Coronet Peak first ski area in Australasia to open

Liftees L to R Amy Somerville, Maddie Wells, Robyn Bowie

Media release from Coronet Peak
6 June 2013

Coronet Peak first ski area in Australasia to open on Saturday

Queenstown is officially open for winter as the 2013 season kicks off at Coronet Peak on Saturday (June 8).

Coronet Peak will be the first ski area to open in Australasia, boasting some of the best opening day snow cover seen in recent years.

Hundreds of locals, seasonal and visiting snowsports fans will get a warm welcome at ‘The Peak’ as Coronet Express chairlift fires into action from 9am taking the keenest die-hards who queue from the early hours of the morning up the mountain to carve their first tracks.

The first four on the chairlift will receive coveted ‘First On The Chair’ T-shirts and skiers and boarders will receive a celebratory glass of Amisfield ‘bubbles’ to mark the much-anticipated opening.

Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Ross Copland said there was a “huge” sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, as staff and crew at the ski area worked furiously to get everything ready for Saturday.

“The buildup to opening day has been incredible, as we finish training our front line staff while our maintenance team, snowmaking team and groomer operators make the all-important finishing touches,” he said.

Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Ross Copland can’t wait to welcome skiers and boarders to the mountain on Saturday

“We’ve relished the natural snow fall we’ve had in the past couple of weeks, but as always our multi-million-dollar snowmaking system has been boosting the level of snow to ensure an excellent base on main trails and some great wee pockets of snow off-trail which all adds up to one of the most anticipated opening days we’ve seen for a long time.”

Coronet Peak will open with a 30cm base on the lower slopes and 40cm up top. The Coronet Express will provide access to the main M1 trail, Upper and Lower Wall Street, Mid Gully, Shirtfront and Million Dollar.

The Meadows Express lift will also open enabling novice and early intermediate skiers and boarders to access the Big Easy novice trail and carpet lifts will access the main beginners’ area.

Base building services open will include the performance rental centre, Snowsports school, restaurant and café, coffee bar, guest services, retail Snow Shop and Skiwiland daycare.

In Canterbury, Mt Hutt ski area is scheduled to open next weekend on June 15 and
The Remarkables in Queenstown is scheduled to open on June 22. For up-to-date snow conditions and further information go to www.nzski.com

ENDS

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