Bus help - local knowledge appreciated

Uhh you night want to consider chartering. That's like 3 full bus loads. It'll be a mess if you try to book 150 people from Christchurch to Queenstown on regular services. People will be leaving at different times etc. It could also end up costing a similar amount. Better to pay more but travel as a group.

Are you flying out of Queenstown? If so, why not fly into Queenstown too and save yourself 6 hours of sitting on a bus. If no flights are available into Queenstown it could be worth talking to airlines and seeing if you can do a special flight or possibly charter a flight direct to Queenstown. If they know they're going to get a block of 150 seats they might consider it.

Bus companies around christchurch: http://yellow.co.nz/search/christchurch/Bus+Charters&Services-1.html

Thanks a lot. yeah since I made this post I've been thinking more and more about flying straight into Queenstown. The quote I got for chartering 3 buses from C to Q and return was $17,000. Not good. Flying straight into Queenstown from Melbourne is looking at being about $550 per person which isn't shocking. I'll try to negotiate a better discount with Virgin though.

$17,000 sounds like a 'we don't want to do it but if you want to pay that much we will' price! Even if it ends up costing a bit more it'll probably be easier flying into Queenstown just in terms of travel time etc.

As for passes, I know NZSki used to do bulk rates, but I'm not sure if they still do. NZSki have been really anal about passes this year. Also, I think most of the group deals they used to have were bundled with lessons and hire. Not sure if that's what you'd want or not.

If you're not getting a response from them try emailing the mountain manager, Hamish McCrostie hamish@coronetpeak.co.nz the couple of times I've contacted him he's replied reasonably quickly.

Thanks so much.