- Length
- 3 days
- Season
- Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Base
- Town Centre or Frankton
- Car
- Optional
- Pace
- Relaxed
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Best for
- Families · winter
A winter long-weekend built for families: a gentle first day on snow, luge and wildlife, and indoor back-ups for the cold or wet. Short travel legs, early dinners, and plenty of hot chocolate.
Quick decisions
Stay here
Frankton is handy for the ski shuttle and supermarkets; central is best for walking to dinner and the gondola.
Book ahead
Book kids' ski lessons and rentals ahead; snowy weekends fill fast.
Best if
Best for families wanting a taste of snow without a full ski-week commitment.
Swap if
Too cold on the mountain? Swap a ski morning for the luge, Kiwi Park or iFly indoor skydiving.
Map & route
Coronet Peak (~25 min) is the family-friendly home field; everything else — gondola, luge, Kiwi Park — is in or beside town.
Day by day
First snow
An easy introduction to the mountain.
Morning. Collect rentals in town, then head to Coronet Peak for the beginner areas and a lesson.
Afternoon. Build a snowman, sled, or warm up in the day lodge.
Evening. Early family dinner in town; hot chocolate.
Stay. Central or Frankton family room/apartment.
Swap: No snow confidence yet? Skip the mountain and do the luge + gondola instead.
Luge, gondola & wildlife
In-town fun, whatever the weather.
Morning. Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak, then luge laps (a family favourite).
Afternoon. Meet kiwi and conservation animals at Kiwi Park Queenstown.
Evening. Fish and chips by the waterfront.
Swap: Rainy? Swap Kiwi Park for iFly indoor skydiving or Dorothy Browns cinema in Arrowtown.
Arrowtown & home
A gentle, pretty finish.
Morning. Drive or bus to Arrowtown — snowy main street, sweet shops, easy riverside walk.
Afternoon. Warm lunch, then back to town to pack.
Evening. Depart.
Swap: Keen for more snow? Swap Arrowtown for a second, more confident morning at Coronet.
Where to stay
A family apartment with a kitchen helps with early starts and fussy eaters. Frankton for value and the shuttle; central for walkability. See the accommodation page.
Browse accommodation →Getting around
Ski shuttles run to Coronet Peak from town, and Orbus route 2 reaches Arrowtown, so a car is optional. See the Getting Around guide.
Getting around guide →What to book first
Kids' lessons and rentals first, then accommodation with a kitchen. Check the snow report before you set out each morning.
Browse activities →Cost guide
Indicative: kids' beginner lesson package from NZ$130, luge day passes NZ$50–70, Kiwi Park family passes NZ$70–90. Prices change — check providers.
Variations
Cheaper: Skip lift passes — do sledding, the luge and free lakeside play; self-cater.
Luxe: Private family ski lesson, a lakefront apartment, and a gondola-top dinner.
Older kids: Add a second ski day and a Shotover family wilderness jet.
+1 day: Add a snow day at The Remarkables' beginner area with the school.
FAQ
How young can kids start skiing here?
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables run lessons and programmes for young children; check each field for minimum ages and family packages.
What are the best bad-weather back-ups?
The luge (runs in most conditions), Kiwi Park, iFly indoor skydiving, and the Arrowtown cinema are all reliable cold- or wet-day options.
Make it yours
Save the stops you like to My Queenstown, open the Trip Planner to reshape the days, or ask Will to customise this itinerary to your dates.