NZsnowboard.com

29th May 2007

Pre-season excitement mounts at Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski area where a number of new
developments will enable improved management of snow conditions for 2007.

To boost snow making efficiency, a new computerised system will be installed at the pump
house to control the flow of water and air to the existing snowmaking system that covers Mt.
Hutt.

Mt. Hutt installed a massive snowmaking system in 1990 and we have continued to improve
and expand this network since.  This new computer control system will lay the foundation for
the system to become fully automated," said Ross Lawrence, Mountain Manager.

As part of this continued investment, Mt. Hutt will add a new snowmaking line in the
10,000sqm UP & GO Terrain Park - designed and constructed three years ago.

The arrival of a second Pisten Bully 600 Series Winch groomer to complement the existing
fleet will help to deliver consistently well presented intermediate and advanced trails on
steeper terrain.

"The expectation has grown over the last few years that steeper terrain should be groomed
more often and in many cases, every night.  We believe a second Winch Groomer will allow
us to meet and in many cases exceed our guests' expectations," said Mr. Lawrence.

To improve the overall guest experience, earthworks have targeted high traffic flow areas
where trails have been widened to provide safer and improved access. 


Mt Hutt is scheduled for a June 9 opening day.


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For further media information please contact Mt Hutt Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson on 0274 386 422 or Media Liaison Alexa Forbes