NZsnowboard.com

28th February 2007

Southern Alpine Recreation Limited Chairman John Davies today announced a senior management reorganisation.

Southern Alpine Recreation Limited is a Queenstown based company which owns and operates three of New Zealand most popular ski areas; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt.

Managing Director Duncan Smith is to step down from his current positions of Southern Alpine Recreation Managing Director and Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager to take up a newly created role, Executive Director Planning and Development.  The company will be immediately advertising for a new Chief Executive to manage the operation.

John Davies said the company was committed to the ongoing development of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt and was pleased to be able to capitalise on Mr Smith?s unrivalled national and international experience in ski area development.

?Duncan has 23 years experience at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt as well as significant international ski area knowledge.  Southern Alpine plans to capitalise on that experience as Duncan focuses on the long term planning and development of our ski areas.?

?Southern Alpine is a local company run by South Island residents who live and work in the towns where the ski areas are located.  We are committed to our local communities and to developing the winter and summer visitor industry in these regions.  Over the past few years the company has undertaken significant development projects and this trend is expected to continue into the medium to long term.?

Mr Smith will continue in his current roles until a new appointment is made.

Background information:
Following three years experience overseas, Mr Smith joined the skifield business in New Zealand in 1984 at Coronet Peak, then owned by The Mount Cook Group Ltd.  His experience has included key roles in mountain operations and as Ski Area manager at The Remarkables and at Coronet Peak.  He was appointed general manager of Mount Cook Ski Area Division in 1992 and led the organisation through the acquisition of Mt Hutt in 1994 and    a number of significant development projects including the purchase of all three ski areas by Southern Alpine Recreation Limited in 2002.


For further information please contact media liaison Alexa Forbes, Southern Public Relations Limited, alexa@southernpr.co.nz, 03 441 1117