What a hangi is for Maori cuisine snow is for the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival, and the snow has arrived early this year. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, which are official festival mountains from 24 June till 3 July during the 2011 Queenstown Winter Festival, are developing a nice snow base.
Queenstown is an all-year destination, but with the first snow the adventure capital really gets buzzing. Festival Director Simon Green says: “Once the snow hits, Queenstown is ready to go – the energy steps up a level.”
And with so much to look forward to it doesn’t come as a surprise. Some of the highlights for the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival include Mountain Bikes on Snow (25 June), Firefighter Chill Factor Challenge (26 June) and the Speight’s Dog Derby (30 June). The action continues with the American Honey Night Ski and American Honey Coronet Concert (1 July), Air NZ Holidays Mountain Mayhem (2 July) and the Quiksilver Slopestyle Invitational (3 July).
To see the full programme, head to the official website of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2011, and to buy tickets go to TicketDirect.
However, don’t forget to book your Queenstown accommodation. Queenstown hotels, motels and hostels book out fast every year during the Queenstown Winter Festival. You can sort your bed right here and now. And while you’re at it, why not check out our ideas for an entire New Zealand snow holiday? Use our tips and your imagination and you’ll be in for the ultimate 2011 ski season.
American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2011: 24 June - 3 July 2011
For Queenstown accommodation click here, for transport click here.
