View source for The Remarkables

{{Short description|Mountain range in New Zealand}}
{{for|the band with the same name|The Remarkables (band)}}
{{Redirect|Double Cone|other uses|Double cone (disambiguation){{!}}Double cone}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name                  = The Remarkables
| other_name            = 
| photo                 = The Remarkables (1126885451).jpg
| photo_size            = 
| photo_upright         =
| photo_alt             = 
| photo_caption         = The Remarkables and [[Lake Wakatipu]] from Queenstown.
| map = New Zealand
| map_caption = Location in New Zealand
| label_position = bottom
<!----------------------- HIGHEST POINT -->
| highest               = [[Double Cone]]
| highest_location      = 
| elevation             = 
| elevation_m           = 2,319
| elevation_ft          = 
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| listing               = 
| coordinates           = {{coord|-45.072|168.808|format=dms|type:mountain_region:NZ|display=inline}}
| coordinates_ref       = 
<!----------------------- DIMENSIONS -->
| length                = 
| length_km             = 40
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<!----------------------- NAMING -->
| etymology             = Named for the serrated peaks of the range.<ref name="LINZ">{{Cite web |url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/6210 |title=The Remarkables |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2 January 2025 |website=New Zealand Gazetteer |publisher= Toitu te Whenua, Land Information New Zealand |access-date= 2 January 2025|quote=}}</ref>
| nickname              = 
| native_name           ={{native name|mi|Kawarau}}
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<!----------------------- GEOGRAPHY -->
| location              = 
| country               = {{flag|New Zealand}}
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| region                = {{flag|Otago}}
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| range_coordinates     = {{coord|45|09|S|168|50|E|region:NZ_type:mountain|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates_ref = <ref name="LINZ"/>

<!----------------------- GEOLOGY -->
| formed_by             = Tectonic uplift / glaciation
| orogeny               = 
| age                   = 
| type                  = 
| geology               = [[Schist]], [[Greywacke]]
}}
'''The Remarkables''' ({{langx|mi|Kawarau}}) are a [[mountain range]] and part of the Remarkables Conservation Area that includes Kawarau/The Remarkables and Tāpuae O’Uenuku/Hector Mountains and Te Papapuni/Nevis River valley. Located on the southeastern shore of [[Lake Wakatipu]], [[Otago]] in the [[South Island]] of New Zealand, the range lives up to its name by rising sharply to create a remarkable backdrop. The range is clearly visible from the nearby town of [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]].

The highest point in the range is Single Cone (2319 metres). The adjacent [[Tapuae-o-Uenuku / Hector Mountains]] southeast of the Remarkables culminate in [[Mount Tūwhakarōria]] (2307 m).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.waateanews.com/Waatea+News.html?story_id=NjA0MQ==&v=590 |title=Central Otago names confirmed|work=Waatea News|date=11 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143353/http://www.waateanews.com/Waatea+News.html?story_id=NjA0MQ==&v=590|archive-date=27 April 2015}}</ref>

The area contains a number of beautiful features, such as Lake Alta, a small lake nestled within a natural amphitheatre at the head of a glacial valley (a ‘cirque’) and below the towering Double Cone peaks. There are a number of high altitude walks in the Remarkables Conservation Area including [[Lake Alta]] which can be accessed from the Remarkables Skifield. 

==Name==
The original [[Ngāi Tahu]] inhabitants called the mountains {{lang|mi|Kawarau}},<ref name="nront">{{cite web |title=Kawarau |url=http://www.kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas |website=Kā Huru Manu |publisher=Nga Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> and gave the same name to the [[Kawarau River]] which starts beneath them.

The mountains were named The Remarkables by [[Alexander Garvie]] in 1857–58<ref>Miller. F.W.G. (1949) Golden Days of Lake County. Whitcomb and Toombs. Pg 352.</ref> because of the serrated peaks of the range. The range was earlier known as the Crosscuts for the same reason.<ref name="LINZ"/>

==The Remarkables Ski Area==
During the winter months, the Remarkables Ski Area has [[skiing]] and other winter activities. The ski area is situated over three mountain bowls covering  220 ha (540 acres) with eight lifts (4 chairlifts, 4 magic carpets).<ref>[https://www.nzski.com/trade-media NZ Ski facts], Accessed 22 January 2018</ref> Terrain is rated as 30% beginners, 40% intermediate and 30% advanced. Average annual snowfall is 3.67 metres. 

NZSki Limited operates The Remarkables Ski Area under agreements with the New Zealand government, primarily involving the Department of Conservation (DOC). The ski area is situated within the Rastus Burn Recreation Reserve, a conservation area managed by DOC.

In 2023, NZSki submitted an application for a new 40-year concession. This application sought permissions encompassing a lease, license, and easement to manage and control all activities related to the ownership, operation, repair, and maintenance of The Remarkables ski area. The proposal included plans for extending the base building and maintenance facilities, as well as installing three additional snow fences. Public submissions on this application closed on May 3, 2023, and a virtual hearing was held on May 24, 2023.

Additionally, NZSki has expressed intentions to expand the ski area into the adjacent Doolans Basin, which would significantly increase the skiable terrain. This proposed expansion would require a new concession, as the Doolans Basin is part of the larger Remarkables Conservation Area. The expansion plan includes constructing new chairlifts or gondolas, developing ski trails, and establishing necessary infrastructure such as snowmaking facilities and visitor amenities.

[[Image:Remarkables sk.jpg|thumb|right|View from the top of the gondola into Queenstown, with Remarkables behind.]]

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" | The Remarkables Skifields
|-
| Elevation || 1943 metres
|-
| Vertical || 357 metres
|-
| [[Ski]]able Area || 220 hectares
|-
| Lifts || 4 chairlifts (2 detachable 6 seater, 2 quad), 4 surface conveyor lifts, <br/>Highest lifted point: 1943 metres<br/>Lowest lift: 1622 metres
|-
| Lift Operation  || 9.00&nbsp;am - 4.00&nbsp;pm
|-
| Terrain || 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced 
|-       
| Standard Season || 10 June – 1 October
|-
| Average [[Snowfall]] || 3.67 metres per year (excluding snowmaking)
|-
| Snowmaking || Terrain park, beginners' area, Alta Green, Casterway, Gotham City and Turquoise novice trails and Ozone Tubing Park 
|-
| Nearest Town || Queenstown (28&nbsp;km/45 minutes)
|}

[[Image:Remarkables 2.jpg|thumb|900px|centre|Panorama of the Remarkables and surroundings from their northern end.]]
[[File:The Remarkables, New Zealand, Australasia.jpg|thumb|900px|centre|The Remarkables mountain range, autumn 2015]]
[[File:Double Cone - The Remarkables.jpg|alt=Double Cone - The Remarkables|centre|thumb|800x800px|This is the view toward Double Cone peak at The Remarkables when hiking towards Lake Alta, the glacier lake.]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.theremarkables.co.nz/ The Remarkables official website]
*[https://www.nzski.com/ NZSki Ltd official website]
*[https://www.theremarkables.co.nz/weather-report/ The Remarkables Webcams and Weather Report]
*[https://www.skiqueenstown.com/ Ski Queenstown official website]

{{Queenstown-Lakes}}
{{Ski areas and resorts in New Zealand}}
{{Otago skifields}}
{{Tolkien tourism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Remarkables, The}}
[[Category:Ski areas and resorts in Otago]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Otago]]
[[Category:Queenstown-Lakes District]]
[[Category:Southern Alps]]
[[Category:Sport in Queenstown, New Zealand]]
[[Category:Ultra-prominent peaks of Oceania]]