Ski delivery, anyone?

Frequent visitors to QT Queenstown, these locals have a passion for the mountains and a gear bag fit for a ski pro. Meet the crew behind Snopro, a ski hire service that really delivers. Yes, literally.

With a goal to take the hassle out of snow holiday ski hire, Snopro maximises your time on the slopes – and the equally important après ski ritual (Reds, anyone?). An expert technician brings premium rental boots right to you hotel door, plus a sharp-edged board or skis straight to our QT Ski Room.

We caught up with Snopro’s founder Justin, after his team kitted out our friends visiting from UNO Magazine. Here’s what he had to say:

How did you come up with the Snopro concept?

Queuing sucks! It came to me in a dream? But really, it is a ski hire service I had experienced in the USA, where it’s quite prevalent. 10 years ago, I could see Queenstown moving to become a more premium destination, and I thought the service was lacking.

Do you ski, snowboard, or both?

I used to teach snowboarding in Aspen and The Remarkables here in Queenstown, but when I turned 40 a few years back I swapped to skiing primarily. It’s great to have the sense of progression every time you go out. I’ll always identify as a ‘hoodlum snowboarder’ though. Geez, they get a bad rap!

How’s the snow this year?

You know, we’ve had only two good snowfalls this season, but the mountains do an amazing job of ‘spreading it’ and making snow. By all accounts, powder days are few, but all our customers are stoked with what the trails provide! I had a great day at Treble Cone the other day, surfing spring slush!

What does your ideal après ski session look like? Besides Reds of course!

Well, I was a ski bum in Colorado for seven years and après consisted of a bucket of 25-cent wings and $4 Coors Lite pitchers. I’m a little older now and more refined I’d like to think! It’s hard to beat Cardrona Hotel on the way back from Cardrona resort. They have an iconic après, where you can even toast marshies on the fire with the kids. Closer to home, I love supporting local and Cargo at Gantleys Restaurant is quickly finding its feet as the ‘Post Coronet Après Spot’.

How do you spend your summer?

In past years, I did love an overseas ski trip to get those pow turns in! But now? Mostly bikes. I co-founded a local bike shop in Queenstown called Bikeaholic. I love creating income from my passions.

But for now, ski season is alive and well here in Queenstown.

Trade the crowded ski hire shop for peak luxury, complete with a plush couch and Remarkable views here in QT Queenstown’s alpine divine. May we suggest mixing the in-room cocktail kit as the perfect pairing for your fitting?

Sneak down for one last run, and book your Snopro ski hire gear before you go.