Skip to main content

❄️ Winter Driving & Chain Guide for Queenstown Region

A guide on where to find snow‑chains, understand winter driving conditions, and prepare for alpine passes:

Updated over 2 weeks ago

1. Real‑Time Road Reports

  • QLDC Daily Winter Report – Published each morning on Facebook, it gives conditions for key roads like Crown Range and Cardrona. It advises when to fit or carry chains based on real‑time weather. Facebook

  • Winter Road Reports (Website) – Offers detailed guidance, including multi‑language chain fitting instructions and winter‑driving tips: smooth acceleration/braking, slower speeds, clear windows.

    QLDC - Winter Road Reports

2. Live Webcam Access

  • Check the Crown Range Summit webcam via MetService (linked from QLDC), updated every few minutes — a great way to visually spot snow or icy conditions before heading out, see QLDC - Winter Road Reports (bottom of page).

3. Chain Advice & Fitting

  • "If you regularly travel over the Crown Range, chains should be carried all winter." QLDC emphasizes this recommendation.

  • Whilst it's advised to carry chains if conditions are predicted to be poor on the day of your booking, chains only need to be fitted when instructed by authorities or when roads are snow‑covered.

  • Available Fitting Instructions and Winter Safety Tips are downloadable in English, Māori, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Tagalog .

4. Where to Get Chains Locally

5. Vehicle Prep & Tyre Info

  • Most of our outdoor parked cars come with an ice scraper to remove overnight frost and snow.

  • Standard Tyre Sizes:

    • Hyundai Kona - 215/55 R17

    • Tesla Model 3 - 235/45 R18

💡 Smart Winter Driving Tips

Tip

Advice

🚗 Drive gently

Accelerate and brake smoothly to maintain traction

🕒 Leave extra time

Winter conditions mean slower journeys—don’t rush

❄️ Be cautious on bridges/shaded spots

They can be icy even in daylight

🚚 Stay back from grit trucks & double following distance

Essential on icy roads

👀 Stay updated

Use QLDC’s Facebook, texts, and MetService for road updates

✅ Quick Pre‑Trip Checklist

  • Follow the Facebook Winter Report before departure (alternatively, speak with reception if your hiring a car from a hotel, or visit the nearby iSite).

  • View the MetService Crown Range webcam for live conditions if you plan to drive over the range.

  • Carry chains if conditions are planned to worsen during the day. Remember, it will be mandatory to carry chains when going over Crown Range in poor conditions. Not having chains will require needing to detour.

  • Know how to fit chains and read the safety tips, available in multi‑languages.

  • Check tyre size:

    • Kona: 215/55 R17

    • Tesla: 255/45 R19 or 255/40 R20 with T‑mark.

  • Use your provided ice scraper to clear windscreen & mirrors.

🧭 Need More Help?

Chat with us anytime if you’re heading up the Crown Range — we’ll help you get chains and discuss current conditions. Safe travels!

Did this answer your question?