Two Australian women who were waiting for gay marriage to be legalised in their homeland got to tie the knot in New Zealand after winning a wedding in Queenstown's Gay Ski Week.

The Sunday afternoon wedding, as well as glitter-strewn parties and ski and snowboarding action on the slopes, kicked off the opening weekend of the week-long gay celebration in the southern resort.

Sandra Gibney and Jo Christie said the wedding, which took place on the top of the Remarkables mountain range after they were flown in by helicopter, was a “sensational” and “amazing” way to celebrate their civil union.

“We've had the rings in the safe at home waiting for the Australian Government to legalise gay marriage, but we're still waiting for that day to come," Ms Gibney said.

“Everyone's been so supportive of our celebration, so we've now got a few phone calls to make to let the family know we've taken the plunge.”

Ms Gibney and Ms Christie, who own and run a cafe in O'Connell in New South Wales, lived in Queenstown between 2002 and 2005, and have been together for more than 11 years.

DNA Gay Ski Week event organisers Sally and Mandy Whitewoods said they were very privileged to be the happy couple's marriage witnesses on the day.

Wine tours, a gala evening at Queenstown's Skyline complex, a karaoke night, and dance party will all round out the off-piste activities through the week.

grant.bryant@stl.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News

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