Skyline Guided Walks

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do your Guided Walks operate year round?

  No, our Guided Walks operate from the 1st of October to the 30th of April.

• What's included?

  • Return Gondola ride
  • A packed lunch of your choice, prepared by Skyline's Market Kitchen Cafe
  • Hiking poles
  • Guides

• How fit do I need to be?

  For the Ben Lomond Saddle walk, we recommend guests are comfortable walking up to 4 hours, covering 8 kilometres with an elevation gain of 600 metres (2,000 feet).

  For the Ben Lomond Summit walk, we recommend guests are comfortable walking up to 6 hours, covering 11 kilometres with an elevation gain of 1,000 metres (3,300 feet).

• What do I need to bring on a Guided Walk?

  We recommend guests bring:

  • Walking boots or sturdy walking shoes 
  • A thermal base layer 
  • Shorts and/or walking pants 
  • A waterproof jacket 
  • A fleece layer (for relaxing at the Saddle and Summit) 
  • A hat (for sun protection, and warmth on a cold day)
  • At least 2 litres of water 
  • A small backpack for food and water, and additional clothing layers
  • Any personal medication you may require in this timeframe

• What's the trail like?

  From the Skyline Queenstown complex on Bob's Peak to the Ben Lomond Saddle, the trail is wide, well maintained with a constant uphill gradient. For most of this stretch of trail, walkers can mostly travel 2 abreast.

  From the Ben Lomond Saddle to the Ben Lomond Summit the trail narrows, becoming single-file and slower walking. While this section of trail is more technical than the Saddle walk, guests of all ages and abilities can complete the journey to the summit. Our guides will be alongside you for the journey, so you can take your own pace and there's no pressure to reach the summit if you don't feel up to it on the day.

• Where does the tour start?

  Both the Ben Lomond Summit and Ben Lomond Saddle Guided Walks begin with a briefing in the Snug, which is a lounge area near the Stratosfare Bar at the Skyline Queenstown Top Complex.

  After taking a Gondola ride up Bob's Peak, enter through 2 sets of automatic doors then turn right. The meeting point will be clearly marked by a set of banners, and your guides will be there to greet you.

• When should I catch the Gondola?

  Each tour begins with a briefing at the Skyline top terminal (see FAQ "Where does the tour start?").

  The briefing will begin 30 minutes after the Gondola opens, therefore we recommend catching the Gondola at opening time.

  See our open hours here.

• What's the cancellation policy?

  If Skyline cancels the tour:

  Tours operate in all weather (within the season of October to April) - however, Skyline reserves the right to cancel the tour in the case of adverse weather - including but not limited to excessive wind, snow, rain, and electrical storms.

  I'm booked and want to cancel:

  • Contact our reservations team as soon as possible
  • Guests who wish to cancel their tour more than 24 hours before the tour start time will receive a 100% refund.
  • Guests cancelling within 24 hours of the tour start time will not receive a refund.

• Why should I take a tour with Skyline?

  Here at Skyline Queenstown, we've always prided ourselves in being pioneers in New Zealand's Tourism and Hospitality sector. For over 50 years now we've welcomed tens of millions of travellers from all over the world, and through creating world-class experiences we hope to remain New Zealand's #1 Tourist Attraction for the next 50 years. 

  Our dedication to safety is world-class, and our people are our family. Our guides are expertly trained in mountain safety, and with decades of guiding experience, you can rest assured they're approachable, honest and compassionate to your ability. It's one thing to walk to the top of the mountain, but Skyline Guided Walks ensure you get there safely while experiencing a deeper connection to our natural environment, history, and while stepping outside your comfort zone with other like-minded travellers, you're likely to make a friend or two along the way.

  Skyline Guided Walks has Adventure Mark accreditation and is recognized as an official operator on New Zealand's Department of Conservation reserves.