Snowshoeing Tours in Queenstown

Description

Feel the overwhelming peace of Queenstown’s stunning back country in winter while wearing snowshoes! Choose between the half day Snowshoeing Discovery and the Showshoeing Adventure, which lasts a full day.

Showeshoes enable you to explore the jaw-dropping mountains and Queenstown’s serene surrounds without having to use trails no matter how deep the snow. Experience unparalleled tranquility in the silence of nature.

In your Snowshoes you will be able to trek across tracts of unbroken snow without fear of sinking in up to the waist, making it possible to explore otherwise inaccessible parts of New Zealand’s wilderness.

Snowshoeing in Queenstown’s gorgeous natural environment enables you to explore hitherto unseen parts of the wilderness in a peaceful and serene manner that will have you feeling at one with nature. Skiiers and non-skiiers alike will relish this chance to explore the Winter Mountains of Queenstown, New Zealand without having to worry about crowds.

What is Snowshoeing?
Snowshoeing simply means walking in the snow with the use of snowshoes designed to enable travelling on foot in the snow easier. Snowshoes are commonly used in locations that experience lots of snow and older variations have been used for centuries. The snowshoes used today are the modern versions of this ancient invention, prevent sinking in mushy or soft snow and provide grip in hard or icy snow. Shoeshoes can be adapted to suit most boot sizes and are extremely easy to use. Most people will be up and about on their snowshoes after a brief fitting, and in about ten minutes almost everyone is ready to hit the road.

Who Can Do It?
Anyone can snowshoe, and just as everyone is able to enjoy hiking in summer, difficulty levels can be customised according to your desires. Walks are conducted in small groups and are flexible enough to take everyone’s abilities and needs into account. Snowshoeing is not a technical exercise and doesn’t require any technical instruction or dedicated practice time, unlike other activities such as skiing, but still enables exploration of far-flung landscapes that even skiers cannot access.

Can I Go Snowshoeing, How Fit do I Need To Be?
The answer is a resounding yes! Anyone who can walk is able to snowshoe, and the activity is open to people of all levels of ability and at any age. Small groups enable distance, terrain and pace to be chosen to suit the preferences of participants. The magnificent alpine environment is most of the time far away from major ski areas and can be enjoyed far from the madding crowd. The vast wide open spaces, crisp air and amazing scenery will astound those who are not too keen to ski, and also anyone who is seeking to experience the mountains in a different, more adventurous and more peaceful way.

What is Snow Play?
Snow play is a family fun experience which includes a range of activities based around play, shaping and using snow. It's perfect for those that want to get involved with the snow, but don't want to sign up for a long walk. You get the change to build snow caves and igloos, and if you are feeling cheeky, throw a snowball or two! With no more than 30 minutes walking time, it's perfect for the little ones, but they must be over the age of 3. 

Heli Snowshoeing

Take a helicopter flight to access a pristine environment of mountain tops, hidden valleys and frozen lakes which stretch as far as the eye can see. Once you land you will strap on your snow shoes to float across the snow, granting access to a plethora of wilderness exploration.

Trip Includes

• Return transfers from your Queenstown accommodation
• Snow shoes & poles
• Snow play & heli snowshoeing includes tea/coffee & cookies
• Snow Adventure includes lunch, tea/coffee & cookies
• Cheerful, friendly & knowledgeable local guides
• Interpretative commentary of flora, fauna, history & geology

Duration

• Half Day Snowshoeing Snow Play - allow 4 hours (2 - 3 hours snowshoeing)
• Three Quarter Day Snowshoeing Adventure- allow 6 hours (3 - 5 hours snowshoeing)
• Heli Snowshoeing - allow 4 hours (2 - 3 hours showshoeing)

Departures

• Half Day - 8am & 1.30pm
• Three Quarter Day - 8.30am
• Heli Snowshoeing - 8.30am & 1.30pm
• Pick up from your hotel or central Queenstown
• Operates during winter months only (June - October)

Other Information

• A reasonable level of fitness will ensure an enjoyable walk. Snow Adventure includes 4km walk with some uphll
• Please bring SUNGLASSES, warm/sun hat, waterproof/windproof jacket, warm clothing  for changeable weather, small daypack, gloves, warm socks. Winter waterproof footwear is provided so please let us know your shoe size when booking
• Remember to bring your camera & a smile
• LAYERS!  To stay warm and ready for all winter weather conditions it is important to bring several layers of clothing.  This allows you to remove & add layers as you warm up or cool down.  Wool or synthetic clothing like fleece & polypropylene are great for base & warm layers. If possible, avoid cotton clothing as when cotton gets wet (from sweat & weather) it stays wet & gets heavy & cold
• Children are welcome however they must be old enough & have the fitness to walk for several hours
• Snowshoeing is dependent on snow so the season can start as early as May & finish as late as October if the conditions allow
• Heli snowshoeing minimum age is 8 years old

Normal Retail Prices

• Snow Play:
  • Adult (15 yrs+) NZD$175.00
  • Child (3-14yrs) NZD$106.00
  • Family (1Ad & 1Ch) NZD$228.00
• Snow Adventure:
  • Adult (15 yrs+) NZD$215.00
  • Child (8-14yrs) NZD$155.00
• Heli-Snowshoeing:
  • Per Person (8 yrs+) NZD$740.00