Queenstown holiday house master Bedroom

The Story of Canyon Ridge

We lost our hearts to Queenstown when we were students in Dunedin. Every winter we would find a way to get to Queenstown for a few days skiing, sleeping on floors or in freezing cold sheds. In those days there was only one ski field, Coronet Peak, and it took some effort to get up the gravel road to the ski field and time to master the rope tow. It was pioneering stuff.

In the seventies Queenstown was being discovered by the international tourist industry. Canyon Ridge sits on land at the end of the Gorge with panoramic views and sun all day – not something that Queenstown can boast. The land was keenly sought after by several international hotel chains but Mr and Mrs Sutherland, who had farmed their land for many years, turned down every offer. One day we decided to ask them if the family would sell to us. We were not surprised when the answer was “No”. But just before we left for home at the end of our holiday we knocked on their door a second time. They greeted us saying they had been asking all over Queenstown to find out how to get in touch with us because they had changed their mind. Negotiations took place over cups of tea and home baking and the land was ours!

In 1981 our three daughters had left home. It was time to take a year off to build the house ourselves, working as builder's mates to a local builder. Building in winter in Queenstown is not to be recommended. Fingers, noses and even the paint froze when the sun went down behind the mountain tops. There was very little skiing that year for us as we learnt about how a house is built.

We mixed the old - such as recycled doors from an old hotel and restored furniture - with modern amenities to provide easy living. Having built the house from the foundations up, including the stacked stone walls and the stone and slate floors, we have built love and care into Canyon Ridge and it shows. Many of our guests comment that there is something special about staying at Canyon Ridge.

John and Barbara Lusk
Canyon Ridge Owners

"Our honey moon was made even more special by our time at Canyon Ridge. Spectacular views and such a beautiful home. Perfect in every way."

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queenstown holiday house

Canyon Ridge Story


Leaving home at the start of the building project

Builder's mates in the middle of winter

John building the schist wall - one square metre a day

Celebrating the end of the building project with family