1. Hit the Slopes In Queenstown, New Zealand
A small but vibrant community in New Zealand's South Island, Queenstown has quickly
established itself as a a major winter-sports centre in the entire Southern Hemisphere. A big
reason of Queenstown's fame is its location. Set in the Southern Alps region between snow
covered mountains and Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown sometimes called the most scenic
winter resort in the world.
Queenstown is what is called a four-season resort, meaning it is open throughout the year. A
haven destination for adventure sports fans, Queenstown has skydiving, bungy jumping,
white water rafting, helicopter tours and jet boat rides. Those looking for something more
sedate can embark on leisurely tours of local award-winning wineries.
Also popular are trips to Milford Sound, a huge South Island fjord that has to be seen to be
believed, as well as 4WD rides to Queenstown landmarks where Peter Jackson shot scenes
for "The Hobbit" and the "Lord of the Rings" series.
Queenstown undergoes a remarkable transformation during the winter from a summer resort
to a winter wonderland. queenstown ski hire. The town becomes a hive of activity as winter
sports fans descend in their thousands to experience the first snowfall of the season. Due to
tremendous demand, finding suitable tourist accommodation can be hard; needless to say it
is recommended to book well in advance. Luckily there is plenty to choose from when it
comes to holiday accommodations in Queenstown.
The excellent skiing and snowboarding is the main reason to visit Queenstown in the
wintertime. Coronet Peak is a mere 20 minutes away while The Remarkables are a bit farther
afield and takes 40 minutes to reach by car. A regular shuttle service is available to all major
ski fields from several spots within Queenstown. Steady weather patterns means ski fields
operate for longer and experience minimal emergency closures. Skiers in Queenstown spend
more time showing off their skills on the slopes than they do sitting in the clubhouse nursing
drinks.
Queenstown's restaurants, bars and cafes provide welcome relief from the rigors of the
slope. Those who don't want to spend their entire holiday on the ski field will find several
fascinating diversions during their stay in Queenstown. A tour of Arrowtown is a great way to
learn about the early settlers in the area and even try some amateur gold prospecting!
Arrowtown's other claims to fame include a luxury spa and 27-hole golf course.
A regular fixture in the Queenstown tourist trail is the TSS Earnslaw. Constructed in 1912,
the vessel has been ferrying passengers over Lake Wakatipu for over a century and is still
going strong. Passengers who make the journey go home with indelible memories of a
bygone era.