Blake's Winter Flow State Itinerary

The Queenstown and Wānaka region is the ideal spot to visit this winter. A place where the movement between mountain and town is seamless. The definition of Flow State. With two towns and four mountains within ninety minutes of one another, this area is brimming with something for everyone, both on and off the mountain.

Blake Marshall is a professional freeskier and high-performance coach who has skied all over the world and decided to plant his feet here in Queenstown. For Blake, there's nowhere better to find his Flow. Let Blake guide you in finding the perfect balance between adrenaline-fuelled skiing and mindful, slow travel, something we call the rhythm of Queenstown.

"I'm a freeskier and spend most of my time off-piste. Queenstown has really good alpine terrain, and when we get a dump of really good snow, we don't have that super risky snowpack like other parts of the world, which makes this area perfect for freeriding. There's less to worry about in that respect, so it's easy to get out there, disconnect and explore different ways of getting down the mountain. Another plus is that few people are hiking up in the backcountry. It is getting more popular, to be fair. Still, it's no problem getting away into some wide-open space without seeing anyone. The Remarkables is where I spend most of my time, so I definitely recommend it. I love heading up the Shadow Basin, dropping in the Alta Chutes for a lap, then hiking back up for some more freeriding."

"Not everyone's into freeriding, of course. Between Queenstown and Wānaka, there are plenty of options for everyone to get out there and enjoy the snow. Coronet Peak has a great selection of runs and is close to Queenstown for those wanting to ease into things. They have a run called the Hurdle, which is quite steep. It's actually used for race events. There are heaps of little pops and jumps off the side, so I usually leave the run and hit those before coming back on. Another great way to experience Queenstown is night skiing at Coronet. It's really fun!"

"Starting the day off with a nice coffee is top priority. Hustl Cafe is a popular spot with the locals.  Also, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak both have good cafes and jars of free marshmallows to spruce up your coffee if you'd rather wait until you're up the mountain. You'll often catch me at The Remarks base building sipping a Flat White from the Rastusburn Coffee Bar. For those hungry mornings, Bespoke Kitchen has fantastic pancakes."

"After a fun day in the snow, there's a little brewery by the lake called Altitude Brewing that I'd recommend popping into for a beer and to watch the sunset. Also, The World Bar and Yonder are fun spots to meet people and have a few drinks. They both serve food as well, which makes it easy to settle in for the night. Personally, I'm a big fan of Margo's. It's a Mexican place and their food is delicious."

"What makes Queenstown and Wānaka stand out for me is everything you can do as well as ski. Glenorchy is really nice and definitely worth a visit. Also, a lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw Steamship is a great way to see the area from a different perspective. There are plenty of options for slow afternoons, from scenic walks to road trips. And taking in an ice hockey game in Queenstown is a fun way to spend an evening."

Every winter, people stoked on snowsports flock to Queenstown and Wānaka. Also, professional winter athletes like Blake choose this region to call home over anywhere else. Why?

"We're stocked with so much to do and everything's really close together. To me, that makes us special."

We offer an experience like nowhere else. A place where everything is close and easy to get to. A seamless transition between mountain and town. The perfect balance between adrenaline-fueled skiing and mindful, slow travel.

Leave the rat race behind this winter for a while, and come find your Flow State in Queenstown and Wānaka. And in the words of Blake:

"When you're on the mountain, pause, look around and soak in the breathtaking alpine views. There's no rush. Take your time, enjoy the area and disconnect a little. You'll love it."

Next time, we'll catch up with Ruby Star Andrews to find out how a local freeski, slopestyle and big air specialist likes to spend her time in the Queenstown and Wānaka region. Keep an eye on our social media channels and sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out. We'll see you soon!

Mike Bilo