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Best Times to Visit Queenstown
The best time to visit Queenstown is the summer (December through February), when the long, sunny days make outdoor excursions enjoyable. Because of the sheer number of outdoorsy activities offered in the summertime, you can expect some moderate crowds and busy hotels. Spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) yield unpredictable weather conditions, while winter (June through August) is prime for powder hounds.
Weather in Queenstown
Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center
| March-May |
Queenstown's fall sees fickle weather. You'll need to pack some T-shirts for days when the temps hover around the mid-60s, plus thick layers for times when they drop into the mid-30s. But once you see the trees alight with fiery colors, you'll think nothing of your suitcase that's loaded down with clothes. You'll also save some coin on airfare and hotels should you decide to visit at the end of autumn. Key Events:
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| June-August |
Wintertime visitors will find perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions on The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. Since the air is crisp and clear, it's also a good time for helicopter tours. Be sure to pack your winter weather gear: Temperatures hover between the upper 20s and the low 50s. Key Events:
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| September-November |
Spring is all over the place in Queenstown. One day can be bright and sunny, and the next can be rainy or cloudy – even snowy. Temperatures are also erratic, ranging from the mid-30s to the low 60s. The unpredictable weather frustrates adventure seekers as skydiving or bungee jumping excursions can be canceled due to inclement conditions. Key Events:
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| December-February |
Because of Queenstown's location on the 45-degree south latitude line, summer days are long and sunny. Sunrise can be as early as 6 a.m. while sunset can occur as late as 9:30 p.m. With all that light, be sure to apply sunscreen regularly: Queenstown experiences much stronger UV rays than the U.S. Average daytime highs hover in the lower 70s. Key Events:
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Popular Times to Visit Queenstown
Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.
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