American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

Since 1975 Queenstown has been pulling on its best winter clothes, turning up the music and showing the world how to have fun. The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival promises you "the 10 coolest days in New Zealand". It’s all about laughs and frivolity, music and creativity, food and wine, sport and spectacular feats. Be there or be endlessly envious.

Thirty four years ago a bunch of snow-crazed Queenstown locals with bad 70s hair decided that the arrival of winter was a great excuse for a party. They organised races on the mountain, lolly scrambles for the kids, beer for the grown-ups, a couple of loud concerts and a town-wide ball to give everyone a reason to get dolled up.

The 2008 festival has a special point of difference - a purpose-built pavilion, right in the middle of town. With a floor area of around 600 square metres, the Kawarau Falls Station Pavilion is the heart of the winter festival. It’s a venue for all kinds of live entertainment; it’s also the admin centre for tickets, bookings, information, merchandise and much, much more.

Big nights out

Sparks will fly as young and old enjoy the fresh, alpine air.

Coronet Peak serves up a flurry of excitement at festival time. Wince as mountain bikes hurtle down a snowy race track. Howl with laughter as high country farmers and their dogs compete in the Speights Dog Derby. Watch New Zealand’s best ski racers compete in the American Express Invitational Ski Race. Plug into the electric atmosphere of the Rail Jam, where big prizes mean big airs and big dares.

Laughing all the way

When it’s a couple of degrees below outside, you’ll want to be laughing inside. Get cosy at the Palace and catch some of New Zealand’s most hilarious comedy acts - Ewen Gilmour, Irene Pink and Dai Henwood, just to name a few. The Great Comedy Debate shows that arguing is a very entertaining art form, or let yourself be arrested by the Fun Police. Of course giggles aren’t restricted to comedy shows - the grabaseat musical chairs will have you rolling on the snow laughing.

The coolest culture

Even the most exciting festival needs quieter moments to balance out the frolicking. At this year’s festival there are many cultural treats: Jennifer Ward-Lealand as Marlene Dietrich, singing songs by Cole Porter, Edith Piaf and Frederic Hollander; an evening of mystery dining at the American Express Gourmet Experience; lunch at Millbrook with Al Brown, the wild man of New Zealand cooking; and jazz night at the top of the Queenstown Gondola, headlined by multi-award winner Hollie Smith.

Before and after activities

When the festival’s over, or before it begins, you’ll find plenty to do in the Queenstown region. Enjoy a round of golf - there are four courses in the area, including world famous Millbrook; book yourself a day of luxury and pampering at a day spa; go jet boating, lake cruising or canyon swinging; or visit the vineyards in Gibbston Valley. Scenic drives around the area will reveal gold rush history and spectacular alpine views. You could also take the opportunity to visit Milford Sound in Fiordland - it’s picture-book perfect in winter.

Qualmark promises you a sure thing

When you’re planning your Queenstown Winter Festival experience, look for the Qualmark© logo - it’s your sign that accommodation, activities, services and transport have been independently quality assessed.