The Best Winter Holiday Ever!

Looking for a winter destination that ticks all the boxes? Get to Queenstown & Lake Wanaka for all your skiing, boarding, partying & unforgettable events!

Why Queenstown & Lake Wanaka?

Located in the southern half of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown and Lake Wanaka have long been known as must-visit winter destinations. The two towns are just one hour’s scenic drive apart from each other and, combined, make for an unforgettable winter holiday. Both towns welcome backpackers with open arms and offer top backpacker accommodation, great deals, activities and events for the young and the young at heart!

What to do in Queenstown & Lake Wanaka?

Skiing & boarding: Between them, Queenstown and Lake Wanaka have four premier ski resorts, as well as a specialised snowboard park, heaps of heli-skiing options and a cross-country skiing park.

• From Queenstown, visit Coronet Peak or The Remarkables for days of epic skiing and boarding. Both resorts offer top facilities including cafes, rental, lessons and transport from Queenstown (saving you time, money and parking hassles!).
   
• Cardrona Alpine Resort is located conveniently between Queenstown and Lake Wanaka, and features three terrain parks, two half-pipes, jumps, rails, funboxes, and an epic 22ft super pipe and Gravity X course.
   
• Treble Cone is Lake Wanaka’s local field. Grab the daily mountain shuttle from Lake Wanaka township to enjoy a massive day of slope action on the region’s longest vertical rise!
   

Party!

As well as their perfect ski and board conditions, Queenstown and Lake Wanaka are known for their awesome nightlife! The small size of both towns, and the increased winter populations make for fun nights out at the local pubs, bars and clubs.

• Queenstown is cranking every night of the week. Locals and travellers flock to enjoy the live music, DJs and massive drink specials available in the numerous backpacker bars, friendly pubs, clubs and cosy wine bars.
   
• A little smaller, but no less happening, Lake Wanaka has a handful of bars, pubs and restaurants that are often full packed out, come winter. Whether you want a quiet drink after a day on the slopes, or a big night on the town, look out for happy hours and drink specials as well as great meals on offer.
   

Great Events!

• The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games is set to descend on the South Island in August 2011, offering a chance to watch the world’s top snow and ice sports athletes in action! From August 12-28, Wanaka and Queenstown will be abuzz with competitive winter events, from ski racing to curling. The 16 day festival also features a full off-snow festival programme including an Adventure Film Festival, live music, an Adventure Expo and a series of downtown big air and rail jam extravaganzas. Sixteen days, 38 events, 22 sports, 1,000 athletes from over 30 nations: you can’t miss this!
   
• The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party and starts in Queenstown on June 24, 2011. This massive annual event is a jam-packed 10 day party that has something for everyone: fireworks, comedy, jazz, food & wine, street parades, ski races and fun, fun, fun! There are free events, and ticketed gigs, so book ahead or just turn up - either way, a great time is guaranteed.
   

Check out all the local winter events here >
 

Getting to Queenstown & Lake Wanaka

To get the most out of your winter holiday, fly directly into Queenstown International Airport. There are direct flights from Australia’s East Coast, and several of New Zealand’s domestic airports. Lake Wanaka also has its own airport with flights from several New Zealand destinations.

Where to Stay

Both Lake Wanaka and Queenstown offer a huge selection of accommodation, from top hotels to backpacker dorm rooms. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, sharing with friends or looking to meet new people, New Zealand backpacker hostels are an affordable accommodation option, with a room type to suit your requirements. Backpacker hostels also usually offer great discounts on local activities and attractions, as well as cheap food and drink deals.

When to Go:

Lake Wanaka and Queenstown have some of the longest ski seasons in the Southern Hemisphere! Visit any time between mid-June and early October to catch the action on the slopes. August is the peak month in which to ski, and also ties in with The 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games.