Things to do in Queenstown in Winter

Most towns go dormant in winter, but Queenstown is not one of those. Indeed, over the last fifty years, Queenstown has emerged as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading tourist destinations for when the snow hits. Not least because of its stunning wintry topography (the Remarkables really are as gorgeous as they look in photos!), Queenstown is a mid-Winter hub for all things snowy and cosy. The following Queenstown winter activities will keep you more than occupied for your visit down South.

 

Photo by:  Roderick Eime on Flickr

If you’re travelling to Queenstown around June, then you can’t overlook the Winter Festival. Held in the heart of the city as well as on its mountains, the Queenstown Winter Festival continues to gain popularity for its top-quality music, comedy, and brews. The Festival, which has been running since 1975, is worth going to simply for the collision of cultures and nationalities that it brings together each year, and makes for a fantastic long weekend out for the family.

When it comes to snow sports, you certainly won’t have any shortage of choice. With the region bordered by a total of four different ski fields, Queenstown well deserves its title as the snow capital of NZ. Of these fields, Coronet Peak is the closest to Queenstown central, and along with offering night skiing on Friday and Saturday nights, Coronet’s a great park for total beginners. Next closest is the Remarkables mountain range, where you can digest one of the most beautiful wintry vistas the country has to offer at the same time as you traverse the slopes. Cardrona Ski Resort, still only an hour away from the township, is also a great park for new learners, and last but not least, Cardrona is a first port-of-call for the more advanced skiers out there.

Photo by: Pxhere

For a more relaxed leisure activity, Queenstown’s selection of helicopter flights is difficult to beat. With many operators offering winter flights around the Remarkables and other beautiful sights in Queenstown and its surrounds, this will be one experience you can’t – and won’t want to - erase from your mind. And for the end of a long day on the peaks or in the air, pencil in a visit to the Onsen Hot Pools to experience luxurious day-spa relaxation with an outlook to the surrounding hills of Arthur’s Point. Prime relaxation in a top location: sounds good to us!

If you’re starting your holiday in Queenstown and flying directly into the region, pick up a rental car from Omega’s Queenstown Airport Depot, located 1.1km from the airport. Omega offers a free shuttle service between the airport and the depot. Alternatively, pick up a rental car from Omega’s Queenstown Town Depot.