The Remarkables Doolans Expansion Plan
An extraordinary transformation is on the horizon for Queenstown winter holidays, as a massive expansion plan takes shape to push the boundaries of Southern Alps skiing. Mountain operator NZSki has officially lodged a formal application for a historic project to expand the ski area into the neighbouring Doolans Basin. For snow sports enthusiasts looking for more variety and less time waiting in lines, this highly anticipated multi-million-dollar development marks a revolutionary step forward. By unlocking an entire secondary valley situated just southeast of the current Rastus Burn layout, the resort is poised to transition into a truly immense multi-valley mountain playground. This forward-thinking project is designed to completely redefine winter travel in the region, providing an exciting look at what the future holds for global powder hounds heading to New Zealand.
Becoming New Zealand’s Largest Ski Area
The headline-grabbing aspect of the expansion plan is that it will officially crown the resort as the largest standalone ski area in New Zealand. Pushing into the Doolans Basin will add an impressive 262 hectares of pristine, untouched skiable terrain, ballooning the mountain’s total size from 449 hectares to a staggering 711 hectares. This massive boundary extension allows the resort to leapfrog regional competitors and dramatically increase daily capacity to accommodate up to 6,000 guests comfortably. Beyond sheer size, the natural geography of the new basin offers massive climate advantages; the terrain sits at a higher overall elevation and features a south-east-facing orientation, meaning it naturally holds cold snow longer and ensures highly resilient, reliable winter conditions across changing weather patterns.
New Zealand’s Longest Gondola and New Infrastructure
Navigating this massive new multi-valley playground will be anchored by a flagship piece of modern engineering: a brand-new, 2.7-kilometre 10-seat gondola. Connecting the existing base building directly over the ridge line to the new terrain, this state-of-the-art lift is set to become the longest gondola in New Zealand. The infrastructure layout is being meticulously crafted to cater to every tier of skier and snowboarder, introducing a full mix of trails including a dedicated new learner space, wide intermediate cruisers, and steep backcountry bowls. To complement the on-mountain experience, plans include the construction of a beautiful on-mountain cafe and amenities building directly inside the Doolans Basin, alongside major expansions to the primary base facility, arrival zones, and transit hubs down in the valley floor.
Plan Your Future Ski Holidays with Yeti Trip
While the formal fast-track application process is underway and construction will be staged over several upcoming summer seasons, now is the ideal time to keep an eye on how these developments will shape your future winter getaways. Yeti Trip is committed to keeping you at the forefront of global ski travel, managing every single aspect of your holiday logistics so you can step straight into the action. From securing premium ski lodges to coordinating multi-day lift passes, high-performance rental gear, and seamless mountain shuttle transfers, our specialist team ensures your travel plans run perfectly. We provide highly flexible packages tailored to groups, families, and couples alike, with clear, upfront pricing structures based on your specific group size, such as our classic two people twin share rates. Get in touch with Yeti Trip today to explore current seasonal options and start mapping out your dream Southern Alps escape!