Snow on Pause, Adventure on Screen
June usually has everyone itching to get up the mountain.
The ski gear is out, the snow chains are ready, the group chat is full of weather updates, and everyone is pretending they are not checking the webcams every five minutes.
But this year, winter is taking its sweet time.
Unseasonably warm weather and rain have pushed back the full opening of several New Zealand ski fields. Coronet Peak is open for limited early-season operations, while Cardrona has been pushed to 26 June, Treble Cone is targeting 27 June, Mt Hutt has been pushed back to 27 June, and The Remarkables is still assessing conditions for a late June opening.
So, with no snow to ride just yet, the next best thing is obvious: go and watch some properly epic mountain footage instead.
The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival arrives at just the right time, bringing adventure films, mountain stories, guest speakers, books and plenty of outdoor inspiration to Wānaka and Queenstown.
The perfect warm-up while we wait for winter
The festival runs in Wānaka from 19–23 June 2026, Queenstown from 25–26 June 2026, and online from 24 June to 31 July 2026.
It is basically made for this awkward early winter window. Everyone is ready for ski season, the mountains are still waiting for the right conditions, and we all need something better to do than refresh snow reports all day.
Instead, you can settle in for films about skiing, climbing, rivers, remote places, big missions and people doing the kind of adventurous things that make you want to get outside immediately.
It is not only for hardcore mountaineers either. If you like travel, landscapes, outdoor stories, big scenery or simply need a bit of winter motivation, this is a great one to add to your June plans.
Make a Wānaka or Queenstown weekend of it
Wānaka is a beautiful place to be in June, even when the snow is still building.
The lake is calm, the mountains are dramatic, the cafés are cosy, and the whole town has that relaxed winter feel before the season gets properly busy. You could spend the day wandering the lakefront, grabbing lunch, checking the latest updates from Cardrona or Treble Cone, then heading into a festival session later in the day.
Queenstown is the same. Even when the ski season is taking a little longer to get going, there is still plenty to do: lakefront walks, short drives, hot chocolates, bars, restaurants and winter views that do not need a chairlift to be worth the trip.
For a few easy ideas between festival sessions, our guide to scenic winter drives from Queenstown is a good place to start. If the weather turns properly cosy, our list of Queenstown’s best hot chocolate stops may be even more important.
When the mountain is not ready, make the most of the town
Early winter travel is all about being flexible.
Some days the mountain might be on. Some days it is better to explore, eat well, take a drive, find something indoors, or simply enjoy Queenstown and Wānaka before the full winter rush arrives.
That is why the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival works so well. It gives you something genuinely interesting to build a trip around while everyone waits for the snow to properly settle in.
It is also a good reminder that winter in the South Island is not just about skiing. We have written about winter family fun in Queenstown, Ayrburn’s Winter Wonderland, and even the chaos of Snow Machine Queenstown. There is always something happening around the mountains, even when the snow is being dramatic.
Why having a rental car helps
This is exactly the kind of winter trip where having a car makes life easier.
If the mountain opens, you can go. If conditions change, you can switch plans. If you decide to head from Queenstown to Wānaka for a festival session, scenic drive or long lunch, you are not stuck working around someone else’s timetable.
A car gives you the freedom to follow the best part of the day, whether that means chasing snow, heading to a film, grabbing dinner, or taking the scenic route back.
A fuel efficient hybrid is a great option if you are mixing town driving with winter day trips, while something larger may suit families, groups or anyone travelling with ski gear and winter luggage. We have also written about why hiring a hybrid makes sense, especially when you want something easy and economical for mixed driving.
At Evolve Rentals, we make car hire simple, friendly and easy, whether you are planning a Queenstown winter weekend, a Wānaka escape, or a longer South Island road trip.
Get in the mood for winter
The snow will come. It always does.
But while we wait for the mountains to properly open, the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival is a brilliant way to get excited for the season ahead.
Watch the films, hear the stories, enjoy the towns, take a winter drive, and let the adventure mood build before your first proper day on the snow.
Book your winter rental car with Evolve Rentals and enjoy the freedom to explore Queenstown, Wānaka and the scenic roads around the festival at your own pace.