Winter Summer
Snow Fest 2026

  

April 30: New winter celebration for Queenstown

Queenstown will mark the earliest-ever start to winter with the launch of Snow Fest, a new two-day celebration held over King’s Birthday Weekend.

Snow Fest brings a fresh, community-focused take on the much-loved former Queenstown Winter Festival with a stacked lineup of events!

Snow Fest Event Lineup

29 May

Snow Fest: Polar Plunge

An early‑morning (7:30am Friday 29 May) community plunge at the Queenstown lakefront to kick off Snow Fest, with a retro 80s warm‑up, MC Dominic Bowden, spot prizes and free coffee and pastries at the Bathhouse. Open to locals, businesses and visitors.

More info
29 May

Winter Made Early - Snow Play Opening Day

Celebrating the Snow Factory and the official opening of the mountain, featuring the return of the iconic Suitcase Race, kids’ snow play, prizes, face painting and family activities.

More info
29 May

Snow Fest: Chamber Business Lunch

There’s No Business Like Snow Business at Skyline Queenstown’s Stratosphere Restaurant, featuring industry leaders, winter nostalgia and discussion on the importance of snow to the regional economy.

More info
29 May

Snow Fest: Downtown Rail Jam

After last year’s success, we’re bringing the Rail Jam back to downtown Queenstown, this time at the Ballarat and Stanley Street carpark. Local riders take on a large rail setup in the heart of Queenstown, with food trucks and family‑friendly entertainment bringing winter energy downtown.

More info
30 May

Snow Fest: Suitcase Race

The Suitcase Race returns to Coronet Peak - a winter throwback where contestants race down a marked course in or on a suitcase.

More info
30 May

Snow Fest: Snow Dig

Jump in, dig around, and see what you uncover. From on-mountain goodies to Snowfest surprises, every find is a win.

More info
30 May

Snow Fest: Après at Altitude Brewing

Join us at our craft beer partner, Altitude Brewing, for a well-earned pint, good laughs, and a moment to look ahead to an epic winter on the mountains with DJ, happy‑hour beers and ski pass giveaways at a relaxed après‑ski session.

More info

Winter Made Early

Winter Made Early
Ski, Sled & Play from 29 May

New for 2026: thanks to our brand new Snow Factory, we’re opening earlier than ever from 29 May, with snow on the ground even when winter’s still finding its rhythm.

29 May–12 June: Limited Early Winter operations with conveyor lifts (10am–3pm)

From 13 June: Full mountain opens as usual (9am–4pm)

Learn More

Still need to get your lift pass?

Too easy, checkout our Lift Pass and Packages and get yourself sorted for another winter of good times!

Passes & Packages