---
type: "Article"
title: "Snowshoeing, jetboating and wilderness hiking"
description: "Justine's snowshoeing expedition up to Lake Alta near the summit of the Remarkables was one of the best days of her tramping boot's live!"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/new-zealand/snowshoeing-jetboating-wilderness-hiking"
author: "Justine Tyerman"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 13
tags: ["Experience", "Landscape", "Nature", "New Zealand"]
entities:
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/italy"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lake"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/wilderness-safaris"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj", at: 2026-07-04T14:28:56+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: snowshoeing-jetboating-wilderness-hiking.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T14:28:56+00:00
---

# Snowshoeing, jetboating and wilderness hiking

> A winter adventure based in Queenstown, New Zealand, combining snowshoeing to Lake Alta near the summit of the Remarkables, jet boating up the Dart River, and off-track wilderness hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park.

## Destination
Queenstown and Glenorchy, New Zealand (South Island); activities take place in the Remarkables, Dart River, and Mount Aspiring National Park.

## Getting there
Fly Air New Zealand from Auckland to Queenstown. Base yourself in Queenstown; Glenorchy is 46km up the side of Lake Wakatipu.

## When to go
The article covers a late-winter visit; snowshoeing and jet boating are available in the winter season, while the wilderness hike and scenic drive are described as rewarding year-round.

## Why visit
The region offers rare access to alpine snowshoeing above ski-field level, the only permitted jet boat operation on the Dart River, and exclusive wilderness hiking in a UNESCO World Heritage landscape made famous by the Lord of the Rings films.

## What to see
- **Lake Alta glacial cirque** — Frozen high-altitude lake just below the summit of the Remarkables, reached by snowshoe above the ski field.
- **Double Cone** — Highest point on the Remarkables ridge, towering above the snowshoe route with jagged black rock faces.
- **Dart River and Mount Aspiring National Park** — Braided glacier-fed river deep in the Southern Alps, surrounded by glaciers, frozen waterfalls, and hanging valleys.
- **Lake Sylvan** — Pristine lake in native red beech forest, reached on the off-track wilderness walk.
- **Bennett's Bluff Lookout** — Viewpoint on the Glenorchy–Queenstown road rated among the most photographed vistas in New Zealand by Condé Nast and Lonely Planet.

## What to do
- **Snowshoeing with NZ Snowshoe** — Guided full-day snowshoe ascent from the Remarkables Ski Field to Lake Alta; gear provided for unprepared participants.
- **Dart River Jet boating** — 90-minute, 35km jet boat ride up the Dart River including 360-degree spins; Dart River Jet is the only permitted operator on the river.
- **Wilderness hiking with Guided Walks NZ** — Off-track guided walk through red beech forest to Lake Sylvan, finishing on a DoC track across a swing bridge over the Routeburn River; operator holds exclusive access permits.
- **Glenorchy scenic drive** — 46km drive along Lake Wakatipu listed in the world's top ten scenic drives, especially striking after fresh snow.

## Good to know
All three main activities (snowshoeing, jet boating, wilderness hiking) are operated by Ngai Tahu Tourism. Dart River Jet and Guided Walks NZ hold exclusive concessions for their respective areas. Ski and snowshoe gear can be rented from Outside Sports, with shops in both Queenstown and Wanaka allowing cross-location returns. Accommodation used was the Crowne Plaza, Queenstown.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Remarkables.-Our-lightweight-high-tech-snowshoes.jpg"
    caption: "Lightweight, high-tech snowshoes"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Remarkables.-Our-snowshoe-prints-across-frozen-Lake-Alta-below-the-summit-of-the-Remarkables.-1.jpg"
    caption: "Our snowshoe prints across frozen Lake Alta below the summit of the Remarkables."
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-Lake-Wakatipu-looking-towards-Glenorchy.-NTT-picture..jpg"
    caption: "Lake Wakatipu looking towards Glenorchy © Ngai Tahu Tourism"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Remarkables.-Snowshoeing-party-dwarfed-by-Double-Cone-the-highest-point-on-the-Remarkables.-NTT-picture.-.jpg.jpg"
    caption: "Snowshoeing party dwarfed by Double Cone, the highest point on the Remarkables. © Ngai Tahu Tourism"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Remarkables.-Helicopter-option.-A-private-charter-to-the-Forbes-Mtns.-At-8200ft-on-Jura-GlacierHeli-Snowshoe-NZ.jpg"
    caption: "Helicopter option: a private charter to the Forbes Mtns. © Ngai Tahu Tourism"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Remarkables..-Lunch-on-the-Remarkables-was-simple-but-delicious..jpg"
    caption: "Lunch on the Remarkables was simple but delicious."
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-The-TBs-loved-it-when-our-cool-young-driver-Daniel-gunned-the-grunty-twin-Hamilton-jet-engines-and-spun-the-boat-in-a-360.-NTT-picture..jpg"
    caption: "Daniel gunned the grunty twin Hamilton jet engines and spun the boat in a 360! © Ngai Tahu Tourism"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-We-were-deep-in-the-heart-of-the-Mount-Aspiring-National-Park-encircled-by-the-magnificent-mountain-peaks-of-the-Southern-Alps.-NTT-picture..jpg"
    caption: "Dart River Safari. Photography by Michael Thomas"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-We-were-deep-in-the-heart-of-the-Mount-Aspiring-National-Park-encircled-by-the-magnificent-mountain-peaks-of-the-Southern-Alps..jpg"
    caption: "In the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-A-South-Island-robin-joined-us-for-lunch.-NTT-picture..jpg"
    caption: "A South Island robin joined us for lunch © Ngai Tahu Tourism"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-Guide-Pam-and-Justine-eating-lunch-beside-Lake-Sylvan.jpg"
    caption: "Guide Pam and Justine eating lunch beside Lake Sylvan"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Dart-River-hike.-The-view-of-Lake-Wakatipu-and-the-mountains-from-Bennett’s-Bluff-Lookout-is-among-the-most-photographed-in-New-Zealand.NTT-picture.jpg"
    caption: "view of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains from Bennett’s Bluff Lookout. © Ngai Tahu Tourism"
```