Where to Watch the 2024 Winter Games
Wondering Where to Watch the 2024 Winter Games? It's rolling around to that time of the year again as we anticipate the arrival of international snow sports athletes competing in the Southern Hemispheres 2024 Winter Games. It's always an exciting and inspiring time - from Freestyle and Snowboarding to the speed and accuracy of Alpine, the Winter Games are a fun way to spend a little time watching these athletes perform at their best. So where is the best place to watch the 2024 Winter Games? Well, it can be trickier than you think and you may need to plan a little ahead. We've listed the schedule below and our local thoughts on what and where to watch from.
The Winter Games 2024 - Programme
The North Face Frontier 2* & 4* | Freeride World Qualifier
Dates:
2* Weather Window | 23 - 26 August
4* Weather Window | 24 - 29 August
Details: The Remarkables Ski Area is set to host The North Face Frontier 2* & 4* events. These competitions attract a large number of participants, including both local and international freeriders who tackle the challenging terrain at The Remarkables. This event is crucial for many Freeride athletes, offering the chance to earn Freeride World Qualifier points that can be applied to either Region 1 or Region 2.
Traditionally the event takes place over in Shadow Basin, accessed by the Shadow Basin Chair Lift immediately behind the base building (come out of the base building onto the deck at snow level, looking up at the field, and turn right!)
The athletes will be taking their own lines down the face of 'Shadow', but you'll be able to ski down Calypso to the top of Mid Steeps where the finish line will be set up. More info Here
FIS Australia New Zealand Cup | Alpine Ski Racing
Where: Coronet Peak, Queenstown New Zealand
Dates:
Giant Slalom Race 1 | 27 August
Giant Slalom Race 2 | 28 August
Slalom Race 1 | 30 August
Slalom Race 2 | 31 August
Having just checked the website, these dates are yet to be confirmed and in fact, there may be a SL race on the 29th of August, making the 31st of August a weather day. So please check back on the Winter Games site to confirm
In years gone by, there used to be a shuttle from the base building over to Heides Hut in Rocky Gully. From there, if you buy food, you can sit on the deck and watch the end of the race, or you walk below the T-Bar and up the side of the course. A great viewing post in the past was set up by the race team back in 2017 - take the T-Bar up to the top, and as you crest the top, on your right is a knoll. You can leave your skis behind the T-Bar hut and hike up to the knoll for a great view.
These races are in fact ANC races - Australia New Zealand Cup races that give local athletes a chance to compete against internationally renowned athletes and lower their FIS points against larger fields.
FIS Australia New Zealand Cup | Snowboard & Freeski
Where: Cardrona Alpine Resort, Cardrona Valley, Wanaka
Dates:
Snowboard Halfpipe Qualifiers | 26 August
Snowboard Halfpipe Finals | 27 August
Freeski Slopestyle Qualifiers | 4 September
Freeski Slopestyle Finals | 5 September
Details: Cardies is a great place to board and ski, and the viewing of all events is super easy. They do super well in enabling spectators to support events and many of them are front and centre from the base building. In this case, follow your nose - you won't be able to miss the Park!
FIS Slopestyle World Cup | Snowboard | FIS Snowboard Halfpipe Australia New Zealand Cup Premium
Where: Cardrona Alpine Resort, Cardrona Valley, Wanaka
Dates:
Men's Qualification | 30 August
Women's Qualification & Men's Semi-Finals | 31 August
Women & Men's Finals | 1 September
FIS Snowboard Slopestyle World Cup
The slopestyle World Cup will mark the first FIS World Cup event in New Zealand since 2019. It will also provide athletes with their first chance to earn Olympic qualification points for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
FIS Snowboard Halfpipe Australia New Zealand Cup Premium
The inaugural FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Premium event - the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, offering athletes this exclusive FIS-level competition.
FIS Halfpipe World Cup | Freeski | FIS Freeski Slopestyle Australia New Zealand Cup Premium
Where: Cardrona Alpine Resort, Cardrona Valley, Wanaka
Dates:
Qualification | 7 September
Finals | 8 September
FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup
The FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup returns to New Zealand for the first time since 2019, marking a significant event for the region. This competition also offers athletes their first chance to earn Olympic qualification points for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
FIS Freeski Slopestyle Australia New Zealand Cup Premium
This is the inaugural FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Premium event. As a first in the Southern Hemisphere, it will provide athletes with FIS-level competition.
We hope this 'Where to Watch the 2024 Winter Games' in Queenstown and Wanaka New Zealand helps! It's always a fun and inspirational time - loads of international athletes in town and a buzz that's particular to winter sports! If you need more information, call our customer services desk, or drop us a line via our contact page!