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The beauty of Queenstown is its position. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by mountains, there's something for everyone whether you're looking for high-adrenalin action or more relaxing pursuits.
In winter, you have a great choice of world-class snowfields to access – and if you want to you can ski different mountains every day. The closest is Coronet Peak, just 20 minutes from town. The Remarkables is about 45 minutes from Queenstown, up a gravel road with spectacular views. Cardrona, arguably New Zealand's most family-friendly resort, is about 75 minutes away, closer to Wanaka, across the Crown Range.
Because you're driving up and down mountain roads, consecutive days on the slopes can get tiring, and it would be a shame to go the Central Otago region without exploring some of the other things it offers, from high-speed jetboat rides to wine tasting that's as world class as its skiing. It's also a good idea to remain flexible in your plans as extreme weather – snow blizzards, rain and wind – can all result in resorts being closed.
Here is our suggested itinerary for the perfect ski and sightsee itinerary, based on staying in Queenstown for a week, with an option to move to Wanaka for a few days.
Arrive in Queenstown and make your way to your accommodation. Explore the town, wander around the edge of the lake to the headland and explore the Queenstown Gardens, home to a variety of native and exotic plants. Bite into a burger at the famous Fergburger (42 Shotover Street), sample cakes from Vudu Café and Larder (16 Rees Street), and indulge hot chocolates at Patagonia (50 Beach Street). You'll ski it off tomorrow. If you're short on gear (or wish to hire equipment off the mountain) there are plenty of stores to help relieve you of your hard-earned funds.
With sunny, north-facing slopes across three natural bowls, The Remarkables offers superlative skiing and boarding and extraordinary views of the Southern Alps and the Wakatipu Basin below. The resort has a brand new base station this year and caters to all abilities, with wide open basins for beginners as well as off-piste runs and freestyle areas for adrenalin junkies. The kids' program – Skiwiland (for children three months to five years) and Kea Club for children (five to 15) – is excellent. nzski.com
Get going early for first tracks at Coronet Peak when the snow is freshly groomed (or freshly fallen) and pristine. It's only 20 minutes from Queenstown so shouldn't be too painful.
The MyPass card you were given yesterday at The Remarkables (on which all your equipment rental, lift pass and lesson details are stored) is interchangeable with Coronet Peak so it should streamline your passage through the equipment rental process, and you can easily continue your lesson progression.
Have dinner at the vibrant Madame Woo, in Queenstown, for Chinese-Malay street food.
Give your ski legs a break today. That doesn't have to mean a break from adventure, however. The Shotover Jet is an exhilarating high-speed jetboat ride complete with 360-degree spins through the narrow canyons of the Shotover River, just outside Queenstown.
Afterwards, drive to the historic mining town of Arrowtown, established with the discovery of gold in the Arrow River in 1862. With its meticulously restored 19th-century buildings and twee souvenir shops there's a bit of a filmset feel to the place, but wandering around the gold-era Chinese settlement, gives an authentic insight into the lives and hardships of the immigrant fossickers. There are good eateries including the artisan deli and cellar door A Taste of Gibbston Valley and the Foodie-haven Cooks' Store and Deli where you might find something to take home for dinner.
If you've still got energy at the end of the day, take a gondola from the top of Queenstown to the Skyline Luge, which is like a go-cart on steroids, going downhill, fast.
Head back to the slopes early, either to Coronet Peak or Remarkables, for a good half day of skiing. Then descend to spend the afternoon sampling some of Central Otago's more bacchanalian delights.
Amisfield is the closest winery to Queenstown, set in a picturesque location on the shores of Lake Hayes, with seasonal dishes paired with Amisfield wines. Further afield near Bannockburn in the heart of the Central Otago wine region, Carrick wines offers hearty dishes such as Otago lamb ragout with potato gnocchi and the fabulous Bannockburn platter – pork, pistachio & duck terrine, smoked duck breast, cured ham, plum chutney and pickled cherries – both a perfect match to their Crown & Cross pinot noir.
Another option for the itinerary would be to split your stay between Queenstown and Wanaka. You'd skip the skiing altogether today, but keep the wine tasting and lunch, and drive to your new accommodation in Wanaka instead, via the Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn.
It's a big day out driving up to Cardrona from Queenstown. There are buses from downtown if you want to ditch the car and staying in Wanaka makes it more accessible.
Cardrona is arguably New Zealand's most family-friendly resort, with a colourful base station, a spacious beginners area, and for more advanced boarders and skiers, several freestyle zones. The facilities for children are particularly good and the resort also boasts the South Island's best on-mountain food. Be sure to stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel in the valley at the end of the day for marshmallow hot chocolates or a restorative mulled wine.
It's your final day and if you're staying in Queenstown you'll probably want to get back on the slopes at Coronet Peak or Remarkables. For a change of pace head off the slopes after lunch and visit the fascinating Kiwi Birdlife Park in Queenstown. For a slap up meal book dinner at Rata, acclaimed Kiwi chef Josh Emmett's fine diner.
If you've relocated to Wanaka you can return to Cardrona or head instead to Treble Cone which has the largest skiable terrain of any of the South Island ski fields, including excellent expert-only runs in the Motatapu Basin. The Jazz Fun Park and Jazz Kids' Fun Trail have jumps and boxes, including some for beginner freestyle riders. Make sure you book for dinner at Francesca's Italian Kitchen.
…must come to an end. Pack your bags, return the rental car to the airport lot and say goodbye to Wanaka and Queenstown. And plan to come back.
