QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand – A proposed expansion that would make The Remarkables the largest ski resort in New Zealand could generate nearly NZ$76 million in additional annual economic activity for the Queenstown-Lakes region, according to a new assessment submitted as part of the project’s ongoing approval process.
The ambitious development would add approximately 648 acres of skiable terrain in neighboring Doolans Basin, increasing The Remarkables’ total skiable area from roughly 1,110 acres to 1,757 acres. Plans also include a 1.7-mile gondola, additional lifts, snowmaking infrastructure, a second mountain lodge and expanded parking facilities.
The project carries an estimated construction cost of NZ$193.3 million and is currently being considered under New Zealand’s Fast-track Approvals Act.
Expansion Could Make The Remarkables New Zealand’s Largest Ski Area
The proposed Doolans Basin expansion would transform The Remarkables from a relatively compact ski resort into a multi-valley destination with terrain for beginners, intermediate skiers and advanced riders.
A proposed 10-passenger gondola would connect the resort’s existing Rastus Burn base area to Doolans Basin, creating what the operator says would be the longest gondola in New Zealand.
The new terrain sits at higher elevations and generally faces south, which the resort believes will help it retain snow and provide more consistent skiing conditions.
The expansion is also intended to address congestion. According to an economic assessment submitted with the development application, The Remarkables recorded 294,735 skier visits during the 2025 winter season.
The resort currently considers approximately 3,500 guests per day a comfortable operating capacity. However, visitation exceeded that level on 25 days during the 2025 season, with the busiest day attracting more than 4,300 skiers.
If the expansion receives approval, The Remarkables expects to increase its daily capacity to approximately 6,000 guests.
A Potential $76 Million Annual Economic Boost
The financial implications extend well beyond the ski resort itself.
Economist Benje Patterson, who prepared an assessment commissioned by NZSki, estimates that the development could eventually generate between NZ$50.7 million and NZ$75.5 million in additional annual economic output, measured by gross domestic product, within the Queenstown-Lakes District.
Those figures represent projected additional economic value by 2035, not guaranteed annual revenue for the resort.
Across the broader Otago region, the economic contribution from visitors skiing at The Remarkables could grow from approximately NZ$115 million annually to between NZ$170 million and NZ$197 million.
The assessment also projects that spending by visitors skiing at The Remarkables could support between 3,834 and 4,443 seasonal jobs across Otago within the next decade, compared with approximately 2,388 jobs currently attributed to the resort’s visitors within Queenstown-Lakes.
The projected benefits would be spread across accommodations, restaurants, retailers, transportation providers and other businesses that depend on winter tourism.
Environmental Concerns Could Complicate Approval
Despite the projected economic benefits, the expansion faces substantial environmental scrutiny. New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has raised concerns about the project’s potential effects on sensitive alpine ecosystems, freshwater resources and geological features.
In comments submitted to the government’s fast-track approval panel, the department warned that some of the affected ecosystems contain rare and irreplaceable natural features.
The proposed use of an existing alpine tarn as a snowmaking reservoir has emerged as one particular concern. Conservation officials have also requested additional information about the project’s long-term climate assumptions, water requirements and potential environmental effects.
NZSki maintains that the development has been designed to limit environmental impacts wherever possible, with construction concentrated in designated areas and measures intended to protect sensitive habitats.
The debate now centers on whether those protections are sufficient to justify expanding lift-served skiing into an area that currently provides backcountry recreation opportunities.
When Could Construction Begin?
The Remarkables first outlined its current Doolans Basin expansion plans earlier this year, although the resort has considered developing the area for much longer.
The application was formally lodged in May 2026, and an expert panel is now reviewing the project, including environmental assessments and responses from government agencies and other interested parties.
According to NZSki’s submitted plans, construction would take place over several Southern Hemisphere summers, with work scheduled between November and May to avoid disrupting winter skiing operations.
The economic assessment identifies the 2030 ski season as a potential completion target, although that timeline depends on receiving the necessary approvals and completing construction.
For now, the expansion remains a proposal. If approved and completed, it would give The Remarkables substantially more terrain, a much larger daily capacity and a claim to being New Zealand’s biggest ski area.
