September 5 2011

Winter snow in glorious springtime

Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski areas in Queenstown and Canterbury’s Mt Hutt are reveling in winter snow conditions while enjoying glorious early spring weather.

New snow arrived to top up the trails at all three ski areas last week – perfect timing for spring skiing throughout September and into October.

All three areas are reporting good numbers of skiers, boarders and families throughout the season and the latest top up – of 14cm at The Remarkables, 8cm at Mt Hutt and 6cm at Coronet Peak -- could prove the ‘clincher’ for last minute holiday or ‘spring break’ bookings.

“While overall daytime temperatures are gradually creeping up and the days are getting sunnier and longer, it doesn’t look like winter is quite ready to leave us yet,” said The Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence.

Queenstown’s Coronet Peak looked like a city in the sky over the weekend with all the lights of snow guns twinkling as cool overnight temperatures enabled the ski area to make snow to add to the natural stuff that had fallen through the week.

Mt Hutt’s resort town of Methven woke up to 5cms of light white powder coating the ground last week as snow fell to low levels, making for a ‘Winter Wonderland’ feel to the ski resort.

“Right now is the perfect time visit any of the mountains, while the days are longer and the snow is in great condition,” said NZSki CEO James Coddington.

Spring highlights on the mountains include the new Ice Bars at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables – the perfect spot to pull up a chair or lie back on a bean bag, grab a snack and a drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and take in the magical views.

Up at The Remarkables, spring time is about sunny slopes, terrain parks and families. The learners’ slopes are bathed in sunshine which makes learning to ski or ride a dream. For entertainment value you won’t want to miss the finals of the Tararua Real Iced Coffee Slopestyle Saturday September 24, or the Streets Mini Shred on October 9.

At Mt Hutt, keen snowboarders will head for the Streets Mini Shred on September 24 and the Mt Hutt Spring Festival, from October 8 to 14. The festival is a unique week of awesome events in Methven and at the ski area including Pond Skim, Ski Joring, a unique competition where a horse and rider pull a skier at a fast pace through a course that has gates, jumps and rings, a music festival, ski racing and Kids Fun Day.

Coronet Peak is scheduled to close for the 2011 season on Sunday October 2, The Remarkables on Sunday October 9 and Mt Hutt on Sunday October 16, subject to snow conditions and guest numbers.

ENDS

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