There are three main flying areas in and around Queenstown. Click on a flying site - below. Coronet Peak Ski Area Weather conditions in Queenstown are generally good for paragliding. Good thermal activity occurs from the end of September through late March. The equinoxial winds of October and early November tend to make conditions too strong for consistent daily flying, but by December the majority of days are ideal.
Sites range from low ridge soaring through to high alpine convection.
As Queenstown lies on the edge of the Southern Alps, conditions can be changeable. West to North winds can increase in strength extremely quickly which calls for excellent observation skills and careful flight planning. The island climate of New Zealand is very unforgiving of pilots who are used to the predictable weather changes of continental Europe and America. I have seen, first hand, many grave errors of judgement when flying in the Wakatipu. Visiting pilots are advised to treat flying in New Zealand with the respect it deserves.