Snow Machine's Mix of Music and Skiing Is Returning to Queenstown in 2025 with Amyl and The Sniffers, Claptone and More
Netsky, Hot Dub Time Machine, Mallrat and Luude are also on the lineup when this alpine festival hits The Remarkables and Coronet Peak in September.
Heading to an outdoor music festival normally means hoping for fine and sunny outdoor weather. At Snow Machine, you'll be praying for one thing: yes, snow. Because spending a day or several dancing to tunes in the open air isn't solely synonymous with summer, this event embraces its wintry setup, combining live music with a ski trip — as Japan first experienced in 2020, and New Zealand has been enjoying since 2022.
The Japanese fest takes place for 2025 in March, but you'll want to mark September in your calendar if you're keen on the Aotearoa event. The hottest festival for the colder months is unleashing its avalanche of music and adventure at two mountain-topping NZ ski resorts between Tuesday, September 9–Sunday, September 14 this year. The snow-filled attraction has also just dropped its impressive lineup.
On the Thursday night, Claptone and Hot Dub Time Machine will be headlining. On the Friday, Amyl and The Sniffers are playing an exclusive New Zealand show, with Mallrat also on the bill. Come Saturday, Netsky and Luude are doing the honours.
Also helping to give Snow Machine's NZ winter wonderland a thumping soundtrack across the fest: Argonaut, Baby J, Ben Silver, Beverly Kills, Body Ocean, Boogs, Brian Fantana and Casey Leaver — plus Dannika Peach, Jimi The Kween, Lenni Vibe, Mell Hall, Montel2099, Odd Mob. And, then there's Bribera, Savage, Spacey Space, T-Rek and What So Not.
As the hefty roster of talent demonstrates, attendees are in for a helluva few days, including hitting the slopes and partying at après ski events on both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. How much dancing, skiing and sipping you want to do is up to you — as is how many other adventurous activities you'd like to add to your itinerary, such as heli-skiing, jet boating, bungy jumping, canyon swinging and skydiving.
Snow Machine's official welcome party is also on the agenda again, taking place at AJ Hackett Bungy Kawarau Bridge. So is another annual highlight: the Polar Bare, which endeavours to set a world record for the most amount of people heading down the slopes their swimwear.
Alongside the wintry backdrop and the fun that comes with it, one of the things that sets Snow Machine apart from other music fests is being able to book your entire getaway with your ticket. Packages span both five and seven nights of accommodation, and include a four-day festival ticket, plus multi-day ski pass.
If you'd rather make your own way or pass on the skiing, there are ticket-only options — and VIP packages if you really want to do it in style.
Snow Machine 2025 Lineup
Amyl and The Sniffers
Argonaut
Baby J
Ben Silver
Beverly Kills
Body Ocean
Boogs
Brian Fantana
Casey Leaver
Claptone
Dannika Peach
Hot Dub Time Machine
Jimi The Kween
Lenni Vibe
Luude
Mallrat
Mell Hall
Montel2099
Netsky
Odd Mob
Bribera
Savage
Spacey Space
T-Rek
What So Not
Plus stage takeovers from:
Poof Doof Ski Club
Thicks as Thieves
Revolver Sundays
Electric Rush
Snow Machine 2025 takes place from Tuesday, September 9–Sunday, September 14 in Queenstown, New Zealand. Presale tickets go on sale on from 1pm AEDT / 12pm AEST / 3pm NZDT on Monday, February 24, 2025, with general tickets available from 1pm AEDT / 12pm AEST / 3pm NZDT on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. For more information, visit the festival's website.
Images: Han Lowther / Amee Freeman / Luke O'Keefe.
