touring & backcountry access
STAY SAFE AND EXPLORE THE REMARKABLES AND THE BACKCOUNTRY
Here at The Remarkables, we welcome climbers, hikers & tourers both skiing and riding inbounds and accessing the backcountry via the ski area. However, we do need to make sure everyone stays safe.
The only restriction on access is when Ski Patrol are conducting Avalanche Control work, which may involve the use of explosives. Therefore, access status will be either: OPEN or AVALANCHE CONTROL.
Before coming up to the ski area we recommend checking the access status (see ‘Touring and Backcountry’ in ‘Terrain’) in our snow report on our website; this is issued at approx. 6am every morning during the operational season.
Before accessing the ski area, users must check the access status on the signage at our Ski Patrol building (with the big white cross, at the far end of the base building carpark).
open access
When we are not conducting avalanche control work, users can skin/walk and ski/ride anywhere within the ski area as long as they respect any inbounds closures, signage and the following:
- Winch grooming, with tensioned winch cables (up to 1km long), can happen at any time outside of operational hours on groomed trails. These winch cables are extremely hazardous. Orange flashing lights at the top of the winching area and on the groomer itself indicate winching is in progress. These areas must be completely avoided.
- The Avalanche Control Safe Route below will always be free of winch grooming (and open during avalanche control work).
- Avoid any operating machinery, staying at least 100m away. Never assume the operator has seen you.
- When moving up the trails you must use the outside of the trail and be visible from above.
- When it is dark: always wear a head torch, and high visibility clothing with reflective strips.
- If choosing to exit the ski area into the backcountry please do so through one of the Backcountry Gates. These are at the tops of the lifts, the top of the Avalanche Control Safe Route, and other popular exit points. For any advice, please see Ski Patrol.
avalanche control access
When Avalanche Control work is in progress the only route and access within and through the ski area is the Avalanche Control Safe Route which is lower Alta Green and Alta Turquoise to Lake Alta. This route is indicated on trail maps (currently marked as the Ski Touring Uphill Access Route), and marked by orange markers with reflective strips.
The Remarkables works hard to maintain access for ski touring and backcountry access while Avalanche Control work is occurring. To maintain this access for all, users must abide by the following:
- All other areas (Shadow Basin, Sugar Bowl and upper Curvey Basin) are closed and must not be accessed. This will be indicated by signage at the Ski Patrol building, and may be indicated on the website and by signs on the trails and our staff along the route.
- The Avalanche Control Safe Route terminates at Lake Alta. Access to the north side of the lake and the Alta Chutes area is closed (which may be indicated by a sign) - access to the backcountry must be via the south side of the lake.
- Respect our staff, and all signage and closures.
Please Note: The Remarkables does not provide Ski Patrol response when closed or for incidents outside the ski area. Please call 111 for all such emergencies.
If you are heading into the backcountry be prepared with the correct training, equipment and knowledge of weather and avalanche conditions. Know before you go.
Check out Queenstown Avalanche Forecast
Complete AdventureSmart Outdoors Intentions form.
