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Skyline Queenstown's journey of innovation began in the early 1960s with Skyline Tours, offering scenic bus trips up to the original Skyline Chalet on Bob’s Peak. With panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu and The Remarkables, appetite grew quickly for this scenic experience, and within a few years the local council endorsed a plan for Skyline Enterprises to construct an aerial Gondola from Queenstown up to the chalet.
Over the decades, Skyline Queenstown has continued to evolve, now with a workforce of more than 300 people and hosting a global guest base, this Queenstown icon is investing in growth, sustainability and local community engagement.
A proud member of Love Queenstown’s Impact Partner Programme, Skyline supports local environmental efforts with a generous annual donation and receives the prestigious accolade of being among the “Founding 50” – the first 50 businesses to support Love Queenstown in this impactful way.
Over the past few years, Skyline Queenstown have made great strides in integrating sustainability into their daily operations.
On their waste reduction journey, they started with the removal of single-use plastic cutlery and coffee cups from food and beverage operations.
Pierre Poyet, Strategic Projects Manager, says, “In its first two years, this initiative has prevented 50,000 cups from reaching landfill—but we’re only getting started. While maximising landfill diversion remains essential, our focus is rapidly shifting toward reducing waste at the source. We are constantly identifying opportunities and developing bold strategies to cut waste even further. This means working closely with our supply chain to rethink and redesign the way we operate, creating smarter, more sustainable solutions for the future.”
Building on this momentum, Skyline introduced a food waste composting initiative in collaboration with local environmentalist Michael Sly, who transforms waste into a valuable resource. In the first three months, this initiative has helped divert a significant amount of food waste from landfill to compost.
To guide their sustainability journey, Skyline tracks all waste movements across the business, gathering data to inform every decision. This data-driven approach is key to helping them reach their ambitious goal of achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030, ensuring that every action taken has a measurable impact.
Skyline Queenstown is proud to support 100% renewable energy generation by purchasing Meridian’s Certified Renewable Energy product. This means that the electricity they get from the grid in New Zealand is matched on an annual basis by an equivalent amount from Meridian’s hydro stations or wind farms, which are independently verified as producing 100% renewable electricity. This important initiative has reduced their *Scope 2 emissions considerably, however they’re not done yet; their priority is on exploring more ways to decarbonise their on-site operations through energy, resource, and waste minimisation.
*Using the market-based reporting methodology as per the GHG Protocol’s Scope 2 Guidance.
Community engagement is central to Skyline Queenstown’s sustainability efforts, with the Skyline Care Team leading the charge. This passionate group, made up of individuals from across the company, works together to bring sustainability to life and create a lasting impact in the local community. From restoring native habitats and reducing their carbon footprint to supporting community projects, the Care Team ensures Skyline’s impact goes far beyond business operations.
A recent initiative saw Skyline partner with Tikki Studios, supported by the QLDC Waste Minimisation Community Fund, to host a Hoodie Upcycling Workshop. This creative project repurposed surplus uniforms into stylish snow hoods, helping reduce landfill waste and promote environmentally friendly initiatives. Not only did the workshop refresh wardrobes, but it also contributed to local sustainability efforts, bringing the community together in an impactful way.
Building on their commitment to the local environment, Skyline also collaborates with the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and Whakatipu Reforestation Trust on community-led projects, focusing on pest eradication, native regeneration, and impact monitoring. These efforts include predator control, planting natives at Jardine Park, and encouraging staff to volunteer for wilding pine removal.
Skyline Queenstown also works closely with the Whakatipu Wilding Control Group to host volunteer events focused on tackling the wilding pine infestation on Ben Lomond Reserve. These events bring the local community together, with Skyline coordinating volunteer efforts and the Whakatipu Wilding Control Group providing the training and tools needed to get involved. Volunteers all receive a Gondola Annual Pass and catering on the day to thank them for their time and commitment to this important ecological work.
This initiative ties in with Skyline’s ongoing restoration work on Bob’s Peak, where since 2020, efforts have been focused on removing wilding pines to restore the natural landscape. The work is vital to preserving the ecological balance of the region and ensuring long-term environmental health.
Funds collected through Skyline’s partnership with the Love Queenstown’s Impact Partner Programme will directly contribute to grassroots environmental efforts, restoring native flora, improving water quality, and creating habitats for wildlife.
"Skyline Queenstown is incredibly proud to be among the Founding 50 of the Love Queenstown Impact Partner Programme. This initiative provides a great opportunity for local businesses to accelerate the positive impact we can all have on the Queenstown Lakes environment. We look forward to seeing the real and tangible benefits our collective efforts will bring to the region," says Wayne Rose, GM of Skyline Queenstown.
Skyline’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement is a leading example of a business driving positive change and inspiring others to take action for nature and preserve our beautiful place for generations to come. With a sustainability journey that is continuously evolving, there’s no doubt this iconic business will innovate further and continue to adapt their business for the greater good.
Whether you have lived in the Whakatipu Basin all your life, or you are visiting for a short time, there are ways for you help support these efforts and give back to Queenstown's one-of-a-kind environment.
Part of a local business and want to join the mission? Check out Love Queenstown’s partnership opportunities here.
Find upcoming community tree planting events and other volunteering opportunities at Love Queenstown’s volunteer hub.
