NZSnowboard.com - The home of New Zealand Snowboarding

6th March 2009

 Keen skiers and snowboarders have until midnight on Thursday (12 March) to take advantage of the very best season pass deals for New Zealands premier ski areas.

 
On sale since 12 February, the range of discounted Early Bird passes for Queenstowns Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and Canterburys Mt Hutt offer the best possible prices for those who buy online at www.nzski.com.
 
Prices remain largely unchanged from last year and a number of new products will deliver excellent value for skiers and snowboarders.
 
David Ovendale, NZSki Ltd General Manager - Sales and Marketing said that the prices of all NZSki pass types had been frozen at last years level with the exception of the Mt Hutt Midweek pass which had increased slightly. (All passes and prices listed below).
 
Were passionate about keeping snowsports accessible to New Zealanders and particularly to families and have worked extremely hard to maintain prices so we could offer the best possible Early Bird deals to our customers.
 
Mr Ovendale said season pass holders would benefit from recent developments at all three ski areas as part of NZSkis ongoing investment programme.
 
Continued investment at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables this year includes improved facilities for children with both ski areas offering full day kids programmes from 3 months to 17 years old, and more groomers to improve the quality of surfaces for excellent skiing and riding.
 
In the high country near Methven, Mt Hutt also has new groomers, as well as a brand new, cutting edge rental system with high quality skis designed by Head that will mean less time in the rental department for skiers and more time on the slopes.
 
People are strongly encouraged to purchase online at www.nzski.com to obtain the best possible prices and to take advantage of the Early Bird time payment option. Application forms can be downloaded from the website for postal, fax or in person applications, however these will incur a $35 administration fee.
 
The Early Bird time payment option enables people to pay for their passes in three installments. This option is only available online and is designed to help people manage their cash flow.
 
The Early Bird offers are only available until 12 March after which prices will increase to a Shoulder (13 March - 5 June 2009) and then Main Season rate.
 
 




LINK:   www.nzski.com







ENDS
 
Further information: www.nzski.com
 
David Ovendale, NZSki Ltd General Manager - Sales and Marketing. Tel: 03 450 1979, email: david@nzski.com



 




About Season Passes
For those likely to ski or board at all three mountains the nzskipass is just the ticket.  Prices remain unchanged from 2008 at $899 for an adult, $799 student, $599 youth (7-17) and senior (65 74).  The nzskipass offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2009 season at Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt and The Remarkables.  It also includes a 50% discount at ski areas in the other Leading Mountain Resorts of the World regions of Val Gardena (Italy), Bariloche (Argentina), Saas-Fee (Switzerland), Ǻre (Sweden) and Banff (Canada) as part of the Endless Winter programme. A range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA are also covered by the pass.
 
The Queenstown Pass, for those who ski or ride mostly in Queenstown, is on offer at $699 for an adult, $599 student, $399 youth and senior, all also unchanged from 2008 pricing.  It offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2009 season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables plus a 50% discount on day passes at Mt Hutt. It also includes 50% discounts at ski areas in the other Leading Mountain Resorts of the World regions of Val Gardena (Italy), Bariloche (Argentina), Saas-Fee (Switzerland), Ǻre (Sweden) and Banff (Canada)  as part of the Endless Winter programme. A range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA are also covered by the pass.
 
The First Tracks add-on for Coronet Peak is available for $195. The extension offers an early morning experience between 8 and 9am when the Coronet Express chair will open as conditions and operational requirements allow.  The add-on is designed for those who want the earliest possible access to untracked powder or freshly groomed runs, and is perfect for Queenstown people who are able to ski or board outside office hours. Available with nzskipass and Queenstown Pass types only.
 
New this year, The Remarkables Pass, is limited to residents of the Queenstown Lakes District and is only available during the Early Bird sales period. The Remarkables Pass is on offer for $399 adult, $299 student and $199 youth (11 17) and senior (65 74) and offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2009 season at The Remarkables only. A Remarkables Pass holder is also entitled to Frequent Card discounts at Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt. It also includes 50% discount at ski areas in the other Leading Mountain Resorts of the World regions of Val Gardena (Italy), Bariloche (Argentina), Saas-Fee (Switzerland), Ǻre (Sweden) and Banff (Canada)  as part of the Endless Winter programme. A range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in New Zealand and the USA are also covered by the pass.  Proof of residence in the Queenstown Lakes District will be required at pass collection.
 
Also new this year is the Queenstown Transport add-on offering unlimited transport to and from the Queenstown Snow Centre to The Remarkables and Coronet Peak for only $195 for the entire season.
 
The Mt Hutt Pass prices remain unchanged from 2008 at $579 for an adult, $479 student, $329 youth/senior and offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2009 season at Mt Hutt.  It also includes a 50% discount on day passes at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and a range of additional benefits* including discounts at other ski areas in both New Zealand and the USA.
 
The Mt Hutt Midweek Pass has increased by $30 and is now $329 for an adult, $229 student, $199 youth/senior and offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2009 season Monday to Friday only at Mt Hutt.  On weekends at Mt Hutt and at any time at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables the pass holder is entitled to Frequent Card discounts on day lift tickets.  Whakapapa, Turoa, and Snow Park NZ offer discounted midweek skiing/riding only with this pass type.  Weekends at these areas are at full day pass rates.
 
While Ohau Snow Fields are no longer included in NZSki pass types this year, holders of 2009 NZSki season pass types (excluding Frequent Card & Mt Hutt Midweek Pass) can purchase a 2009 Ohau season pass for $89 up to 1 May (inclusive) and $139 from 2 May, directly with Ohau via www.ohau.co.nz/seasonpass.
 
All children aged six and under will receive free day lift passes at Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt and aged ten and under at The Remarkables.
 
* Additional benefits include discounts on day lift passes at Mt Dobson, Mt Lyford, Mt Olympus, Porters, Rainbow, Temple Basin, SnowPark NZ, Ohau, Cheeseman and at Whakapapa and Turoa in the North Island.  All season pass holders are entitled to the following discounts at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt: 25% discount on afternoon Group Lessons (subject to availability), 10% discount at the on mountain retail outlets, (does not apply to sale items or other special offers) and 10% discount off workshop/repairs.