DESTINATION ADVENTURE
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Getting
to grips with an Indy Polaris 600;
magnificent crags, everywhere; secret
basecamp near the foothills of the
Garvie Plateau; fresh tracks.A: Yes you can’t reach this location by
vehicle, it is only accessible via
Helicopter. The snow in the area was
absolutely pristine and the views were
spectacular.Q: What were the most thrilling
aspects of your snowmobile
adventure?
A: The breathtaking views from the
helicopter, especially on the outward leg
that hugs the cliffs of the Remarkables.Q: What part of the trip lingers
most fondly in your memory?
A: The whole experience from start to
finish will live with me forever, as it
really was one of those once in a lifetime
experiences.The trip I was on was with a family from
the Middle East. The guides were
excellent with the children and really
catered for the different level of technical
experience of each of the trip
participants so that everyone enjoyed
themselves.. — AFQUEENSTOWN
SNOWMOBILES:
New Zealand’s only heli-
snowmobiling adventure
If you’ve always wanted to try snowmobiling, and you happen to be in, well,
Queenstown, you could do a whole lot worse than checking these guys out. As
mentioned, Outdoor took one of their 600 CC snow-careening beasts out for a
spin and had an absolute blast.
We discovered that snowmobiling can be an awesome adventure on snow:
action-packed and adrenaline-pumping with the added bonus of stunning
scenery and amazing views for the duration of the entire trip.
While on a trip with Queenstown Snowmobiles, there’s exclusive access to the
undulating Garvie Plateau, featuring trails and back-country riding as far as the
eye can see. On a clear day riders can see Aoraki (Mt Cook), Mt Aspiring, and
even Rakiura (Stewart Island).
Each adventure is limited to no more than six passengers per trip,
Queenstown Snowmobiles are ideal for groups of friends, individuals, or families.
Queenstown Snowmobiles operates from June to October, when the
mountains are covered in pristine white snow.
Any one tour typically moves at a pace comfortable for everyone. The
snowmobiles used are modern Polaris machines, are easy to operate, and a
guide is right there if you need any assistance. No previous snowmobiling
experience is required.
In total, a trip is around two hours in duration. This includes a 15-minute
scenic helicopter flight each way and approximately one-and-a-half hours
snowmobiling.
At the end of your snow adventure, another scenic helicopter flight will take
you back to Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters’ base, where a courtesy van will
drop you back to your accommodation in central Queenstown.
With three scheduled trips per day, seven days a week why not have a crack
at snowmobiling this season?For more information, go to: queenstownsnowmobiles.co.nz38 / Outdoor