Chill Out Lounge

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.

PAST EVENTS
It’s been an awesome winter on the slopes – hopefully next ski season will be as long and powder-filled! In the meantime, whet your appetite for what’s to come in 2010 – most of these events will be repeated next year and we’ll let you know just when as soon as we find out!

Mountain Mardi Gras 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 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 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 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 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 will be featured at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Riders will have the chance to earn points towards Championship titles.

BILLABONG BRO DOWN Snow Park Two-day party including quarter pipe competitions and cocktails, all filmed by MTV. Check out the vid at www.snowparknz.com/video/billabong-bro-down.html

The Remarkables Rampage Slopestyle 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 Queenstown (www.gayskiweeknz.com) The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest gay alpine party! Plenty of mountain activities, group dinners and creative night-time events.

OHAU SNOWBALL (www.ohau.co.nz) The one and only Ohau Snowball. Wear your fancy dress on the slopes the next day – if you dare!

Volcom Peanut Butter Rail Jam (www.volcom.co.nz) Volcom’s amateur snowboard contest series is a fun and free jam format at Snow Park NZ, Wanaka.

Peak 2 Pub 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.