This year’s Gay Ski Week, NZ runs September 4-12. Mike Sanford and Craig Lawson host the biggest winter wonderland party in the southern hemisphere, featuring eight days of slopes, parties and action-packed days. About 700 people flock to Queenstown, the adventure-haven and premier resort town on New Zealand’s south island, for the weeks’ activities, which include daily trips to Mount Coronet on the Pink Ski Bus, tubing at the Remarkables, Big Gay Out adventures outside of town, Night Skiing dinners and parties, and the splashy closing night WHITE OUT party to end all parties.
There are tons of great spots in town, but Fishbone and Botswana Butchery are by far the best. At Botswana Butchery, chef Leuno Lippe creates an innovative and diverse menu with a strong emphasis on fine cut beef and wild and organic foods, while chef Mark Godden of Fishbone Bar & Grill prepares and creates the most incredible seafood dishes in all of New Zealand.
The Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is the ideal backdrop for relaxation, fun and a plenty of mischief during Gay Ski Week New Zealand. This haven is the ideal accommodation for ski bunnies before, during and after Gay Ski Week NZ.
This Novotel underwent a $13 million refurbishment in 2007, making it the largest four-star hotel in Queenstown. The Novotel is located beside Lake Wakatipu and a few minutes outside of the center of town. The new expansion features 61 new rooms, the modern Elements Restaurant and Gallery Cafe and Bar overlooking the welcoming rose garden. There are plenty of spots in the lobby to have a glass of red wine and snuggle up next to that cute snowboarder you met on Mt. Coronet, especially during the nightly “FagTag” happy hour.
Thanks to Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Destination Queenstown, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and Gay Ski Week NZ.
Photo Credits: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and JJ Keyes
