Queenstown
Queenstown New Zealand is party and adventure activity central. And as an added bonus, Queenstown is also a great place to go on a ski holiday!
Queenstown is located within a spectacular lakeside and alpine setting. The views are second to none, and you will never tire of looking at The Remarkables soaring above Lake Wakatipu. Photography buffs will have a field-day in Queenstown!
Whilst the vistas are serene, the culture of Queenstown is anything but tranquil. The town still tries to portray a relaxed feel yet it is an adventure activity mecca, and the hype associated with this can get crazy. The size of the town has exploded to rapidly accommodate the increasing population of tourists.
Ski Queenstown New Zealand
Tourism is “quieter” during winter when skiing becomes a main focus. Queenstown is within easy reach of
Coronet Peak ski resort (about 20 mins away) and
The Remarkables ski resort (about 40 mins away). You can also easily access
Treble Cone (about 90 mins),
Cardrona ski field (about 60 mins) and
Snowpark.
The skiing at Coronet Peak, Cardrona and The Remarkables is not necessarily suited to powderhounds because the snowfall is quite low compared to
New Zealand ski resorts further north. On the plus side, Queenstown is great for fair weather skiers, and because the weather is much more stable, the ski resorts rarely close (unlike
Mt Hutt aka Mt Shut!). There’s a high likelihood of getting a tan and finding an opportunity to wear a cleavage top (boys you can do this too if you like!).
If you want the ultimate powderhound experience, there are various Queenstown heli skiing operations. The helicopter ride up in the spectacular Southern Alps is amazing, and then you also get to ski or board down the virgin snow. Bliss! Another option is to go cat skiing with
Queenstown Snowcats.
Queenstown Adventure Activities
If skiing is not enough for you, Queenstown is also known as the “adventure capital of the world”. You’ll be overwhelmed by the choice of off slope
Queenstown activities, and if the snow conditions are not great at the ski resorts you will never ever be bored. Tourist pursuits include winery tours, scenic flights, or trips to
Milford Sound. However Queenstown is most famous for its adrenaline-raising activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, and jet boating. The only problem is that many of the adventure activities are a bit pricey, so you could blow your entire holiday budget in one day. Skiing seems like a relatively cheap endeavour in comparison.
The
Queenstown shopping is also fabulous, so ladies (and gents) make sure those credit cards have a healthy limit!
Queenstown Nightlife and Dining
Queenstown isn’t just abuzz during the day. Après drinks turn into a very vibrant nightlife that continues on well into the evening. Queenstown has hundreds of restaurants, nightclubs and bars, and with a melting pot of international tourists in Queenstown, there’s always something interesting happening.
Queenstown Accommodation
Queenstown accommodation options are prolific and range from 5-star resort hotels to a huge variety of Queenstown backpackers. Queenstown also has inexpensive motels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, and farm-stay options. When you’re spoilt for choice, at least you know you’ll be able to find a place that satisfies all your needs.
Queenstown Accommodation Listings
How to Get to Queenstown
Queenstown is in the Otago region in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. Getting to Queenstown is relatively easy as it has its own international airport located only 10 minutes from the town centre. Direct trans-Tasman flights to Queenstown are available, although any cheap options tend to sell very quickly. An alternative is to fly to Christchurch and then drive or get a shuttle bus to Queenstown.
It’s possible to travel around Queenstown and get to the ski fields using shuttle buses, but many prefer to hire a car to provide more flexibility. See our
Queenstown travel page for more information.
Why Go on a Ski Holiday to Queenstown NZ?
Everyone who has visited Queenstown would agree that it is a very special place for a holiday. It's a great base for skiing, adventure and other tourist activities, partying, shopping and enjoying the majestic views. Queenstown even has a beach. This town has it all! OK the beach is just some pebbles on the shores of the lake, so it doesn’t really count!
Packages & Tours
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14 Days (10 days riding) - South Island Safari
Visit up to 10 resorts (Canterbury & Southern Lakes areas) on this adventure of a lifetime! Includes breakfasts, accommodation, lift passes, transfers & guiding on / off the mountain.
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Powder Storming New Zealand (10 Days)
Visit several of NZ's top ski areas around Queenstown & Wanaka & have the option to get all the POW you can eat with a heli ski adventure. One Tour Only - Aug 06– Aug 16 -Skiers & Boarders
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Ski Camp - Wanaka / Queenstown NZ
Ski the pipes & powder at NZ's premier resorts and the dedicated jump park - SnowPark. This is a trip designed for serious & wanna-be shredders. 3 dates - Boarders & Skiers welcome.
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7 - Day South Island Safari
6 resorts in 7 days! Mt Hutt, Ohau, Treble Cone, Cardrona, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Includes accommodation, transfers, lift tickets, daily b/fasts & more..
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Self-Drive Tours
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10 Day / 9 Nights - Ride the BIG 5
Suggested itinerary to self-drive and ski New Zealand's top 5 commercial ski areas includes Mt Hutt, (Wanaka) Treble Cone & Cardrona plus (Queenstown) Coronet Peak & Remarkables.
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Ski Queenstown - DIY Tours
Build you own ski package to Queenstown to suit your budget and your personal requirements. Hundreds of accommodation options to choose from; all available online here.
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