Queenstown & its ski fields

QUEENSTOWN IS RAVED ABOUT THE WORLD OVER SO YOUR EXPECTATIONS SHOULD BE HIGH. DON’T WORRY, IT’LL EXCEED THEM ALL.

Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is at the heart of a glorious mountainous amphitheatre and is crowned, of course, by the Remarkables mountain range.

Get to know Queenstown and you’ll soon understand why this charmed Alpine town is considered such a temptress. With wild good looks and an unruly personality to match, it’s a riotous little hub intent on leading visitors astray, on exciting and daring adventures no less.

Should you arrive in Queenstown by plane, the descent will likely be your first exhilarating experience of many. Gliding between sharp folds of snow-licked mountaintops, you’ll drop out of the clouds and into a valley painted with lakes and patchwork townships. Even if your entry is by road, the dramatic scenery is instant.

Queenstown’s sophisticated centre is jostling with excellent restaurants, coffee shops, cosy bars and pop-up weekend markets, as well as a network of shops in which to fill your bags with anything from oldfashioned sweets to warm woollen blankets.

And then there’s all that action. Given that commercial bungy jumping began here, the variety of thrills available is only limited by your imagination.

This enchanting town will hook you on, reel you in and no doubt throw you out via some sort of catapult or bungy cord.

Family on a cruise in Lake Wakatipu © Destination Queenstown

SNOW MUCH FUN!

Queenstown and Wanaka are perfectly situated to provide easy access to world-renowned ski fields:

1. Cardrona Alpine Resort

Cardrona Alpine Resort has more than 320 skiable hectares of dry, natural snow and is popular for cross-country and freestyle skiing and snowboarding. There are slopes suitable for beginners through to experts.

2. The Remarkables Ski Area

This ski area is a favourite with families and has three sun-drenched, north-facing, snow-filled bowls that are perfectly formed to cater for everyone from absolute novice to powderhounds.

3. Coronet Peak

The rolling, open slopes of Coronet Peak include 280 skiable hectaresand slopes for all abilities. Coronet Peak also offers night skiing for everyone.

4. Cross-Country Ski

In Wanaka, you can now utilise New Zealand’s only Cross-Country Ski area: The Snow Farm. Enjoy backcountry accommodation and lessons to finesse the art, as well as snowshoeing, tubing and dog sledding.

The Remarkables Ski Area © Rachel King