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Imagine carving down a snow-covered mountain, pausing to take in panoramic alpine views, then dancing to live music with friends as the sun sets over Queenstown. Whether you’re an experienced rider or a snow newbie, we’ve curated a first timers guide to help you plan your own epic Snow Machine experience.

What is Snow Machine?

Snow Machine is a 4-day festival set amongst New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps in Queenstown, combining energetic music acts with the thrill of skiing and snowboarding. It’s held annually in September, just as the snow season begins to wind down, but don’t let that fool you—the energy is electric, and the conditions are still usually great for hitting the slopes and exploring nearby attractions.

The festival is split between two Ski Slopes Coronet Peak and The Remarkables with the Main Stage and After parties set in Queenstown, a vibrant lakeside town known for its adventure sports, nightlife, and jaw-dropping scenery. Expect everything from daytime on-mountain DJ sets to wild après-ski parties, late-night gigs in Queenstown, and heaps of optional extras to make your trip unforgettable.

What Should I Expect?

Music & Parties

The festival attracts a mix of local and international talent, spanning electronic, house, pop, and indie genres. Each day has its own vibe: mornings are for the slopes, afternoons for après-ski parties spread across the mountaintop stages, and evenings for the main stage and after parties in Queenstown. There are often extra exciting bits to look forward to both on and off mountain. Think themed dress up events like retro, bungee jump opening parties, Drag brunches held at a winery and exclusive night ski events.

On the Mountain

Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are the heart of the festival. Coronet Peak offers terrain for all skill levels, from gentle beginner slopes to adrenaline-pumping black runs. It is definitely more beginner friendly and was a lot quieter on the days we went up compared to the days we went to The Remarkables. The Remarkables however, does seem to offer less terrain in terms of on piste runs, however it offers much to explore for the more experienced skiers and boarders. Not to worry though, even if you’re not skiing or snowboarding, there’s plenty to do on the mountain with these events going on, scenic gondola rides, or just enjoying the vibe with a mulled wine in hand. Each resort has at least one stage that is walkable to from the base of the hill. However, the second stage will require you to ski or board back down on your own so I do recommend you at least learn to stop and get down a run safely if you want to attend the on mountain stages.

How Do I Get There?

Flights: Queenstown Airport is the closest gateway, with direct flights from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, as well as New Zealand hubs like Auckland and Christchurch. As is with any form of travel, I recommend booking flights as early as possible.

Transport from the Airport

Thankfully, Queenstown is maybe on of the easiest airports to travel to and from the airport both with ease and time. You have options like shared airport shuttle, Uber or taxi, car rentals(which could be a great option, especially if you’re a group) or a super convenient bus service. The bus is roughly $3NZ from the airport to the town centre with multiple stops along the way making it a perfect budget option.

Transport While You’re There

Of course, as previously mentioned, you can rent a car as the first possibility for getting you to and from the mountains, plus to and from the Main Event stage. This option is great for groups or if you are wanting more flexibility or want to explore a bit further out of Queenstown without needing to book a tour or take further transport. A few things to consider though, the drive to both mountains can be quite difficult if you are not used to tight, windy mountain roads and in some cases, the roads may also be covered in ice or snow. Do ensure you are properly equipped to withstand these kind of conditions.

Another option is shuttle busses that depart from multiple stops in Queenstown and transfer you to both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. There are a few things to note with these busses services. Transport between the town and mountains begins at 8:30am and stops at 11am. This means you cannot transfer between resorts at leisure and once you are up there, you stay up there until the return transfers commence from 1pm. These busses are also apart of a pre booking service so you must not forget or you may miss out, especially on busy days. To learn more about this service and to book directly with them, see here.

As well as booking directly with the bus service you may also book mountain transfers through Snow Machine. This allows you a small flexibility as you do not need to prebook, you just need to show up at one of the designated bus stops. However, do keep in mind that during busy times, some busses will get too packed which will cause them to skip bus stops. There can also often be lines to get on the busses, especially if you are at a popular bus stop. Not to worry though, you will make it there and at worst, you’ll be on the last bus heading up but we never waited more than an hour to get on a bus.

Transport to and from the Main Stage

Again, one option is car rental, I won’t delve too much into this option but do make sure if you are taking this option that you have a designated sober driver!

The second option is Festival Transfers, again through Snow Machine. Please note, these are separate to the mountain transfer and can only be used for getting to and from the Main Stage from Queenstown. These buses depart from the same bus stops that the mountain transfers do and run roughly every 5-15 minutes. This is a great option to ensure you arrive at the event and get home safely without having to rely on someone staying sober. These busses also return through the event, meaning you could stay for one act then leave whenever you wanted.

The third option, which could be quite complicated, is the public bus. Just like the bus you’d take to and from the airport. I could not tell you how much it would cost or what schedule it runs, but I will say that I wouldn’t quite recommend it as you are unlikely to be dropped off near the main stage, meaning you may have to walk some distance just to reach the event, which is not ideal if it is snowing or raining.

Where Should I Stay?

Queenstown:

Stay in Queenstown if you want to be at the center of the action. The town has a range of accommodations, from hostels like Nomads (budget-friendly with a party vibe) to upscale hotels like QT Queenstown (perfect for couples or groups looking for a luxe experience). Because of the convenience of Queenstown’s public transport options, it thankfully does not matter much how close you are to the centre of town, allowing for more flexibility due to your preferences.

Arrowtown:

If you are looking for something a little quieter and an escape from all the action, Arrowtown is a perfect alternative. Being about 20 minutes from Queenstown, Arrowtown offers boutique stays and a charming, relaxed atmosphere.

Tip: I stayed in Queenstown and appreciated the convenience of being close to nightlife and dining options but also having the convenience of taking a bus a little out of town for some peace.

Should I Book a Package or DIY My Trip?

Package Deals: These include festival tickets, accommodation, lift passes, and the option to add on ski rentals, flights and transfers. They’re ideal for first-timers or those who want everything sorted in one go for them, making it effortless and stress free. Packages also offer the option to have a 5 day or 7 day package and can have a small discount compared to booking everything separately.

DIY Booking: If you prefer complete flexibility or have specific preferences (e.g., staying in a luxury Airbnb or adding extra days for sightseeing), I’d recommend to book separately. This can sometimes be cheaper depending on when you book

We went for the package route as it was the cheapest option for us at the time. However, after booking the package, we then found flights that didn’t quite match up with the package dates and had to book separate additional accomodation which could have been avoided if we A, looked at flights before booking a package or B, if we chose the DIY route and booked everything separately. Don’t regret it though!

What Should I Pack?

September in Queenstown is unpredictable. I experienced sunny days with slushy snow, followed by freezing winds and fresh powder and definitely some rainy days. You wouldn’t think it, but being in the snow, you can actually get quite hot, especially in September. So the golden rule…pack for all scenarios:

• Waterproof ski gear (jacket, gloves, pants).

• Thermal base layers.

• Warm après-ski outfits.

• Ski socks. Regular thick socks just won’t cut it, believe me!

• A solid pair of waterproof boots that can be worn to events and just on the daily.

• Optional event based outfits like beach ware for the Polar Bare event and a retro ski or apres outfit for retro day.

• Sunglasses and sunscreen for the sunny afternoons (sunscreen is doubly important in the snow).

Additional Costs to Consider

• Ski Rentals: Around NZD $60–$100 per day for a full set of gear. This can either be booked directly with the rental company of through an add-on with Snow Machine.

• Food & Drinks: Queenstown restaurants are super varied, with all sorts of options for all budgets. If you have access to cook for yourself, Queenstown has some small grocery stores in the centre of town and cheaper, larger stores a little out of town that you can stock up on to save a little extra.

• Add-Ons: Activities like jet boating, extra events, bungee jumping, heli-skiing and much more can be pricey but are definitely worth splurging on if you can. After all, Queenstown is known for adventure.

What if I don’t want to Ski or Snowboard?

Not everyone who attends Snow Machine hits the slopes—and that’s totally fine. Queenstown has plenty more to offer than just Ski Resorts. Here’s some options that you can try instead:

• Head up the mountains for the DJ sets, incredible views and just to experience the vibe.

• Explore Queenstown’s famous adventure activities, like the Shotover Jet, ziplining, or skydiving.

• Relax at the Onsen Hot Pools with views of the mountains.

• Wander the Queenstown Gardens or take a scenic lake cruise on TSS Earnslaw.

• Check out surrounding wineries, especially Auburn Winery that has become an additional stage for Snow Machine.

• Explore Queenstown in general. You won’t believe how many people I overheard saying “why didn’t we spend more time just wondering through town”. I don’t blame them. It is a beautiful town with fantastic views and some amazing food that also offers some good shopping options.

Top Tips for First-Timers

Start Early: Arrive in Queenstown at least a day before the festival to settle in, rent your gear, and explore the town. Don’t be one of those that regrets not spending enough time just soaking in their location.

Budget Wisely: Between tickets, food, and gear, costs can add up fast without you noticing. Plan ahead to avoid surprises and for the love of god, have good travel insurance that covers winter activities!

Stay Flexible: Weather can disrupt plans, so have backup activities in case of a snowstorm or low visibility.

Take a lesson: Don’t be afraid to spend the morning on your first day attending a Ski or Snowboard lesson, especially if you are wanting to attend any of the on Mountain stages, not just the stage at the base. Remember that Snow Sports is considered an extreme sport and can be harder to pick up than you may think so it’s important to learn the basics for your safety and for other riders.

Hydrate & Rest: The altitude, partying, and physical activity can take a toll. Make time for breaks throughout the day and drink plenty of water. Don’t go too hard on the first day making you miss out on parts of the other days. Unless of course thats what you planned for.

Snow Machine is a one-of-a-kind festival that combines adventure, music, and stunning scenery. Whether you’re carving up the slopes, grooving at après-ski, or just soaking in the mountain atmosphere, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

If you’ve been dreaming of the ultimate winter party, start planning now—you won’t regret it.