NZ Snowshoeing opens for winter season

NZ Snowshoeing kicked off its 2016 winter season with its first trips up to The Remarkables on Saturday (June 11).   

After a successful first season last year under Ngai Tahu Tourism ownership, the trips have been enhanced based on customer and wider market research undertaken in 2015.
The Snowshoeing Adventure to Lake Alta has been lengthened to a three-quarter-day trip.  It has proven to be the most popular, with “million-dollar” views and some fun features in the basin such as snow caves. 

NZ Snowshoeing listened to customer feedback which indicated that the trip needed to be spread out to give customers time to enjoy the location and make the climb up more fun.  It now also includes a great lunch. 

New for the 2016 season is a guided half-day Snow Play trip. This is an easy family experience with a short walk onto a snowy plateau in snowshoes, requiring only a low level of fitness.

“We’ve had high levels of interest in snowshoeing from Asian markets, for example, and families across the board that are otherwise new to the snow environment,” says Operations Manager Sebastian Thomas.

“As a result we’ve upped the clothing and accessories on offer for our Snowshoeing products so now our trips include gloves, snow boots and lightweight, waterproof jacket and over pants free of charge.
“We found that many people don’t come to Queenstown with the right ‘cold weather’ clothing because they’re not contemplating going skiing, so rather than let that be a deterrent we’re helping them out.”
Sebastian is confident the improved portfolio of Snowshoe products will be welcomed by visitors to Queenstown this winter. 

“Our trips proved hugely popular with visitors last season, and once again we’re among the first snow activities to open for business in Queenstown thanks to recent snow falls.”