Queenstown Snow Season Update

Scheduled Opening Dates
Coronet Peak 5 June www.nzski.com
The Remarkables19 June www.nzski.com
Cardrona Alpine Resort 24 June www.cardrona.com
Treble Cone 25 June www.treblecone.co.nz
Snow Park 26 June www.snowparknz.com
 
Coronet Peak/The RemarkablesThere will be more fun for novice skiers and riders on the slopes of Coronet Peak this winter thanks to a significant upgrade of the ‘Big Easy’ novice area which includes a bew state-of the art quad chairlift. The meadows double chairlift will be replaced with a new express quad chair which includes a range of safety features, including an automatic loading carpet – a first in the Southern Hemisphere.

New automated system to revolutionise lift pass checks
There will be no frustrating fishing around for passes tucked inside ski gear as skiers and boarders access the lifts at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables this year. NZSki is introducing a world leading, radio frequency ID system which includes microchips on all passes that can be read through clothing while safely stored in a ski jacket or pantspocket.

The new system is similar to those already installed in many North American and European ski areas, however the NZSki system will be the world’s first fully integrated, stored value card. This integration allows guests to purchase NZSki product online, which will automatically be loaded onto the pass for direct to lift access. And the passes are re-usable, once guests have their pass and set up a customer profile, it can be loaded with credit or product each time they visit an NZSki mountain for years to come allowing for a seamless, direct to lift, direct to rental or direct to lesson experience.  Alternatively the pass can be linked to a credit card with skiers and riders able to go directly to the lift where the day lift ticket value will be debited from their cards real time.  The same process can be used to purchase other NZSki product including lessons, retail items and food & beverage.

Cardrona Alpine Resort
New for 2010 The Valley View Quad/ Phase one - summer 2009/10
Valley View Quad chairlift installation
Former Captains fixed grip quad chairlift being relocated to open up more terrain, extending below the Whitestar Express down to Speed Straight
FIS homologated downhill course
A 40 metre tunnel will feature on the Comeback trail
An additional carpark at the base of the lift for easy access to the Valley View Quad
Benefits
Now 4 quad chairs - more chairlifts than any other South Island mountain
More intermediate and advanced terrain than previously
600m vertical (formerly 390)
345 hectares (formerly 320)
FIS homologated downhill trail
Tunnel provides uninterrupted access from Captains basin to the Whitestar lift during race events on the new downhill course - runs will stay open during races

Treble Cone
New initiatives for 2010 winter season
An international standard big air and an extension of its ski improvement programme are just two of the new initiatives announced today by Treble Cone Ski Area as it gears up for the 2010 winter season.
A site in the Main Basin has been identified for a permanent big air kicker, built to FIS (Federation International de Ski) specifications. The purpose built feature will compliment the natural freeride terrain Treble Cone is renowned for and provide a spectacular venue for international standard Big Air competition overlooking the famous Treble Cone view.
Treble Cone has a strong focus on high-end improvement and for 2010 it has extended its Ski Achievement products to cover eight weeks from mid-July to mid-September. Courses include two dedicated Women’s Ski Weeks, designed by women for women and aimed at the intermediate to advanced skiers and boarders wanting to move to the next level. There are also Ski Achievement Week Camps starting every Monday from 19 July through to 13 September and an All Mountain Riders programme for snowboarders wanting to take full advantage of Treble Cone’s legendary terrain under the expert guidance of Treble Cone’s instructors.
2010 will also see the start of a staged five-year road improvement project, starting with the installation of a small length of barriers in key points along the mountain access road. And for those who want to check out the conditions from anywhere in the world, Treble Cone has installed a new webcam system that will take high resolution images, not only static shots of the ski field, but also panning from the Lake, up the Main Basin to the top of the six-seater express. The images will also be relayed to screens at the base building so skiers and boarders can check out the weather at the top and in the Saddle without leaving the comfort of the café.