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Best Southern Lakes Winter Activities for the Adventurous Soul

23.6.2020

Domes

FIRST TRACKS WANAKA GEO DOME HELI CAMP
With Adventure Consultants

This must be New Zealand’s most unique overnight camping experience! Transfer via helicopter from lakeside up to the alpine zone and move into the surprisingly cosy and spacious Geo Domes. Explore the surrounding basins in ski touring mode with everything from beginner slopes to more advanced and challenging ascents and descents. All based in a pristine wilderness with no one else around for miles! Options to snowshoe or simply play in the snow with the family, or short hikes for premium views of lakes and high mountains. In the evening, your guide prepares a delicious menu while you relax by the fire, then you sleep in comfortable beds with thick mattresses with a view of the stars through the Geo Domes round windows.

 

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WINTER DOG SLEDDING
With Underdog

UnderDog offers a winter experience like no other; sledding with authentic arctic sled-dogs both on and off the snow in some of New Zealand’s premier landscapes. Their two tour options for the 2020 season feature their signature "Drive your own team" tour, whereby you'll meet the dogs, learn all about them and hook them up ready to explore some stunning high-country. Alternatively, their "Basket Ride" option hands the reins to one of their experienced guides allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride. 

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PARAGLIDING
With GForce

Take-off from Bob’s Peak (the top of the Skyline Gondola) and enjoy the ultimate flight with spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu, the rugged Southern Alps, dense hillside forests and the Queenstown township itself.

Once landed safely in town, feel free to return back to the top of the gondola to soak up those awe-inspiring views once again.

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FIRST TRACKS HELI ACCESSED SKI TOURING
With Adventure Consultants

Heli-Accessed Ski Touring enables you the opportunity to ski tour in Wanaka and Queenstown’s premier mountain terrain. Your morning helicopter ride will escort you to a secluded mountain top location and from there you can enjoy a full day of ski touring on high-level alpine terrain with your friendly and highly qualified ski guides. Your guide for the day will decide and set the skinning track for each run and will be on hand to share in a wealth of mountain knowledge as well as tips and tricks on where to find the best snow and how to stay safe in the backcountry environment. At the completion of the touring day, the helicopter will whisk the group back to the staging point and then you return to your accommodation for the night.

 

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BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE AWARENESS COURSE
With Adventure Consultants

Learn from one of our highly qualified and professional guides for an evening and full day's educational session on all things avalanche-related on this New Zealand Mountain Safety Council accredited course. This short course is designed for those wanting to know the ins and outs of understanding weather, snowpack assessment, avalanche equipment and rescue techniques. This wealth of knowledge is an absolute must for all keen backcountry skiers.

Use this opportunity to educate yourself on the basics of how to get around the mountains safely in avalanche terrain from a professional guide. Despite being just the first step on the pathway to your avalanche awareness development, huge benefits will be earned from completing this short course. It may even save your life. #avalancheawareness #staysafeinthebackcountry

 

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1-DAY GUIDED SKI TOUR
With Adventure Consultants

New 1-day ski tours for this coming NZ Winter 2020 - enjoy exploring the winter playgrounds of the Remarkables Range, Queenstown or the Wanaka backcountry slopes. These areas primarily offer ease of access as well as a variety of terrain. Our ski touring equipment or split board equipment is provided for the day and you will be accompanied by your experienced ski guide throughout. Escape the pistes and explore more of the backcountry with a great guide! 

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TANDEM PARAGLIDING AND HANG GLIDING
With Coronet Peak Tandems

With Coronet Peak Tandems you are guaranteed the most experienced dual tandem paragliding and tandem hang-gliding Company not only in Queenstown but within New Zealand; having flown more tandems at Coronet Peak than any other company.

Fronted by a 4-time NZ Paragliding champion, you can be safe in the knowledge that your certified pilot for the day will give you the best and safest paragliding or hang-gliding experience.

Takeoffs at the Coronet Peak ski-field and are therefore only a short drive out of Queenstown. A free shuttle service from Queenstown to Coronet Peak is also offered for those without their own transportation. Travelling with those who do not want to soar? Spectators are welcome to join for a small fee.

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PRIVATE BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
With Soho Basin

The most serene and truly breathtaking privately owned ski area in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Soho Basin promises to deliver an exhilarating all-day experience unlike any other. Enjoy the excitement of their ultimate alpine playground in an intimate and secluded environment that combines luxury and adventure in equal measures.

Tucked away in the magical Cardrona Valley, Soho’s pristine, untouched landscape is a mere 60-minute drive from Queenstown, 40-minutes from Wanaka or a 10-minute flight via one of their affiliated chopper services.

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CROSS COUNTRY SKIING 
With Snow Farm NZ

Developed years ago as a method of transportation across Europe, cross-country skiing has evolved into a sport that anyone and everyone can enjoy. Bring your family and friends and no matter how much experience you have on snow, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic time learning how to manoeuvre around these user-friendly trails. The latest cross-country equipment is available to rent and a fantastic team of instructors are on hand to make your day an unforgettable one.

Chose to stay near the base of the slopes and soak up the mountain atmosphere or venture out to one of the many stunning scenic locations to get that Instagram-worthy holiday snap your friends will no doubt be jealous of.

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HELI-SNOWMOBILING
With Queenstown Snowmobiles

If you have ever wanted to try snowmobiling, then Queenstown Snowmobiles is for you.

They offer the ultimate adventure on snow. Expect a morning or afternoon packed with action and adrenaline with the added bonus of stunning scenery and amazing views for the entirety of your trip. Let their experienced local snowmobiling guides show you the terrain and buckle up for a rip-roaring high energy adventure.

Travel in style both on and off the snow; Queenstown Snowmobiles partner with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters in order to access their remote snowmobiling site (flights in and out are roughly 15 minutes each way).

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HIGH ALTITUDE GLAMPING
With Mountain Hut NZ

Mountainhut.nz offers a host of unique backcountry experiences at the Whakaari Conservation Area Glenorchy. From overnight hut-stays at Mt Larkins featuring heli access in combination with ski touring or hiking, to one-day activities on the same ilk from Glenorchy, your secluded alpine dreams can truly become a reality.  

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If you need some accommodation to base from whilst you enjoy the best the Southern Lakes has to offer then check out our portfolio of Queenstown Luxury Accommodation or contact our friendly Reservations Team

 


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