Major investment boosts New Zealand ski industry

A “significant” and brave investment that is helping the tourism industry succeed was praised by New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Bill English yesterday (Friday 25th July) when he officially opened the new Curvey Basin chairlift at The Remarkables ski area in Queenstown.

Minister English opened the high-speed six-seater chairlift last Friday as snow gently fell on the ski area, praising NZSki and Trojan Holdings for being a “long-term investor with the commitment and willingness to take the risk”.

The new lift, which carries 2,800 people per hour and takes just seven minutes to travel the 1.2 kilometres line, is part of a substantial $45 million investment at the ski area which also includes road re-alignment, sealing of the lower access road, trail developments, expansion of the snow making system, and extended car parking.

A new base building will also be delivered as part of the investment.

After riding the new lift to the top of the Curvey Basin, Minister English said it had been “a very smooth ride.”

He added “they’ve done a fantastic job, and every dollar invested brings more jobs and more people to Queenstown and throughout the region, not just in the industry,” he said.

“It’s great that NZSki has had the confidence to go forward with this scale of investment that has lifted the quality of the product and the Government is pleased with this investment.

“This is how the economy grows.

“The company is delivering a special Queenstown and Remarkables experience that’s helping to persuade all those Aussies to get over here and delivering a great experience for all their customers.”

NZSki Chief Executive Paul Anderson thanked the NZSki shareholders for their foresight and leadership in committing to the investment, and the Leitner Poma and Lyttleton Engineering teams together with ski area manager Ross Lawrence and management at The Remarkables for making it happen.

Anderson said the investment was one of the most significant tourism investments made in the Southern Lakes area and was important to the local and national economy, stating “this is the first stage of NZSki’s project to improve the facilities and trails at The Remarkables ski area.

“The 1.2 kilometre chairlift, snowmaking and road improvements are part of NZSki’s ongoing commitment to provide the best possible product to our guests.

“These improvements will ensure The Remarkables is of a true international standard and on a par with Queenstown’s other ski area, Coronet Peak.”

In its first 21 days of operation, the Curvey Basin chairlift carried 22,000 individual skiers who notched up 170,000 runs.

Click here to visit NZSki's The Remarkables website.

30th May 2014 - DEVELOPMENTS ON TRACK AT THE REMARKABLES SKI AREA