The Winter Self Drive Adventure Circuit Itinerary

Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four seasons alpine and lake resort, nestled in the corner of Lake Wakatipu framed by 360 degree vistas of snowcapped mountains. With year round action-packed thrills, such as jet boating, white water rafting, paraponting and Bungy Jumping. In winter, Queenstown turns into an alpine playground - skiers and snowboarders come from all over the world to join in the fun. Golfing, fishing and Wine Tasting offer other opportunities in this stunning region.

Stroll into the vibrant Town Centre and have a cocktail on us!  - we'll even cover your entry fee. The 'Below Zero Ice Bar' is the largest Ice Bar in Australisia where everything is carved in ice.

Accommodation Queenstown - 5 nights

Snow Shoeing is a great way to get your body prepared for your skiing holiday is an invigorating walk into the beautiful New Zealand back country. Experience the serenity (the splendid isolation) away from the crowds as the modern slim line snowshoes let you feel as if you are floating over the snow giving you instant access to the spectacular mountains around Queenstown. Every step has a story and your guide will bring the region to life with tales from the original Maori, gold mining and early settlers era.

Unwind and soak-up in Queenstown’s spectacular scenery. Immerse yourself in the views, the pure waters, and the fresh mountain air, as your mind and body surrenders to the deep penetrating warmth and gentle massage in your very own Private Hot Pools, the only private indoor / outdoor hot pools, high on the cliffs overlooking the beautiul Shotover River canyon.

CORONET PEAK
Just a 20 minutes drive on paved road from Queenstown central, Coronet Peak is a favorite for visitors and locals alike. State-of-the-art lifts and snowmaking equipment has Coronet Peak offers premium skiing and riding for all levels. Spectacular high points and rolling trails with secret verticals, dips and drops offer the seasoned skier and rider something to get their teeth into, while the wide open runs are perfect for beginners and intermediates. For newbie’s there is a dedicated learner and novice areas making learning easy. Parents there are supervised kids’ programs and early learning centre for children age three months and up.

Terrain:The 280 hectare (691 acre) park has a base elevation of 1220 meters (4000 feet) and the Terrain consists of 25% Easy, 45% Medium and 30% Hard. As far as lifts are concerned they have 1 high speed 6 seater, 1 express quad chair, 1 express double chair, 1 T-Bar and 3 Magic Carpets

Night Skiing is available on Friday and Saturday nights. Coronet is home to the Winter Festival.
 

THE REMARKABLES
High in the mountains above Lake Wakatipu the Remarkables ski area has a base altitude of 1730 meters (5675 feet) with lots of snow and a long reliable season. Its north facing aspect makes its three basins sheltered suntraps and with a versatile terrain, relaxed atmosphere and sense of fun it is perfect field for beginners, youth and all family members. Young free skiers and snowboarders swarm to the mountain’s varied trails, terrain park and backcountry areas with the powder bowls and off-piste runs providing challenges for the more advanced, the fantastic learning facilities means all boxes are ticked allowing fun for all ages and abilities.

The Remarkables are set in a vast natural amphitheatre high in the rugged ranges above Lake Wakatipu on the southeastern shores of Lake Wakatipu and 24km southeast of Queenstown

Terrain: 30% Easy, 40% Medium, 30% Hard

Lifts, there are 3 quad chairs, 3 surface conveyor lifts and 1 handle tow, there is also a long magic carpet taking you up from the main car park to the base building, which is also used for beginners.

Spring Festival: During September the field hosts the Remarkables Spring Festival with a riot of snow sports and crazy events with live music on the deck adds to the party atmosphere.

We offer an "A la Carte Heliskiing" menu to suit skiers and snowboarders with varying degrees of ability. Each heliski option has been carefully designed to offer a great degree of flexibility allowing everyone to experience the tranquility, freedom and exhilaration of Heliskiing. Contrary to the perception that Heliskiing is only reserved for the extreme skier/boarder, we offer you a range of options to match your abilities and goals with our skilled guides and terrain - we have over 8,500 sq/km (5,300 sq/mi) of Heli-skiing terrain for you to play on!

Let us treat you to the true flavour of the Central Otago region. From Wanaka you will circumnavigate the sparkling waters of Lake Dunstan visiting Wooing Tree vineyard, Provisions Of Old Cromwell Town; sample freshly baked scones topped with fine local fruit preserves. Northburn Station is next; here enjoy superb wines matched with a taste plate of farm-fresh produce including Northburn's own Merino lamb.  Continuing on to Bendigo Station for wild game fare including wild rabbit hams washed down with delicious Bendigo wine.  Finish with a 3-course evening meal prepared from local produce matched with 3 gorgeous Wooing Tree wines in the historical surrounds of the Luggate Hotel.

Approximate Distance: 70 kms | 44 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 10 mins

Accommodation Wanaka - 3 nights

Wanaka is a picturesque jewel among New Zealand's major ski destinations. Lake Wanaka runs away to the north of the lakeside town providing stunning views of Mt Aspiring National Park. The situation of the lake (to the north) also enables sunshine to flood into the town even in mid winter providing a warm environment for the non skier (or tired skier) to enjoy more leisurely pursuits. Wanaka is often likened to Queenstown but 20 years ago - with only a 1.5 hour drive from Queenstown Airport she offers a more chilled environment to enjoy your après ski.

You have the choice of two wonderful fields over two days
 

TREBLE CONE SKI FIELD
 The largest field in the South Island, Treble Cone is a 30-minute drive from Wanaka and has developed a reputation as the GoTo field for advanced skiers and boarders enticed by the regions longest vertical, un-crowded slopes, legendary off-piste runs with awesome half pipes and a terrain that is highly varied with challenging gullies, wide faces and exhilarating runs - both the New Zealand freestyle and the Norwegian Alpine ski team train at Treble Cone. With regular north west snow dumps throughout winter the field regularly has awesome powder days, especially fun on the Longest Run at 4km (2.5miles) long.

Terrain: Beginner Terrain 10%, Intermediate Terrain 45% and Advanced Terrain 45%

Slope Facilities: include a bar and café, snow school with a FREE beginner surface lift, childcare centre, ski and snowboard rental kiosk and medical centre.

CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT
 Also around a 30-minute drive from Wanaka is Cardrona, this is known as the family field and provides 3 distinct recreational areas each with its own degree of difficulty making it a great field for beginners and intermediate abilities. Cardrona is ideal for those wanting to learn to ski or snowboard and particularly with its several purpose built beginner runs which lead onto gentle wide open spaces, two surface conveyor lifts for learners result in an accelerated learning curve. Cardrona also has the only beginners trail in the country that runs along a mountain’s peak with beginners learning while enjoying breathtaking views over Lake Wanaka to Queenstown.

Snowboarding: A lot of emphasis has also been placed on attracting snowboarders and the field offers more in the way of specific runs for shredders (snowboarders) than most New Zealand fields and now the Snowboard National Championships are held here.

Terrain: 25% Beginners, 55% Intermediate, 20% advanced

Slope Facilities: Include 3 terrain parks with a wide range of jumps and rails and two half pipes with a dedicated platter lift, and a great gravity cross course.
 

Mt Cook National Park is a fantasy land of ice and rock reknowned for its exquisite alpine beauty. This is home to the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt Cook. Its Maori name, ‘Aoraki’ means ‘cloud piercer’ and at 12,016ft (3,755m) it towers above the surrounding snow-covered peaks in the park. A third of the park is covered in permanent ice and snow and the mighty Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier outside of the polar regions. Glacial melt gives the lakes their beautiful milky, turquoise colour. This is the very heart and soul of a World Heritage and National Park wilderness playground. Ice, snow, hidden valleys, lakes and glaciers offer golden opportunities for discovery, relaxation and adventure, there are many walks in the area to take in the dramatic beauty and today you are going to do one of them.

Approximate Distance: 208 kms | 130 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation Mt Cook - 2 nights

Relax or enjoy some free time take a stroll or embark on the of the many activities offered in the Mt Cook Region or get enthused with some serious back country... If you have the inclination this is a must! Operating amongst the highest peaks in and bordering Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. This is a vast area of huge, heavily glaciated peaks. It has been less than a decade since permits where granted to operate heli-skiing and heli-boarding within this beautiful unspoiled environment. This region offers some of the world’s most spectacular and challenging snow riding terrain. Every year we open up terrain that has never been tracked before. Just east of the 'Main Divide', we spend the day exploring the Liebig and Malte Brun ranges. Expect big vertical, dramatic peaks, breathtaking scenery and the kind of unspoiled snow that you can only dream about.

In the heart of New Zealand's South Island lies Lake Tekapo, a beautiful turquoise highland lake surrounded by a vast basin of golden tussock and the spectacular Southern Alps mountains. Finely ground rock in the glacial melted waters give Lake Tekapo a beautifully unique colour. This highland location enjoys some of New Zealand's highest sunshine hours. The unforgettable night sky reveals why Lake Tekapo has a reputation for clear air. Lake Tekapo is approximately halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown. Lake Tekapo offers a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year: hiking, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, hunting, kayaking, skiing, and star gazing.

Approximate Distance: 106 kms | 66 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 10 mins

Accommodation Lake Tekapo - 1 night

All good things must come to an end and today is the final day of your New Zealand Adventure. Take your time and drive through the Mackenzie country and Canterbury Plains, we suggest you stop for lunch in Geraldine a tranquil, classic New Zealand rural town with a friendly village atmosphere before arriving in Christchurch regarded as the most ‘English’ of all New Zealand cities. 

Approximate Distance: 225 kms | 140 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 50 mins

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

There maybe time for some last minute excursions or shopping before making your way for your outbound flight. Our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Some suggested excursions if you have time.

 
Ready to find out more? Talk to us here in New Zealand about the 'New Zealand Winter Ski Adventure'  - We Guarantee it will be the Holiday of a Lifetime!