Best activities to do in winter in Queenstown

Queenstown is the premiere tourist destination for all things winter. If you’re planning on visiting Queenstown during the snowy, cold months, there’s no shortage of activities to do. Here are five of the best winter activities to do in Queenstown.

5 Winter Activities to Do in Queenstown

1.  Skiing and Snowboarding

Queenstown’s most popular winter activities are skiing and snowboarding. If you and your friends are looking for the perfect spot to hit the powder and enjoy a day on the slopes, Queenstown is the place to do it. 

If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, you can also go backcountry skiing or snowboarding in one of the several guided tours available in Queenstown. Ever resort in Queenstown offers equipment rentals, ski/snowboard schools, and lessons for all levels. 

The Queenstown ski season runs from June to October. Here are a few of the more popular ski resorts: The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona, Treble Cone

2. Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is a thrilling and exhilarating way to explore Queenstown’s landscape and mountains. You can go on a guided tour and take in all the beauty and picturesque landscapes Queenstown has to offer in the winter. Most companies offer guided snowmobiling tours that can range from a few hours to a full day tour. Don’t forget to dress appropriately and book in advance, especially during peak winter seasons. 

Here are some popular places you can go snowmobiling in Queenstown: Skippers Canyon, The Remarkables, Mount Nicholas

3. Snowshoeing

Many companies offer guided snowshoeing tours in the mountains surrounding Queenstown, making it a great opportunity to get an intimate, front-row view of Queenstown in winter. If you’re traveling to Queenstown to explore, snowshoeing is a great way to take everything in – all the while squeezing in some time to grab those much-needed Instagram shots.

4. Helicopter Tour

Going on a helicopter tour in Queenstown during the winter is an experience like no other. Grab the opportunity to get a once-in-a-lifetime view of the snow capped mountains and captivating scenery by booking a helicopter tour. 

Helicopter tours are some of the most popular activities in Queenstown – especially in the winter. Every winter, tourists flock to helicopter tour companies to get their own, private helicopter tour of Queenstown’s most famous landmarks and mountains. 

If you love all things nature and want to see what Queenstown looks like in the winter from a different perspective, we suggest booking a helicopter tour to get an up close, one-of-a-kind view of the winter landscape and see some of Queenstown’s most beautiful remote winter locations. Some of the places you can visit on a helicopter tour include: Milford Sound, Mount Aspiring Glaciers, The Remarkables

5. Winter Festivals

Queenstown is famous for its several winter festivals, which bring the whole community together throughout the entirety of winter together. 

The Queenstown Winter Festival is the most popular winter festival in Queenstown, and is held every July. The festival includes live music,  fireworks, food markets, snowboarding and ski stunts, great food, and more.

Winter Pride also takes place every year in August, and is filled with free entertainment, great fun, and exciting events. Queenstown also hosts the Winter Games every August, which is the biggest snow sports event in the Southern Hemisphere. 

If you’re into music festivals, you can also attend Snow Machine in late August. Snow Machine is a world-famous music festival full of music, snow, and adventure. You can ski or snowboard on the mountains by day, dance to the best DJs at the mountain stages, and continue the party at night. It’s the ultimate music festival and skip trip – all in one.