Big views are the draw here, climbing fast into the Remarkable Ranges above Queenstown. The road is a mix of chipseal and gravel that winds quickly up the mountain, and the higher you get the better the panorama, looking out over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding country.

It's an easy drive in fine conditions, and plenty of people run it just for the high-country scenery whether or not the ski field's open. The road is well formed but you gain altitude in a hurry, so the alpine weather can turn quickly. In winter, snow builds up on the upper sections, which can catch out small low-clearance cars and leave them scraping or stuck.

Access is through a gate where a fee is charged, so come prepared to pay on the way in. A short climb that packs in a lot for not much effort.