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Things are hotting up Down
Under, the snow is on the way, and workers are packing their
boards and making their way to the other side of the planet. Here's
what's new in the resorts across New Zealand. Check out our NZ
section for more on life down under.
LIFT PASS NEWS
The NZSKIPASS gives you skiing &
riding at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt and Ohau Snow Fields
for the entire 2003 season, plus free skiing at the Vail Resorts
in Colorado and discounts at Treble Cone. At $649 adult and $349
child this is great value, and you can get them at this price through
to 22 April.
All details for season passes and the Frequent Card
(nzski.com's frequent users discount card) are available on their
site and if you buy online
you go into the draw to win the cost of your season pass back.
Season passes to Cardrona are available for $499
until the end of April. This is also the deadline to get a Chill
passes - covering seven great fields in the Canterbury Region. There
are a couple of options here - a 30 consecutive day pass is $375
and a full season pass is $435 (before 15 June 2003) or $495 after.
NORTH ISLAND NEWS
Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu have secured a limited number of leading brand Performance
and Recreation skis that are available for rent for the whole season.
At the end of the season you will have the option to purchase the
equipment you rented.
Ohau
Ohau are again a part of the nzski.com
Season Pass offering. Down at the lodge, they have decided to put
on hold their plans for a conference wing because there is an opportunity
to put in a chair lift for the 2004 season.
SOUTH ISLAND NEWS
Mt Hutt
Mt Hutt have been busy completing some earthworks over the summer
widening Morning Glory Access from the top of 2A down the track
200m to accommodate congestion after unloading 2A T Bar skiers right.
It is now 7m wide through that area. Also, a wind fence behind the
2A return station has been erected. It is 5m high and 30m long.
The old redundant fence was removed. This one will decrease the
influence of westerly winds that cause the stoppages on 2A T bar
when there is still great skiing to be had down Fascination and
Hubers Run.
Treble Cone
TC have some exciting expansion plans over the next two years. Over
$7 million will be invested, including the purchase of a new winch
groomer, extensions to the base area cafe and bar, new retail area,
a purpose built race training facility and new ski and snowboard
equipment. And for the 2004 season, a new high speed detachable
chairlift is planned for the Saddle Basin rising to a position on
Tim's Table. In addition a second winch groomer will be purchased
and a new architecturally designed cafe is planned for the Saddle
Basin.
The Remarkables
Lots of exciting things happening at The Remarks over the summer
and the upgrade of the Alta chair is the biggest news of all. The
planning work is complete, the old drive station has been removed,
and the new load area is formed. Construction of the new lift has
started. Also in progress at present is the shaping up of the Turquoise
trail, providing another option for novices from the top of the
Alta Chair. Also a new first aid area and a reconfigured rental
area in the base building is in progress. Plus there's also, increased
car parking space to provide parking for another 100 cars.
Snow Park
Trenches are open and the new snowmaking pipe is being laid to expand
upon the system to allow Snow Park to make snow in more areas than
last year. The pipes have been widened and they are ready to go.
A wind fence on the East side will make your time in the pipe less
wind affected. Lighting towers are going up so it will be the first
lit terrain park in NZ. At night you can expect to be able to ride
both pipes, the 1/4 pipe, the wall ride and many rails. Designs
are in and 2003 will see the the number of rails double, bringing
the total to over 40! Several of the rails may need to be permanently
mounted on the field due to their excessive size.
Snow Park is New Zealand's first all mountain terrain park. Essentially
a Skateboard Park on snow, Snow Park brings hundreds of snow boarders
and free skiers into an enclosed environment where no limitations
are placed on the terrain, the riders, or the imagination. Watch
out for the Snow Park Invitational - a Quarter Pipe Comp featuring
the best of the international world mixed up with 10 of New Zealand's
top riders.
The Snow Farm
The Snow Farm is NZ's only cross-country skiing resort. The trails
equal the best in the Northern Hemisphere. All trails are groomed
for both classic and skate lanes. 55kms of trails are summer groomed
to varying degrees of ability. The Alpine Hotel - The Snow Farm
Lodge has ensuite and shared rooms. The Snow Bar is fully licensed,
with a restaurant serving wholesome food. The comfortable lounge
has a commanding view of Mt Aspiring, the Southern Alps and the
Pisa Range
Cardrona
Cardrona Alpine Resort is extending its groomed ski area with a
major slope grooming initiative that will see the creation of a
new trail. The project's main objective is to provide better access
to the Last Shot Bowl area. The new trail will run along the ridge
above the La Franchi double chair and down Last Shot Bowl, also
providing access to the Valley View area. At an angle of over 30
the advanced level trail is also Cardrona's steepest. This area
traditionally features excellent snow conditions due to its cold
southerly aspect and the new trail will also provide skiers and
boarders with an exciting alternative approach to the bottom of
the double chair.
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