Despite ash clouds, earthquakes and a lack of snow festival director Simon Green was all smiles yesterday as the final details were put in place.
Mr Green was confident tonight's opening party would be just as big as previous years.
"I actually think we're going to be OK.
"If Air New Zealand weren't flying, it would be a bit different ... [but] Air New Zealand are doing their thing, which is fantastic.
"We're not going to get the amount of self-drive visitors up from Invercargill and Dunedin who would come up for the weekend [and also ski or board].
"And Christchurch, which is traditionally a big market for us, will obviously be out a wee bit, but at the end of the day, this is still a locals' party.
"As a community, we need to let off a bit of steam, let our hair down and take our minds off everything that's been going on."
The much-anticipated Cinderella Carriage, which was initially unaccounted for after last Monday's earthquake in Christchurch, arrived without any damage in Queenstown on Wednesday afternoon.
It was set in place on the Village Green on Wednesday night, completing the "winter wonderland" picture, with the temporary outdoor ice rink the centrepiece.
Carriage owner Mike Stockham, an event company director and festival creative director, had the carriage made in India for this year's festival.
With wrought iron seats, park gates, art deco lamps and thousands of fairy lights, the entrance to the CBD had been transformed into the focal point for the 2011 festival.
"What we've done is keep that whole winter wonderland, Central Park, New York, style for the ice rink," Mr Stockham said.
Mr Green said the ice rink had already proved a hit among visitors and residents.
"[On Wednesday] night, people were there taking photos. Someone tried to jump the barrier to skate on it ... but we have security."
Public skating begins at 10am today.
The annual fireworks display was set to be bigger this year, with four launch platforms set up on and around Lake Wakatipu.
Mr Green said three pontoons had been built on Lake Wakatipu, with a fourth launch spot on the beach in front of Queenstown Gardens.
"There will be an exclusion zone in place through the gardens from 6.30pm to 7.30pm [tonight]."
While people could still get through the area to access vehicles, no entry would be allowed in the exclusion zone.
The official opening party begins on Earnslaw Park at 5.30pm tonight and Prime Minister John Key set to open the festival before the fireworks display begins at 7pm.
What's on
Today's Queenstown Winter Festival Programme
Noon: Business Lunch, Crowne Plaza, $39
5.30pm: Opening Party, Earnslaw Park
7pm: Fireworks, Earnslaw Park
8pm: Party, Ice Box, $39 (R18)
8.30pm: Wintervention, Reading Cinema, $21-$24.50
9.30pm: Pop Force, SkyCity Queenstown Casino (R20).
