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Top ski season is on the way

OFFICIALLY running from June 1 to August 31, winter is a magical season of snow-capped mountains and blue skies in Queenstown when visitors and locals alike relish an enviable lifestyle and stunning environments.

Renowned as the premier winter destination of the Southern Hemisphere, winter activity in the Southern Lakes region centres on the alpine playgrounds of Queenstown and Lake Wanaka. It is a gorgeous time of year to visit.

The resorts are alive with the winter buzz of skiers and snowboarders, the shopping is as superlative as ever, all activity operators are in full swing and the log fires offer warmth and comfort whether the sun is up or down. The resorts feature six international standard snow areas and an aprés ski culture to match.

Snowfields can open as early as the first weekend in June and are nearly always open by the last week of that month. The season can run past the last weekend in October but will generally close sometime in the last half of the month. Winter snowfalls are unpredictable but extensive snowmaking at some areas generally ensures skiing and boarding throughout the season.

Winter weather in the Southern Lakes region is generally stable - the snowfields seldom close due to bad weather - occasional storms provide large dumps of snow. While skiing and boarding can be the primary motivation to visit the Southern Lakes region during winter, plan enough time to have 'off mountain days' to take in the huge range of activities on offer in the area.

With a host of slopes spread around the region there is something to suit everyone.