So daylight savings has passed now and the cold is starting to move in. Summer in Queenstown has been an absolute blast as im sure every year is with a number of world class events spanning from  international bike competitions, music festivals, Super enduro race's and even hosting Bear Grylls in the region whilst he was walking/filming on the world famous Routeburn track (anybody flying Air New Zealand will have had the pleasure of watching him feature in the pre-flight safety video).

Aside from a heavy wet front over new years the sunshine has been plentiful and even when its been a little too hot we have had fairly consistent short bursts of rain to cool us off and keep the bike tracks fresh.

So now the seasons are starting to shift, and the town is slowly starting to quiet after a hectic but fun easter period, now is a better time than any to come visit us at pinewood for a number of reasons:


Arrowtown is one of those places that looks its best at this time of year so the locals have put on a schedule of exhibitions, competitions, concerts and parades definitely worth checking out!

http://www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz/


The Routeburn track is organizing an interactive race at a distance somewhere in-between a half and full marathon, entry is open to anyone who fancies it and is guaranteed to be an experience of a life time.

http://goodtimesevents.net/information/

The Banff mountain international film festival is an exhibition and competition displaying some of the most exhilarating outdoor sports short films, books, photography and documentaries of the year and is passing through Queenstown in early may. Come check it out!

http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/worldtour/


Pinewood are also offering highly competitive rates throughout this whole period and can discuss discounted long term rates with anyone who is thinking about staying in town for a while.

February month of music in Queenstown
Well 2013 started off Big but WET. New year’s consisted of three straight days of Rain but looks like the weathers finally come good with nothing but sun forecast for the next few weeks.
Rugby sevens (the last time for a while here in Queenstown) was Huge as usual and the Mountain bike tracks in the area have been going off.
Next up on the calendar this month are two music festivals.
 9^th Feb kicks off with “Shotover  Sunshine  Festival” only 10 minutes from central Queenstown. Headline acts include some of the biggest names in NZ music. Kora, The Black seeds, Tiki Tane, Ladi6 and Sola Rosa to name a few. The event will be fully Licenced, Bar service is strictly R18 Under 18’s are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or Guardian. There will be an alcohol free and smokefree area available for families, kids and overgrown kids complete with change rooms and even a bouncy castle.
http://www.shotoversunshinefestival.co.nz/
19^th Feb Classic Hits presents The Winery Tour.  A 100% Kiwi line up Fat freddy’s drop,  Anika, Boh and Hollie, The adults and 15 year old NZ’s got talent winner Clara van Wel.
http://www.winerytour.co.nz/
23^rd Feb Heralds the coming of Rock legend Pat Benatar such hits as “Hit me with your best shot”, “Love is a battlefield” ect ect also Classic rock favourite “America” will be rocking with Bachman and Turner who have reunited after more than twenty years. 
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/pat-benatar-bachman-turner-and-america/queenstown

Are you coming to Queenstown for New Years?
Have you already booked at Pinewood’s Lodge?
Hope so as we’re fully booked the 31^st and the 1^st.
We do however have a few beds left on the 2^nd Jan, so why not stay another night and go to “Summer Lands 2013” a new music Festival in Wanaka for the day.
Return buses running Queenstown to Wanaka for $30 and tickets to the R18 Music event for only $55 or VIP Tickets for $150.
The Headlining act is “Dubfx” one of music’s best kept secrets. Real name Benjamin Stanford after playing in a band in Australia set out on his own street preforming round the world. Using a Loop station and effects pedal he creates a unique Beatbox/Dub sound that has grown huge attention just through word of mouth and online sites “Facebook” and “Youtube”. Check out the link below
Tiki Tane will be doing an acoustic set. P-money,  Samsam and Emma G & MC Tall to name a few.
 For some Sweet Summer Beats set in an intimate garden bar setting head to “Summer Lands”.
Get your tickets now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bioYs6oAD8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLe8eV-0W-E
 

Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of New Zealand,
Known for its extreme sports an action packed adventure awaits your stag/Hen for their last days of “Freedom”.
Most “Do’s” now combine day and night activities.
Test their nerves with Canyon Swinging, Bungy Jumping or Sky Diving. Quad bike tours best at the start of the day no matter the weather. Paintballing is sure to leave its mark, be sure to bring a hi-fis top so they’ll stand out.
Girls might like a day in a spa, a horse trek or a Wine Tour. Why not Hire your own private Party boat or get dressed up and try your luck in one of the casino.
Pub Crawls start when the lights go out. Queenstown offers a huge range or bars and also Adult entertainment in clubs like Cadillac’s and Club 88.
Queenstown’s has a massive selection of restaurant’s and takeaways. “Fergburger/bakery” are both good for late night cravings and open until the early hours.
One memorable Stag party had the “Husband to be” carried around in a coffin. Or another left a man in a “Mankini” tied to a power pole
Stag do’s are a regular site in Queenstown, attracting people from all over NZ including last year “Dan Carter”.
For a day to never forget and a Hangover you’d wish you could. Queenstown make’s the perfect choice.
E-mail Pinewood now so we can save you a Bed. Pinewood offers self-contained units so your group can all be together or close by. With just a short walk to the centre of town we can’t guarantee what time you’ll stumble back to bed.

Lake Wanaka, NZ (16 August 2012) -Skier Jacqui Edgerly (USA) and Snowboarder Will Jackways (NZ) took centre stage at the World Heli Challenge ION Showcase Awards tonight (August 16) where they were named the XFactor Awardees for World Heli Challenge 2012, as another successful World Heli Challenge came to an end. In a first for the World Heli Challenge, skiers and snowboarders competed together for the top spots with only one male and one female taking the honours.
Narrowly missing the top spots were snowboarder Abby Lockhart (NZ), skiers Natalie Segal (Australia) and Markus Eder (Italy).
Jacqui and Will were chosen based on their overall aggressive performance and not necessarily on points earned during the competition.
"Jaqui took the prize to Alaska for her determination and amazing line choice pushing her limits," said head ski judge Dion Newport. "Showing why she was invited to the WHC by skiing a line on the extreme day that had a lot of exposure and risk. Not landing her run put her back in second position but her amazing show for the camera's and viewers earned her the XFactor Award."
"Will stood out during both days of competition," said head snowboard judge, Mike Hygemann. "He had an amazing first run in the freestyle day where he showed great control and use of terrain pulling off 360 spins, a tail grab air, a method air and an indy...an excellent run from the kiwi. The extreme day saw him taking a very challenging line which he executed with aggression and style."
In addition to competitor awards for best performances on the snow, the best images and cinematography captured throughout the two-week event in the Canon Shootout were also screened and announced to the packed Wanaka Centre audience and to a global audience via live webcast.

Toby Wilson from Gore in New Zealand is only 17 years old, but put a gallant effort into producing this mini documentary for the Canon Shootout of the 2012 World Heli Challenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpSb8UtvFYU&feature=player_embedded#!

Queenstown ice hockey team Southern Stampede has continued their push for the finals with impressive weekend wins.
Stampede destroyed Botany Swarm 9-3 on Friday night and then came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Saturday, at Queenstown Ice Arena.
The wins mean Stampede can again reach the finals of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League by winning three of their remaining four games. 

Let's go Stampede!!!

Skippers Canyon in Winter. Short video of this amazing piece of country just a short distance from Queenstown. Venture down the skippers canyon road through amazing ice falls into the river canyon and take a ride on the skippers canyon jet through ice and snow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktKMUsNbVOs&feature=em-share_video_user

Queenstown Airport is removing a $25 international departure fee paid by passengers effective immediately.
Chief executive Scott Paterson said the change was part of Queenstown Airport's new landing charges coming into effect on July 1.
Airports around the country including Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch have been or are in the middle of setting new landing charges. Christchurch International Airport is in the midst of negotiating charges, to last for five years, with the Board of Airline Representatives.
International passengers were the big winners, Paterson said. In addition to the removal of the $25 international departure fee, airline charges reduce by $1.61 for each international passenger.

For the full story got to: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7172120/Queenstown-airport-cans-intl-departure-fee

  

The steam ship Earnslaw has had a half-million dollar makeover and returned to the water today.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/queenstown-tourist-attraction-returns-video-4959520

                                
                                                                                                
The evening started awfully with a hit and run on Stampede forward Stefan Wright in the Gardens parking lot (if anybody has any information that would help identify the driver please come forward). Stefan suffered a broken foot as a result. Things didn't improve from there as the Thunder took away a 6-3 win last night in a game that really didn't get going for the Stampede until the third period. Credit to Dunedin for playing well all weekend but really both games saw countless missed opportunities for the Stampede players. The boys travel to Melbourne next week to play in the Trans-Tasman League. Good Luck Guys!

Come to support local Ice hockey team! For more info visit:  http://www.southernstampede.co.nz/     
Lets go Stampede!

The American Express Opening Party is the hottest party of the year and this year promises to be no different as we celebrate the start of Festival in true Queenstown style with some of the finest talent in the Wakatipu. This year’s Opening Party theme is ‘Best of the Basin’ - showcasing local singers and entertainers alongside Queenstown’s favourite band The Master Blasters. 

Here is a short highlights package of all the day one action from the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2012. American Express Opening Party, Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey After Party.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrrQgCCd8E&feature=player_embedded

What a great night! :)

Coronet Peak opened last Saturday and the start of the snow season can only mean one thing… the END of the INCENTIVE.There were some outstanding results but there can only be one winner...

CONGRATULATIONS to the team at PINEWOOD LODGE for a fantastic win! Hope you will enjoy the winter up the mountains and that Mother Nature will grace us with heaps of snow to make the most of the season.
A WELL DESERVED VICTORY!

After a fantastic day skiing on the slopes enjoy the awesome facilities at Pinewood lodge... like our fantastic Spa, have great Pizza in our Hub restaurant or just hang around the fireplace at Hub lounge to warm your toes.  

Pinewood ski packages start from only NZD 253 per person and we offer packages for all ski resorts around Queenstown...for more info visit our website:  https://secure.zeald.com/pinewood/Ski%20Packages?mv_pc=1349

Pinewood have the best value packages, and there are many to choose from to suit every budget! Accommodation upgrades available, ski lessons, equipment and clothing rental. Contact Pinewood on booking@pinewood.co.nz to find out more and confirm the rates.

....see you at Pinewood this winter!

All winter lovers get ready!
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. 

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.
Festival starts 22 June and finishes 1 July 2012.

For more info visit: http://www.winterfestival.co.nz/

See you all there :)

Dear friends,

Don’t forget – go on-line now www.queenstowntrail.co.nz  and enter the only annual community fund raiser for The Queenstown Trail this Friday night 6pm – only $20. We need your support for our 90km+ Queenstown Trail – five bridges, one underpass, through private and public land throughout the Wakatipu Basin.

Send this to all your friends and colleagues and help us make the trail a reality.  See you Friday night.

ON THE HOME STRAIGHT TO FUND TARGET

The $5m Queenstown Trail needs all our support over the next 12 months to raise the final $500,000.

The trail provides access for the first time over private land to spectacular areas of outstanding natural landscape. The Government grant of $1.8m combined with the $1m individual grants from the Community Trust of Southland and Central Lakes Trust, together with Queenstown-Lakes District Council has created a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a world-class trail linking Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston.

So daylight savings has passed now and the cold is starting to move in. Summer in Queenstown has been an absolute blast as im sure every year is with a number of world class events spanning from  international bike competitions, music festivals, Super enduro race's and even hosting Bear Grylls in the region whilst he was walking/filming on the world famous Routeburn track (anybody flying Air New Zealand will have had the pleasure of watching him feature in the pre-flight safety video).

Aside from a heavy wet front over new years the sunshine has been plentiful and even when its been a little too hot we have had fairly consistent short bursts of rain to cool us off and keep the bike tracks fresh.

So now the seasons are starting to shift, and the town is slowly starting to quiet after a hectic but fun easter period, now is a better time than any to come visit us at pinewood for a number of reasons:


Arrowtown is one of those places that looks its best at this time of year so the locals have put on a schedule of exhibitions, competitions, concerts and parades definitely worth checking out!

http://www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz/


The Routeburn track is organizing an interactive race at a distance somewhere in-between a half and full marathon, entry is open to anyone who fancies it and is guaranteed to be an experience of a life time.

http://goodtimesevents.net/information/

The Banff mountain international film festival is an exhibition and competition displaying some of the most exhilarating outdoor sports short films, books, photography and documentaries of the year and is passing through Queenstown in early may. Come check it out!

http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/worldtour/


Pinewood are also offering highly competitive rates throughout this whole period and can discuss discounted long term rates with anyone who is thinking about staying in town for a while.

February month of music in Queenstown
Well 2013 started off Big but WET. New year’s consisted of three straight days of Rain but looks like the weathers finally come good with nothing but sun forecast for the next few weeks.
Rugby sevens (the last time for a while here in Queenstown) was Huge as usual and the Mountain bike tracks in the area have been going off.
Next up on the calendar this month are two music festivals.
 9^th Feb kicks off with “Shotover  Sunshine  Festival” only 10 minutes from central Queenstown. Headline acts include some of the biggest names in NZ music. Kora, The Black seeds, Tiki Tane, Ladi6 and Sola Rosa to name a few. The event will be fully Licenced, Bar service is strictly R18 Under 18’s are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or Guardian. There will be an alcohol free and smokefree area available for families, kids and overgrown kids complete with change rooms and even a bouncy castle.
http://www.shotoversunshinefestival.co.nz/
19^th Feb Classic Hits presents The Winery Tour.  A 100% Kiwi line up Fat freddy’s drop,  Anika, Boh and Hollie, The adults and 15 year old NZ’s got talent winner Clara van Wel.
http://www.winerytour.co.nz/
23^rd Feb Heralds the coming of Rock legend Pat Benatar such hits as “Hit me with your best shot”, “Love is a battlefield” ect ect also Classic rock favourite “America” will be rocking with Bachman and Turner who have reunited after more than twenty years. 
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2013/pat-benatar-bachman-turner-and-america/queenstown

Are you coming to Queenstown for New Years?
Have you already booked at Pinewood’s Lodge?
Hope so as we’re fully booked the 31^st and the 1^st.
We do however have a few beds left on the 2^nd Jan, so why not stay another night and go to “Summer Lands 2013” a new music Festival in Wanaka for the day.
Return buses running Queenstown to Wanaka for $30 and tickets to the R18 Music event for only $55 or VIP Tickets for $150.
The Headlining act is “Dubfx” one of music’s best kept secrets. Real name Benjamin Stanford after playing in a band in Australia set out on his own street preforming round the world. Using a Loop station and effects pedal he creates a unique Beatbox/Dub sound that has grown huge attention just through word of mouth and online sites “Facebook” and “Youtube”. Check out the link below
Tiki Tane will be doing an acoustic set. P-money,  Samsam and Emma G & MC Tall to name a few.
 For some Sweet Summer Beats set in an intimate garden bar setting head to “Summer Lands”.
Get your tickets now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bioYs6oAD8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLe8eV-0W-E
 

Queenstown, the adrenaline capital of New Zealand,
Known for its extreme sports an action packed adventure awaits your stag/Hen for their last days of “Freedom”.
Most “Do’s” now combine day and night activities.
Test their nerves with Canyon Swinging, Bungy Jumping or Sky Diving. Quad bike tours best at the start of the day no matter the weather. Paintballing is sure to leave its mark, be sure to bring a hi-fis top so they’ll stand out.
Girls might like a day in a spa, a horse trek or a Wine Tour. Why not Hire your own private Party boat or get dressed up and try your luck in one of the casino.
Pub Crawls start when the lights go out. Queenstown offers a huge range or bars and also Adult entertainment in clubs like Cadillac’s and Club 88.
Queenstown’s has a massive selection of restaurant’s and takeaways. “Fergburger/bakery” are both good for late night cravings and open until the early hours.
One memorable Stag party had the “Husband to be” carried around in a coffin. Or another left a man in a “Mankini” tied to a power pole
Stag do’s are a regular site in Queenstown, attracting people from all over NZ including last year “Dan Carter”.
For a day to never forget and a Hangover you’d wish you could. Queenstown make’s the perfect choice.
E-mail Pinewood now so we can save you a Bed. Pinewood offers self-contained units so your group can all be together or close by. With just a short walk to the centre of town we can’t guarantee what time you’ll stumble back to bed.

Lake Wanaka, NZ (16 August 2012) -Skier Jacqui Edgerly (USA) and Snowboarder Will Jackways (NZ) took centre stage at the World Heli Challenge ION Showcase Awards tonight (August 16) where they were named the XFactor Awardees for World Heli Challenge 2012, as another successful World Heli Challenge came to an end. In a first for the World Heli Challenge, skiers and snowboarders competed together for the top spots with only one male and one female taking the honours.
Narrowly missing the top spots were snowboarder Abby Lockhart (NZ), skiers Natalie Segal (Australia) and Markus Eder (Italy).
Jacqui and Will were chosen based on their overall aggressive performance and not necessarily on points earned during the competition.
"Jaqui took the prize to Alaska for her determination and amazing line choice pushing her limits," said head ski judge Dion Newport. "Showing why she was invited to the WHC by skiing a line on the extreme day that had a lot of exposure and risk. Not landing her run put her back in second position but her amazing show for the camera's and viewers earned her the XFactor Award."
"Will stood out during both days of competition," said head snowboard judge, Mike Hygemann. "He had an amazing first run in the freestyle day where he showed great control and use of terrain pulling off 360 spins, a tail grab air, a method air and an indy...an excellent run from the kiwi. The extreme day saw him taking a very challenging line which he executed with aggression and style."
In addition to competitor awards for best performances on the snow, the best images and cinematography captured throughout the two-week event in the Canon Shootout were also screened and announced to the packed Wanaka Centre audience and to a global audience via live webcast.

Toby Wilson from Gore in New Zealand is only 17 years old, but put a gallant effort into producing this mini documentary for the Canon Shootout of the 2012 World Heli Challenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpSb8UtvFYU&feature=player_embedded#!

Queenstown ice hockey team Southern Stampede has continued their push for the finals with impressive weekend wins.
Stampede destroyed Botany Swarm 9-3 on Friday night and then came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Saturday, at Queenstown Ice Arena.
The wins mean Stampede can again reach the finals of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League by winning three of their remaining four games. 

Let's go Stampede!!!

Skippers Canyon in Winter. Short video of this amazing piece of country just a short distance from Queenstown. Venture down the skippers canyon road through amazing ice falls into the river canyon and take a ride on the skippers canyon jet through ice and snow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktKMUsNbVOs&feature=em-share_video_user

Queenstown Airport is removing a $25 international departure fee paid by passengers effective immediately.
Chief executive Scott Paterson said the change was part of Queenstown Airport's new landing charges coming into effect on July 1.
Airports around the country including Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch have been or are in the middle of setting new landing charges. Christchurch International Airport is in the midst of negotiating charges, to last for five years, with the Board of Airline Representatives.
International passengers were the big winners, Paterson said. In addition to the removal of the $25 international departure fee, airline charges reduce by $1.61 for each international passenger.

For the full story got to: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7172120/Queenstown-airport-cans-intl-departure-fee

  

The steam ship Earnslaw has had a half-million dollar makeover and returned to the water today.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/queenstown-tourist-attraction-returns-video-4959520

                                
                                                                                                
The evening started awfully with a hit and run on Stampede forward Stefan Wright in the Gardens parking lot (if anybody has any information that would help identify the driver please come forward). Stefan suffered a broken foot as a result. Things didn't improve from there as the Thunder took away a 6-3 win last night in a game that really didn't get going for the Stampede until the third period. Credit to Dunedin for playing well all weekend but really both games saw countless missed opportunities for the Stampede players. The boys travel to Melbourne next week to play in the Trans-Tasman League. Good Luck Guys!

Come to support local Ice hockey team! For more info visit:  http://www.southernstampede.co.nz/     
Lets go Stampede!

The American Express Opening Party is the hottest party of the year and this year promises to be no different as we celebrate the start of Festival in true Queenstown style with some of the finest talent in the Wakatipu. This year’s Opening Party theme is ‘Best of the Basin’ - showcasing local singers and entertainers alongside Queenstown’s favourite band The Master Blasters. 

Here is a short highlights package of all the day one action from the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2012. American Express Opening Party, Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey After Party.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTrrQgCCd8E&feature=player_embedded

What a great night! :)

Coronet Peak opened last Saturday and the start of the snow season can only mean one thing… the END of the INCENTIVE.There were some outstanding results but there can only be one winner...

CONGRATULATIONS to the team at PINEWOOD LODGE for a fantastic win! Hope you will enjoy the winter up the mountains and that Mother Nature will grace us with heaps of snow to make the most of the season.
A WELL DESERVED VICTORY!

After a fantastic day skiing on the slopes enjoy the awesome facilities at Pinewood lodge... like our fantastic Spa, have great Pizza in our Hub restaurant or just hang around the fireplace at Hub lounge to warm your toes.  

Pinewood ski packages start from only NZD 253 per person and we offer packages for all ski resorts around Queenstown...for more info visit our website:  https://secure.zeald.com/pinewood/Ski%20Packages?mv_pc=1349

Pinewood have the best value packages, and there are many to choose from to suit every budget! Accommodation upgrades available, ski lessons, equipment and clothing rental. Contact Pinewood on booking@pinewood.co.nz to find out more and confirm the rates.

....see you at Pinewood this winter!

All winter lovers get ready!
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. 

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.
Festival starts 22 June and finishes 1 July 2012.

For more info visit: http://www.winterfestival.co.nz/

See you all there :)

Dear friends,

Don’t forget – go on-line now www.queenstowntrail.co.nz  and enter the only annual community fund raiser for The Queenstown Trail this Friday night 6pm – only $20. We need your support for our 90km+ Queenstown Trail – five bridges, one underpass, through private and public land throughout the Wakatipu Basin.

Send this to all your friends and colleagues and help us make the trail a reality.  See you Friday night.

ON THE HOME STRAIGHT TO FUND TARGET

The $5m Queenstown Trail needs all our support over the next 12 months to raise the final $500,000.

The trail provides access for the first time over private land to spectacular areas of outstanding natural landscape. The Government grant of $1.8m combined with the $1m individual grants from the Community Trust of Southland and Central Lakes Trust, together with Queenstown-Lakes District Council has created a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a world-class trail linking Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston.