Look no further than spending your winter vacation or short stay with us in Queenstown. We admit to a huge amount of destination bias – we have not only chosen to live and play here, but we chose to work hard here too and want to share all that we know is great about Queenstown with you too.
So here’s why we believe Queenstown is unbeatable as your number one winter destination…
1. Not one, but two world-class ski resorts within a stone’s throw from Queenstown
Sitting on the cusp of lake Wakatipu, and nestled in a bowl on the back side of The Remarkables is our very own favourite local ski area with enviable open terrain well suited to finding fresh tracks! And, it’s super family-friendly with terrain parks – from child friendly to super sick and epically large lines – and longer intermediate slopes for those on-piste carving specialists! Probably the most all ’round fun mountain in Queenstown!
Coronet Peak brings a different experience to the table. Only 20 minutes door to door from Queenstown central, the field is based around ‘accessibility’ and delivers longer ski hours through their ‘First Tracks’ (8 am – 9 am) ski offering and their evening ‘night skiing’ (5pm – 8pm) often accompanied by DJ’s.
2. Two more inspiring ski areas, which take a ‘short’ scenic but epic journey to get there – within 1 hour & 2 hours’ drive
Cardrona is an hour drive from Queenstown, but the journey there and back over the Crown Range provides a snapshot into the Wakatipu Basin from a much higher altitude and can be as fun as your day on the snow. Offering more skiable terrain, Cardies (as we locals call it), is a superb choice for a few days – and especially on a powder day!
Treble Cone is a little further afield so a little planning should be undertaken. BUT, don’t let that demotivate you – some of our best ever ski days have been accomplished at TC. Best way to describe it is like a really really big club field!
And coming home from both of these fields is the hugely iconic Cardrona Hotel on SH6. Another bucket list experience.
3. Another epic club field within 2hrs 30 door to door – and a ‘must do’ for your bucket list!
Yes, we mean Ohau…we love to ski. Pronounced ‘oh – how’, which then becomes…’oh how we love to ski’. This is our absolute favourite field and is well worth a day trip. So much so that we’ll probably do this as a post all on its own…. But to be very clear – you can drive, ski and drive home in a day (albeit a long one). In a nutshell, it’s a small open basin with the BEST EVER local service. Don’t expect fast lifts or fine dining… this is as local as you can get – an experience not to be missed!
4. The very best heli-skiing & heli-boarding ever!
Running the length of the South Island is the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps – literally from top to bottom. And with a current population in the South Island (Te Waipounamu) of 1.038 million people, and a total square meterage of 50,437 km², there is a lot, and we mean a lot, of space to find fresh tracks. Into this, we mix a number of top international heli-ski and heli-board companies that offer a whole host of memorable adventures!
5. Nailing the après ski vibe!
Queenstown is absolutely unique. The more we travel (in previous non-covid years…) the more we appreciate the multinational vibe of our town boasting an unparalleled diversity of bars and restaurants which offer an expansive range of international cuisine, bar, cafe and meal choices. Queenstown literally hums with life and vibrancy. Once you’ve finished your days’ adventure, once the car is safely stowed back at base, then you can meander into town and enjoy après drinks and soak in the atmosphere!
6. A photographers winter wonderland dream destination
Towering peaks, blue ski days, white pristine landscapes, crystal lakes and well…. epic vistas – what more can we say except, pack your camera!
7. Great complimentary winter experiences & activities
Queenstown as a winter destination is not confined to skiing. There are adventures, experiences and activities for everyone! Outdoors, of course, you have many snow-based excursions such as dog sledding, cat skiing, ski touring, cross country skiing, sledding and ice skating. But Queenstown also boasts many ‘indoor’ activities – from indoor sky diving to more subtle experiences such as wine tasting. And somewhere within that spectrum are a multitude of family and children friendly fun activities (indoor trampolining, Chipmunks, go-karting…..the list goes on and on).
When it comes to options – Queenstown delivers. Just ask us for any help, we’d be pleased to recommend options and when possible, book on your behalf!
8. Family Friendly
As mentioned above, there is a multitude of cool and fun things to do for the whole family. Queenstown is that diverse, you can find something for everyone.
9. Our accommodation
Yes, this is most certainly on the list. We manage only the very best winterised homes which create an ideal base from which you can go forth and explore. Dry, warm and in most cases, geared for skiing, our homes have been hand-picked and meet our strict comfort criteria ensuring your holiday has the very best foundation from which to be memorable!
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