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Skiing and Snowboarding in New Zealand's South Island
New Zealand's Southern Alps are bigger than the Swiss, French and Austrian Alps combined. They rise to over 2000 metres (6562 feet) in a spine across the back of the South Island.
There are dozens of different ski areas and each has its own distinctive flavour.
One thing that's helpful to know before you travel to New Zealand for a winter holiday is that while some snowy areas specialise in welcoming families, others are better suited to the more adventurous skier - but that's all part of the choices on offer.
Queenstown, sitting pretty on Lake Wakatipu, is the place most commonly associated with winter holidays in New Zealand and a good place to start our tour of the South Island's ski areas. It's a purpose-built tourist town next to a beautiful lake and at the foot of the mountains. It's filled with restaurants, nightclubs and cafes and it positively vibrates with adventure, activity and enthusiasm ... [continued]
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Queenstown Winter Festival 2012 - A Hot Destination
One of the best times of year to visit Queenstown, appreciate the landscape and experience the resort town’s electric atmosphere is during the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival at the end of June.
New international events this year include the New Zealand movie premiere of Ice Age 4: Continental Drift, and a rare performance from New Zealand's best known comics - Flight of the Conchords' Oscar winning Bret McKenzie and co-star Jermaine Clement ... [continued] |
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New Zealand Events & Festivals
New Zealand is a happening place and you can guarantee there's a noteworthy event being held somewhere throughout the country every week of the year.
The annual New Zealand events calendar sports a long list of diverse international, national and regional New Zealand events & festivals to entice visitors keen to sample the country's best offerings from the table to the stage
Kiwis love to get out and about and are great supporters of any event, particularly if it's for a good cause or charity. They're also ... [continued] |
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Proposed Milford Dart Tunnel & Fiordland Link Monorail projects approved in principal
On 10 November, the proposal to build a tunnel through areas within two of New Zealand''s World Heritage Areas drew one step closer to realisation with the Department of Conservation approving the project in principal, subject to public consultation. The 'Milford Dart proposal' is one of two proposals presently being considered, which may reduce travel times to Milford Sound and create a new visitor experience within the world renowned Fiordland and Aspiring National Parks. The other proposal, the Fiordland Link Experience, has also been approved in principal and would involve the construction and operation of a monorail in the area.
Not all are happy with the Department of Conservation's decisions however. Objecters include Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno who believes the Milford Dart Tunnel is inconsistent with the New Zealand Tourism Strategy objectives since it will reduce the duration of stay within New Zealand as well as the daily spend. Also, that it will limit visitor flows into the southern region.
Regional tourism organisation Destination Fiordland has also taken the official position that it opposes the Milford Dart concession application. The RTO is currently working on a submission regarding the monorail proposal ... [continued]
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