Snow over the weekend has blanketed Queenstown’s mountains, heralding Queenstown’s transformation for the winter season.
The announcement by the New Zealand Government today that the country will be going to ‘Covid Alert Level 1’ from midnight tonight confirms that Queenstown and its ski areas will allow visitors to be truly free this winter, too.
The Southern Lakes ski areas are all set to open this season with Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort scheduled to open on 26 June, Treble Cone scheduled to open on 27 June and The Remarkables Ski Area set to open on 4 July.
The snowfall has set the scene for the upcoming winter season.
Destination Queenstown interim chief executive Ann Lockhart says snow fans should start digging out their ski gear, tuning skis and snowboards and booking flights to visit Queenstown this winter, joining visitors from all over New Zealand.
“Winter at alert level 1 means that Queenstown’s ski areas have very few restrictions—skiers and boarders will be truly free to experience all we have to offer and we’re very excited for this!”
“There’s been a high level of anticipation for the first significant snow fall of the season after a few early dustings in the last few weeks, and some frosty mornings,” she says.
“Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere’s leading four season resort, the skiing is world-class and the range of activities in Queenstown itself are second to none. The ski areas are fully prepared for safe operations as we move through Covid Alert Levels, and our businesses are open and ready to welcome visitors again—with 96% of respondents to a recent survey intending to open for winter,” says Ann.
The next block to fall into place is the proposed ‘Bubble’ between Australia and New Zealand.
“Queenstown is very much looking forward to inviting Australians to unlock their freedom in Queenstown this winter. At alert level 1, the lifts will be turning with no physical distancing measures or restrictions on gatherings in place, while maintaining hygiene and contact tracing to keep mountain-goers safe. ” says Ann Lockhart.
For more information on Queenstown’s incredible winter offering see www.queenstownnz.co.nz
