Luxury South Island Ski Holiday Itinerary

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering mountains, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s ultimate holiday destinations. This sophisticated all-season town offers authentic luxury experiences in beautiful settings hosted by our naturally warm and welcoming people.

This is your base for five glorious nights. It's a magical place both on and off the slopes, with an excellent food and wine scene as well as great shopping, hiking and endless opportunities to relax.


Accommodation: Queenstown - 5 Nights

Just twenty minutes from town, Coronet Peak is a firm favourite of visitors and locals alike. With state-of-the-art lifts and snowmaking equipment, Coronet Peak offers premium skiing and riding for all levels. Rolling trails with secret verticals, dips and drops offer the seasoned skier something to get their teeth into, while the wide open runs are perfect for beginners and intermediates. A dedicated novice area makes learning super easy here.

With supervised children's programs and early learning centre for children three months and older, even the smallest family members will adore their day here.

Skiable Area: 280 hectares (691 acres) 
Terrain:12% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 48% Advanced 
Lifts: 1 high-speed six-seater chair, 2 high-speed quad chairs, 1 T-bar, 4 carpet lifts

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

The Remarkables are set in a vast natural amphitheatre high in the rugged ranges above Lake Wakatipu, 24km southeast of Queenstown. During September the field hosts the Remarkables Spring Festival with snow sports, events and live music. This popular ski field at the shore of the lake offers versatile terrain, a relaxed atmosphere and a wonderful sense of fun. With fantastic learning facilities it is the perfect field for beginners and younger skiers.

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. If you can tear yourselves away from the slopes, why not rent some hiking boots and head for the top of the ridge line? The views of the Southern Alps are breathtaking. Or challenge family and friends to a snow sled race down the mountain.

Skiable Area: 220 hectares 
Terrain: 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced 
Lifts: 3 quad chairs, 3 surface conveyor lifts

A full day for you to enjoy Queenstown and its surrounds.

Adrenalin junkies, we can arrange virtually any activity you can think of. From a bungy jump into Kawarau Gorge, a swing across Shotover Canyon, or a skydive into Paradise, we can book everything for you. For a more peaceful day, there are many beautiful drives in the local area. Head to historic Arrowtown for quaint streetscapes, good food and beautiful views. Or drive alongside the lake to Glenorchy for a horseback ride through Lord of The Rings country.

In town, take the gondola (cable car) to Bob's Peak for unparalleled views over the lake. Race around the luge track while you're there, or grab dinner with panoramic views from the restaurant at the top.

There are too many wonderful options to fit here, so chat to our travel specialists if you would like more suggestions for your perfect Queenstown day.

Some recommended Queenstown excursions:

Enjoy another day on the slopes in Queenstown

On the shores of New Zealand's second largest lake, the town of Wanaka is often described as Queenstown's quieter little sister: the lake and mountain views are equally incredible, and many visitors count it as a favourite location on their New Zealand tour.

Even the short drive here is stunning, leading you over the rugged Crown Range on the highest main road in the country. Take your time and enjoy the scenic lookouts en route.

This charming little township is easily explored on foot, and a stroll or bike ride around the picturesque shores of Lake Wanaka is a must. The mountain backdrop is perfect for a for a skydive or even a romantic flight in a vintage Tiger Moth plane.

Approximate Distance: 69 kms | 43 miles  Total Driving Time: 1 hour 11 mins

Accommodation: Wanaka - 3 Nights

Thanks to Cardrona's high altitude, it usually offers some of the best snow conditions in New Zealand. Only 30 minutes from Wanaka, this family-friendly winter playground has something for everyone. With a dedicated kids Snow Sports School, you can leave the little ones in expert hands. Who knows, they might teach you some new tricks at the end of the day!

Roomy green trails and a dedicated Beginners Area will keep any novices in your party entertained, and Cardrona's three wide open basins offer superb terrain for intermediate and expert skiers too. For boarders, this is heaven on earth: welcome to the Southern Hemisphere's most extensive terrain park. There are also two half pipes (one of which is the only New Zealand Olympic 22ft Super Pipe) and a gravityX course to get stuck into.

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

Skiable Area: 345 Hectares (852 acres)

Lifts: 1 Chondola, 3 quad chairs, 1 platter, 3 conveyor lifts

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.

Expect epic views across Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring at Treble Cone, the South Island's largest snow resort. A 30 minute drive from Wanaka, Treble Cone is a go-to field for advanced skiers and boarders. It's no surprise that the New Zealand Freestyle team and Norwegian Alpine ski team like to train here.

With the region's longest vertical drop (700 metres), legendary off-piste runs and access to beautiful backcountry, there are exhilarating challenges at every turn.
For beginners and younger skiers, the learning area is right next to the base lodge and cafe. Once you have found your feet (and warmed them up again with a hot chocolate), the Easy Rider chairlift is waiting to take you to the top of one of the longest green runs in New Zealand to hone your newfound snow skills.

Drink in those jaw-dropping views as the sun sets on your final day on the snow.

Skiable Area: 550 Hectares (1359 acres)

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

Lifts: 1 6-seater chair, 1 quad chair, 1 surface platter, 1 magic carpet

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

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! Today we say farewell. We take care of your transfer to Queenstown Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.