Chill Out Lounge

With heaps of events in the wings, the New Zealand 2010 ski and snowboard season is well and truly ready to go. Renowned for extreme sports and crazy activities, the country’s winter events live up to New Zealand’s reputation: from snowboard championships to skiing in fancy dresses; from XXL events for the little ones to Queenstown’s Gay Ski Week – New Zealand is sure to have something on offer for each and everyone of you! Make sure you mark the following biggies in your diary, and check out the regional pages for more events.

AMERICAN EXPRESS Queenstown Winter Festival 25 Jun – 4 Jul 2010, Queenstown (www.winterfestival.co.nz) This legendary winter party sets Queenstown alight in a 10-day frenzy of concerts, competitions, races, fireworks, bands, comedy, food and wine.

Mountain Mardi Gras 26 Jun 2010, Ohakune (www.ohakune-mardigras.co.nz) Celebrate the beginning of winter as the streets of Ohakune come alive with music, rides, stalls and entertainment.

Mini X Games 13 – 14 Jul 2010, Whakapapa (www.mtruapehu.com) The biggest little event of the year for kids aged 5 – 12, including the Mini Boarder/Skier X and the Little Big Air.

Retro GS 17 Jul 2010, Turoa (www.mtruapehu.com) Dig out a fluoro one-piece, straight skis or ‘ironing board’ snowboard and your best air guitar moves – just for the fun of it!

The North Face Peak 2 Peak 24 Jul 2010, Queenstown (www.southerntraverse.com/peak2peak) Competitors battle each other and the elements as they ski/snowboard, bike, kayak and run from The Remarkables Ski Area to Coronet Peak.

Burton NZ OPEN 10 – 14 Aug 2010, Wanaka (www.opensnowboarding.com) The definitive snowboarding event of the season, held at Cardrona Alpine Resort, home to the only 22’ superpipe in New Zealand – the same size that featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Riders will have the chance to earn points towards Championship titles.

BILLABONG BRO DOWN 10 – 11 Sep 2010, Snow Park NZ (www.snowparknz.com) Two-day party including quarter-pipe competitions and cocktails, all filmed by MTV. Check out last year’s vid at www.snowparknz.com/video/billabong-bro-down.html

The Remarkables Rampage Slopestyle 24 Jul & 14 Aug 2010, The Remarkables (www.nzski.com) Held in the UP & GO Terrain Park at The Remarkables Ski Area – top local and international open freestyle snowboarders compete for great prizes.

Gay Ski Week NZ 4 – 12 Sep 2010, Queenstown (www.gayskiweeknz.com) The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest gay alpine party! Plenty of mountain activities, group dinners and creative night-time events.

Oha Snowball 11 Sep 2010, Ohau Snow Fields (www.ohau.co.nz) The one and only Ohau Snowball. Wear your fancy dress on the slopes the next day – if you dare!

Maori Downhill 2 Oct 2010, Snow Park NZ (www.snowparknz.com) Crazy race down the whole mountain at Snow Park NZ, Wanaka, including a run and cold beer at the finish line.

Peak 2 Pub 2 Oct 2010, Mt Hutt (www.nzski.com) Ski or snowboard, mountain bike and run from the slopes of Mt Hutt to the iconic Blue Pub in Methven.