Snow Fest
NZSki's start-of-winter weekend, a nod to the old Queenstown Winter Festival. In 2026 it had a lake plunge, a rail jam in town, a business lunch and a family day at Coronet Peak.
- next dates not out
- Usually May
- where
- Queenstown
- cost
- Paid
- kind of event
- Festival
From NZSki release, 30 April 2026 (via Scoop), checked 6 October 2026.
Next dates not published yet. Late May; first held Fri 29 and Sat 30 May 2026 (King's Birthday weekend). We add the dates here when the organiser publishes them.
| When | Usually May 2027; next dates not published yet, 2026 programme: Fri 7:30am Polar Plunge, 12pm business lunch, 3pm downtown Rail Jam; Sat 10am to 2pm Coronet Peak family day, 4pm après session |
| Where | Lake Whakatipu lakefront, Ballarat and Stanley Street carpark, Coronet Peak and other town venues |
| Cost | Not stated (2026 community events were described as sold out) |
| Good with kids | Yes |
| Organiser | NZSki (opens in a new tab) |
What it changes in town
In 2026 it put a rail jam in a town-centre carpark on the Friday afternoon.
Getting there
In or near the town centre: most central stays are a walk away, and the Orbus town stops are at the Stanley Street hub, $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Routes and ride times: the bus guide. Every Orbus fare is $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Around the same time
- Kingston Flyer steam train public toursMost Sundays, October to May · Kingston Flyer station, Kent Street
- Remarkables Market winter SaturdaysUsually May 2027; next dates not published yet · Corner of Red Oaks and Hawthorne Drive, Remarkables Park, Frankton
- SKYCITY Stampede home games (NZ Ice Hockey League)Usually May 2027; next dates not published yet · Queenstown Ice Arena, 29 Park Street
The rest of the year is on the events calendar, and you can subscribe to all of it in one tap there.
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Source: NZSki release, 30 April 2026 (via Scoop), checked 6 October 2026. The description is ours. Dates are New Zealand time and plans change: confirm with the organiser before you travel for an event, and if you spot a change email hello@queenstownpocket.com.