For action, adventure and après, it doesn't get better than Queenstown.
We’ve been guiding snowboarders in New Zealand for almost 20 years, so it’s safe to say we have our Southern Lakes road trips pretty dialled. Next winter we’ve gone back to one of our classic itineraries to maximise ride time and to minimise drive time. You’ll progress your skills by riding more vertical, more terrain and more powder snow, plus our guides are always happy to share some of their local secret spots.
On this 7 night tour, you’ll get to spend 5 full days riding at either Cardrona, The Remarkables or Coronet Peak with our local guides. We leave the last day free for heli-skiing. If you’re ready for the ultimate backcountry experience, we’ll line up a heli-ski day where you can spend the day riding untracked powder. When we’re off the mountain we’ll check out the Queenstown après scene, drink local craft brews, visit the local snowboard shops and of course enjoy a Fergburger or two.
We stay in downtown Queenstown so you can live and breathe the Southern Lakes lifestyle with our homegrown guides and friends. All accommodation, lift tickets and transportation is included and you’ll travel in comfortable 4WD vehicles daily from our centrally located Queenstown accommodation.
Dates
4 - 11 September, 2021
7 Nights I 5 Days on-mountain
Guest to Guide Ratio
4 guests : 1 guide
Price
AUD $2,450 per person
Tour Type
Freeride - For intermediate snowboarders
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Queenstown All Rounder Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
FLEXIBLE ITINERARY
Our base for this tour is Queenstown, which gives us easy access to The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona. We keep the itinerary flexible so your guide can hunt down the best conditions all day, every day. Each day your guide will assess the conditions and decide which is the best place to ride based on weather and snowfall. Each day we’ll load up our 4WD and drive to our chosen area. This flexibility ensures that we will find you the best snow and conditions all day, every day.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
Early September is one of the most reliable times of the season for snowfall. Your guides have an in depth knowledge of the local area and will be able to find any type of terrain to suit your ability. Even if we don’t get fresh snow overnight, our local knowledge will ensure you’ll be able to ride light quality snow days after a storm.
EASY TRANSFERS
We take the hassle out of travel and make it a stress-free trip, especially if you’re travelling solo or it’s your first time to New Zealand. Once your flight arrives in Queenstown, grab your bags and your guide will meet you at the airport. We’ll then load the van and make a short door-to-door trip, from the airport. Grab a seat in our 4WD van and we’ll take you to our hotel, check you in, and make sure you’re set up for the adventure ahead.
TWIN SHARE ACCOMMODATION
We make sure all our guests stay in comfortable accommodation that’s in the best location. Throughout the tour you’ll stay at the iconic Heartland Hotel, overlooking the shores of Lake Wakatipu and close to all the action in town. Our comfortable twin share rooms are equipped with a 2 single beds and everything you need for your stay. Each room has heating, TV, and free WiFi.
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
SMALL GROUPS
We offer one of the smallest client to guide ratio’s in the industry which ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our small groups allow greater manoeuvrability and ease of access to the best areas a destination can offer. When we are on mountain, our guest to guide ratio is 4 people per guide. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 7 nights twin share accommodation at Heartland Hotel, Queenstown
- 2 day lift ticket valid at Cardrona Alpine Resort
- 3 day lift ticket valid at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak
- 5 days resort guiding at Cardrona, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak with qualified guides
- Gourmet BBQ Dinner and Cruise to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw
- Daily private transfers to and from the resort in 4WD vehicles
- Arrival day pick-up from Queenstown Airport
- Departure day drop-off to Queenstown Airport
- Mint Tours guides on hand throughout tour.
HELI-SKI OPTIONS
4 RUN HELI-SKI UPGRADE – AUD $835 per person (Early Bird – Book before 31st May, 2021)
For all abilities the Experience 4 is the perfect day out for those wanting to take a relaxed approach to the heli-ski day to really enjoy the experience of being out in the mountain environment. Explore a variety of amazing terrain for an unforgettable heli-ski experience. Runs vary between 1500-2500 ft of treeless skiing in sheltered basins, bowls and wide rolling mountain flanks. On the Experience 4 day, if the group is of higher ability, there is the opportunity to sample some of our more advanced terrain.
7 RUN HELI-SKI UPGRADE – AUD $1025 per person (Early Bird – Book before 31st May, 2021)
The Classic New Zealand heli-ski day. Our most popular option for boarders and skiers alike from intermediate to expert ability. With more runs and a faster pace, this is undoubtedly a full day of untracked pleasure! Runs vary between 1500-2500 ft of treeless skiing in sheltered basins, bowls and wide rolling mountain flanks. If avalanche conditions permit and the group is of higher ability, there is the opportunity to access steeper terrain, chutes and glaciers.
The Queenstown All Rounder Tour is a 7 night tour. If this isn’t enough, then why not book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Ask us about tour combo ideas and multi-tour discounts.
DATES
4 – 11 September, 2021
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). Get in touch to discuss.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BORDERS ARE CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The global health crisis has impacted everyone enormously, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our customers in the best way that we can. You can view our latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates HERE
WHAT IS A FREERIDE TOUR?
Our Freeride Tours offer you the best chance to ride a variety of terrain from parks, groomers and off-piste. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the Queenstown and Wanaka ski areas which gives you the ultimate advantage when chasing good snow or looking to challenge yourself. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride anything.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. If you are travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room. Your group will be made up mostly of solo travellers. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that New Zealand has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
Each tour is different, but we know that by offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ski or snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our guest to guide ratio on-mountain is 4 guests per guide and we have a maximum of 8 people on this tour. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time riding powder.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited to snowboarders who can link turns, can make a variety of turn shapes and can traverse, hold speed and is adventurous when skiing and snowboarding the entire mountain including side-hits and jumps. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
WHICH MOUNTAINS WILL WE VISIT?
We visit The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort. If you are joining us for a heli-ski day we will ride a variety of mountains in the Southern Alps with terrain ranging from open bowls, low-angle powder, ramps, couloirs, glacier runs, and New Zealand steep faces. We’ll ride in alpine terrain (no trees) and on glaciers. The scale, vastness and beauty of the Southern Alps is awe-inspiring.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season.
CAN YOU BOOK FLIGHTS?
Yes. Let us take the hassle out of selecting the right flights for the tour. We can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
Flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure. Prior to the tour commencing we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your tour manager and guides.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO QUEENSTOWN?
We’ll provide you with a guide with details on how to get to Queenstown Airport and where to meet your guide. If it’s your fist time to New Zealand or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes. A 5 day lift ticket is included in the tour price.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Yes! We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Snowboarding in New Zealand is like nothing else. Expect all kinds of weather and snow with temperatures typically ranging from +10 to -10. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear).
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that New Zealand has to offer.
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Enquire below and one of our New Zealand Tour Specialists will be in touch with further details about the tour.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our New Zealand Tour specialists.
Within Australia (03) 5296 0314
3. EMAIL
Drop us an email and one of our New Zealand Tour Specialists will be in touch with further details about the tour.