Queenstown Winter Activities

Do people come to Queenstown in the winter time to ski and snowboard and play in the snow? Of course they do! The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona ski fields are right at your doorstep and offer amazing skiing and snowboarding conditions between June and late September. But did you know that over 90% of the adventure and sightseeing activities on offer in Queenstown in summer are also available during the winter! Yep that’s right, you don’t have to wait until the warmer summer months to visit Queenstown if you’d rather get stuck into to all the adventure activities and sightseeing tours instead of hitting the slopes.

Visiting Queenstown in winter (June-September), means you can ski or snowboard for a few days and then spend the rest of your time enjoying the activities that Queenstown is famous for. Bungy jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, skydiving, hang gliding, horse riding, scenic helicopter flights, Milford Sound day trips, tasty wine and beer tours... the list goes on and on and on!

So if you really want to see Queenstown in all its glory, snow capped peaks, crystal clear lakes and rivers, then visit in winter and get the very best of both worlds!

How cold is it in Queenstown in winter?
It’s cold compared to summer but in relation to the northern hemisphere it really is quite mild. Typically it is a little below freezing at night which is perfect for snowfall and maintaining the condition of the ski fields and then it usually warms up to between 5-10 degrees celcius (41-50F) during the middle of the day. Wearing layers is the best way to dress in Queenstown as it allows you to add or subtract as the temperature goes up or down.

Surely it’s too cold to do water based activities like white water rafting in Queenstown in winter?
It’s certainly fresh, but all the tour operators ensure you have the gear you need to stay warm. If you are doing a jet boat ride in Queenstown then it’s a good idea to wear layers including a warm outer jacket, gloves and a woollen hat (beanie). If you are thinking about white water rafting then fear not. Sure, it won’t be like hopping into a warm bath but the Shotover River water temperature remains pretty similar all year and you are provided thick full length wetsuits (8mm) as well as booties, gloves and jackets.

What if the weather is too bad for the activity or tour to go ahead in Queenstown?
Of course this can happen, but in general, winter days in Queenstown are crisp and clear so funnily enough, there are less cancelled days in winter than there are in summer. However, if your activity or tour is cancelled for whatever reason then you will have the option of re-booking for another day or of course you can receive a full refund from us.