The Best Summer Skiing Destination for Americans: Queenstown, New Zealand
Summer is a time for warm weather, outdoor activities, and adventure. For many skiers and snowboarders, the end of the ski season marks the end of the winter fun. But what if there was a way to keep the excitement going all year round? The answer is summer skiing.
For American skiers, the best destination to experience summer skiing is in Queenstown, New Zealand. Located in the southern hemisphere, Queenstown is the premier winter ski destination, offering world-class ski resorts, stunning scenery, and an abundance of snow. When it is summer in the United States, it is winter in Queenstown, making it the perfect place for Americans to escape the heat and hit the slopes.
Queenstown’s World-Class Ski Resorts
Queenstown, New Zealand is a beautiful mountain town that boasts some of the best ski fields in the world. With four world-class ski resorts within easy reach of the town, including Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, and Treble Cone, skiers and snowboarders of all levels will be able to find their perfect slope. These ski fields offer a unique experience for snow sports enthusiasts, with a combination of great free skiing, deep powder, huge terrain parks, and plenty of groomed trails.
Not only are the ski fields in Queenstown known for their exceptional snow conditions, they also attract world-class snow sports athletes who come to train in the northern hemisphere summer. With terrain that rivals anything available in the northern hemisphere, Queenstown is a winter wonderland that offers a truly unforgettable skiing experience. Whether you are a seasoned skier or a beginner, you are sure to enjoy the incredible snow sports offerings of Queenstown’s ski fields.
Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak, located in Queenstown, is a world-class ski resort known for its night skiing, stunning views over the Wakatipu basin, and a huge variety of terrain for skiers of all levels. It is the smallest of the 4 ski fields but still offers a 462m vertical drop, 280 hectares of skiable area, and a range of ski and snowboard lessons. The resort is also a renowned training facility, attracting ski teams from around the world, including the US Ski Team, and is the home of the Winter Games and New Zealand National Champs. The Performance Centre at Coronet Peak offers private coaching, performance workshops, and training camps with world-class instructors to help skiers of all levels progress their technique.
The Remarkables
The Remarkables is a ski resort located in Queenstown, New Zealand that offers big mountain terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. With a 468m vertical drop, 385 hectares of terrain, 4 chairlifts and 4 conveyor lifts, the resort provides a variety of skiing and snowboarding options, as well as ski and snowboard lessons, a restaurant, café, 2 bars, a rentals department, and even sightseeing opportunities. The Remarkables also features seven terrain parks, including a beginner park, an intermediate park, and several advanced parks, such as the Burton Stash and the G-West park. Additionally, the resort is a popular freeride destination, offering ungroomed natural terrain and easy access to slopes and viewing areas. The resort has hosted the New Zealand Freeride Tour and the New Zealand Freeride 3* event, which is a qualifier for the Freeride World Tour. The Remarkables’ top freeride spots include Shadow Basin and Alta Chutes.
Cardrona
Cardrona Alpine Resort is a winter wonderland for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. With a base elevation of 1670m and highest lifted point of 1860m, Cardrona offers a vertical rise of 600m and an average annual snowfall of 2.9m, with snowmaking supplements to ensure a great ski experience in the Main, Captain’s, Arcadia, and Valley View basins. The resort features 465 hectares of terrain, with 25% for beginners, 25% for intermediates, 30% for advanced, and 20% for expert skiers. Cardrona has an array of lifts, including the McDougall’s Express Chondola, the new Willows Quad, Whitestar Express, Captain’s Express, Valley View Quad, and the Wells Pipe Platter. Conveyor lifts, including the 150m SunKid Conveyor and the mid-level and Kindy Conveyors, are available in the beginner’s area.
For freestyle enthusiasts, Cardrona has four terrain parks ranging from beginner to a FIS Slopestyle course, including Lil’s Bucks park for beginners, Antlers Alley for intermediates, Stag Lane for advanced jibbers, and Big Bucks Park for pros. Cardrona also has two halfpipes, including New Zealand’s only Olympic-standard 22ft Superpipe, which attracts pipe jocks from all over the world.
Treble Cone
Treble Cone, the largest ski area in New Zealand’s South Island, boasts long, uncrowded groomed runs, legendary off-piste terrain, and breathtaking views of Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. With a summit elevation of 2088m, Treble Cone offers 700m of lift-serviced vertical drop and the longest groomed trails in the Queenstown Southern Lakes District. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert skier or snowboarder, Treble Cone has something to offer. With 6 lifts and 50ha of snowmaking, Treble Cone has a lift capacity of 4,500 people per hour and state-of-the-art snow grooming equipment. Come experience the unforgettable New Zealand snow experience at Treble Cone.
Southern Hemisphere Skiing
Queenstown is renowned for its world-class ski facilities and ski slopes. While other ski destinations in the southern hemisphere like Bariloche in Argentina, and Portillo in Chile offer great skiing experiences, Queenstown stands out for its warm, friendly locals, breathtaking scenery, and top-notch ski facilities. The ski slopes in Queenstown are some of the best in the world and provide an experience that’s unmatched by any other ski destination. And if you’re seeking a truly unforgettable ski adventure, Queenstown is famous for its incredible heli-skiing opportunities, which will take you to the highest peaks and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding Southern Alps. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, Queenstown has everything you need for an unforgettable ski holiday.
Getting to Queenstown
Getting to Queenstown from the United States is easy with several commercial flights available. The main route to Queenstown is through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Auckland International Airport (AKL), with several major airlines including Air New Zealand, United Airlines, and Qantas offering connecting flights to Queenstown. Travelers can also fly into Christchurch International Airport (CHC) and take a connecting flight to Queenstown.
For a more luxurious and convenient travel experience, private jets are also available for hire. However, for those looking for a more affordable option, commercial flights are a great choice. They offer a comfortable and efficient way to reach Queenstown, with several flights departing daily from major cities in the United States.
Accommodation in Queenstown
Accommodation in Queenstown is aplenty, with options ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. However, the best option for your ski vacation is to stay in one of the many great Queenstown hotels. These hotels offer prime locations, top-notch amenities, and exceptional hospitality, ensuring that your ski trip to Queenstown is a memorable one. From charming bed and breakfasts to contemporary hotels with breathtaking views, there is a perfect hotel for every traveler’s needs and budget. Whether you want to be in the heart of the town or nestled amidst the stunning mountain scenery, you will find the perfect place to call home during your stay in Queenstown.
Queenstown Nightlife
Queenstown is known for its lively and energetic nightlife scene that offers a range of options for everyone, from low-key bars and cozy pubs to buzzing nightclubs and live music venues. With its stunning mountain views and vibrant atmosphere, it’s no wonder that Queenstown is considered one of the best party destinations in the world. Visitors can enjoy local and international cuisine, sample craft beers and wines, and dance the night away at one of the many bars and nightclubs. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed night out with friends or an all-out party experience, Queenstown has something for everyone. From the popular bar and club scene in the town center, to the chic and sophisticated atmosphere of the lakeside bars, Queenstown is sure to keep you entertained into the early hours of the morning.
