Hilton Queenstown

The snow has finally arrived in Queenstown and the ski fields are buzzing with eager skiiers who have been waiting for the first good dumping of snow. Once people hear about the first snow fall accommodation and activities quickly book out. If you are planning on a ski holiday to Queenstown this year it is recommended that you book your accommodation as soon as possible. There are already a few accommodation providers in town that are booked out for the next 2 – 3 months.

Queenstown Accommodation has a new kid on the block. The luxurious Hilton has finally arrived and it looks gorgeous. It is nestled in one of Queenstowns most senic locations where the Wakatipu Lake flows into the Kawarau River. In fact this is such a good site this is where the founder of Queenstown decided to live.

This hotel is only 5 minutes from the Queenstown airport and is 15 minutes from the center of town. There is a water taxi that provides a regular service from the Hilton for a quick and unique way of getting into town.

The hotel has a noodle bar, a restaurant called Wakatipu Grill and a stylish wine bar and lounge. You can also keep fit and relax in style in their 25m indoor heated pool and eforea Spa.

Treat yourself and book your Queenstown accommodation at the Hilton Queenstown.

The Queenstown Winter Festival is less then a week away. The town is getting excited as the biggest winter party in the Southern Hemisphere is about to get under way.

A new feature to the fesitval this year is the tempory ice skating rink being built over Horne Creek. This will be a great focal point for the fesitval and it will give you a chance to try you hand at a bit of ice skating. The skating rink will be open from 10am till 9pm and it will cost between $10 – $22.

After a record breaking warm May Queenstown is still waiting for the snow to fall but the good news is a cold southerly is going to come up the country on Sunday which will have a cooling effect on the Southern Lakes Region and possibly even some snow.  It should give the snow making machines to work their magic.

If it’s cold enough the machines can make enough snow to open the ski fields in three days on Coronet Peak. In fact the machines on Coronet Peak make 20 tons of snow a minute. Isn’t that amazing?

Where is the snow? After a un-seasonally warm Autumn there is still little snow on the hills. The ski fields and Queenstown eargerly waits the first decent fall of snow. Coronet Peak was going to open on the 4th July but the ski fields are still bare and it just hasnt been cold enough to get the snow making machines into gear.

The snow always comes however and there is hope in the forecasts. According to David Crow who is the local weather guru it should be cold enough from this weekend for the snow machines to get into full gear making the good powdery snow every one is eager for. If this forecast is correct people could be heading down the slops by the end of the week as it takes about three days for the machines to make enough snow to make it enjoyable.

During the last 10 years the opening date has ranged from June 1st to June 19th so the law of averages suggest its time to wax the snow board and find the gloves.

If you are wondering when you should book your flights and accommodation then you should be safe if you book it from July onwards. Be sure to book your accommodation soon because once the snow comes they fill up fast. You wouldn’t want to be disappointed and miss out in your snow fix now would you?

The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner. Starting on the 9th September three teams will be hosted in Queenstown. These teams are England, Ireland and Romania. Queenstown will also be hosting the Classics All Blacks game on the 18th September.

Queenstown is the perfect place to base yourself during the Rugby World Cup with many South Island Games being held in Dunedin and Invercargil just 2 or 3 hours drive away. It is also just a quick hop away in a helicopter which is a great way to beat the crowds and arrive in style. Heli Tours has some great flight options for the Rugby World Cup. Queenstown also has an international airport with direct flights to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch so you can attend other games around New Zealand. If your lucky enough to be bring your own plane to New Zealand there is plenty of parking available at the Queenstown Airport.

Queenstown also has a huge range of Activities and beautiful scenery so you can keep yourself occupied in between games. Queenstown has white water rafting, parachuting, bungy jumps, fly fishing, skiing, Jet boating, Wine Tours and much more. Its likely to satisfy even the most demanding characters needs.

Of course Queenstown will be very popular during this event so it is recommended you book your accommodation early to avoid disappointment.

Ski in Queenstown

Surrounded by snow capped mountains and a crystal clear lake, skiers and snowboarders alike converge on Queenstown, NZ during the winter season. They all come to experience the snowy winter wonderland, the atmosphere of Winter Festival, the activities the region has to offer and the wonderful cosmopolitan resort town.

As the region is very popular during this time of year it is recommended that if you that you book your Queenstown Accommodation and Queenstown Activities early to avoid disappointment.

Queenstown Ski Fields

The 2011 Queenstown ski season begins on the 4th June and runs well into October. The weather is stable this time of year with many crisp blue days. This means the ski fields rarely close due to bad weather.

Queenstown is located within 30 mins drive from the New Zealand’s oldest ski field, Coronet Peak but there is a range of many other ski fields within close diving distance from town also. These are The Remarkables, Cardrona and Snow Farm & Park. There are also Treble Cone ski field close to Wanaka as well as some hidden gems up in the mountains perfect for heli-skiing – the iconic Queenstown winter adventure!

Queenstown Winter Festival

The Queenstown Winter Festival occurs every year from June 24 – July 3. This event has been going for more than 30 years and has become the southern hemispheres ultimate winter party with visitors from all around the world. This ionic New Zealand event attracts 60,000 people which helps create a very lively exciting buzz.

There are fireworks, family fun, drag races, street parades, birdman action, comedy, jazz, food and wine, a great mix of internationally acclaimed performers and home-grown acts, a ball – and that is just in Queenstown! Many events are also held up on the ski fields such as ski races on bikes, Speights dog derby and an entertaining suit case race. The Queenstown Winter Festival is an excellent time to visit but there are also many other Queenstown events through out the year.

Queenstown Ski Rental

The town center changes during the winter period with many of the mountain biking and out door activities shops changing to ski rental stores. It is easy to rent your ski gear from the many options available in town or if it is more convenient for you many ski fields also have ski rental available on the ski fields themselves.

Queenstown Ski Fields Transport

There are many transport options available around Queenstown and up to the ski fields. Queenstown Rental Cars are available from the airport or in town if you wish to drive yourself. If you prefer there are also many buses which do ski field transfers most of which can be easily arranged from your Queenstown Accommodation

The extra long weekend over Easter gives many people a good excuse to visit Queenstown for a short break. The school holidays in New Zealand are also during this time leading to a great family break. This all leads to a very busy weekend for the town with many different events held around the region. For this reason it is advised to book ahead for accommodation and any activities you wish to do to avoid any dissapointment.

So what events are held during this time of year? During the even years The War Birds Over Wanaka is held in Wanaka attracting many aviation fans to the region. This is a big event and is enjoyed by all walks of life.

If you are more the fitness type the Lake Hayes Easter Triathlon which is New Zealand’s longest running triathlon is a great way to get some exercise and see the beautiful scenery at the same time. A mountain bike event called Dirt Masters Ben Lomond Downhill is held in the Ben Lomond Forest above Queenstown. Well worth entering if your a keen mountain biker or just a good watch.

The Autumn colours are really stunning this time of year with the Arrowtown Autumn Festival following on from the Easter holiday. The hills become a beautiful hue of golden colours which attracts artists from all around. So make sure you book that accommodation early so the Easter Bunny knows to find you in Queenstown this Easter.

Queenstown changes to the colorful hues of red and gold during the Autumn months from 1 March to 31 May. The crisp cold nights create very vivid colours amongst the trees. This is where Arrowtown really becomes the painters dream landscape as the hills that are nestled against the town become a patchwork of colour. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival runs from 29 April to the 8 May to celebrate the transformation of the town from summer to winter.

This is the perfect time to visit Queenstown, relax amongst the stunning scenery and to feel the crunch of fallen leaves under your feet. The vineyards are busy with harvest at this time of year making a great time to do a wine trail and see the action taking place (or taste Central Otago’s tasty wines).

Queenstown’s many golf courses give the golfing fan a real treat. The quiet crowds during Autumn give you the chance to take the golf courses at your own pace and enjoy the Autumn colours. The Queenstown Golf Club is a perfect course to take in the Autumn surroundings and perhaps sink a hole in one.

This has to be one of the best times of year to visit Queenstown especially if your not a fan of the snow. The weather is still warm enough to do outdoor activities and the scenery has its own uniqueness that is unmatched during the rest of the year. As the crowds wait until the snow drops, many deals can be found around town in accommodation and activities. Don’t think about it, find that bargin and book!