Ski the Summer away in New Zealand!

New Zealand

Click here for optional extensions to Australia and the South Pacific!

Congratulations! You have selected the most comprehensive and most complete Winter Vacation guide to the wonders of New Zealand skiing and the South Pacific. You will see, on the following webpages, details on a myriad of activities and experiences that you will find when you participate in one of our ski tour programs to New Zealand. Everything from a 5 night package to Queenstown, to a complete tour of both islands with the possibility to ski almost all the resorts. You'll also find information on heli-skiing, or flying in a ski plane to the Tasman Glacier. Just imagine setting down on the top of a mountain and shushing through virgin powder that never felt the weight of a ski before.... Absolutely heavenly! You will see why they say New Zealand has more Alps than the Alps. The only difference being that New Zealand has less people. Another benefit of skiing "down under" is that you'll be escaping those dog-days of summer as Air New Zealand whisks you away in comfort and delivers you to "The Southern Alps". In addition to the skiing possibilities, you can try bungy jumping, or a hair-raising, white knuckle, high speed boat ride through a gorge aboard the shotover jet, or even visit a visit to a rainforest. All this and more is for you to experience.

Speaking of experience, you will be traveling with one of the most experienced ski travel companies when you travel with Holidaze. For over 28 years we've been operating ski tours for individuals and groups. Add that to our new partnership with Mount Cook Group of New Zealand, and you have more than 100 years of experience in skiing and touring New Zealand. It is reassuring to know that this kind of reliability stands behind every program we operate.

It has been said that New Zealand is like the "World in Miniature". Here is your chance to experience it for yourself.

New Zealand Facts:

Winter Climate
Clear and crisp. Average daytime temperature ranges from 40 to 60 degrees F. Bring sweaters and warm jackets, light windbreakers, and t-shirts. In general, the South Island is like northern California in winter. Ski area temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees F.
Time Differential
From the first of May to September 30th, New Zealand is 19 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. In October, New Zealand is 20 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
Transportation
Air New Zealand operates daily flights from Los Angeles to Auckland. each week, 8 are nonstop B77-400 services. New Zealand is approximately a 12:45 hour overnight flight from the US West coast gateway city of Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL).
Other Activities
New Zealand is best described as the world in miniature and the adventure capital of the planet. Walking, bungy jumping, parapenting, whitewater rafting, photography, fishing, golf - have we missed any? If so, it's not that you can't indulge - we're just running out of room.
Population
Only 3.4 million people inhabit New Zealand. Pristine, undisturbed, unpopulated - it doesn't take much to get away from it all. Also, there are more sheep than people. Approximately 65 million sheep.
Currency
At the time of the creation of this webpage, the rate of exchange was $.65 US for $1 NZ. But note, in New Zealand, $100 NZD will purchase approximately the same value of goods, souvenirs, or services that $100 USD will in the US. This is one great value for money country.

Queenstown Facts:

Temperature/Climate
Alpine clear and crisp. Average daytime temperatures range from 30 to 58 degrees F. Bring a sweater and a warm jacket, warm pants, light windbreakers, and t-shirts. In general, the South Island is like northern California in winter. Ski area temperatures range from 20 to 40 degrees F.
Ski Resorts
Coronet Peak and the Remarkables are just 30 minutes from Queenstown. Each is served by shuttle from hotels and a central downtown terminal on Shurch stree.
Ground Transportation
Coach: Daily services to/from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Milford Sound, and the West Coast.

  Self Drive: Allow 6 hours from Christchurch to Queenstown. Hertz, Avis, and Budget Rent a Car all have depots in Queenstown and the airport.
Other Activities
Fishing, rafting, jetboating, shopping, golfing, winetasting.... these are just a few of what Queenstown offers you.

 
Air Transportation
Air New Zealand provides scheduled daily air to/from Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, and Christchurch to Queenstown. From Christchurch, the flight is about 50 minutes by B737 or ATR 72 aircraft.
Nightlife
Queenstown offers the full gambit of nightlife. Deluxe restaurants to home cooking; discos; cozy dimly lit night spots from the romantic or quiet celebrations. Bars close normally at around 1 am. Local and international entertainers are always a draw card.

Pricing of New Zealand:

Package Prices Include:

  • Round trip air transportation between Los Angeles and Queenstown, New Zealand, via Air New Zealand.
  • Meet and Greet at Queenstown Airport.
  • Round trip transfers between Queenstown Airport and Hotel.
  • 5 nights accommodation at the hotel selected.
  • Holidaze/Ski Express Welcome Night - Meet your resident Ski Express Resort Host and find out the latest information on and off that snow.
  • Local Holidaze/Ski Express guide service each morning and evening at your hotel.
  • Discount Bonus Card.
  • All local taxes.

Extra Day Prices Include:

  • 1 nights accommodation on a room only basis.

Ski Express Ski and Activity Pass:

Ski vouchers for 3 days with ski shuttle transport to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Treble Cone, exchangeable for a range of sightseeing and adventure activities. Also includes 2 hours of guided skiing daily with Ski Express hosts and twice weekly sausage sizzles.

3-Day Ski and Activity Pass $177.00
Extra Days $59.00

 Queenstown Package Prices:

    Adults       Extra Day
2004 Rates for New Zealand:   per       All Season
    Room 6/1-8/26 8/27-9/30   Adult
Aspen on Queenstown Courtyard rooms 1  $   1,343  $   1,423    $          60
    2  $   1,193  $   1,273    $          30
    3  $   1,173  $   1,252    $          26
             
Aspen on Queenstown 1-Bedroom Apartment 1  $   1,695  $   1,775    $        131
    2  $   1,369  $   1,449    $          65
    3  $   1,291  $   1,371    $          50
             
Aspen on Queenstown 2-Bedroom Apartment 1  $   1,898  $   1,977    $        171
    2  $   1,470  $   1,550    $          86
    3  $   1,329  $   1,408    $          57
    4  $   1,256  $   1,336    $          43
    5  $   1,233  $   1,313    $          38
             
Kingsgate Terraces Hotel Room 1  $   1,505  $   1,585    $          92
    2  $   1,274  $   1,354    $          46
    3  $   1,233  $   1,313    $          38
             
Kingsgate Terraces 2-Bedroom Apartment 3  $   1,386  $   1,466    $          69
    4  $   1,300  $   1,380    $          51
    5  $   1,271  $   1,351    $          46
             
Mercure Resort Hotel Room 1  $   1,476  $   1,556    $          87
    2  $   1,259  $   1,339    $          43
    3  $   1,239  $   1,319    $          39
             
Copthorne Lakefront Resort Hotel Room 1  $   1,557  $   1,637    $        103
    2  $   1,300  $   1,380    $          51
    3  $   1,259  $   1,339    $          43
             
The Heritage ZQN Hotel Room 1  $   1,632  $   1,712    $        118
    2  $   1,337  $   1,417    $          59
    3  $   1,314  $   1,394    $          54
             
The Heritage ZQN 1-Bedroom non-Lakeside Suite 1  $   2,042  $   2,122    $        200
    2  $   1,542  $   1,622    $        100
    3  $   1,453  $   1,533    $          82
             
The Heritage ZQN 2-Bedroom non Lakeside Suite 1  $   2,516  $   2,596    $        295
    2  $   1,779  $   1,859    $        147
    3  $   1,534  $   1,613    $          98
    4  $   1,412  $   1,492    $          74
    5  $   1,383  $   1,463    $          68
             
Novotel Gardens Hotel Room 1  $   1,528  $   1,608    $          97
    2  $   1,285  $   1,365    $          49
    3  $   1,251  $   1,330    $          42
             
Parkroyal Queenstown Hotel Room 1  $   1,574  $   1,654    $        106
    2  $   1,308  $   1,388    $          53
    3  $   1,285  $   1,365    $          49

 

 

Methven/Mt Hutt Package Prices:

Methven Package price includes:
* Air stopover fee in Christchurch.
* Round trip transfers between Christchurch Airport and Methven via Scheduled bus.
* 2 nights accommodation at the hotel selected.
* Holidaze/Ski Express Welcome Night - Meet your resident Ski Express Resort Host & find out the latest
information on and off the snow.
* Local Holidaze/Ski Express guide service each morning and evening at your hotel.
* Discount Bonus Card.
* All local taxes.
Extra Days price includes:
1 nights accommodation on a room only basis
    Adults       Extra Day
Methven / Mt. Hutt   per       All Season
    Room 6/1-8/26 8/27-9/30   Adult
Chancellor Resort Run of House Rooms 1  $      295  $      295    $          87
    2  $      208  $      208    $          43
    3  $      197  $      197    $          38
             
Chancellor Resort Superior Rooms 1  $      337  $      337    $        107
    2  $      229  $      229    $          54
    3  $      210  $      210    $          44
             
Binkley Village Studio Room 1  $      311  $      311    $          95
    2  $      216  $      216    $          47
             
Brinkley Village 2 Bedroom Apartment 1  $      438  $      438    $        158
    2  $      280  $      280    $          79
    3  $      228  $      228    $          53
    4  $      201  $      201    $          40
             
Brinkley Village 3 Bedroom Apartment 3  $      273  $      273    $          76
    4  $      235  $      235    $          57
    5  $      212  $      212    $          45
    6  $      197  $      197    $          38

 

 

Wanaka Package Prices:

Wanaka package prices include:
* Round trip transfers between Queenstown & Wanaka via Scheduled bus.
* 2 nights accommodation at the hotel selected.
* Ski Shuttle Transfer between Cardrona or Treble Cone.
* Ski Lift Voucher for Cardrona or Treble Cone.
* All local taxes.
Extra Days prices in Wanaka package include:
* 1 nights accommodation on a room only basis.
* Ski Shutte and Lift voucher for either Treble Cone or Cardrona.
    Adults       Extra Day
Wanaka Package:   per       All Season
    Room 6/1-8/26 8/27-9/30   Adult
Wanaka Hotel Hotel Room 1  $      330  $      330    $        153
    2  $      244  $      244    $        110
    3  $      228  $      228    $        102
             
Edgewater Resort Hotel Room 1  $      407  $      407    $        191
    2  $      282  $      282    $        129
    3  $      259  $      259    $        117
             
Edgewater Resort 1 Bedroom Suite 1  $      525  $      525    $        250
    2  $      341  $      341    $        158
    3  $      298  $      298    $        137
    4  $      276  $      276    $        126
             
Edgewater Resort 2 Bedroom Suite 2  $      466  $      466    $        221
    3  $      363  $      363    $        169
    4  $      312  $      312    $        144
    5  $      291  $      291    $        133
    6  $      278  $      278    $        127

 

Rates are based on midweek travel (Mon-Wed). Please add $35.00 per way for weekend travel (Thurs-Sun).