Snow Farm, Queenstown

The town is surrounded by Lake Wakatipu and the awe-inspiring Southern Alps, with spectacular mountains such as the Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Ben Lomond. Queenstown and the surrounding area was the setting for the legendary films Lord of the Rings and X-Men Origins. Despite the mountainous landscape, the climate is considered to be oceanic, with warm summers and temperatures that can reach up to 30°C/86°F, and cold winters with frequent snowfalls.

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One of the biggest ski resorts, dedicated to cross-country skiing, is Snow Farm. Situated just outside Cardrona village at an altitude of 1500 m / 4921 ft, it is located at 55 km / 34 mi from Queenstown and 35 km / 21 mi from Wanaka. The site is open from late June to early October and offers a great variety of facilities and activities. It offers more than 50 km / 31 mi of trails and hosts many cross-country skiing teams, coming from all over the world.

Try the alternative, aerobic-like cross-country skiing (some prefer to call it Nordic skiing) moving simultaneously both your hands and legs and using poles and skis. Perfect for skiers of all levels (trails: Mary’s, John’s and the Highlander for beginners,  Musterers flat and D9 Express for intermediate skiers, Whoop-ity doo and the Road to No Where for expert riders). Enjoy the breathtaking alpine view!