|
Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski area and Coronet Peak in Queenstown have finally been able to set opening dates for the 2003 season thanks to overnight snowfalls, and a wintry forecast.
Mt Hutt
Mt Hutt ski area received 10cm of snow last weekend and it is expected
to continue snowing on and off this week. A return to colder temperatures
and continued snowmaking means Mt Hutt was scheduled to open at
9am on 18 June.
To celebrate opening day Lindauer bubbly was available for the first skiers and snowboarders at both ski areas. The first four people on the Mt Hutt quad lift received coveted 'First on the Quad 2003' T-shirts.
There is currently a 25 to 30cm base on the main Broadway trail. "It's fantastic to finally get the season underway and there's a real buzz of excitement from skiers and snowboarders in Methven and throughout Canterbury. We're really looking forward to welcoming everyone up here" said Mt Hutt ski area manager David Wilson
Queenstown
Winter arrived in the mountains surrounding Queenstown with Coronet Peak recording 15 to 20cm of snow overnight on Sunday. On Monday morning it was still snowing lightly and snow guns were operating on the main M1 trail and beginners area in preparation for a predicted opening on Thursday
Coronet Peak ski area manager Andy Chapman said the snowfall was a welcome return to winter. "There's no question that winter has arrived and there's a long extended period of cold wintry weather in the forecast. We're expecting to continue snowmaking and the forecast is for more snow over the next 48 to 72 hours."
Coronet Peak will open with skiing and snowboarding on the M1 trail and beginners area. The ski area's snow guns are working on the main M1 trail and beginners area at Coronet Peak, and on the Broadway trail at Mt Hutt.
Remarkables
The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown has received 30cm of snow and snowmaking is underway on the Alta Green trail and beginner areas. The Remarkables is on schedule to open on June 28.
Cardrona
Cardrona will open Saturday 21 June as scheduled, as last weekend saw 20+cm of new snow in the car park. Perfectly
timed, it was a rude introduction to 'Chain fitting 101' on the first
morning of staff training for many new recruits. Wind has affected the
pack, while the groomers have been busy.
Both quad chairs, Captains' and McDougalls' will open in addition
to the full learners area and base facilities. There is a 15-20cm
base lower down so some more snow before opening would be nice but
there's still fun to be had. To take a peek, the Mazda Tribute snowcam
is taking pictures every hour.
Mail
this page to a friend
What do you think? Tell us in the Chat
Room |
