Queenstown’s Coronet Peak ski field ready for weekend opening

Coronet Peak, Queenstown’s closest ski field, is set, as planned, to open tomorrow (Saturday 17th June), with something for everyone from non-skiers and novices to those with multiple seasons on the mountain.

Recent snow fall and freezing temperatures have enabled the snowmakers and groomers to lay down an early season base for the Magic Carpet lifts, Meadows Express and Coronet Express Chair lift, all of which open tomorrow from 9am.

For those not yet comfortable on skis or a board, the popular Coronet Peak Tubing park opens at 10am.

Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Nigel Kerr said the team were looking forward to welcoming in the start of the season as Queenstown’s original ski field.

Kerr explanined “it’s been a really good week of staff training so far and there’s been a very positive vibe all round, helped by the recent cold conditions.

“Coronet Peak has a loyal following and we know people have been hanging out to get up here. For many people tomorrow’s opening will give them that much-longed for run, so we expect a lot of happy familiar faces having a good time.

“There are four t-shirts sitting in my office waiting to be handed out to those with the determination to be first chair on the Coronet Express in 2017. Amisfield bubbles will help welcome in the season,” he added.

Coronet Peak will be operating street entrance level services, including rentals, retail, snowsports and lessons, along with its base area food and beverage facilities.

Kerr added “for those who aren’t yet confident to take the chairs, this is an ideal time to get lessons in early in the season, go for a spin in our popular tubing park with the best views in town, or just kick back on our sunny deck to watch all the action.”

Coronet Peak, 25 minutes from downtown Queenstown, was the first commercial ski field in New Zealand, opening in 1947, and has since then pioneered First Tracks and Night Skiing, both of which help to position it as Queenstown’s winter playground.

Images: Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Nigel Kerr looks out over Pumphouse Steeps off the M1 toward The Remarkables (top) and (below) snowmaking in preparation for the 2017 ski season with Brayden O’Donnell (left) and Tom Meisser (right).

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12th December 2016 - QUEENSTOWN TOURISM STALWART NIGEL KERR TO BECOME CORONET PEAK SKI AREA MANAGER

3rd November 2016 - NZSKI RETAINS 2016 SEASON PASS PRICES FOR 2017 

7th September 2016 - WINTERY BLAST DUMPS SNOW ON QUEENSTOWN SKI AREAS

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12th June 2016 - THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR CORONET PEAK AND MT HUTT SEASON OPENINGS

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19th November 2009 - SPARC INCREASES INVESTMENT IN HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT

7th October 2009 - SUCCESSFUL SEASON FOR WANAKA SKI RESORTS 

6th July 2009 - LAKE WANAKA SKI FIELDS OPEN FOR 2009 SEASON

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