Skiing in queenstown - your 7 day escape

7-Day Queenstown (Winter) Itinerary: Ski, Apres, and Two Fabulous Free Days

Welcome to skiing in Queenstown, your 7 day winter itinerary, designed for those looking for a smooth, high-comfort trip close to the action.

Why Queenstown?

Queenstown is the perfect winter ski destination, with a season from late June to mid-October.

Close to town there are two main ski resorts, Coronet Peak, and The Remarkables, and within another hour or so, Cardrona and Treble Cone offer even more variety.

Queenstown offers an almost unrivaled variety of accommodation, things to see and do, and a legendary apres ski scene.

Where to stay (4–5 star, walkable to town center)

Pick one and settle in for the week (all are excellent bases for apres ski, multiple dining options, and shopping):

1) Eichardt’s Private Hotel (5-star, iconic)
- Lakefront luxury, right in the heart of town. Perfect for cocktails and a “treat yourself” vibe.

2) The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments (5-star, around 3 kilometres from town centre)
- Spacious rooms/apartments, great for longer stays. Often has shuttles/taxis readily available.

3) Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa (5-star, central)
- Steps to restaurants and bars. Great service and spa for post-ski recovery. Unwind at days end with their Club Lounge Experience.

4) Hotel St Moritz (4.5-star, MGallery)
- Close to town, welcoming atmosphere, great bar/restaurant with a lively winter feel (be sure to try their signature cocktail the Applecart Martini.

5) Pepper's Beacon (4-star)

- With wonderful lake view options including self contained apartments. Perfectly located around 5 minutes flat walk to the town centre.

Tip: If you want “walk everywhere” energy, prioritize Sofitel, Eichardt’s or Pepper's.

Ski Fields; where and why

Your ski days are Days 2, 4, and 6. This plan alternates fields for variety.

Ski Gear hire (easy central options)

There's a good range of hire options in town. Here's a few of the more popular suppliers:

• Snowbiz: Highly regarded, multiple locations. Strong for quality demos and good boot fitting.  Station Building, 7 Duke St, Queenstown, New Zealand Ph +64 3 441 2085
• Torpedo7 Queenstown: Practical and convenient option for gear and accessories. Cnr Camp & Shotover Street The Forge Building, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Ph +64 3 409 0409
• Outside Sports: Solid service for rentals and advice. 9 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Ph +64 3 441 0074

Handy tip: Get fitted on Day 1 afternoon/evening so you can walk onto the shuttle the next morning.

Queenstown Ski shuttles

There's two main options for access:

A) Ski field shuttles (simple and common)

• NZSki operates buses/shuttles to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in winter from Queenstown stops.
• Book ahead in peak weeks; leave early for first lifts.

B) Private transfers (premium, flexible) - like Queenstown Expeditions and Black NZ

• Ideal if you want a later start, door-to-door service, or to avoid bus timetables.
• Your hotel concierge can arrange a private transfer/driver on ski mornings (and pick-up after apres).

Note: If you self-drive, you’ll need mountain road conditions awareness (chains may be required). For a relaxed trip, shuttles/private transfers are the way.

Some Apres-ski hotspots

Queenstown is apres-ski heaven, with dozens of options located within the town centre. Here's a few of our most popular spots:

• The Bunker: Hidden, moody, excellent fireside vibe and cocktails.
• Botswana Butchery: Great for a celebratory steak/seafood dinner after a big day. Extensive wine list.
• Sundeck Rooftop Bar: Lively, views, great for a post-ski drink (weather permitting).
• 1876 Bar: Classic, refined apres cocktails right on the lake.
• Reds Bar: Popular, casual, energetic.

Your suggested day by day itinerary

DAY 1 skiing in Queenstown (arrive in Queenstown by air, then settle in & relax

Afternoon

• Arrive at Queenstown Airport and transfer to your hotel (15–20 minutes).
• Check in and take a gentle lakeside stroll: Queenstown Bay to the gardens is a perfect “first look.”

Late afternoon (highly recommended)

• Get ski gear sorted today: boots + skis/board + helmet + goggles.
• Pop into Snowbiz (or your chosen shop) for fitting so Day 2 is effortless.

Evening (your upbeat welcome to town)

• Pre-dinner drink: 1876 Bar (in the former Magistrate's Court building) or The Bunker for cozy winter atmosphere.
• Dinner ideas (choose your mood):
• Rātā (modern NZ, special occasion quality)
• Botswana Butchery (classic Queenstown indulgence)
• Blue Kanu (Pacific-influenced, fun and social)
• Flame Bar and Grill (steak and ribs are their speciality)

Optional: Early night to beat jetlag and maximize your ski day.

DAY 2 skiing in Queenstown (your first ski day) — Coronet Peak + Queenstown apres

Morning

• Breakfast at your hotel or grab something quick in town.
• Shuttle or private transfer to Coronet Peak (closest field to Queenstown).
• Ski focus: warm-up laps, then explore groomers and off-piste if you’re confident.

Lunch (on-mountain)

• Eat on the mountain to maximize ski time. Aim for a quick, hearty lunch and back out.

Afternoon

• Ski until mid/late afternoon.

Apres + Dinner

• Apres drink: Sundeck (if the weather’s playing nice) or The Bunker (if you want fire-and-cocktail comfort).
• Dinner: Botswana Butchery (if you didn’t do it Day 1)
• Rātā (if you want something elevated but not stuffy)

DAY 3 skiing in Queenstown (a free day) — Fiordland day trip (Milford Sound) OR a slow luxury day in town
This is a full “explore day,” no skiing.

Option A: Milford Sound (big, bucket-list day)

• Book a guided tour with cruise included (coach + cruise, or fly/coach combos if you want premium time-saving).
• Expect a long day, but it’s extraordinary in winter—moody, dramatic, often snow-dusted peaks. The second half of your drive from Te Anau to Milford is simply stunning, with towering peaks, waterfalls, and the Homer Tunnel.
• Dinner back in Queenstown: something comforting and satisfying after a big day:
• Blue Kanu or a relaxed bistro-style dinner near the lake. Wise to book ahead as your coach may not arrive back in Queenstown till 7.30pm. Check at time of booking.

You can see a range of popular tours by using the widget below. One of the more popular is this one.

Option B: Queenstown at leisure (recovery + indulgence)

• Late breakfast, spa session (Sofitel spa is excellent), or perhaps a hot tub soak, then:
• Skyline Gondola ride for sweeping views.
• Luge if you feel playful, or just enjoy the lookout and a drink.
• Dinner with a view: Stratosfare (Skyline) can be a fun “touring day” choice.
• Pre-dinner drinks on Perky's Floating Bar offers serene views.

DAY 4 skiing in Queenstown (your second ski day) — The Remarkables + big night energy

Morning

• Shuttle/private transfer to The Remarkables.
• Ski focus: scenic runs, longer cruisy laps, and photo stops (the views are a highlight).

Lunch

• On-mountain lunch to keep momentum.

Afternoon

• Finish mid-afternoon and head back to town.

Apres + Dinner

• Start apres at a lively bar (Reds Bar is a reliable “busy winter” pick).
• Upgrade to cocktails later at The Bunker if you want a second venue.
• Dinner: Rātā (if you haven’t yet). Or ask concierge for a chef’s table / seasonal tasting option if you’re in the mood to splurge.

DAY 5 (your second free day) — visit the wineries then enjoy the TSS Earnslaw (choose one, or do both)

This is your second “explore day,” focused on quintessential Queenstown experiences.

Morning / Midday Option A: Gibbston Valley Wineries (luxury, relaxed)

• Arrange a premium wine tour (private is ideal so you can linger where you love).
• Tastings typically include Pinot Noir highlights, cellar doors, and cheese/charcuterie options.
• Lunch: at a winery restaurant or a long, leisurely lunch arranged by your tour.

Afternoon/Evening Option B: TSS Earnslaw + Walter Peak (a classic and one of our favourites)

• Cruise on the vintage steamship across Lake Wakatipu.
• Pair it with the Walter Peak experience (dining is a common highlight).
• This is an easy, memorable winter evening—very “Queenstown.”

If you prefer a more adrenaline charged day:

• Consider a scenic flight (high-end, weather dependent). See five ancient glaciers, the Southern Alps and Milford Sound on this exhilarating one hour adventure with Air Milford. Wow! They even offer a convenient pick up/drop off service from your central Queenstown accommodation. A wonderful experience with Air Milford, a family owned company with over 50 years experience.

DAY 6 skiing in Queenstown (your third ski day) — today is your choice: Coronet Peak (convenience) or Remarkables (scenery) + a farewell apres

Morning

• Choose based on how you’re feeling:
• Coronet Peak if you want easy logistics and fast laps.
• The Remarkables if you want the grand finale views.
• Shuttle/private transfer.

Lunch

• Keep it simple and fast: eat, hydrate, get back out.

Afternoon

• Ski until you’re pleasantly toasted.

Farewell Apres + Dinner (celebrate a wonderful week)

• Apres: 1876 Bar (refined, celebratory) or The Bunker (cozy and memorable).
• Farewell dinner at Botswana Butchery (if you want a classic “last night” blowout).
• Or a top chef-driven option via concierge booking.
• For a more relaxed but iconic meal, grab a Fergburger (yes there will be a queue) and take it onto Perky's Floating Bar. Now how "Queenstown" is that!

Optional: If you still have energy, finish with a late drink at a lively town bar like Pog Mahone's —Queenstown is built for final-night fun.

DAY 7 depart Queenstown by air - enjoy those views

Morning

• Leisurely breakfast, perhaps that last lake stroll, then check-out.
• If you rented gear, return it early (or the night before if possible).
• Transfer to Queenstown Airport with plenty of time for winter road/traffic variability.

tips for an effortless week skiing in queenstown 

• Pre-book: ski shuttles (or private transfers), key dinners (Rātā / Botswana Butchery), and Milford Sound (Day 3).
• Pack smart: merino base layers, proper gloves, and good socks matter more than people expect.
• Concierge leverage: financially independent travel is about removing friction—use the concierge for reservations, drivers, and weather-based pivots.

We are here to help

If you need any help planning your holiday, please contact us. We would love to hear from you.

The Vacation Queenstown team