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Snow Forecast for Downtown Auckland

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:41:29 +1200

SNOW FORECAST FOR DOWNTOWN AUCKLAND

What: American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Big Dig

When: 12 noon, Friday 13 April

Where: Queen Elizabeth Square, Lower Queen Street, Auckland

Summer may have been a non-event for Aucklanders but winter certainly won’t be.

This Friday 13 April at 12pm Queenstown’s Winter Festival team is bringing winter right into the heart of downtown Auckland with a Big Snow Dig in Queen Elizabeth Square.

Twenty cubic metres of snow, supplied by Snow Planet and supported by radio hosts from MoreFM, will be shaped into a mountain and contestants will dig through the snow to find some fantastic prizes.

The grand prize winner will scoop a trip for two to the Opening Weekend of Queenstown Winter Festival which includes return flights with Air New Zealand, three nights’ accommodation at The Hilton Queenstown, Avis weekend car rental and NZSki day passes for Coronet Peak.

Runner up prizes include passes for Snow Planet, Big Wednesday tickets, Avis weekend car rental, Speight’s Summit packs, a Mt Difficulty magnum plus giveaways from Quiksilver, Lion, Mophie, Fisherman’s Friend and Auckland Airport.

Spot prizes include double tubing passes for Snow Planet and Quiksilver beanies.

Winter Festival Director Simon Green said the Big Dig was Queenstown’s way of getting Aucklanders revved up for a winter holiday down south.

“Every year thousands of Aucklanders flock to Queenstown to help celebrate the start of winter and join in the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party.

“Now that the programme of over 50 events for this year’s festival is set, we want to make sure everyone in Auckland knows about it and what better way than to bring a little bit of winter to the heart of downtown Auckland?!”

How the Winter Festival Big Dig works:

Entry opens at 12pm
20 lucky diggers will be chosen from at random from all those entering
Once selected, the 20 participants will then get 20mins to dig to find a token
Each token corresponds to a prize
One special token will be for a trip for 2 to the 2012 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

The 2012 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival will run from Friday 22 June to Sunday 1 July.

Winter Festival announces event line up: programme goes live!

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:24:00 +1300

Winter Festival announces event line up: programme goes live!

Festival-goers, Queenstowners and holiday-makers from around the world can check out the programme for the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party, the 2012 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival (June 22 – 1 July) at www.winterfestival.co.nz.

A combination of hotly anticipated classics and a real coup or two will once again deliver a programme that’s pure entertainment for both locals and visitors.

The New Zealand movie premier of Ice Age 4: Continental Drift is confirmed for Saturday 23 June – The Air New Zealand Premiere kicks off as the conclusion of the Auckland Airport Family Fun Day. The following evening, Sunday 24 June, New Zealand comedic export Flight of the Conchords (Oscar winning Bret McKenzie and his co-star Jermaine Clement) touch-down to perform live at the Queenstown Events Centre.

Comedy continues on Wednesday 27 June with TV3’s infamous ‘7 Days Live’ comedy satire show broadcasting live to the nation from Queenstown’s Memorial Hall.

As always celebrations kick off with the American Express Opening Party & Fireworks on Earnslaw Park (Friday 22 June) - this year Fire & Ice themed. The next morning (Saturday 23 June) events can be wild or mild as people decide between the Auckland Airport Family Fun Day and Festival Parade or the decidedly physical Mountain Bikes on Snow, Frontrunner Golden Mile or More FM Birdman, or any combination of the above.

Similar decisions will need to be made on Sunday 24 June between cultural pursuits such as the American Express Big Brunch and the More FM Day on the Bay for example. The following weekend promises sporting fun on and off the mountain with the Air New Zealand Mountain Mayhem on Saturday 30 June, rugby on the Rec Ground, Ice Hockey at the Ice Arena and Night Skiing at Coronet Peak. On Sunday 1 July winter sports continue with the Quiksilver Invitational Slopestyle and the National Cyclocross.

Following its successful debut last year Winter Festival 2012, welcomes back the Wonderland Ice Rink on the Village Green. The Rink will host a dazzling performance from the Australian-based Stars on Ice team (Tuesday 26 June).

Back again due to massively popular demand is the Mountain Scene’s Thriller in the Chiller (Saturday 30 June) and worth noting is that Sunday is the new Tuesday as the Auckland Airport International Mardi Gras is this year to be staged as a closing party on Sunday 1 July.

Festival Director Simon Green said the programme was comprehensive and streamlined to make the most of the two weekends.

“Once again this is about fun. It’s about celebrating who we are and where we are and sharing that with our visitors.

“We’re delighted with the programme line up and invite everybody to start planning their trip to Queenstown to join the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party.

“We just need to remind people that Mardi Gras is now to be on Sunday night. We made this change in response to feedback from local people and visitors over the past few years. Primarily we want this event to be really accessible to local families - it was hard for some to fully enjoy Mardi Gras on a school night – then we considered comments from visitors who arrive for the last weekend of festival which is school holidays for New Zealanders and many Australians. It’s a PG rated event designed to bring families and community together and by moving it to the Sunday, it’s more accessible for locals and now available to the many people who arrive in town for school holidays.”

Mr Green said out of 50 programmed events a massive 30 of them were 100% FREE to attend.

For full programme details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz.

Festival programmes will be distributed and available to pick up at information outlets throughout the region from 19 April. Tickets to the few Winter Festival events that require tickets go on sale from Monday 30 April.

Auckland Airport joins Southern Hemisphere biggest winter party

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:58:33 +1300

Auckland Airport joins Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party

Helping to spread Queenstown’s winter messages while joining the local community for the party that kicks off winter in the resort, Auckland Airport has signed up as the Community Partner to the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2012

As a minority shareholder in the Queenstown Airport Corporation, Auckland Airport wants to play its part in the local community and has much to offer in terms of marketing and promotion resources.

Auckland Airport’s general manager corporate affairs, Charles Spillane, says the festival is a useful marketing tool for promoting Queenstown as a winter holiday destination in long haul markets.

“It’s a wonderful, fun event that is great for anyone that loves a real winter and there’s lots of ways we can help. We can promote the festival and Queenstown to Aucklanders and international visitors at our airports and on our billboards, spread the word throughout New Zealand and off-shore markets through our trade and marketing partners including airlines and connections we work with across the world.

“We’re very keen to be useful and we’re also keen to get to Queenstown and join in the fun.”

Festival Director Simon Green welcomes the airport in a new sponsorship category. “For us the establishment of a community sponsorship allows us to acknowledge the spirit behind the partnership offered by Auckland Airport. This relationship has been squarely focused on helping us deliver the festival events such as the Family Fun Day and Mardi Gras that are really core to our community and as such, are very precious. It’s difficult to secure purely commercial sponsorships for these events, but they are integral to the community nature of festival.

“We are delighted to welcome Auckland Airport to this role and sincerely thank them for their commitment on two levels - to help deliver our events and also to help us promote the festival in Auckland and around the world. We look forward to an ongoing partnership that delivers value and understanding to all parties,” he says.

This festival sponsorship is just one of a number of Queenstown Lakes District community activities that Auckland Airport has supported over the last year, including the Festival of Colour and the Winter Games.

“We are looking forward to getting to know people around the town and working together to further raise Queenstown’s profile as an internationally renowned tourism destination that is attractive year round for visitors from New Zealand, Australia and around the globe,” says Mr Spillane.

Festival Charities

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:18:22 +1300

Winter Festival to support fundraising efforts of three Queenstown charities

There are three official charities of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival this year following an application process that closed date on March 2.

The Remarkables Parent Association, St Joseph PTA and Coastguard Queenstown have each been assigned fundraising opportunities over the 10 day festival which has a strong emphasis on local community wellbeing.

Remarkables Parent Association chairperson Tracey Pedersen said the committee was delighted to have the opportunity.

“We are a new school, we’ve got lots to fundraise for and we also just want to turn up and help – for the school and for the community.”

St Joseph PTA is also committed to the festival with spokesperson Rachel Vermeir grateful for the opportunity to fundraise outside the school community.

“We are a very small school community with only 100 families so we’re always looking for opportunities to fundraise through the wider community. We’ll be serving up bacon butties from our stall with support from Meadowfresh. We’re expecting it to be really social and really fun as well as a fundraising opportunity.”

Festival Director Simon Green said the school fundraising associations would be welcome to fundraise during the public street parties on opening and closing night through selling items and general collection and also through events such as the Teddy Bear’s picnic.

“We do encourage local and visiting people to support our community through supporting the fundraising efforts of our local community groups. You’ll see the school stalls and collectors at the American Express Opening Party & Fireworks on Friday 22 June and again at the Mardi Gras on Sunday 1 July.”

Coastguard Queenstown will benefit from Thriller in the Chiller, a popular and prestigious boxing event held on Saturday June 30, through the organisation of a fundraising auction and raffle.

Local Coastguard Queenstown President, Carl Portegys is thrilled with the opportunity to fundraise at the auction and says all proceeds will go towards the Coastguard’s new building which will enable the marine emergency response unit to operate more efficiently 24/7.

“We have terrific support from the local community and businesses for this building including pro bono services from local lawyer, Graeme Todd and also from local architects Warren & Mahoney who have developed exciting concept plans. Coastguard receives limited government funding for the work it does, the majority of its funding for operational costs come from our principal sponsor, Queenstown Airport Corporation and from donations, other sponsorships and community support. To be given such a golden opportunity at this stage is awesome and very much appreciated.”

The beneficiary charities were decided by the Winter Festival subcommittee of Destination Queenstown.

Mr Green said four groups submitted compelling proposals to the committee and that the festival organisers were very pleased to support the fundraising efforts.

“It’s very important that community groups get to use these opportunities to raise funds for their organizations. Festival relies on the community to help deliver an amazing event and it needs to also provide benefit back the other way.”

Fashion challenge a life changer

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:33:49 +1300

The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival is calling for ladies who are looking to make a change for the better in 2012 to sign up for the Alpine Health & Fitness Lifestyle Challenge.

Previously coined the Ladies Fashion Challenge, the event, now in its fourth year, has had a bit of a make-over this year as the overall objectives of the challenge are brought to the fore.

Open to women of all shapes, sizes and ages, the 12 successful applicants will take part in what can best be described as a 12 week lifestyle make-over. The programme consists of fitness training, nutrition advice, catwalk and deportment classes, hair and make-up styling and a full fashion make-over culminating in the Alpine Health & Fitness Fashion Show staged as part of the 2012 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

“During the 12 weeks participants are professionally coached towards a common goal – to feel fit and fabulous and to walk the catwalk with style and confidence in front of friends, family and supporters.” Says Festival Director Simon Green

The Challengers will be trained by Funktional Fitness with support from the entire team at Alpine Health & Fitness. Hush and Heaven will provide hair and make-up and local fashion house Decode will provide gorgeous clothing and style for the catwalk with additional support from Lulu Lemon, Overland and Queenstown School of Dance.

“The goal is to deliver a fabulous fashion show finale, but the focus remains on giving 12 ladies a great experience, a new network of friends and an experience they can take forward into the rest of their lives as fitter, healthier and more confident individuals.” Says Sarah Cole of Funktional Fitness.

Full information packs are available online at wintefestival.co.nz and an information evening will be held at Lakes Leisure on Monday March 19th at 6.00pm. Applications close Friday March 23rd with training commencing April 2nd.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Festival Director – Simon Green

American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

Tel: 03 441 2453

E: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Dates locked in for 2012 Queenstown Winter Festival

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:34:51 +1300

Mark your calendars now… the dates for the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party are officially locked and loaded for next year!

The multi award-winning American Express Queenstown Winter Festival will take centre stage in Queenstown, New Zealand, from 22 June to 1 July 2012.

The iconic Queenstown event, now into its 38th year, officially kicks off winter in the stunning four-season resort with a 10-day action-packed programme of new events, established favourites and plenty of entertainment and celebration.

Festival Director Simon Green returns to the helm for his seventh festival while key naming sponsor American Express is back on board for a milestone 21st year.

Mr Green said he was “already well underway” with plans for some exciting new events and could also confirm that the downtown ice rink, a popular new feature at the 2011 festival, would return for 2012.

“It gave Queenstown that magical winter wonderland and proved to be a huge hit with visitors and locals so we’re thrilled to have it back.”

Mr Green said another focus for the 2012 festival would be on making the most of destinational marketing opportunities for Queenstown and the wider region.

“The festival has well and truly proved itself to be an event that successfully delivers for the local community and visitors alike.

“This year we’ll be working even harder with our key partners, including Destination Queenstown and American Express, to broaden our reach and stimulate more visitation.

“Our aim is to inspire people from all around the world to come to Queenstown while the festival is on and experience an unforgettable winter holiday,” he said.

Surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains, Queenstown transforms into a winter paradise each year attracting snow sports enthusiasts from around the world with its incredible scenery, crisp blue-sky days and easy access to some of New Zealand's finest skiing.

Whether visitors have an appetite for fresh air, adventure and mountains or are more at home tracking down a delicious meal and fine wine, this cosmopolitan lake and alpine resort town provides the perfect mix of on and off snow action.

For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstownNZ.co.nz

ENDS

About the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

Since first being staged in 1975 by Queenstowners who thought the arrival of snow was a ‘great excuse for a party’, the Festival has evolved to forge a unique identity as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier celebration of all things winter. An iconic event on New Zealand’s calendar, it attracts 30,000 attendees and injects a whopping $50 million back into the local economy.

For further media information please contact:

Jen Andrews

Communications Manager

Destination Queenstown

Phone: +64 3 441 0707

Email: jena@queenstownnz.co.nz

Queenstown Winter Festival wraps up in style

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:12:27 +1200

The 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival bows out in style tonight following ten days of sheer fun, laughter and magic.

Thousands have descended on downtown Queenstown and its surrounding ski areas, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables to join in Festival’s jam-packed programme of activities. From the glittering American Express Opening Party launched by Prime Minister John Key and featuring the resort’s biggest fireworks display to wild and wacky on-mountain carnage at the Speight’s Dog Derby and Air New Zealand Holidays Mountain Mayhem.

Today, some of New Zealand’s best freestylers, including Nick Hyne and Thomas Battersby, joined The Remarkables Parklife crew and dozens of locals for the Quiksilver BOXES Event. Dan Jenkins of Queenstown won the ski men’s open while Adie Lawrence also of Queenstown won the women’s ski open.

In the snowboarding heats Josh Zirkel of West Virginia, US, won the men’s open while Christy Prior from Auckland won for the women.

Last night more than 800 people rode the Skyline gondola to enjoy some world class Jazz music and a final slice of festival glamour at the Stoneleigh Jazz Night with some of the country’s top musicians including international jazz export Nathan Haines, LA Mitchell, Sacha Vee, Oval Office, Rythmonyx and Tahuna Breaks.

Tonight festivities draw to a close with the final two events on the Festival calendar. The Quiksilver Afterburner at Revolver with DJ Maddox features the announcement of the festival’s winning photographer and the awarding of the ‘Best Festival Shot’ in the inaugural ‘Shot of the Day’ competition.

Over at Queenstown’s newest five star hotel, Hilton Queenstown, festival winds down with a stylish foodie event, The Live of Pinot. Chef Peter Thornley will take guests an extraordinary culinary journey featuring the best fresh, seasonal and local cuisine our region has to offer.

Festival Director Simon Green said the festival had been a huge success.

“For me, the success of this festival was about how the Queenstown community rallied round to take part,” he said. “It was just amazing to see the community head into town for what must go down as one of the greatest opening parties on record. Every event was massively supported and everyone had a fantastic time. And it was wonderful to see the ski areas open during festival. Winter truly started here this year.”

For images and programme details check out the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival guide online at www.winterfestival.co.nz.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) Dan Jenkins of Queenstown skis in to win the Quiksilver BOXES Event

2) Tahuna Breaks rocks the crowd at the Stoneleigh Jazz Night.

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Since first being staged in 1975 by Queenstowners who thought the arrival of snow was a ‘great excuse for a party’, the Festival has evolved to forge a unique identity as New Zealand’s premier celebration of all things winter. Now an iconic event cemented on New Zealand’s calendar, it attracts 30,000 attendees and injects a whopping $50 million back into the local economy.

Sporting mayhem champions at Queenstown Winter Festival

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 17:09:52 +1200

Wild and wacky sports and classic Kiwi entertainment continue to dominate the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival programme as it draws to a close.

Today on-mountain assault courses and suitcases raced down the slopes in style were the flavor of the day at the Air New Zealand Holidays Mountain Mayhem on Coronet Peak. Watched by hundreds of bemused skiers and boarders about 20 people took part in the Dash for Cash race, which was won by Andy Fellows (men’s) Carly Tyler (women’s) and Hadyn Key (veteran).

Shortly after, 20 suitcase-wielding entrants took part in the infamous Suitcase Race but it was the reigning champion from 2010, Nigel ‘Retro Lady’ Lloyd of Queenstown, who slid into first place in the men’s division, swiftly followed by Will ‘Lego Man’ Oswald also of Queenstown, who completed the course painted in blue and fully wearing his leather suitcase.

In the women’s leg, Kelly ‘Buns of Steel’ Zontine of Queenstown won first place followed by Hayley Stevenson also of Queenstown, in second place.

Meanwhile on the other side of town more than fifty hard-core cyclists from all over the country arrived for the AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand Cyclocross Championships at Jardine Park in Kelvin Heights. Dan Warren rode in first place in the men’s heat, followed by Alex Rivell in second. Both men are from Wellington. In the women’s Ania McDonald of Dunedin won first place followed by Melissa Newell of Queenstown.

Tonight the Stoneleigh Jazz Night at Skyline showcases world class Jazz with some of New Zealand’s top musicians including international jazz export Nathan Haines, songstresses LA Mitchell and Sacha Vee, Funksters Oval Office, plus Rythmonyx and one of New Zealand’s most in demand jazz/junk/dub bands – Tahuna Breaks.

Tomorrow some of New Zealand’s best skiers and boarders, including Nick Hyne and Thomas Battersby join The Remarkables Parklife crew for the Quiksilver BoxZilla competition on the ski field’s beginners’ slopes in front of the Base Building. The BoxZilla is described as a 'ridiculously fun event involving lots of boxes'. It’s all about putting the fun back into snowboarding competitions, and is created by placing multiple boxes consecutively, forming an uber box – he or she who hits the box with the most style and goes the furthest, wins!

The Quiksilver BoxZilla is free for all to enter with prizes including $2,000 cash plus Quiksilver vouchers and Freedom Dolly skateboards for the top performing female and male snowboarders and skiers.

MC Josh Clarke will be playing tunes and giving out bonus prizes throughout the day

Entries will be taken on the day from 9 -10.30am. The Quiksilver Afterburner party will follow at Revolver in Queenstown from 9pm with the first 150 people arriving receiving a gift and going into the draw to win bonus prizes including Quiksilver and Roxy snow outerwear and accessories.

For full programme details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

Tickets for all events can be bought from TicketDirect online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz, by phone 0800 224 224 (03 450 9110), or in person at the Queenstown Events Centre or Queenstown i-Site (corner of Shotover and Camp streets)*.

Winter Starts Here! From 24 June to 3 July the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival celebrates 37 years of winter fun and festivities with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events. Join us on Facebook, become a Friend of Festival and keep an eye on www.winterfestival.co.nz to be first with the latest news and hot updates. For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) Nigel 'Retro Lady' Lloyd of Queenstown slides to the finish line for the Suitcase Race.

2) Suitcase winners Nigel 'Retro Lady' Lloyd and Kelly 'Buns of Steel' Zontine, both of Queenstown celebrate their win together.

3) Cyclocross mens' winner Dan Warren tears towards the finish line

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Festival showcases Queenstown culture

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:31:57 +1200

Day eight of the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party and celebrations show no sign of slowing down with on-mountain activities and downtown fun still riding high on the Festival programme.

Today (Friday 1 July) hundreds turned up at Earnslaw Park in fancy dress and ready to throw their balls in fury at each other for the Speight’s Summit Dodgeball Championship. ‘Tiney Gineys’ came in first place smashing the ‘Jager Bombers’ who finished second.

Meanwhile on Official Festival Mountain, Coronet Peak, skiers and boarders were treated to a slope-side live concert with the American Honey Concert featuring Kiwi-bands Mercury Crowe and Mile High.

Last night at the American Express Ice Box, girl power was out in force for the Alpine Health & Fitness Ladies Fashion Challenge where 12 local ladies took to the catwalk to showcase 12 weeks of fitness training, nutritional guidance in a complete image overhaul.

Host Emma Lange was joined by Queenstown Mayor Vanessa van Uden to celebrate the ladies’ achievement and their collective weight-loss of 100 kilograms, which was represented as the exact weight of Festival Director Simon Green who was brought out in a wheel-barrow.

Inspiring the audience later was a quirkily-led catwalk show from the locally created Art 2 Wear fashion collection, including the beautiful ‘1000 Cranes’ designed by Jil Leydon and Keiko Wyngaarden from the Arrowtown Japanese Community, made as its prayer for healing and hope and future happiness for the people of Japan.

Tomorrow (Saturday 2 July) the notorious Suitcase Race and Dash for Cash takes place as part of the Air New Zealand Holiday Mountain Mayhem on Coronet Peak from 11am. Entry registration takes place on the day.

Also taking place is the AJ Hackett Bungy NZ Cyclocross Championship and Ice Hockey featuring the Southern Stampede vs Botany Swarm before THE major Festival concert event, the Stoneleigh Jazz night at Skyline, gets going overlooking the resort.

Looking ahead to Sunday (3 July) the Quiksilver BoxZilla challenge takes place at The Remarkables on the Beginners slopes in front of the Base Building. Entrants will be taken on the day from 9 -10.30am

Winter Starts Here! From 24 June to 3 July the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival celebrates 37 years of winter fun and festivities with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events. Join us on Facebook, become a Friend of Festival and keep an eye on www.winterfestival.co.nz to be first with the latest news and hot updates. For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) From L-R The ‘Tiney Gineys’ winning Dodgeball team Chris 'Giney' Bote, James 'J-Smoove' Skewef, Nick 'Money' Nehaffy and Dave 'Tiny' Smith

2) Mercury Crowe put on a show at Coronet Peak

3) From L-R Laura McCarthy, Louise Sheppard and Tsehei Tiffin show us how it’s done.

4) 1000 Cranes makes her entrance for the Art 2 Wear catwalk

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Speight’s Dog Derby brings carnage to Queenstown Winter Festival

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:17:29 +1200

Man and his best friend arrived at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak in their droves today bringing entertainment and carnage to the ski area’s opening day during the Speight’s Dog Derby - Winter Festival’s longest standing event.

Almost fifty entrants plus their dogs took part - 18 in the ‘Townie’ race and 28 in the ‘Country’ race. Each entrant picked up their pooch to ride the Meadows Express Chairlift before running down the Big Easy ski trail, with faithful hound in tow.

In the Townies leg, Thomas Kugler from Queenstown was first to cross the line with his border collie cross Staffordshire bull terrier, Piva, hot on his heels. In the Country leg, the reigning champion from 2010, Troy Macdonald from Athol, took home the title once more, successfully whistling his heading dog, Max, through the winning flags amid the event’s mayhem.

Later, the good old fashioned fun continued down in Queenstown’s CBD at Earnslaw Park where more than 30 people and their dogs took part in the Speight’s Dog Barking contest. Beating the best of a very loud bunch was Manson, a Huntaway owned by John Broughton from Ohai.

The Festival continues tonight with the Alpine Health & Fitness Ladies Fashion Challenge then tomorrow, teams will fight it out Dodgeball style in the Speight’s Summit Dodgeball Championship on Earnslaw Park at noon. At 1pm the American Honey Coronet Concert gets underway with the rockin’ sounds of Mercury Crowe and Mile High entertaining, skiers, snowboarders and revellers on the deck at Coronet Peak.

Over the final weekend of the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival, a full schedule of events includes the Air NZ Holidays Mountain Mayhem day of fun and crazy antics at Coronet Peak, the AJ Hackett Bungy NZ Cyclocross Championship, Ice Hockey featuring the Southern Stampede vs Botany Swarm, THE major Festival concert event, the Stoneleigh Jazz night at Skyline, the Quiksilver BoxZilla challenge for freestyle skiers and snowboarders at The Remarkables and The Life of Pinot with Peter Thornley at Wakatipu Grill at Hilton Hotel.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) The winners of the Speight's Dog Derby sprint to the finish line

2) Winning 'Townies' Thomas Kugler from Queenstown with his boarder collie cross Piva.

3) Winners of the 'Country' heat Troy Macdonald of Athol and his Heading Dog Max.

4) John Broughton of Ohai and his Hunterway Manson win best bark in the Speight's Dog Barking contest

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Queenstown Winter Festival-goers rejoice as Coronet Peak is declared open

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:48:17 +1200

Overriding all thrills, spills and celebrations today (Wednesday 29 June) at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival was the announcement that Queenstown ski area Coronet Peak will open tomorrow.

A crowd of hundreds of festival-goers, holiday makers and locals cheered in reaction to the news which was broken by Festival Director Simon Green at the More FM Downtown Day this afternoon, shortly after NZSki officially made the announcement to staff.

The announcement means the Festival’s longest standing event, the Speights’s Dog Derby, will go ahead as scheduled at Coronet Peak tomorrow from 12 noon. The notorious mad-hat event attracts high country farmers from all over the Southern region each year to race downhill with their faithful hounds in a bid to cross the line first. 2011 will be the first year the Speight’s Dog Derby has run on Opening Day of Coronet Peak.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that the Speights’ Dog Derby will go ahead,” said Mr Green. “It’s the event that brings town and country together and showcases some very special aspects of Queenstown’s lifestyle. This event was created for locals by locals, and hails back to Festival’s roots.”

Earlier today, putting the ‘Queen’ into Queenstown were 11 local businessmen, who swapped their high power jobs for high heels and handbags at the More FM Downtown Day Drag Race at Earnslaw Park.

Stepping not so elegantly across the finish line first to be Crowned Drag Queen 2011 was Kawarau Bungy Centre’s Richard ‘Amanda Reckonwith’ Mackley. Destination Queenstown CEO Tony ‘Miso Horny’ Everitt was named Miss Photogenic while Mountain Scene’s Ryan ‘Queen@Scene’ Keen took Miss Friendly. Feast’s Scott ‘Wilma Ballsdrop’ Conway was named Miss Personality and Winter Festival’s Lindsay ‘Lady Gagger’ Woods named Miss Best Dressed.

Meanwhile, mountaineering fans took a lesson in mountain safety at the Speight’s Summit Mountain Safety Avalanche Awareness Seminar at the American Express Ice Box, helping raise money for the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Avalanche Programme.

Tonight, festival-goers wielding magnifying glasses and fingerprint dusters will head up Queenstown’s Bob’s Peak to discover which 1980 Hollywood star shot who at the Skyline Murder Mystery Night ‘Murder at the Emmy’s.’ Over at the American Express Ice Box Jeremy Corbett, Jeremy Elwood, Paul Ego and Michelle A’Court, hosted by Brendhan Lovegrove are set to wrap up Festival’s hilarious trio of comedy satire nights.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Friday’s on-mountain programmed events, the American Honey Coronet Concert featuring Mercury Crowe and Mile High has been re-scheduled to take place from 1-4pm. The American Honey Night Ski will not take place.

On Saturday, the Air New Zealand Mountain Mayhem is all go from 11am onwards, featuring the infamous Suitcase Race and Dash for Cash alongside Musical Chairs and Snow Dig.

To see the full programme line up and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) Festival Director Simon Green declares that on-mountain events will go ahead from tomorrow.

2) Richard 'Amanda Reckonwith' Mackley enjoys the limelight as 2011 Drag Queen

3) Lanterns and masks bring colour to the streets of Queenstown for Mardi Gras.

4) Taiko Drummers onstage at Mardi Gras.

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Stars on Ice ‘dazzle’ in Queenstown

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:20:11 +1200

New Zealand champion figure skaters were joined by Ice Blacks hockey players today (Tuesday 28 June) for a show-stopping ‘Stars on Ice’ performance on the Wonderland Ice Rink as part of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

Queenstown local and 2010 Junior Men National Champion Chris Boyd (18) graced the rink first, followed by solo performances from Queenstown Primary pupil Jessica Staples, 2010 Senior Ladies National Champion Samantha Waugh and Wakatipu High’s India Haworth. Dressed in glittering black the country’s 2010 Senior Pairs National Champions Ariel Nadas and Grant Howie then executed seamless jumps, lifts and twirls together drawing gasps from hundreds of enthralled spectators.

Bringing gnarly clashes to the rink were five Southern Stampede players, four from the New Zealand Ice Blacks squad, Brett Speirs, Mitchell Frear (U18) Aston Brookes (U18) and Connor Harrison (U18), cheered on by Ice Blacks Captain Simon Glass.

Last night six of New Zealand’s funniest comedians, hosted by Brendhan Lovegrove, had festival-goers in stitches with individual stand-ups and a rendition of TV3’s 7 Days digressing over everything from bodily functions to politics to making a mockery of New Zealand’s infamous townships.

The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival continues tonight with the Air New Zealand Holidays Mardi Gras then tomorrow with the More FM Downtown Day where business men don heels and dresses for a madcap race around the park, the Speight’s Summit Avalanche Awareness Seminar, Skyline Murder Mystery and finally, more comedy with Late Night Laughs at the American Express Icebox.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) Ariel Nadas & Grant Howie, Snr Pairs National Champs 2010 grace the rink.

2) Ariel Nadas & Grant Howie, Snr Pairs National Champs 2010 finish with a lift

3) Mitchel Frear & and Connor Harrison take first puk

4) New Zealand’s funniest join onstage for a rendition of TV3’s 7 Days

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Thriller in the Chiller a ‘knock out’

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:07:22 +1200

Ding Ding! Blood, sweat and tears were served in bucket-loads last night (Sunday 26 June) as 22 local and aspiring boxers stepped into the ring to showcase 16 weeks of gruelling training at the Mountain Scene Thriller in the Chiller Charity Boxing Night - a sellout American Express Queenstown Winter Festival event.

Cheered on by a roaring audience of 1,300 supporters, the contestants gave ‘knock out’ performances to help raise money for the Bruce Grant Youth Trust.

The night got underway with a fearsome WWF (World Wide Federation Boxing) clash between Marc ‘Marcus Kool ‘ Perry (77kg) and Matt ‘Max Damage’ Wilson (119kg) - surprisingly won by the underdog ‘Marcus Kool ‘ Perry.

Standing ovations were offered to the most intense matches – those between David 'The Destroyer' Lynott and Jeremy 'Jahfire' Wynward, and Lisa ‘Thunder’ Murphy and Clare ‘The Tempest’ Temperton.

In fight order, winners of each boxing bout were (Red corner left, Blue Corner right):

• Shotover Jet’s Brett 'The Jet' Black Vs Coronet’s Head of Maintenance Dave 'Hurricane Hedgehog' den Hertog: winner 'The Jet' Black

• Queenstown Golf Club’s Ben ‘Prime Time’ Kyllonen Vs Produce Manager Jochen ‘The Judge’ Wauters: winner ‘The Judge’ Wauters

• Mountain Scene’s Editor Ryan 'Mean@Scene' Keen and plasterer Sean 'Sledgehammer' Sutton: winner 'Mean@Scene' Keen

• Peter Alexander’s Linda 'Smiling Smasher' Coultrip Vs Hollyford Track’s Teresa 'The Hollyford Hammer' Wallace : winner 'The Hollyford Hammer' Wallace

• Apex Rental Car’s David 'The Destroyer' Lynott and musician Jeremy 'Jahfire' Wynward : winner ‘The Destroyer’ Lynott

• Spartar Security’s Nick 'Raging Bull' Parrish Vs World Bar security man John 'The Coconutty' Coles : winner 'Raging Bull' Parrish

• Mechanic Alex 'Big Red' Ritchie Vs Jack’s Point Head Chef Andy 'Let Fly' Lisseman : winner 'Big Red' Ritchie

• Feleki ‘Ko’ Uhrle Vs Boiler Room and Minus 5’s GM James ‘The Ace Man’ Ace : winner ‘Ko’ Uhrle

• Old Man Rock waitress Lisa ‘Thunder’ Murphy and vet clinic manager Clare ‘The Tempest’ Temperton: winner ‘Thunder’ Murphy

• Motelier Lee 'Light’s Out' Excell and NZOne Skydive Pilot Peter 'Parachute' Buckley : winner Lee 'Light’s Out' Excell

• Sheep farmer Kelvin ‘The Bone Crusher’ Middleton and builder come Arrowtown Rugby player Aiden 'The Assassin' Winter: winner ‘The Bone Crusher’ Middleton

Earlier in the day, sporting prowess was on display in the Queenstown Gardens during the Frisbee Golf doubles and an Ice Hockey clash between Southern Stampede and Dunedin Thunder.

At the packed out Fun Centre, the crowd howled their support for the Queenstown team (Southern Stampede) as they ground the visitors down to a final 8 – 4 score favouring the Queenstowners.

The Frisbee Golf too was exciting with a record number of entries (62 players) and an exciting sudden death playoff in front of a big gallery for the top spots. In the end, locals Russ King & Elliot Menzies prevailed over Martin Galley & Hazen Simpson (both of Wanaka).

Today, the adrenaline continued with dozens of fitness junkies taking to Queenstown’s Earnslaw Park for the Alpine Health & Fitness Zumbia Mania joined by the likes of More FM Henry Youngman, an inflatable sumo wrestler and Cookie Time’s the Cookie Monster.

The fun of festival continues tonight as New Zealand’s funniest comedians take on each other in the first of a comic trio of nights out. The Oak’s Hotels & Resorts Comedy Gala, hosted by Kiwi funnyman Bredhan Lovegrove and led by Jeremy Corbett promises a ribbing of TV3’s comedy satire show ‘7 Days’.

Looking ahead, the programme continues with outrageous and inherently Queenstown events including the Air New Zealand Holidays Mardi Gras and Street Parade party tomorrow (Tuesday 28 June) More FM Downtown Day (Wednesday 29 June) featuring dodgeball and drag racing and on-mountain activity snow conditions permitting.

For the full programme line up and individual event details check out the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption:

1) Kelvin ‘The Bone Crusher’ Middleton and Aiden 'The Assassin' Winter battle it out

2) Matt ‘Max Damage’ Wilson destroys Marc ‘Marcus Kool’ Perry

3/ Southern Stampede captain Simon Glass in action

4) Zumba in the Park

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Clowning around at the More FM Day on the Bay – the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party goes off!

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:08:01 +1200

Forget about the circus – Queenstown took the biscuit today (Sunday 26 June) for extreme entertainment as high jinks, high adrenalin and hilarity swept the resort in a series of wild and wacky sports as part of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

In day three of the programme thousands of spectators packed out Queenstown’s Marine Parade keen to get a glimpse of the More FM Birdman competition, which featured a cardboard army tank from Pack and Send’s A-Team shooting over the enemy, Aladdin and his Genie on a magic carpet and Hyundai Code’s Angel falling from grace into the deep. But it was the anonymous men known collectively as ‘Bounce’, dressed in orange gimp suits and armed with moonhoppers, who won first prize for the ‘best Birdman’ entry.

Then the action moved to the beach where 5 jetboats took part in the dare-devil Air New Zealand Holiday Jet Sprints. With V8s roaring, the fastest boat through the challenging slalom course was reigning champions Skippers Canyon Jet. Second place went to Kawarau Jet with Shotover Jet in third place.

The next race was powered by arms and legs as the brand new Quiksilver Paddle Board race took to the water. Winners were local hard men Triple S from the Alpine Boards Riders Club – Mike Stewart, Andrew (Slappy) Salek and Bas Smith.

A bunch of fearless guys and one girl donned swimwear for the Budget Rent-a-Car Splash & Dash which included a 50 metre swim in the freezing waters of Lake Wakatipu followed by a dash down the beach. Winner was Mark Wilson of Queenstown while Emily Cant of Christchurch picked up a prize as the only female in the event.

The final event of the day was the American Hundy 500 where competitors in male and female divisions completed a tricky obstacle course in and out of the water. Swedish visitor Charlotta Svenungsson took first place in the women’s event with Thijs Hubber of Christchurch streaking ahead of the competition to claim the cash in the men’s.

Festival Director Simon Green said hundreds of “good sports” had embraced their wild side to put on some priceless entertainment for festival-goers’ enjoyment.

“The Day on the Bay is always a real crowd-pleaser and the participation of contestants makes it so much fun.”

Earlier in the day, the less physical among festival goers enjoyed a delectable lakeside brunch at Queenstown’s newest 5 star hotel, Hilton Queenstown with entertainment from jazz exponents, Nairobi Trio.

Continuing to take Queenstowners out of their comfort zone tonight, Mountain Scene presents the Thriller in the Chiller Charity Boxing Night at Queenstown Event Centre where 22 local guys and girls will step into the ring after just 15 weeks of training to raise money for the Bruce Grant Youth Trust.

Tomorrow (Monday 27 June) more comedy is on the way with the cream of New Zealand’s stand up comedians taking to the stage for the Oaks Hotels & resorts Comedy Gala at the American Express Ice Box.

Winter Starts Here! From 24 June to 3 July the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival celebrates 37 years of winter fun and festivities with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events. Join us on Facebook, become a Friend of Festival and keep an eye on www.winterfestival.co.nz to be first with the latest news and hot updates. For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) The More FM Birdman winners 'Bounce'

2) Budget Rent - a - Car Splash & Dash winner Mark Wilson (far left) heads for gold

3) Bas Smith, from the Quiksilver Paddle Board winning 'Triple S' team

For further information, or full place lists, contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Family fun takes over at Queenstown Winter Festival

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:26:17 +1200

Thousands of festival-goers lined the streets of Queenstown’s CBD to cheer on the streams of multi-coloured traffic in the American Express Street Parade today (Saturday 25 June).

A record-breaking forty community and corporate floats took part, delighting the crowds with superheroes, storm troopers, gymnasts, a steam engine, truckloads of children and New Zealand sporting snow stars including Olympians Mitchey Greig and Tim Cafe.

The coveted prize trophy of a hand-carved wooden head representing Maori warrior Matakauri from the local legend of Lake Wakatipu was presented to Bumbles Backpackers owner Mark Simpson by Ngai Tahu Tourism Southern Regional Manager David Kennedy. The winner gets to keep the trophy for 12 months. The community trophy was presented by QLDC representative Jan Maxwell to Queenstown Primary School headmaster John Western. The Primary School entry featured the school band singing together on a winter wonderland themed float.

Highly commended were Queenstown pre-school and Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park Creeksyde for great use of recyclable materials and promotion of waste awareness.

Hundreds of children packed out Earnslaw Park with their favourite cuddly toys following the parade to watch a magic show with Ronald McDonald at the McDonald’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Earnslaw Park.

Summer Wedderburn (age 6) from Lakes Hayes won the prize for bringing the most teddy’s (6).

Elsewhere excitement got underway in Queenstown Gardens for the Frisbee Golf Doubles Winter Wind Up tournament and quirky bargains were snapped up at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market.

Festival Director Simon Green said he was delighted with the fun and atmosphere of the day.

“Congratulations to all those who took part in the parade and competitions today, it’s been a day full of excitement and enchantment that puts us in great stead for another stellar eight days,” he said.

As night falls, Festival-goers will be donning a mask in preparation to get sexy for the Burlesque themed Deutz Masquerade Ball at the American Express Ice Box, while over at Queenstown Ice Arena the Southern Stampedes take on Dunedin Thunder for the first in a series of clashes.

Tomorrow, wild and wacky activities are set to dominate the programme with hilarity and hi-jinks for the More FM Day on the Bay which gets underway at midday.

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival returns from 24 June to 3 July for ten days of winter fun in Queenstown New Zealand.

Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) Mini-bee Annika Simpson (4) of Queenstown hugs the Ngai Tahu trophy which was awarded to the Bumbles Backpackers float

2) Summer Wedderburn (6) of Lakes Hayes with her winning teddy bears and Ronald McDonald at the Teddy Bear’s Picnic

3) Taylor Rapley and Tim Cafe parade for Winter Games

4) Ice princesses on the Coronet Peak Street Parade float

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Queenstown Winter Festival opens with a Bang

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:21:00 +1200

Media release from the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

24 June 2011

Queenstown Winter Festival opens with a bang

Sparks flew, smiles were aplenty and the music played as the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival was officially opened this evening (Friday 24 June).

Thousands of people took to Queenstown’s Earnslaw Park to make the most of the crisp clear conditions and to enjoy the festival’s biggest ever fireworks display.

More FM MC’s Margot Berryman and Henry Youngman got the crowds warmed up for a special appearance by the Dukes and local talent Anna Leat and Sarah Foley, before Prime Minister John Key took to the stage to officially declare the festival open.

The Festival fireworks then lit up the surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu in a stunning display.

Kiwi rockers Jordan Luck then cranked the party up another notch before local favourites The Lynch Mob wrapped it up for the evening.

Earlier in the day, the first event on the festival calendar was the Gen-i Business Luncheon was a sell out success. Hosted by Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and Destination Queenstown, special guests Kevin Bowler, CEO Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand’s Bruce Parton and Jim Boult of Christchurch Airport led a dynamic discussion around the direction of New Zealand Tourism.

Festival Director Simon Green said he was thrilled with the festival opening.

“It’s been a wonderful day and a fantastic launch for Queenstown’s official start tor winter. The streets are literally thronging with people and everybody’s in the party mood,” he said.

The Festival fun continues tomorrow (Saturday 25 June) with the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Parade, McDonald’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic, mask making workshops with Donna Demente, several sporting contests including football and ice hockey clashes and Frisbee golf in the Queenstown gardens. The day finishes with festival glamour event, the Deutz Masquerade Ball - Burlesque.

For the full line up of the programme and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival returns from 24 June to 3 July for ten days of winter fun in Queenstown New Zealand.

Winter Starts Here! From 24 June to 3 July the 2011 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival celebrates 37 years of winter fun and festivities with 10 days of totally outrageous and uniquely Queenstown events. Join us on Facebook, become a Friend of Festival and keep an eye on www.winterfestival.co.nz to be first with the latest news and hot updates. For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.

* Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) The American Express Opening Party Fireworks tonight

2) Prime Minister John Key officially declares the Festival open

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 638 4752

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Since first being staged in 1975 by Queenstowners who thought the arrival of snow was a ‘great excuse for a party’, the Festival has evolved to forge a unique identity as New Zealand’s premier celebration of all things winter. Now an iconic event cemented on New Zealand’s calendar, it attracts 45,000 attendees and injects a whopping $57 million back into the local economy.

Unseasonal weather leads to snow event cancellation

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:29:17 +1200

Winter Festival Director Simon Green has today announced that three Winter Festival events planned to be held at Coronet Peak this weekend would be cancelled.

The events are the Budget Rent-a-Car Mountain Bikes on Snow scheduled for Saturday 25 June and the Tararua Skin to the Summit and the Firefighter Chill Factor Challenge both scheduled for Sunday 26 June.

“Due to current weather conditions, we cannot run events at Coronet Peak this weekend,” Green says. “In the meantime, there is plenty of action scheduled for downtown Queenstown this weekend, starting with the American Express Opening Party and Fireworks on Friday evening.

NZSki Marketing Manager Craig Douglas said it was “hugely disappointing and frustrating” that the opening of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables continued to be delayed.

“It’s clear we can't hold events when we don't have snow and we aren't open

“It’s a great shame that we won't be able to have the festival events up the mountains this weekend, but the festival celebrates all of what Queenstown offers and is a winter celebration not simply a snow festival.

“There are plenty of downtown events and attractions throughout the ten days of festival and still many reasons to celebrate.”

For further information on any schedule changes, postponements or cancellations, please check the Festival web site at www.winterfestival.co.nz

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival returns from 24 June to 3 July for ten days of winter fun in Queenstown New Zealand.

Ticket service fees apply.

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Special guests to open the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:13:18 +1200

Celebrating our own ‘slice of heaven,’ the American Express Opening Party and Fireworks will kick start this year’s Festival with an official opening from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, performances from rock icon Jordan Luck and a superb fireworks display this Friday (24 June).

Festival Director Simon Green said The Opening Party is always a highlight of the American Express Winter Festival providing an opportunity for local people and visitors to rub shoulders in a fabulous street party.

“This is an all ages event where people can meet, eat and dance together. We’re delighted to welcome the Prime Minister – who’s also the Minister of Tourism – once again and of course, Jordan Luck is a festival favourite. The festival, and particularly the Opening Party, is a superb opportunity to celebrate and showcase the town's unique culture and community,” he said.

Queenstown’s Winter Festival is a celebration of all things winter which has grown from humble beginnings in 1975 into the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party.

Tens of thousands of locals and visitors are expected to take to Queenstown’s streets and ski slopes and participate in heaps of on-mountain action, outrageous, fun and glamorous events from street parties, parades and fireworks to live concerts, comedy and theatre.

Now an iconic event cemented on New Zealand’s event calendar, Winter Festival attracts 30,000 attendees and injects a whopping $50 million back into the local economy.

To see the full 2011 programme line up and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

* Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Snow stars ready to parade for Winter Festival

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:10:53 +1200

The cream of New Zealand’s skiers and boarders are set to descend on downtown Queenstown this Saturday 25 June to help celebrate the official start to winter by taking part in the American Express Festival Street Parade.

Kiwi Olympians Ben Griffin and Tim Cafe, World Champion freeskier Jossi Wells and brothers Byron and Beau-James will be joined by Festival’s 2011 Bruce Grant Youth Trust recipient Taylor Rapley, plus a string of the nation’s most promising snow stars.

The group is taking part in the parade in the lead up to the 100 % Pure New Zealand Winter Games being hosted in and around Queenstown, Wanaka, Dunedin and Methven from 13 – 28 August.

Spectators can watch the Winter Games NZ float alongside dozens of other community and commercial floats in the parade, which starts from the entrance to the Queenstown Gardens on Marine Parade from 12 noon.

Winter Games NZ Venues Manager Jane Todd said the crew was looking forward to getting amongst event promotions and welcoming back winter on their local home turf.

“Many of these guys on the New Zealand national team are originally from Queenstown so they’re totally amped to be part of Winter Festival as they look forward to the Winter Games,” she said.

“Queenstowners can expect to see many of these faces on the ski fields, some of whom will no doubt get involved with Festival programmed events such as the Quiksilver Slopestyle Invitational (Sunday 3 July).”

“They’ll be warming up towards the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games 2011 which will feature elite competition on-mountain and heaps of off-snow activities as part of the Downtown Sessions, said Ms Todd.

The American Express Festival Street Parade kicks off at noon in the streets of Queenstown. A perennial festival favourite, all ages and stages love the spectacle of the colourful parade of floats and people that snakes through the town.

The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival returns from 24 June to 3 July for ten days of winter fun in Queenstown New Zealand.

Tens of thousands of locals and visitors are expected to take to Queenstown’s streets and ski slopes to celebrate the official start of winter with heaps of on-mountain action, outrageous, fun and glamorous events from street parties, parades and fireworks to live concerts, comedy and theatre.

To see the full line up of the programme and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

* Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) World’s top freeskier and Wanaka local, Jossi Wells

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 022 7070 399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background

Queenstown fires up for Winter Festival

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:42:28 +1200

Queenstowners get ready – The most ‘cracking’ fireworks display the resort has ever seen fires up at the American Express Opening Party this Friday (24 June).

Setting the skies alight will be a show that guarantees to aptly launch the ten days of action-packed fun, glamour and hilarity that is the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival (June 24 – 3 July).

Festival Director Simon Green said he was confident this year’s Opening Party and Fireworks would be “truly spectacular” and that the party would get started no matter what on Friday.

Mr Green reminded locals and visitors that because of the scale of the fireworks operation and multiple launch sites, there would be a security enforced exclusion zone and restricted access to the Queenstown Gardens from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

“There’s a substantial set up involved in this year’s fireworks display and we need to keep an area clear around the launch site that will be positioned on the beach directly opposite Earnslaw Park. Best viewing places for the fireworks will be at Earnslaw Park or anywhere along Marine Parade,” he said.

Getting the crowds warmed up before the show will be a 100% NZ music show featuring all the greatest Kiwi hits, a guest appearance from the Dukes and local talent Anna Leat and Sarah Foley. Afterwards its kiwi rocker Jordan Luck before the celebrations move indoors at the American Express Ice Box for the ABSOLUT NZ Party with the DUKES and People of Paris playing live.

*Ticket service fees apply.

ENDS

Photo caption: 1) A fireworks spectacular at the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival

For further information contact:

Fay Whittaker

Media Coordinator

Phone: 027 707 0399

Email: media@winterfestival.co.nz

Simon Green

Festival Director

Phone: 027 2946 837

Email: simon@winterfestival.co.nz

Festival Background