Making the most of Queenstown’s Winter Wonderland
New Zealand usually gets its first winter blast in May but it’s June and July when the snow gets deeper on the mountains, skiing and boarding starts and the winter fun really begins, both on and off the slopes.
There’s no better place to celebrate winter than Queenstown in the south of the South Island – surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, it really is the southern hemisphere’s winter playground!
Queenstown is a snow mecca for mountain lovers from all over the globe. People flock here from local towns and cities, as well as Australia, Asia and the northern hemisphere. Avid skiers, boarders and even professional teams arrive to enjoy the cold just as the northern summer becomes toasty warm.
To celebrate, the town puts on the annual Queenstown Winter Festival a huge party to mark the start of Winter.
Activities are non-stop and not just on the mountains but in bars, hotels, restaurants, sports arenas, in the town and even on the lake – for ten days the town is buzzing.
This year’s festival kicks off on Friday 24th June and runs until 3rd July with days full of action, entertainment, music and festivities.
Whether you’re looking for excitement and madness on the slopes, family fun, a place to hang out with mates or just some entertainment after a day on the snow, you’ll find it here.
Here are a few highlights about what is going on.
The American Express Opening Party and Fireworks
Everyone loves a free party, especially with fireworks, so on opening night American Express, the Festival’s main sponsor, will host the Opening Party and Fireworks, light up the sky and mountains, and make sure the festivities start with a bang.
The party starts at 5.30pm in Earnslaw Park, on the water front, with fireworks at 7.00pm.
And to keep warm there will be plenty of food stalls notably the F. Whitlock & Sons Moving Feast, which is on a single handed quest to change the Kiwi palate with warming fayre, all served from a container kitchen.
If the food doesn’t warm you up enough you can also dance the night away to some Kiwi favourites played by bands including local favourite Red, as well as Shane Cortese & the 8 Track Band.
Snow bound activities
A Winter Festival wouldn’t be a Winter Festival without lots of snow based activities but this first one is typically mad for an adventure tourism icon like Queenstown.
Usually people ski or board down mountains but on Day Two of the Festival, June 25th, there is the Go Pro Mountain Bikes on Snow.
As the Eventfinda website asks – does wheeling your way down a snowy obstacle course at Coronet Peak sound like fun? Of course it does!
The competition is for men, women and juniors and there are loads of prizes up for grabs. But if you not an adrenalin junkie you can always just go and watch, and wait for the thrills and spills to begin.
Somewhat less dangerous is one of the age old festival favourites, The DB Export Dog Derby, back this year for the 42nd time, on 30th June – one of the longest-standing events on the Winter Festival calendar, it is still one of the most popular.
Originally just for farmers and their trusty sidekicks, it has now opened up to all dogs and their best friends . . . come and join the fun running and sliding down the slopes of Coronet Peak.
If you are keen to get on the snow with skis or a board, on Friday 1st July head to ski fields of Coronet Peak for the opening of Night Skiing for the 2016 season!
Bathed in floodlights the Coronet Peak night ski field is open between 4-9pm on Fridays and Saturdays during ski season and is just 20 minutes away from Queenstown – you can see it glowing from the valley below!
The spectacular roller coaster terrain makes Coronet Peak one of New Zealand’s most exciting ski destinations for skiers and boarders of any ability, so even if you are a beginner it’s worth a go and they have a great ski school for all ages.
Then on the final weekend of the Festival there is Mountain Mayhem on Saturday 2nd July from 12 noon, for the adrenalin junkie, sideline supporter or family fun seeker – whatever your preference there is something for you to watch and may be even take part in.
If you feel the need for speed you can dress up and jump on a suitcase in the Auckland Airport Suitcase Race. You can also try and line your pockets with $250 of crisp notes in the American Express Dash for Cash – if you cross the line first! (it’s advised to wear a helmet and goggles for this so not for the faint hearted and probably a good spectator sport!).
You can also slow the pace down a little and bring your kids up to enjoy the Macpac Treasure Traverse with the chance to WIN some fantastic Macpac children’s ski gear for the season ahead.
Over the valley at The Remarkables ski area you can also go to see Slopestyle to see if Kiwis can really fly.
Slopestyle is free style snowboarding and skiing down a course with rails and ramps to get some air and do some acrobatic moves. The action starts at 11am on Sunday 3rd July and there is lots of cash and other prizes up for grabs.
There’s also loads of family fun in the snow with the Big Kids Snow Dig at 12 noon on 3rd July, at the Remarkables Park Shopping Centre when kids will be able to find “treasure” in fresh snow – you will need to pre-register.
Queenstown Winter Festival on Ice
From snow to ice there’s also lots happening on both the large and small rinks at the Festival.
The professionals get on the rink a few times when home town heroes and Queenstown’s SKYCITY Stampede Ice Hockey Team take on the visitors, the West Auckland Admirals and the Canterbury Red Devils, all games being part of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League.
This is all high speed and full of action, and with four games on 26th June, 1st and 2nd July, there’s plenty of opportunity to get front row seats.
For some more leisurely ice skating, for the entire festival there’s also the American Express Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Rink at the Queenstown Village Green, promising fun for the young and young-at-heart, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned skater – it is open from 10am-10pm every day.
A few other Queenstown Winter Festival highlights
You will never be too far away from the Festival atmosphere over these ten days – just walking around the town you will be put in Festival spirit, especially at 5pm every evening as the SkyCity Queenstown Street Performers get everyone in the mood.
Each evening there is a chance to unwind at the Winter Evening Sessions on the Village Green from 5-7pm to kick back, soak up some sounds and keep toasty warm under the outdoor heaters while cradling a mulled wine. A great place to relax before heading out for the evening here you will be entertained by DJs, singers and entertainers.
There will also be a few parties including the Winter Boat Party a chance to get out on the dancefloor on the decks of the Spirit of Queenstown and dance the night away to P-Money’s legendary hip-hop beats, mixes and vibes.
Winter Festival’ed out? There’s a lot more to do in Queenstown
Queenstown is a hub for all things outdoors, adrenalin-filled and action-packed so there’s plenty to choose from whatever the season, such as: white water rafting, bungy jumping with the legendary AJ Hackett, zip-lining, jet-boating, hiking or tramping.
There are also more ski areas including Cardrona and Treble Cone, plenty of family friendly activities and excursions to the world famous Milford Sound.
Information about all these can be found at the Queenstown tourist information website.
Queenstown Accommodation and tips for Winter Driving
The town and surrounding area is a popular destination at most times of the year and it becomes very busy in the Winter and Summer Peak season, so you will need to plan ahead and book Queenstown accommodation.
There are also lots of options such as local websites Bachcare and New Zealand Holiday Homes, as well as the increasingly popular AirBnB.
If you’re after somewhere a little removed from ‘party central’ consider the picturesque village of Arrowtown, about 20 minutes out of Queenstown.
This is a charming historic gold-mining settlement alongside the Arrow River in a beautiful location with plenty of things to do and history to explore.
Accommodation in Arrowtown may offer more availability and be a little less pricey.
With your accommodation sorted its worth reading up about winter driving in New Zealand.
During the winter months driving can be unpredictable and you need to be prepared for snow, ice, freezing rain and fog, so please make sure you drive to the conditions.
The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) offers some good advice about winter driving or read our blog – “Heading to the snow? – New Zealand skiing, snowboarding and winter driving”
One tip is if you are planning on driving over snow, for instance up to a ski field, you will also need to carry snow chains and be familiar with how to use them, a new experience for many people.
The journey to Queenstown takes about 6 hours from Christchurch, 3.5 hours from Dunedin or 2.5 hours from Invercargill.
Before starting your trip always makes sure you check the weather with Metservice and plan your route with AA Roadwatch.
The Winter Wonderland of Queenstown is a great place to have fun whether you are travelling with friends or family.
It’s all about snow, mountains and playing, so celebrate the season and cheers to Winter!