Planning a ski trip to Queenstown? One of the most important decisions you'll make, before you book flights, accommodation, or lift passes, is where you hire your ski or snowboard gear. Get it right and your first morning on the mountain is seamless. Get it wrong and you could have queues on your first day before you've taken a single run.
This guide covers everything you need to know about ski hire in Queenstown: what to look for, what's included, how pricing works, and why picking up from a specialist in town beats hiring on the mountain every time.
Why Where You Hire Your Skis Matters
Not all ski rental in Queenstown is the same, and the decision comes down to more than price.
On-mountain hire has its appeal - your gear is right there at the resort. But mornings on the hill move fast, and time spent in a queue is time you're not spending on snow. If you've ever watched a bluebird powder morning tick by while waiting to get sorted, you'll know exactly what we mean. It's also worth knowing that on-mountain hire is generally tied to a single ski field, so if you're planning to mix your skiing between Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone across your trip, flexibility becomes part of the equation.
In-town hire takes the stress out of the equation entirely. Pick up your gear from us in Queenstown - ideally the afternoon before - and you'll be heading straight to the chairlift the next morning while everyone else is still getting organised. No queues, no rushing, just skiing from the moment you arrive.
Location matters too. Snowbiz is right in the heart of Queenstown, just a short walk from the ski buses that run directly to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. It's a small detail that makes a surprisingly big difference when you're in ski boots at 7:30am with a full day on the mountain ahead of you.
Snowbiz - Queenstown's Ski and Snowboard Hire Specialists
Snowbiz is a locally owned and operated ski and snowboard hire specialist based in the heart of Queenstown's CBD at the Station Building, 7 Duke Street. We are the closest ski rental outlet to the ski buses servicing both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, which makes the morning logistics considerably easier.
This isn't a general sports shop that happens to rent skis on the side. Snowbiz is a dedicated ski and snowboard hire operation with a team that has worked in the industry for years, many of them returning season after season. That consistency shows in our service.
The team know the gear, they know the mountains, and they can give you the kind of local knowledge that turns a good trip into a great one.
What's Included in Ski and Snowboard Hire
A standard ski hire package at Snowbiz includes your skis, poles, and boots. Snowboard hire packages include your board and boots.
If you already have your own boots, you can hire skis only. A lot of skiers have boots they love and won't ski in anything else. Snowbiz will match you to the right skis based on your height, ability, and preferred skiing style, so you get the full fitting experience without the boots and you don’t have to lug as much gear with you on flights.
Equipment Tiers
Snowbiz offer two tiers of equipment to match your ability and skiing style:
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Sport: ideal for beginners and recreational skiers. Well-maintained, forgiving equipment that suits most holiday skiers.
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Performance: for intermediate to advanced skiers who want more responsive gear to match their ability on the mountain.
Both tiers include equipment from leading brands including Elan, Dynastar, Dalbello, Burton, and Blizzard, among others. You can find the full brand list on the Snowbiz website.
Crucially, Snowbiz refreshes its rental stock every season. Rather than running gear until it wears out, we invest in new equipment each year, so you're hiring current-season kit, not tired old gear that's been through five winters.
All equipment is serviced in-house before every rental. Skis are sharpened, waxed, and tuned in Snowbiz's own workshop, so your gear is ready to perform from the first run.
Ski and Snowboard Rental Rates
Snowbiz offers competitive rates that reward longer bookings. The more days you hire, the more you save, and booking early gives you access to early bird deals when they're available.
Some of our sample rates are below :
Adult Ski Hire (Sport Equipment)
|
Duration |
Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
|
1 day |
$60 |
|
5 days |
$210 |
|
7 days |
$294 |
Performance equipment is priced slightly higher. See the full rates.
Kids Ski Hire (Sport Equipment, up to 15 years)
|
Duration |
Price (NZD) |
|---|---|
|
1 day |
$40 |
|
5 days |
$140 |
|
7 days |
$196 |
Multi-day deals: Book multiple days and save up to 30% on multi-day deals. The longer you book, the more you save.
Early bird deals: Booking early in the season is the best way to lock in the lowest rates. Snowbiz runs early bird deals each season while they're available. Book as soon as your trip is confirmed and you'll pay less than those who leave it until they arrive. The great thing is the best available rate is automatically applied at checkout - there’s no complicated discount codes to remember.
Queenstown gets busy during school holidays and major events, and gear in popular sizes does book out so don't leave your hire until the last minute.
Clothing Hire and Accessories
You don't need to arrive with a full ski wardrobe. Snowbiz offers clothing hire for the whole family, which is a smart option if you're new to skiing or don't want to invest in gear you'll only use for a week.
Clothing Hire Rates
|
1 Day |
7 Days |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Adult |
$40 |
$196 |
|
Kids (up to 15 years) |
$30 |
$147 |
|
Helmet |
$10 |
- |
Clothing at Snowbiz is washed and sanitised after every rental, so you're always getting clean, fresh gear rather than something that's been stuffed in a bag since the last guest checked it back in.
Clothing is available in a full range of sizes, from children's size 0 right through to adult 5XL, so the whole family is covered regardless of age or build.
Snowbiz stocks some accessories in store such as beanies, gloves, and goggles for purchase. A good pair of goggles is one of those things worth owning rather than hiring.
Getting the Perfect Boot Fit
If there's one thing that will make or break your ski trip, it's your boots. Uncomfortable boots ruin days on the mountain. Blisters, pressure points, and numb feet will cut your runs short faster than any weather.
Snowbiz has invested in a Bootdoc 3D foot scanner, advanced fitting technology that maps your foot geometry to match you with the right boot fit. The result is a fit that feels like your own boots, rather than the generic guess-and-check approach you'll get at a lot of hire shops.
Combined with a team that knows how to read a boot fit and make the right adjustments, this is one of the biggest practical advantages of hiring from a specialist rather than an on-mountain rack.
How the Check-in Process Works
Snowbiz has designed our check-in process to be fast and frictionless, because you're on holiday, not here to wait in line.
When you arrive in store, the team guides you through a series of stations:
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Check-in: if you've hired with Snowbiz before, your settings are already on file. Returning customers move through this step quickly.
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Boot fitting: using the 3D foot scanner and a fitting with the team
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Kit out: collect your skis, poles, and any clothing or accessories
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You're done: walk out ready for the mountain
The full process is efficient and the team is there to help, not to rush you. By the time you leave, everything fits and you know it.
Pick Up the Day Before
One of the best ways to use Snowbiz is to collect your gear the afternoon before your first ski day. Pickup is available the afternoon before your hire starts. You take your gear back to your accommodation, you're set up and ready, and the next morning you go straight to the bus and straight to the lifts.
Opening hours: With opening hours of 7:15am to 9pm daily, this is the longest hours of any ski hire shop in Queenstown so it makes things easier for you. Early enough to sort gear before first lifts, late enough to return on your way back from dinner.
Use Your Hire Gear at Any Ski Field
When you hire from Snowbiz, your gear is yours for the duration of your hire and you can use it at any ski field. There's no restriction to a single mountain.
The main ski fields accessible from Queenstown are:
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Coronet Peak: 18km from Queenstown town centre, the most popular field for Australian visitors
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The Remarkables: 23km from town, known for its dramatic scenery and variety of terrain
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Cardrona: 94km from Queenstown toward Wanaka, worth the drive for a change of scenery
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Treble Cone: near Wanaka, the South Island's largest ski area by skiable terrain
Most visitors stick to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, which are the most convenient from Queenstown and are well-serviced by ski buses direct from the town centre - and right outside our store..
Flexible Booking and Refund Policy
Travel plans don't always go as planned. Snowbiz offers a 100% full refund guarantee for travel disruptions. If you can't make your trip, you won't lose your money.
If weather impacts your plans, the refund policy applies when all local mountains close due to conditions (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Cardrona). In that scenario, you'll receive a full refund.
Combined with early bird pricing, this makes booking early a genuine no-risk decision: you lock in the best rate, and if something goes wrong, you get your money back.
Lift Passes
Snowbiz can arrange your lift passes for Coronet Peak and The Remarkables at the time of pickup, so you can sort everything in one visit: gear, clothing, and your pass for the mountain.
Lift pass pricing is set by NZ Ski (who operate Coronet Peak and The Remarkables) and varies by season. One thing worth knowing for families: children under 5 ski free at both Queenstown mountains. You'll still need to collect their pass, but there's no charge.
How to Book
The easiest way to book your ski hire is online. Any active deals, including early bird pricing, are automatically applied at checkout. No discount codes required. If a deal is running, you'll see it in the price.
For those who prefer to sort things in person, Snowbiz is open from 7:15am to 9pm and the team are happy to assist. Walk-ins are welcome, though booking ahead is strongly recommended during school holidays and peak season periods.
Find Snowbiz at: Station Building, 7 Duke Street, Queenstown 9300, right in the centre of town, steps from the ski buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size skis do I need?
The team at Snowbiz will select the right size based on your height, weight, ability, and the type of skiing you're planning. You don't need to know your ski size. Just tell us about yourself and we’ll match you to the right gear.
Can I swap my gear if it doesn't feel right?
Yes. If something isn't working, whether it's boots causing discomfort (which is unlikely with our 3D boot scanner) or skis not feeling right for the conditions, come back into the store and the team will sort it. The goal is that you're comfortable and in control on the mountain.
I have my own boots - can I still rent skis?
Yes. Some people like having their own boots. If that’s you, then we’ll adjust your hire skis to match your own boots.
Can I hire snowboards?
Yes. Snowbiz hires snowboards as well as skis, with equipment from brands including Burton. The same hire process applies: board, boots, and the same Bootdoc fitting approach.
Should I book in advance?
Yes, especially if you're travelling during New Zealand school holidays or for events in Queenstown. Popular sizes book out, and locking in early also means you're eligible for any early bird deals that are running.
What's the difference between sport and performance gear?
Sport equipment is well-suited to beginners and recreational skiers. Forgiving, comfortable, and great for a holiday on the mountain. Performance equipment is for intermediate and advanced skiers who want more responsive gear that matches a higher skill level.
Can I use the hire gear at any mountain?
Yes. Gear hired from Snowbiz can be used at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, or Treble Cone, wherever you decide to ski.
Rates are indicative and may vary by season. Head to our ski hire rates page for the latest pricing.
Planning your trip dates? Our best time to ski in Queenstown guide breaks down the season month by month so you can pick the right window for your trip.
Ready to book? Lock in your gear today and take advantage of any current deals.
