It was a super busy day as a record number of grommies turned up early to register and hit the park eager to shred the day away. Both snowboarders and skiiers from various age groups were at the top of the hill and as the sun crept over the mountain it was time to get stared. 

 

 

“Our priority is to ensure the trails on the ski area are in the best possible condition for skiers and boarders during the day,” said Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie. “At the moment with temperatures and conditions as they are, the best time for us to groom the ski area is during the night skiing timeframe.

 “We know how popular Night Skiing is among locals and visitors. We’ve not made this decision lightly and are committed to getting Night Skiing up and running again just as soon as conditions allow.”

Mr McCrostie said Coronet Peak had enjoyed a spectacular school holiday period and terrific season to date with a good snow base.

 

In order to tackle this  Coronet Peak's Snowmaking Department have been making the most of the limited periods of cold temperatures to create well-covered ski fields for holiday makers, mountain visitors and season pass holders.

 

Coronet Peak benefits from a comprehensive selection of 215 snowmaking guns that cover the mountain, all of which switch on automatically when conditions allow thanks to a state-of-the-art computer system. Depending on the temperature, the largest guns can convert up to 7 liters of water each into snow per second. The entire system can move up to 500 liters of water per second when it is running at full capacity.

“In the right conditions we can produce great coverage on the main trails in 12 hours,” boasts Pete Deuart, Head of Snowmaking at Coronet Peak. “All we need is cold temperatures. Even a two to three hour window of snowmaking dramatically improves the skiing and riding.”

 

 

With cold temperatures dominating the forecast over the coming week Coronet Peak’s Snowmaking Department will be in full swing pouring on the white stuff. “the system is fully automatic so a long as conditions are within set parameters , we are able to provide great conditions on piste for everyone on the mountain,” Deuart signs off.

 

 

Elsewhere the Remarkables ski area had more positive news  as it launched its annual snowboard camps The camps have been hugely successful since they were introduced four years ago. They not only provide professional coaching, but it’s a full on day, with transport, breakfast & lunch, coaching, an after party and a goodie bag all included!

 

 

Emily Rudd from Queenstown loved it so much last year, that she’s coming back. “It’s not just the coaching, which is great, it’s the whole package”. She said. It’s a brilliant day out with a bunch of women doing the same thing, and having a fantastic time. It’s really social – you start the day with a glass of bubbly!”

 

Mo Rush at The Remarkables co-ordinates the camps and has seen it go from strength to strength. “They started out as a way to get the girls on the mountain into the park” She said. Now, it’s split into levels of confidence and ability. We have great coaches from the Snowsports School at both Coronet Peak & The Remarkables, who are passionate about the sport. It’s not hard core but it’s a great way for the women to try new things in a safe and fun environment”. She said. Some of them have never been in the park before and others want to perfect their technique. So we split them into groups to match their goals and ability. It’s great to see them amping each other up, and taking control of the park!”

 

The camps have been sponsored by Burton over the last two years and start off with a glass of Amisfield bubbles; a BBQ lunch, and the after party is at Lonestar where videos and photos from the day are shown. “Most of the girls have never seen themselves board or ski so they get an extra benefit from the video in checking out their own technique and style” Mo said.

 

A great girly day out is not complete without a goodie Bag stuffed with giveaways and a chance to win a Burton Nugget Snowboard at each Camp.

The camps are $120.00 (excluding lift pass) and designed for intermediate and above boarders and skiers, though no previous freestyle experience is required. There are limited spaces on each camp so pre registration is essential. Registration for the camps is through the Snow Centre in Queenstown or at Remarkables Guest Services. Registration forms are also available to download at www.nzski.com/parklife