The annual Queenstown Winter Festival kicks off next week (July 14-22) as theNZ season really moves up a gear.

The week will be full of events of which the highlight is likely to be the Coronet Peak Half Pipe competition on Tuesday July 17, followed closely by the LifeStyles Sport Big Air on Wednesday July 18.

The Big Air final will start at 5.30pm and feature exciting action under lights as an international cast of snowboarders and skiers show off their best tricks.

Last year, a close duel between top New Zealand snowboarders and Olympic hopefuls Aaron Jamieson and Deni Bevin saw Jamieson pick up the honours less than a point ahead of Bevin in the senior men's division. That rivalry is expected to be re-visited this year, and other names to watch out for include riders Dylan Butt, Rachel Newton and Sam Deavoll.

The event is free for people to go and watch and preliminary rounds with practice runs and two judged runs will be held throughout the day. The final will start at 5.30pm as darkness descends.

The first male and female skiers and snowboarders will each win $1000 cash plus automatic entry to a Big Air event in Australia.

Conditions on Coronet Peak have apparently held up well during the very successful New Zealand school holiday period with sustained periods of fine and cold weather helping keep the snow in good shape.

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