Highlands

Sadly, I’m leaving New Zealand’s ski fields today and heading home. The sunrise today really turned on for me – perfect timing for a freezing heli ride above Queenstown. This place is one of the most photogenic destinations on the globe. If you want to take great photos, just come here and point your camera in any direction. I packed light and shot the entire week on 2 lenses, Canon 24-70mm and Canon 100-400mm. Both new Canon lenses that are super sharp.

If you want to book a trip over to the ski fields of NZ and can’t be bothered researching it all…here’s the skinny on my last 5 days which may make it easy for you. Kinda like my cheat sheet.

Fly Air New Zealand directly into Queenstown (3 hr flight ex Syd). Land right in the mountains. Get window seat.

Queenstown
You will need a car. In Queenstown I stayed at the Sherwood Hotel, cool bar and restaurant. Real quirky joint. It’s not in town – just out a bit. Reasonable prices (for a big room), approx. $180 NZD per night. If you wanna light up the town at night – stay central and learn a Euro language (it’s like Bondi in the summer). Ski The Remarkables or Coronet Peak, which ever has better conditions on the day. Snow is only 20-30 mins drive away. Take snow chains and don’t bake it (slippery windy suicidal roads). If you’re minted, go heliskiing – chopper pad is 5 mins from your hotel (Heli Tours QT). Epic. Eat Ferg Burgers – the entire town lives off ‘em. It’s pretty cold, so wear Mons Royale thermals. Huffer make good mountain wear too. Both local. You’ll look great at the chair lift station.

Wanaka
(Wanna-a-car) is only 1 hours drive from Queenstown. Amazing drive through mountains to get there – stop regularly and take pics. Bit like Byron. Smaller town than QT, more local. Less partying. Beautiful lake. I stayed at Edgewater apartments and they were great to crash at. Right near the famous lake tree. Ski Treble Cone (intermediate skiing and mega long runs) or Cardrona (Good for everyone, good pipe and terrain parks). Ice skate on Lake Diamond. Surf stationary wave at Hawea Lake. Drink beer at the Lake Bar. Gotta try wood fired pizzas from Francesca. Go for a joy ride in back country with Aspiring helicopters – your jaw will drop. If you’re cashed up stay a couple of nights at Whare Kea Chalet. I checked it. Just trust me, remote luxury villa only accessible by heli in the mountains. Mega. Propose to your lady friend there. If you want to surf…10 min heli ride from Treble Cone to Big Bay.

The entire trip is good for kids. Even real little ones. Instructors reckon start your kids skiing at 3 (mum you missed that memo). The flight is only 3 hrs from East Coast oz. Watch a movie and bingo you’re here. The Kiwis are bloody nice people and very helpful. They just talk funny!

Chur :: uge