All of Queenstown is a buzz with the news that it has been selected to host the 2017 Audi Quattro Winter Games. The largest winter sports event in New Zealand this year, the Games are scheduled to run from Friday 25 August to Sunday 9 September and will feature everything from curling and freestyle skiing to cross country skiing and Halfpipe Ski & Snowboard. As with each year’s Games, there will be a formidable line up of live music concerts, DJs, film and entertainment in addition to the high octane winter sports action.

All the events will take place in ski fields around Queenstown and Wanaka, with the exception of the indoor curling event which will be held at the Naseby curling rink. Spectators are welcome! All the events are free and open to the public, although lift passes will need to be purchased to reach some of the skiing/snowboarding/slalom venues up in the mountains.

The opening ceremony will be held at Coronet Peak on the 25th of August and the closing ceremony at Cardrona Alpine Resort on September 9. All open-air concerts, film showings and prize giving ceremonies are free to attend. The music and entertainment line-up is still being finalized and will be announced closer to the opening date - for the latest info on specific festival events you can visit the Audi Quattro Winter Games festival website or hit them up on social media via Facebook and Twitter.

Coverage for the games will be extensive; most of the events will be live-streamed online via the festival’s website and also on TV throughout New Zealand. Highlight packages will also be provided to broadcasters worldwide.

With some of the events doubling as Freeride World Tour (FWT) 2 star and 4 star qualifiers, interest is high among competitors in the snow-sports community. Attendance is expected to beat previous records as ski-sports enthusiasts will come out in droves to cheer on their hometown heroes and international stars.

The 2017 Audi quattro Winter Games is looking to be another successful event for the Queenstown-Lakes District. So book your accommodation now at the High View Apartments and come and join the action.