11 Queenstown Ski Trips, Compared

1.Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Riding Trek (Intermediate+)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · from $365Our pick

Ride into Cardrona’s hills with a guide, passing a working cattle farm and gold-rush-era points of interest before crossing the river to the Cardrona Hotel for a complimentary drink. The small-group trek lasts about 3.5 hours and can include trotting and cantering, so tell the operator your riding ability when booking. Guides include Summer, Emily, Kelly, and Ally.

“We had a great day riding in the Cardrona Valley. Great staff, and beautiful horses. We are beginner riders and the staff was really helpful in picking out the right horses for us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Cardrona Valley Mountain Quad Experience from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · from $222

Set off from Cardrona on a guided, two-hour 450cc quad ride through alpine farmland between Mount Cardrona and the Pisa Range. After a safety briefing, you’ll learn the controls, follow winding dirt tracks and pass historic gold-rush sites. The group is limited to nine; guides have included Phoebe, Summer, Kelly and Hannah.

“We travelled to Cardrona from Queenstown (about 45 minutes by car). Our guide, Summer, was a very experienced rider and made us feel very comfortable about using the quad bikes. We were kitted up with helmets and gloves, given some iRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $309

Ride for about two hours through Cardrona Valley, crossing streams, passing farms, and climbing mountain lanes for views toward Lake Wānaka. Your guide pairs you with a suitable horse and covers basic steering and stopping before you set off. First-timers are welcome; tell The Cardrona your riding level when booking. Groups are limited to seven.

“this was amazing, amazing staff, great view of the snow on the mountain, great valley, strongly recommend people”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Queenstown Tandem Paragliding from Coronet Peak

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · from $222

Meet at 1/45 Camp Street for a shuttle to Coronet Peak, where an experienced pilot briefs you, fits your helmet and harness, and leads your tandem flight. No previous paragliding experience is needed. The flight ends with a gentle landing on the valley floor. Pilots have included Burak, Jack, Andrea, Sedat, and Pat, though your pilot is assigned on the day.

“Fly like a bird in the scenic valley and mountains. It is super safe and an exhilarating experience. The organisers, the pilots and the support staff ensured our nerves were settled and each person was extremely friendly. I would strongly recommend this company 👌.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Remarkables Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 91 reviews · from $149

Take a 20-minute helicopter flight above Queenstown and land on the Remarkables Spur, weather permitting, for views over the Wakatipu basin, Coronet Peak, and Cecil Peak. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary on local geology, gold-mining traces, and film locations. Pilots have included Archie, Michael, Jack, Kurt, and Alfie.

“Fantastic - stunning scenery that you can only see by trudging up a mountain through the snow or grabbing a lift on a helicopter. Definitely do this. Our guide/pilot Archie was personable, friendly and skilled. It’s something else seeing these mountains from the top, crunching through the snow and breathing in the cold mountain air.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $179

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu to a 5,000-foot landing on a spur in the Remarkables. Your pilot narrates through a headset, and a small group of up to six keeps the cabin intimate. Hotel pickup is offered. Bring warm, water-resistant shoes if snow is present.

“This is probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Exceeded our expectations. Decided to book this as a family for my son’s 10th birthday. The helicopter easy fit our family of 2 adults and 4 kids and we all had amazing views regardless of where we sat. We landed up on the snow and took some lovely photos threw some snowballs, lost a shoe in the snow and laughed while putting it back on. Truly an amazing time. The staff were professional and polite and we appreciated their flexibility around the fog to get us the best conditions. Don’t even think about it book…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Cardrona Valley: Mountain Quad Bike Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $178

Set out from Cardrona Horse Trekking & Quadbiking on an automatic Yamaha quad with a small group of up to six. Your English-speaking guide adjusts the route to riders’ ability, leading you through rugged trails, past mountain views and farm animals, with a safety briefing before you ride.

“Amazing experience, our guide Hanna was lovely and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend doing it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Tandem Paraglide – Winter – Coronet Peak 5400ft

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · from $216

Meet Skytrek in central Queenstown, ride a courtesy shuttle and chairlift to Coronet Peak, then fly tandem from New Zealand’s highest commercial paragliding launch. The small-group experience lasts about two hours, including a 15 to 20 minute flight. A ski-field pass costs extra, and pilot Tai has been named as one of the experienced pilots.

“amazing!!! It was a sight I'll never forget. The guide was super kind and fun, and always kept me entertained. I can feel at ease knowing that they're taking good care of my safety. It was really fun! Thanks a lot! It was a view I'll never forget. The guide was super kind and fun, and always kept me entertained. I can rest assured that you take good care of your safety. It was really fun Thanks a lot!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Coronet Peak Snow Play Experience from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $45Best value

Ride a small-group shuttle from central Queenstown to Coronet Peak for 1.5 hours of snow play. Build a snowman, make snow angels or rent a sled for NZD $20. No ski skills are needed. Optional lift passes cost NZD $39, and the trip takes about 2.5 hours.

“This trip didn't disappoint, our driver was great and the snow location was magical. A little confusion about pick up address but we figured it out in plenty of time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Cardrona Valley: Horse Trekking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 2 hours - 210 minutes · from $298

Ride with The Cardrona on a small-group mountain trek, with a one-to-one lesson before you set out and a guide to help you find your confidence. Horses are matched to riders by ability and size. Depending on the trail, you may enjoy a relaxed ride or more active sections with trotting and cantering. Guides including Hannah, Phoebe, and Kelly have led rides here.

“Amazing tour! Definitely worth booking even if you’re a beginner like me. I went for my birthday and it was such a beautiful experience. Highly recommend! Hannah our instructor was the best, so calm and encouraging 😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Cardrona First Timer Ski or Snowboard

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $160

Start your first ski or snowboard day with return transport from Queenstown, rental equipment, a learner lift pass and a full day of English-language group lessons. Cardrona’s beginner facilities keep early practice close to the base. In the afternoon, one ride on McDougall’s Chondola takes you to the mountain top, with a gentle green run or a gondola ride back down.

Check availability →Read our full review