What to do when the snow isn’t falling … there’s so much more to Queenstown!

Panoramic view from Ben Lomond Restaurant.

Today might finally be the day when the snow arrives. We’ve all been waiting so patiently but it’s just not happening fast enough here!! There is so much talk buzzing around about wanting to hit the mountain. Staff eagerly applied for leave expecting to be able to spend this week carving up the white stuff - but to no avail! That’s where I come to the rescue – I’m here to inform you on all the amazing, fun and thrill-seeking entertainment just waiting to be had. As much as we love the snow, there really is so much more to Queenstown!

So even though the snow isn’t quite here yet, this won’t stop us from celebrating it. The annual party to welcome in the chilly season is right on our doorstep – the Winter Festival is such a great week to be in Queenstown. To kick things off this week one of our favourite tour operators, Shotover Jet, threw a party at Barmuda and gave away loads of prizes to this year’s American Express Queenstown Winter Festival. I had fun just driving around town, soaking up the vibe of stages being set up and increasing amounts of people accumulating, all eagerly anticipating two weeks of living it up!!!

June 24th In time for the Winter Festival opening ceremony, Ben Lomond Restaurant here at Rydges Queenstown Hotel is launching our delicious new winter menu. With a dining space that offers uninterrupted panoramic views over the Queenstown bay. Ben Lomond, named after the majestic mountain the hotel is nestled at the base of, offers an extra bonus of front row seats for the spectacular fireworks down by the water. Dine in on this night with four or more people to receive a complimentary bottle of selected wine to help you celebrate*.

June 25th The main event of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival is the parade happening through the streets – such a fun event for everyone and will keep the kids occupied as we all keep waiting for that snow!

June 26th Get down to the bay of Queenstown and watch crazy people do some crazy things involving the icy cold Lake Wakatipu. For even more laughs, the Hotel and Resorts Comedy Gala is an entertaining way to start the week – with the guys from ‘Seven Days’ you just can’t go wrong.

There’s more great food news in the hotel this week. Every night we have a tasty early bird special – come in between 6pm and 7pm and enjoy a two or three course menu, from $28 with new dishes introduced regularly.

This past weekend we hosted a group of Value Tours Inbound representatives who finally made it over from Australia – delays due to the dreaded ash cloud! Chef Yang put on an amazing three course dinner hosted by; Rydges New Zealand Area General Manager, John McIwain; Rydges National Inbound Sales Manager, Glenn Phipps and Rydges Queenstown Executive Assistance Manager Blair Wallace.

We have loads more planned to continue the two week celebration of Winterfest, so stay tuned for more updates.

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