Mark your calendars now… the dates for the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter celebration are officially locked and loaded for next year!

The multi award-winning American Express Queenstown Winter Festival will take centre stage in Queenstown, New Zealand, from 21 June to 30 June 2013.

The iconic Queenstown event, now into its 39th year, officially kicks off winter in the stunning four-season resort with a 10-day action-packed programme of new events, established favourites and plenty of entertainment and celebration.

Surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains, Queenstown transforms into a winter paradise each year attracting snow sports enthusiasts from around the world with its incredible scenery, crisp blue-sky days and easy access to some of New Zealand's finest skiing.

Whether visitors have an appetite for fresh air, adventure and mountains or are more at home tracking down a delicious meal and fine wine, this cosmopolitan lake and alpine resort town provides the perfect mix of on and off snow action.