Queenstown Snowmobiles
Queenstown Snowmobiles
Queenstown Snowmobiles
5
About
Queenstown Snowmobiles offers the only wilderness snowmobiling experience in New Zealand combining a scenic flight and fun snowmobiling on the Garvie Mountain Range! Always wanted to try snowmobiling? Well now you can! Join us for the ultimate winter experience – snowmobiling is one of the most adrenaline-pumping, action-packed winter adventures… with the added bonus of stunning scenery & views for the duration of the entire trip! We have exclusive access to trails & back country riding, by way of helicopter only, with breath taking views across to Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring and down to Stewart Island on a clear day. Enjoy your snowmobiling experience with up to five other guests (total of six per trip). This trip is weather and snow dependent but generally run from late June to early September. There are up to three departures daily.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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5.0
37 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Karentobeck
32 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
As non skiers we were keen to experience the snow and found this trip online. It was the ultimate thrill and a big highlight of our three week trip around the South Island. Absolutely stunning scenery, fantastic staff, easy to use machines (even for us in our sixties) and just an incredible thrill from start to finish. Absolutely loved it.
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rach D
Greater Perth, Australia33 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
A little bit overpriced for what you get. Can't say it's worth the $835...$500 would be more like it.
Helicopter ride was really good, very safe. I expected a little more adventure style riding on the snowmobile.
Girls at the desk were lovely, and the guide was informative and pleasant.
Not a horrible experience.
Helicopter ride was really good, very safe. I expected a little more adventure style riding on the snowmobile.
Girls at the desk were lovely, and the guide was informative and pleasant.
Not a horrible experience.
Written 6 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiwi_SG
Singapore, Singapore113 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
We have been lucky enough to do many activities around the world, and this would be up there with the best. The day we did this, we were lucky to have a perfect winter’s day - deep blue sky and pristine white snow.
Check-in process at the Heli base located at Queenstown airport was quick and not too complicated. Obliviously there are forms to fill out and safety briefings to go over. The staff there was helpful and friendly.
After taking off from the airport you travel up and over The Remarkables to the Garvie range . The flight time was just under 15 minutes. Spectacular views along the way and even better on the return flight as you fly back towards Lake Wakatipu.
Arriving at the snow mobile base you feel like you are landing at an Antarctic expedition base. The snow mobiles were lined up ready for our tour.
The gear is all first rate and was basically brand new. The provided overalls were super warm and they also have boots, gloves etc if you need them.
A quick briefing and demo by the excellent guide, Ed, and then we had a 5-minute training session out the back of the base on a figure of 8 course. The snow mobiles require ‘active riding’ as you need to shift your body weight to keep the tracks flat on the snow while turning. We all felt comfortable after that, including my older son who rode his own. My younger son rode on the back of Ed’s snow mobile and enjoyed the experience as well. We have a fair amount of experience with jet skis and this helped a bit.
From there we were off! Firstly we set off North for 10 minutes for a photo op. From this position we could see Mount Cook in the distance. We then set off South. The views were stunning; you would come up over a rise to see another mountain range in the distance.
The snow mobiles have heated handlebars which make it very comfortable on a brisk winter’s morning.
All in all I was very impressed. It was a true adventure, but also very professionally run, with excellent safety procedures and equipment. Ed was an excellent guide and very passionate about his job.
Even though we had our own rental vehicle we opted for pick-up from the hotel, this was also prompt and efficient.
Although it is an expensive experience, if you are thinking of having a scenic helicopter flight during winter in Queenstown I would highly recommend it as you will get that along with the snow mobile adventure.
We would do it again without question.
Check-in process at the Heli base located at Queenstown airport was quick and not too complicated. Obliviously there are forms to fill out and safety briefings to go over. The staff there was helpful and friendly.
After taking off from the airport you travel up and over The Remarkables to the Garvie range . The flight time was just under 15 minutes. Spectacular views along the way and even better on the return flight as you fly back towards Lake Wakatipu.
Arriving at the snow mobile base you feel like you are landing at an Antarctic expedition base. The snow mobiles were lined up ready for our tour.
The gear is all first rate and was basically brand new. The provided overalls were super warm and they also have boots, gloves etc if you need them.
A quick briefing and demo by the excellent guide, Ed, and then we had a 5-minute training session out the back of the base on a figure of 8 course. The snow mobiles require ‘active riding’ as you need to shift your body weight to keep the tracks flat on the snow while turning. We all felt comfortable after that, including my older son who rode his own. My younger son rode on the back of Ed’s snow mobile and enjoyed the experience as well. We have a fair amount of experience with jet skis and this helped a bit.
From there we were off! Firstly we set off North for 10 minutes for a photo op. From this position we could see Mount Cook in the distance. We then set off South. The views were stunning; you would come up over a rise to see another mountain range in the distance.
The snow mobiles have heated handlebars which make it very comfortable on a brisk winter’s morning.
All in all I was very impressed. It was a true adventure, but also very professionally run, with excellent safety procedures and equipment. Ed was an excellent guide and very passionate about his job.
Even though we had our own rental vehicle we opted for pick-up from the hotel, this was also prompt and efficient.
Although it is an expensive experience, if you are thinking of having a scenic helicopter flight during winter in Queenstown I would highly recommend it as you will get that along with the snow mobile adventure.
We would do it again without question.
Written 1 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S.H.E
Queenstown, New Zealand37 contributions
Jul 2020
The trip starts from a breathtaking heli flight to the Gavie Mountain range, the best time to eye witness the beauty of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable. We landed on a remote winter wonderland with snowmobiles waiting. Daz was our guide, he was patient and fun to follow the instructions on. The machine was easy enough to control and quick to accelerate. We had gone for so many long runs, it was just so nice to be able to visit the private mountain range.
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrisphilpot_
Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand36 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I have been travelling for just under 4 years now and this exceeds any trip I have done! I can't tell you how AWESOME this was. From start to finish I was on a high, the crew are awesome from reservations to the pilot and Guide. I had Taz guiding the trip and Alfie flying, both extremely knowledgeable with tonnes of experience and super friendly, wanting to make our trip the best experience we could have. The Helicopter flight both there and back was incredible , Alfie was such a good pilot, the scenery was unreal. It was like we were in Lord of the rings / a David Attenborough documentary setting. When arriving to the base it was literally in the middle of nowhere out in paradise. Driving the Snowmobiles across untouched snow was AMAZING! The best thing is you actually get to go FAST! it is very free with the guide leading the way in front. Speeding across powder over small jumps with the best views you can imagine, even saw Mount cook in the distance.
Don't leave Queenstown without trying this. Would love to do this again and even try out some of their other Heli flights. Thanks so much team!
Don't leave Queenstown without trying this. Would love to do this again and even try out some of their other Heli flights. Thanks so much team!
Written 10 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for joining our snowmobile experience!
That's right our Snowmobiles base is in the middle of nowhere (we operate on the Garvie Mountains, Nokomai Station) and access is by helicopter only.
We are glad our guide Taz and pilot Alfie looked after you so well during your experience.
We hope to see you again if you are ever back in Queenstown - thanks again for joining us!
The team at Queenstown Snowmobiles
Written 8 March 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gav987
Invercargill, New Zealand1 contribution
Aug 2015 • Friends
Having spent most of my life in the Queenstown area I was looking for an adventure with a twist. This trip was just fantastic , flying through the snow capped mountains with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters Pat and Matt and the team were very professional and I felt very safe. Then onto the Snow Mobiling this was an experience like none other. Snow Mobiling in some of the most majestic scenery in the world , snow capped mountains everywhere . The bikes themselves were fun and easy to ride . Everyone must do this if you are visiting Queenstown area it will be something you will never forget. If you want a real adventure story to tell everyone then this is it. Best day ever , regards Gavin Hawke
Written 22 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QueenstownGroupy
Rockhampton, Australia304 contributions
Jul 2015
Great, awesome, fun, thrilling, and worth every penny. We thoroughly recommend this activity to those looking for a winter alternative to skiing or snow boarding or just looking for an adrenaline rush or need for speed type thing. Safety was at the forefront with our guides and every level from beginner to experienced was catered for. The scenery was outstanding, the snowmobiles were easy to use, and you got the feeling of being out in the wilderness too. Groups are kept to six only which meant you were not held up by a large group. The helicopter flight to and from the Garvie mountains site was great as well and very scenic. The pilot was informative and friend!y as was our guide.
We will definitely do this again!!!!
We will definitely do this again!!!!
Written 8 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Firenat
Portland, Australia2 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
If you love the snow then you must do this. The staff are excellent and cater for your every need. The tour starts and finishes with a spectacular helicopter flight over the remarkables and the snowmobiles are excellent fun. A must do
Written 16 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WillTate
Bruges, Belgium82 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
From start to finish, this trip gives you a grin from ear to ear and an experience that is unlike any other. It has it all; adrenaline, scenery and oh so much fun. Despite the obvious years of experience the team had, they were filled with as much excitement as the customers were, which created a real buzz. Ed, our guide and Andy the pilot were full of knowledge about the local area and gave a great commentary during the flight.
We landed in a remote location at the base. We got changed, had a briefing and then they unveiled the machines, which we were soon to be unleashing on the snowy, white playground we had just landed in.
We started with a quick circuit around the base building, to get used to the way the snowmobiles felt and then we were off. As the confidence of the group grew, we picked up some speed and took a tour through some spectacular scenery, making several stops on the way for pics.
We were fortunate enough to have had perfect weather for the trip, which made the view stretch for miles.
I can't recommend this trip highly enough!
We landed in a remote location at the base. We got changed, had a briefing and then they unveiled the machines, which we were soon to be unleashing on the snowy, white playground we had just landed in.
We started with a quick circuit around the base building, to get used to the way the snowmobiles felt and then we were off. As the confidence of the group grew, we picked up some speed and took a tour through some spectacular scenery, making several stops on the way for pics.
We were fortunate enough to have had perfect weather for the trip, which made the view stretch for miles.
I can't recommend this trip highly enough!
Written 2 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathan R
Sydney, Australia32 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
The whole experience was professionally managed throughout. The helicopter trip over the mountains offers a breathtaking view of Queenstown. The snowmobile trail ride was safe but exciting. A 650cc motorbike on skis. Step off the bike and you are knee deep in powdered snow….. WOW! WOW! WOW!
Written 9 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi 561nathanr,
Thank you so much for your 5* review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the helicopter trip and found the views of Queenstown breathtaking. It’s great to know that the snowmobile ride was both thrilling and safe. We’re glad you had such an amazing time in the powdery snow!
We hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon.
Kind regards,
Tegan
Written 13 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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