A fireworks display launching Queenstown's Winter Festival included explosions erupting from Lake Wakatipu by the dozen.
Thousands of people crammed into Queenstown's waterfront last night to mark opening night.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa Van Uden described the vibe in town as "electric'' and said the opening marked the start of what was sure to be a "great 10-day event''.
Maia Van Tuyl (3) watched the display with parents Ben and Emma.
She was excited by the fireworks.
She said she was not scared of loud noises and described the fireworks as "going pop''.
"It's beautiful - wow.''
First up was Dunedin band Kafka Collective, featuring former Wakatipu High School pupil Molly Devine, and Red Band also took to the stage.
Before the show, youngsters from across the district entertained crowds with a version of Katy Perry's Firework.
Shane Cortese and the 8 Track band had the crowd moving with big hits, like Victoria, Boys Light Up and Run to Paradise.
Festival director Lisa Buckingham said the atmosphere was incredible.
Organisers had no attendance figures but she said she was happy with the turnout.
"It feels really busy. Everyone I have met has a smile on their face and seems to be having a good time. It's been fabulous, we have had a magnificent fireworks display and fantastic music and entertainment.''
Earlier yesterday Queenstown businesspeople gathered at the Skyline complex for the eighth annual Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Winter Festival Business Luncheon.
Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Mike Theelen, ASB economist Chris Tennent-Brown and consultant Stephen Hamilton gave their thoughts on the growth of Queenstown as a visitor destination.
Mr Tennent-Brown said the risk at the moment was that money was so cheap.
"When everything is so cheap, you typically want more of it.
"They want to [invest] because they've seen the price go up three years in a row and they believe it's going to go up for a fourth.
"Banks are responsible for making sure people are making well-informed decisions ... the [goal] for us is to make sure people can get through the next downturn.''
Mr Theelen said it was important for the resort to diversify but that was challenging.
While it was not difficult to attract people to Queenstown, when people did their "due diligence'' and looked at the viability of remaining in the town if their job "dries up'', that often influenced their decision to remain.
Part of that was related to housing but Mr Theelen said he did not believe solely making more land available would ease the housing pressure.
Queenstown's house prices were set by "Auckland, Sydney and Shanghai'' and as long as the resort was seen as a "cheap and significant place to invest'' that wouldn't change.
The council was moving to make more land available for development and Special Housing Areas "may help'', but it was crucial the essence of Queenstown was protected.
"[It would be] so easy to destroy what is so unique about Queenstown and the district if we just don't think [seriously] enough about the future.''
The Winter Wonderland ice rink, set up on the Village Green, opened yesterday and remains open for the entire festival.
Some weekend events, including Mountain Bikes on Snow have been moved from Coronet Peak to the Remarkables ski area due to a lack of snow.
Coronet Peak manager Ross Copland said the mountain will be open today and tomorrow for snow-tubing.
It has created a tubing lane on a ski run, accessed via the Greengates chairlift.
"The weather is pretty fickle but Sunday looks promising and hopefully that will bring some snow.''
NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said conditions at the Remarkables were looking goodfor the events.
Programme
Today
11am: Mountain bikes on snow, Remarkables Skifield.
Noon: Street parade, Queenstown.
6.50pm: Ice hockey (Stampede v West Auckland Admirals), Queenstown Ice Arena.
7.30pm: Comedy debate, Queenstown Events Centre.
Tomorrow
7am: Skin to the Summit, Remarkables Skifield.
Noon: Day on the Bay, Earnslaw Park and Queenstown Bay.
4pm: Violin concert with Suyeon Kang and Stephen de Pledge, Queenstown Memorial Centre.
