Queenstown, your 2023 winter destination!
Travelling to Queenstown is a bucket list adventure, especially in the winter. Make the most out of your 2023 ski season with our guide on some of Queenstown’s top activities to do this winter.
Known for being the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown boasts stunning panoramic views partnered with some of the best ski resorts in the southern hemisphere. From beginners to experts, Queenstown has something for everyone this winter.
Remarkables Look out. Image: Destination Queenstown
Hit the slopes
Discover The Remarkables Ski Area
Open: 17 June – 8 October 2023
Want a bit of a challenge and some of the best off-piste skiing with beautiful views of the Whakatipu Basin? The Remarkables Ski Area is the place to be. Just 45 minutes drive from Central Queenstown, The Remarkables Ski Area features 385 hectares, a 468m vertical drop, and the perfect terrain for both beginners and experienced ski enthusiasts and snowboarders. Make a day of it and grab lunch on-mountain, then swing by one of two bars for your afternoon après! Alternatively, you could visit local craft brewery Altitude Brewing along the marina as you head back to town.
Take on Coronet Peak
Open: 16 June – 24 September 2023
New Zealand’s first commercial ski area, Coronet Peak has been operating since 1947 and is still going strong. If you’re a beginner wanting lessons, or an experienced rider wanting to test your skills, Coronet Peak has it all. Just 20 minutes from central Queenstown, Coronet Peak stretches over 280 hectares and features a 462m vertical drop. Finish your day on the slopes with an après, on the way back to town you’ve got two fantastic locals, Canyon Brewing in Arthurs Point, and Searchlight Brewing as soon as you enter town.
Night Ski!
The home of Night Ski, Coronet Peak turns the lights on and stays open from 4 pm-9 pm on Wednesday and Friday evenings, allowing you to ride from sunrise to sunset! With two restaurants up the mountain, your evening pizza and pint are ready to go, it’s Après to the max! Grab your gear and soak up the views and incredible experience of night skiing in Queenstown.
Things to do off the slopes in Queenstown this winter
Get your high-octane thrills!
From jet boating and bungy jumping to skydiving and zip lining, Queenstown has everything you need to get your heart pumping on your next winter adventure. Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown has so much to offer the thrill seekers of the world! Race through canyons on a jet boat, dodging rocks, fallen trees, and canyon walls as you head downstream. Or take a leap of faith off with AJ Hackett and the world’s first original bungy in the Kawarau gorge.
Après all day
With shorter days in the winter months, there’s nothing better than cozying up in front of a fire with a glass of mulled wine or delicious Central Otago pinot noir. Queenstown’s food and drink scene is world-class, why not visit one of the many craft breweries around town, try a degustation dinner, or sample some of the finest cheeses and award-winning cocktails! Check out some of the epic deals available when you book through Mountainwatch Travel.
Explore the region
Make the most of your time down south and visit some neighboring areas. We’ve got Glenorchy with the famous red shed, Arrowtown with its picturesque little town, the laid-back town of Wanaka over the mountain – make sure you stop in at the Cardrona Hotel for lunch and Cardrona Distillery for a tipple on your way over. Or book a scenic tour to the beautiful Milford Sound for stunning waterfalls and beautiful wildlife spotting.
Our packages are designed to cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. If you want to learn more about what to do, where to go, and how to get here, get in touch with the team today for your own personalised itinerary and travel to Queenstown this winter.
