Queenstown Sports & Outdoors Tips by Kakapo2 Top 5 Page for this destination

Queenstown does not hibernate during the freezing cold season. On the opposite. Although the only ever world cup races in alpine skiing held in New Zealand have taken place at Mt. Hutt near Methven (Christchurch) and more international ski stars have their training camps at Treble Cone near Wanaka, Queenstown surely is the country's wintersport capital.

This does not mean that Queenstown has fantastic skifields as the Remarkables and Coronet Peak but also the Après Ski party atmosphere which surely is not everybody's cup of tea, and celebrates the Lindauer Winter Festival. Started in 1975, it incorporates open air parties and concerts, on slopße competitons and events, art, ice-hockey, jazz and boogie nights etc. Let's say it like this: It is not the greatest time for peace loving people ;-)

Coronet Peak is only 18kms from Queenstown on the Gorge Road to the Shotover and has a fully sealed access road to the lifts. For those who do not want to drive there are regular shuttle services.

Across the valley is the Remarkables Mountain Range. Towering peaks shelter three bowls with huge areas for skiing and snowboarding. Three quad-chains, one magic carpet and a beginner tow transport the skiers up the slopes. As the Remarkables are north-facing the ski areas are sunnier than on Coronet Peak.

Winter in Queenstown officially runs from 1 June until 30 August. The traditional opening of the ski fields is Queen's Birthday in June, and often the ski fields are open until early October. So the safest months are July and August.

In 2007, for example, Coronet Peak opened on 11 June because there were no early snowfalls and snowmaking could not start; the Remarkables followed later. You never know the exact dates. Check the nzski website for dates and snow conditions.

The Queenstown Winter Festival 2011 will be from 24 June until 3 July.

Other Contact: http://www.winterfestival.co.nz/

Theme: Skiing/Snowboarding

Website: http://www.nzski.com/