I lived in Queenstown for a few years so I know the area pretty well. In my opinion Coronet Peak is the best ski-field for various reasons.
The road there is in great condition and you're generally sweet as in a normal car - it's infrequent that you need a 4wd vehicle or chains. It's the closest to Queenstown of all the fields, 18km (about 20min drive) from the village. Big in my books because I hate driving for ages just to get to the damn place! It's only 7km from Arrowtown but while this is an awesome little town to visit, screw staying there. It's in a freezing cold gulley that gets very little winter sun.
Carparking is plentiful and only a short walk from the lifts, or there are shuttles to take you lazy bastards up.
The ski hire, ticket booth and shops are set out really well and are all undercover. There's plenty of room and hardly ever cues.
The restaurant and cafe are spacious with plenty of options and the food was decent. Generally ski-field food is as rubbish as airports and other places with a monopoly on the area!
The bar served the best mulled wine I had anywhere in Queenstown/Wanaka. Mmmm mm.. nothing like mulled wine when you're getting amongst it in the snowy mountains!
If you prefer to take your own lunch with you there are loads of tables outside with braziers to keep you warm.
Its one downfall is the tendency to be quite icy because of its low altitude. We struck it lucky on our trip down, the snow was perfect but it ain't nicknamed 'Con crete Peak' for nothin'!
See their website for weather reports and snow conditions, lift passes and facilities etc. http://www.nzski.com/
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