Queenstown New Zealand
Queenstown NZ is party and adventure activity central, and as an added bonus, the Queenstown skiing and snowboarding is also great! There are a few Queenstown ski resorts as well as the option of heli skiing in Queenstown.
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 New Zealand is anything but tranquil. Queenstown is abuzz with festivity, and the size of the town has exploded to rapidly accommodate the increasing population of tourists. Queenstown is an adventure activity mecca, and the hype associated with this can get a little crazy.
Queenstown Skiing
Queenstown ski resorts/areas include:
And to a lesser degree but within reach for a day-trip:
The skiing at Coronet Peak, Cardrona and The Remarkables is not necessarily suited to powder hounds because the snowfall is quite low compared to
New Zealand ski resorts further north. On the plus side, Queenstown skiing is great for fair weather skiers, and because the weather is much more stable, the Queenstown ski resorts rarely close (unlike
Mt Hutt aka Mt Shut!).
You can readily sample all of the Queenstown ski areas during your trip, but if you want to narrow down your options, check out our
best Queenstown ski resorts awards.
Heli Skiing Queenstown
If you want the ultimate powder hound experience, there are a few Queenstown heli skiing operations. You can check out our reviews of
Harris Mountains Heli Ski;
Southern Lakes Heli Skiing; and
Alpine Heliski. 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!
Travel to Queenstown NZ
Queenstown is located 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, and direct trans-Tasman flights to Queenstown are readily available.
It’s possible to travel around and get to the Queenstown ski fields using shuttle buses, but many prefer to hire a car to provide more flexibility. See our
Queenstown travel page for more information.
Queenstown Accommodation
Queenstown accommodation options are prolific and range from 5-star resort hotels to a variety of Queenstown backpackers. Queenstown also has inexpensive motels, lodges, and bed and breakfasts. When you’re spoilt for choice, at least you know you’ll be able to find a place that satisfies all your needs. See the
Queenstown accommodation page for more information.
Queenstown Activities
If snowboarding and skiing in Queenstown is not enough for you, the town 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 Queenstown 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 in Queenstown 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 ski drinks turn into a very vibrant nightlife that continues on well into the evening. There are hundreds of
Queenstown restaurants and bars, and with a melting pot of international tourists in Queenstown, there’s always something interesting happening.
Why Ski 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 and snowboarding, adventure and other tourist activities, partying, shopping and enjoying the majestic views. This town has it all!