Freezing temperatures, flat-out snowmaking and confidence in the forecast to come – including snow touted for mid next week – has seen Coronet Peak’s ski area manager Ross Copland make the call to reopen this Saturday (July 9) in time for the start of the New Zealand school holidays.
“It’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes to get to this point. We’ve made every snow flake up here. We’re obviously beyond delighted to open this weekend,” says Ross.
Coronet Peak’s 217-strong snowmaking system has belted out 51.5 million litres of water when temperatures have allowed over the past 16 days, that’s converted into 129000m3 of snow volume.
The result is a 30 to 40cm snow base on the upper part of the mountain and 10-15cm at base, with more snowmaking expected to add to that tomorrow (Friday) and overnight into Saturday.
Coronet Express will fire up at 8am on Saturday morning for First Tracks pass holders. Throughout the day and into the evening other lifts operating will include the Meadows chair enabling access to the Big Easy trail and beginner conveyors.
The Greengates chair will continue to run for sightseeing and tubing throughout the day, and the chance to soak up stunning views from the Ice Bar.
Night Skiing kicks off for the season on Saturday from 4pm continuing into the dark.
“It’s looking set to be an awesome night with an airbag down on the deck, a DJ spinning tunes, our famous Coronet Peak pizzas back on the menu and warming braziers burning. There will also be a Bobsled Championship knock-out competition running from 6.30pm with some epic prizes to be won for those who dare to enter.
“It’s a fantastic way to kickstart the school holidays and welcome the thousands of Kiwi families and overseas visitors who’ll come up the mountain in weeks to come. It’s great news for the Queenstown economy that we’re up and running again.”
Ross says sister skifield The Remarkables has proved just how well it’s been able to cope with the influx of skiers into Queenstown over the past two weeks.
“We’re so lucky in Queenstown to have the option of two ski areas to cater for visitors and a huge flexibility to move resources and staff between the two.
“The Remarkables has had large numbers of Australian school holiday visitors and people have had a great time.”
