About Outside Sports Queenstown
Outside Sports is one of New Zealand's largest outdoor outfitters, founded in 1995 by professional triathlete John Knight and partner Judy Knight after years of living and competing in Colorado. The purpose-built Queenstown flagship on Shotover Street opened in 2015 and has since grown into the town's most comprehensive ski and snowboard rental operation, with additional stores in Wanaka, Arrowtown, Te Anau, and Tekapo.
Rental tiers run from Classic through Sport to Performance, covering beginners to expert skiers and riders. A popular demo ski programme keeps the latest models from Atomic, Dynastar, Faction, Head, and Rossignol available for day-long test drives. Boot fitting is handled by trained technicians, helmets are complimentary for children and youth, and the shop offers free delivery to Queenstown accommodations. Rentals are interchangeable between the Queenstown and Wanaka stores, so guests skiing both Coronet Peak and Treble Cone can return gear at either location.
Outside Sports holds Qualmark certification — New Zealand Tourism's official quality endorsement — and its longevity since 1995 reflects consistently strong service. The Queenstown store doubles as a year-round outdoor hub with bikes, kayaks, and camping gear in summer, but winter is where the operation truly shines, processing hundreds of ski and snowboard fittings per day at the height of the season.
