A classic day trip from Queenstown to one of New Zealand’s most recognisable mountain ranges. Single Cone (2,319 m), ice routes, multi-pitch rock, and the iconic Grand Traverse — all within an hour’s drive of town.
The Remarkables rise sharply above the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu, forming the jagged skyline that defines Queenstown. Named by surveyor Alexander Garvie in 1857 for their dramatic serrated ridgeline, the range — known as Kawarau to Ngāi Tahu — offers year-round alpine climbing just 30 minutes from town. The ski area access road gets you to 1,600 m, saving a full day’s walk and making single-day guided ascents practical for climbers of varying experience.
All Remarkables trips are led by IFMGA/NZMGA-qualified mountain guides. We tailor the objective to your ability, ambitions, and the conditions on the day — from a straightforward Single Cone ascent to the full Grand Traverse or technical mixed routes in winter.
A typical Remarkables day looks like this (times vary by objective and conditions):
Winter transforms The Remarkables into a playground for alpine climbing, ice routes, and mixed terrain. The steep gullies and buttresses that flank Single Cone hold snow and ice well into spring, offering some of the best winter climbing close to Queenstown.
Classic winter objectives include :
Your guide will assess the conditions on the day and select the best objective for your experience level. All technical equipment — ropes, ice axes, crampons, and helmets — is provided.
As the days lengthen and the snowpack consolidates, the Grand Couloir on Single Cone becomes one of Queenstown’s best ski mountaineering objectives — a guided ascent followed by a steep ski or snowboard descent back to the ski area. Conditions depend on the season; we’ll assess stability and choose the right line on the day.
When the snow melts, the Remarkables reveal excellent alpine rock on warm Otago schist. Summer is also the best season for the Grand Traverse if you prefer scrambling over mixed climbing.
No previous climbing experience is required.
For the standard Single Cone ascent you should be reasonably fit, comfortable on steep and uneven ground, and happy with exposure (drop-offs). Your NZMGA/ IFMGA-qualified mountain guide will provide all instruction and handle all technical rope work throughout the day.
For more advanced objectives — the Grand Traverse, winter ice routes, and multi-pitch rock climbing — some prior alpine or climbing experience is beneficial. Chat with us when you book and we will recommend the right objective for you.
Fitness: Expect 6 to 10 hours on your feet with approximately 700 m of elevation gain over mixed terrain. A good level of general fitness is required — if you can comfortably hike for a full day, you will be fine.
The Remarkables ski area access road begins just 25 minutes from central Queenstown — making this one of the most accessible alpine climbs in New Zealand. Your guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation and drive you directly to the road end at 1,600 m. No long approach walks, no hut stays required.
For clients staying in Wanaka or Arrowtown, transport can be arranged — just let us know when booking.
The difficulty depends on the objective and season. Single Cone via the standard route is a moderate alpine climb suitable for fit beginners with a guide. Winter ascents involving ice and mixed terrain are more technical. The Grand Traverse across Double Cone to Single Cone is a full-day outing for experienced climbers. Your guide will select an appropriate objective based on your experience and the conditions.
No previous climbing experience is required for the standard Single Cone ascent with a guide. You should be reasonably fit and comfortable on steep terrain. Your IFMGA-qualified guide will provide instruction on any technical skills needed during the climb. For more advanced objectives like the Grand Traverse or winter ice climbing, some prior alpine experience is beneficial.
A guided climb of The Remarkables is a full-day outing, typically 6 to 10 hours depending on the objective and conditions. Access via the ski area road to 1,600 m saves a full day of approach walking compared to starting from the valley floor. This makes The Remarkables one of the most accessible alpine climbs near Queenstown
The Remarkables offer climbing year-round. Winter (June to September) provides classic alpine ice and mixed climbing on routes like the South Gully and NE Spur of Single Cone. Spring offers ski mountaineering options. Summer (December to March) opens up multi-pitch rock climbing on the Lake Alta Slabs and excellent scrambling and traverse routes across the range.
The Grand Traverse is a full-day ridge traverse crossing the entire Remarkables range from Double Cone to Single Cone, descending via the South Gully. It is a committing alpine outing suitable for experienced climbers and is available in both winter and summer conditions. It is one of the classic alpine traverses in the Queenstown region.
The Remarkables ski area access road starts approximately 25 minutes’ drive from central Queenstown. The road climbs to 1,600 m, providing quick access to the alpine terrain and making The Remarkables the most accessible high-altitude climbing near Queenstown.
Peak Experience provides all group technical equipment including ropes, harnesses, helmets, crampons, and ice axes as needed. You will need personal clothing suitable for alpine conditions, boots suited to steep terrain (stiff-soled for crampons), and a day pack with water, lunch, and snacks. A full equipment list PDF is provided at the time of booking.
All Peak Experience guides hold IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) and/or NZMGA (New Zealand Mountain Guides Association) certifications — the highest mountain guiding qualification in the world
Yes. Every trip is tailored to your ability, objectives, and the conditions. If you’re a strong climber wanting the Grand Traverse or a specific rock route, we’ll plan for that. If you’re after a first alpine experience, we’ll choose a route that matches your skills. Pricing is the same — NZ$850 (1:1) or NZ$900 per person (1:2).
Yes — the standard Single Cone ascent is one of the best introductions to alpine climbing in New Zealand. You get a real summit (2,319 m), genuine mountain terrain, and stunning views, all in a single day from Queenstown with expert guide support. No prior climbing experience is required, just good fitness and a head for heights.
Objective
Season
Grade
Duration
Experience Needed
Single Cone (standard)
Year-round
Moderate
6–8 hrs
Fit beginners with a guide
South Gully (winter)
Jun–Sep
Intermediate
6–8 hrs
Basic crampon/ice axe skills
Lake Alta Slabs
Nov–Apr
NZ 15–19
6–8 hrs
Outdoor rock climbing experience
DB Eh? (Double Cone)
Nov–Apr
NZ 17 (5 pitches)
8–10 hrs
Strong multi-pitch experience
Grand Traverse
Year-round
Grade II
6–10 hrs
Mountaineering / scrambling experience
Ski mountaineering
Sep–Nov
Advanced ski
6–8 hrs
Off-piste skiing, basic mountaineering
Ready to take on climbing and mountaineering in New Zealand? Contact us to discuss your experience, dates, and objectives. Our guides will give you an honest assessment of your readiness and help plan the right expedition
