Snowfall continues with May looking like August as opening day looms
20th May 2009
More fresh snow on Queenstowns premier ski areas over the last four days, on top of consistent snowfall throughout May, is delivering spectacular pre-season conditions.
John Power, Head of Grooming, works to clear The Remarkables access
road at the 11.5km mark, in one of two of the ski areas new
state-of-the-art snow groomers.
Coronet Peak ski area, scheduled to open in less than three weeks (Saturday 6 June), has received 50 - 100cm of snow in the last four days resulting in an 80cm base at the top of the mountain and a 50cm base at the bottom.
Hamish McCrostie, Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager, said they couldnt have asked for a better build up to season opening.
Its just fantastic. Weve had consistent snow falls since early May which is unusual but very welcome, he said. Weve started packing the snow already which bodes well for a really good base for the season to come.
Mr McCrostie said the Peaks state-of-the-art snowmaking system was set up and nearly ready to go with final commissioning of the new pump-house almost complete.
We intend to start snowmaking on 25 May but we could hit the button sooner if temperatures remain consistently cold, he said. The system is designed so that without any natural snow the central core of the mountain can be opened within three days of continuous snowmaking conditions. Under optimum conditions, all trails, including those on Rocky Gully, could open within 10 days.
Across the valley at The Remarkables, the ski area has received 45cm of fresh snow in the last 48 hours and has received 150cm over the last two weeks, resulting in a solid 120cm base across the mountain.
The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence said he was excited about current conditions stating it is the best start to the season anybody can remember for many years.
These are magic conditions for this time of year so were all hyped up for some superb skiing and riding from opening day, he said.
More snow showers are forecast for Queenstown over the next few days with the weather expected to clear but be cold over the weekend.
LINK: www.nzski.com
For more information visit www.nzski.com or contact:
Ross Lawrence, Ski Area Manager for The Remarkables, on 0275 556 698
Hamish McCrostie, Ski Area Manager for Coronet Peak, on 0274 769 881
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