6 and surrounding areas are increasing due to rapid residential growth across the southern corridor – not just ski field activity.
Detailed transport assessments confirm that:
- The SH6 / access road intersection is already under pressure during peak winter periods
- Broader, corridor-wide upgrades will be required over time to improve capacity and safety
These larger infrastructure improvements are identified in the QLDC-led Te Tapuae Southern Corridor Structure Plan and will be progressed as part of a wider, coordinated approach involving multiple stakeholders.
NZSki already operates bus services from Queenstown and Frankton, and future plans include:
- Expanded bus services with more frequent departures
- New routes serving growing residential areas south of the ski field, including Jack’s Point, Hanley Farm and Homestead Bay
- Dedicated carpool parking areas to encourage higher vehicle occupancy
Our goal is to increase the proportion of visitors arriving by bus or shared transport, reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road.
