Gay Ski Week NZ begins

More than 900 visitors have arrived in Queenstown to celebrate Gay Ski Week NZ, which starts with a welcome party tonight at Prime Bar and Restaurant.

Gay Ski Week creative director Craig Lawson said he was hoping for good skiing weather and was also looking forward to the parties.

"We are all here to have a good time, and ready for a week-long party," Mr Lawson said.

Organiser Mike Sanford said there were record pre-bookings this year, with more than 450 room nights booked at the "host hotel" Novotel Queenstown Lakeside.

He expected more than 900 people in total to take part in the events.

The visitors for Gay Ski Week have traditionally been about 70% Australians, 20% from New Zealand and the remaining 10% from other countries, and Mr Sanford said they tended to have large disposable incomes to spend in town.

"They like to treat themselves and spend money on adventure activities," he said.

Events are planned for every day, both on and off the skifields, with the main drawcard this year being popular entertainers the Topp Twins, who will perform at the Rydges Lakeland Hotel on Thursday.

Daily trips to the region's skifields are planned, along with a line-up of events including a retro bowling night, cowboy dinner, pool party and the closing White Out Party featuring Sydney's DJ Kitty Glitter on Saturday September 11.