Ski bookings expected to be well up in Queenstown

This season's Queenstown ski bookings are expected to be up by between 25 and 30 per cent.

Early booking from across the Tasman has already increased many Queenstown hotel bookings for winter by between 5 and 8 per cent, but Australian wholesalers predict the best is yet to come.

Ski Express marketing manager for Australia Jason Williams said from Melbourne a "substantial reduction" in airfares had lowered Queenstown holiday package prices by more than $250 this year.