NZSki workers to live in The Chalets, 60km away

Paul Anderson.
Paul Anderson.
Up to 150 NZSki workers will live in Cromwell this winter, as Queenstown's accommodation crisis bites.

NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson has confirmed the company is offering winter staff subsidised accommodation at The Chalets, 60km from Queenstown.

For $145 a week, they will stay in Cromwell and be taken by bus to Coronet Peak or The Remarkables ski fields.

‘‘We want to make sure staff coming to the district have an option for warm and comfortable accommodation while they're here,'' Mr Anderson said by email from Germany.

He said the feedback from NZSki staff to the prospect of living in Cromwell was positive.

‘‘Although most would prefer to stay locally, they appreciate having the option of having a well-priced, comfortable alternative.''

Last season, the skifield operator's staff found it increasingly difficult to find short-term accommodation. The situation has since worsened.

Mr Anderson puts the rental squeeze down to several factors, including Queenstown's ongoing tourism growth, the town's general economic strength and the rise of accommodation providers like Airbnb.

Wakatipu property prices hit a median sale price high of $815,000 last month.

The town's community housing trust has said some Queenstown residents are lamenting the fact they can no longer afford to live in the town where they were raised. Small business owners are struggling to keep staff.

Queenstown's housing crisis is paired with a hotel shortage.

Organisers of golf's NZ Open and Queenstown Marathon say the town's lack of accommodation is a handbrake on their events.

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