If you’re a skier, the good news is that there are less than 60 days until winter officially starts. Which gives you enough time to secure the ski-pad and start inviting your friends to ski weekends - better still, weeks - at yours.
Start saving the pennies, as we’ve found some beauties:
Top of the peak
One of the most gorgeous pieces of architecture - not just in Queenstown, but the country - this Mason and Wales-designed house spreads over nearly 880 square metres on Pinnacle Place. Yes, the views of the bay and Lake Wakatipu are extraordinary (from the bedrooms, even the bathtubs). Yes the schist and concrete, glass and steel sit perfectly in the natural rock outcrops of the 1875 square metre section.
Start your property search
There’s garaging for the six cars, outdoor fireplace and terraces, shares in the gated enclave’s pool, gym and spa complex, all only eight kilometres from the airport and start of the Coronet Peak ski field.
Asking price $23.5 million. Marketed by Terry Spice and Nick Horton, Luxury Real Estate.
-----
Or if the bustle of Queenstown isn’t for you, head out the Eagles Nest of Wyuna Rise, where a lodge resort of 6.6 hectares on two titles (one to, you know, keep the crowds away) overlooking over Lake Wakatipu to the Humboldt Mountains one way, Glenorchy and Mount Earnslaw from the master suite. Spread out over the 100 square metres of decks, including outdoor fireplace and spa pool seemingly suspended over the view. Stunning kitchen, sauna, and a heli-pad to ease the commute.
Asking price $24.995 million. Marketed by Terry Spice and Nick Horton, Luxury Real Estate.
-----
If Queenstown feels a bit rich, the fast-growing town of Wanaka might be more your bag, only 40 or 50 minutes to Cardrona or Treble Cone with loads of cool places to eat. Contemporary concrete and timber is a signature in the area, this great example of over 500 square metres is tucked into 5500 square metres of landscaped native gardens and rockeries right on the lake. There’s room for the crowds, including a four bedrooms in the main house, a guest suite with its own access and garaging, and there’s even an art studio when the weather keeps you indoors (or there’s the heated indoor pool and hot tub) .
Asking price $3.995 million. Marketed by Louise Walker-Hughes, Ray White Wanaka.
-----
What, do you mean, the trust fund hasn’t gone into your bank account? Then head down to Ohakune/Turoa ski fields for your slice of snow action, where you can go shares in a cute little two bedroom ski chalet in the Rocky Mountain Chalet complex. Sure it’s only 63 square metres, but the pitched ceilings make it seem roomier, you can walk to the pub, have shares in the sauna and spa area and throw the kids out to the play area.
Asking price $189,000. Marketed by Jenna Hovelle, Kath Campbell, New Zealand Real Estate, Ohakune
-----
Or ditch the day job, become a ski-bum/mein host at your own place. The maddest former Post Office and postmaster’s cottage in Raetihi, now christened the Raetihi International Airport (that main street is the widest in New Zealand, surely there’s potential), has three bedrooms (a possible fourth in the former parlour) and two bathrooms in the main house, a country-style kitchen, wood burner, plus three cabins out back that could be rented to back packers. Insulated, new paint and only 10 minutes from the bustling burg of Ohakune.
Asking price $249,000. Marketed by Kath Campbell, Jenna Hovelle, New Zealand Real Estate, Ohakune.
