EASY TRIPS
PHOTOGRAPHS: QUEENSTOWN WINTER FESTIVAL4
While the rest of the Northern
Hemisphere finds ways to cool off
in the summer heat, pack mufflers,
coats and ski gear for winter
wonderland down south. For 10
days, Queenstown will excite
travellers with unique street
parties, fireworks displays,
international and local acts, and
plenty of snow-filled fun on
the mountains.
The Queenstown Winter
Festival’s calendar of events is
packed with original and now iconic
events. The Dog Derby, Birdman,
Undy 500 and Mountain Mayhem
are just some of the wild and wacky
activities to be expected.
Festivalgoers can also anticipate
participating in winter sports
beyond skiing and snowboarding.Get rough on the ice with intense
impassioned tournaments of ice
hockey, mountain biking in the
snow and even Frisbee golf. New to
the line up are the Raft Race that
challenges teams to make their own
rafts to raise funds for Coastguard
Queenstown, the Mistletoe
Earnslaw Cruise, and a post Night
Skiing Boat Party on the lake. Those
looking for a more laidback time
can enjoy nights of jazz music,
comedy shows and parades, as well
as an arts & crafts market with local
produce and souvenirs for sale.
After spending days in the snow,
go on an extreme sports journey in
the adventure capital of the world.
As the birthplace of the bungee
jump, Queenstown has a multitude
of thrill activities for the adrenalineMAKE IT HAPPEN
This year’s Winter Festival
runs from 24 June to 3 July 2016.
The festival is held over a few
different venues, including The
Remarkables, Coronet Peak,
Queenstown Gardens, and
Queenstown Bay. Check back on
winterfestival.co.nz for more
updates on festival events.
Fly from Singapore on Air New
Zealand to Queenstown via
Auckland. From Malaysia, fly on
Malaysia Airlines to AucklandQueenstown Winter Festival
Make the Queenstown Winter Festival
your own personal playground with
its line up for all agesjunkie. Go whitewater rafting,
canyon swinging or even skydiving.
In the winter season, enjoy pristine
white snow at four regional ski
fields in Coronet Park, The
Remarkables, Cardrona and TrebleCone for hours of skiing and
snowboarding fun. Book an early
bird season pass from NZSki and
enjoy skiing on three peaks from
US$414 or a Mt Hutt pass from
US$207 (nzski.com).first before taking a connecting
flight on Jetstar or Air New
Zealand to Queenstown.
Ideally located within
walking distance of the town, as
well as facing the scenic Lake
Wakatipu and The Remarkables
mountain range is Hotel St
Moritz by Sofitel. This alpine
residence offers the cosiness
and warmth of a lodge with the
comforts of 5-star luxury
accommodation (from US$140
per night; stmoritz.co.nz).