A wintry cold snap and Coronet Peak’s multi-million-dollar snowmaking system allowed Coronet Peak to open last weekend.Coronets Peak’s extensive network of snow guns were blazing day and night across the mountain to get the mountain open on time.

“Our snowmaking and grooming teams have been pulling out all the stops to enable us to open as scheduled,” said Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Hamish McCrostie.

“The investment in our fully automated snowmaking system has proved its worth once again.

It was great news for Queenstown and boarders who have been itching to get their first few runs of the season

Coronet Peak opened with the Coronet Express Quad providing access to the main M1 and Express Way trails. The Meadows Express lift also open enable skiers and boarders to access the Big Easy novice trail and carpet lifts to the main beginners’ area, and the Skiwiland lift will also be operating.

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

Last week a wintry blast that swept the South Island dropped 10cm of natural snow on the mountain, and more snow and continued cold temperatures are in the current forecast.

Canterbury’s Mt Hutt ski area will also open this Saturday for the 2012 season.
 

Mt Hutt also opened for the winter season tomorrow with an average snow base of 65cm across the entire mountain.

Mt Hutt Ski Area Manager James McKenzie said the following are already in operation:

“The Summit Six Chair, Exhibition Quad and of course our beginners Magic Carpet area all operating.

“We’re currently assessing Towers Triple Chair but are suggesting that only advanced to intermediate skiers head over there, as it is not currently groomed,” he said.

Facilities open at Mt Hutt include the retail shop, rentals, Snowsports, Sky High Café and Hutt Base which serves coffee and is a licensed bar.

The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown is scheduled to open on June 16.