NZsnowboard.com

10th February 2008

Cantabrian snow lovers are encouraged to get a head start on the winter ski season at Mt Hutt by logging on to www.nzski.com for Early Bird pass deals for Mt Hutt, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

The range of discounted Early Bird passes goes on sale from today, Thursday 7 February until midnight 5 March and offers the best possible prices for the 2008 winter season.  

Price increases this year reflect the ongoing investment programme in the ski areas, but have been kept to the bare minimum says David Ovendale, Southern Alpine Recreation Ltd (SARL) General Manager - Sales and Marketing.

?An adult pass for unlimited skiing at Mt Hutt and Ohau Snow Fields has increased $30 to $579 while an nzskipass for unlimited skiing at those ski areas and Coronet Peak and The Remarkables has risen $150 to $899.

While economic reality has driven increases, the Southern Alpine Recreation Board of Directors and management has worked to ensure snow sports stay accessible to New Zealand families.  The midweek Mt Hutt pass has not increased remaining at $299 for an adult.

Mr Ovendale says increases have been mitigated with added value.

?For the first time, our season passes will include day pass discounts at Whakapapa, Turoa and SnowPark NZ, as well as discounts at several other South Island ski areas.

?Almost all of our season pass holders enjoy unlimited skiing and riding across not only their chosen Southern Alpine ski areas ? they also can ski or ride at Ohau for no extra cost (except the Mt Hutt Midweek pass).  Queenstown?s sister city relationship with Aspen, Colorado, delivers international discounts to pass types that include Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.?

The range of passes on offer includes the Mt Hutt pass, designed for those who ski or board mostly at Mt Hutt.  

The Mt Hutt pass at $579 for an adult, $479 student, $329 youth and senior offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2008 season at Mt Hutt and Ohau Snow Fields.  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 prices remain unchanged from 2007 at $299 for an adult and $199 student, $179 youth and senior offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2008 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 a Frequent Card discount on day lift tickets.  Whakapapa, Turoa, Snow Park NZ and Ohau Snow Fields offer discounted midweek skiing/riding only with this pass type.  Weekends at these areas are at full day pass rates.

For those likely to ski or board at Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables the nzskipass is just the ticket.  At $899 for an adult, $799 student, $599 youth (7-17) and senior (65 ? 74), the nzskipass offers unlimited skiing and riding for the 2008 season at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt and Ohau Snow Fields.  It also includes 50% discounts at numerous ski areas in the other Leading Mountain Resorts regions of Val Gardena and Bariloche 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.  

Children aged six and under receive a free day lift pass at Mt Hutt, The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

SARL CEO James Coddington believes the passes provide New Zealand?s best value for the broadest possible range of skiers and riders.  

?Prices and increases are low in terms of the development programme that began in 2005 and the added value has significantly increased.?

Developments at Mt Hutt for 2008 include the establishment of a functions room, a mini terrain park and more snowmaking.

Introduced last year, the Early Bird time payment option allows people to pay for their passes in three installments.  This option is only available online with the Early Bird purchase and is designed to help people manage their cash flow more easily.

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 and are also available from the Snow Centres in Queenstown and Methven and at leading ski retailers around the county. Physical applications will incur a $35 administration fee.

The Early Bird offers are only available until 5 March 2008, after which prices will increase to a pre-shoulder (6 March ? 16 April 2008), shoulder (17 April ? 6 June 2008) and then a main season rate.

* Additional benefits include discounts on day lift passes at Mt Dobson, Mt Lyford, Mt Olympus, Porters, Rainbow, Temple Basin, SnowPark NZ 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.



Further information: www.nzski.com

David Ovendale, Southern Alpine Recreation Limited General Manager - Sales and Marketing. Tel: 03 409 0816, email: david@nzski.com

James Coddington, Southern Alpine Recreation Limited CEO. Tel: 03 409 2920, email: james@nzski.com