Record breaking spring snow at Coronet Peak

Continuing wintery conditions have delivered record snow falls at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak, with falls today (Friday 11th September) bringing the snow total for the 2015 season to over three metres, surpassing the previous 2010 record.

NZSki Chief Executive Paul Anderson says visitors to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, as well as Queenstown locals, are looking to the skies for continued perfect spring conditions extending right through to the end of the season.

Anderson stated “this is the winter that just keeps on giving!

“We’re thrilled that the awesome conditions our guests have enjoyed throughout the season are continuing and we’d love to get as many people up the mountains to enjoy our record snow.

“Spring often offers the best skiing conditions of the season, and this year promises to be the most epic!”

Skiers and riders have been able to access the whole of Coronet Peak for the majority of the season, with continued fresh snowfalls making for great off-piste and on-trail skiing in snow that as recently as this week was described as “light, dry, winter powder”.

Ski Area Manager Ross Copland describes current conditions as the best seen in years.

With September historically a good snow month, he believes things could get even better, Copland stated “we couldn’t have wished for a better start to our spring season.

“We’ve just broken the 2010 record and we’re only 11 days into September.”

Things were looking great this season from the outset, with early snow in May and June starting the season well ahead of recent years. Since then, the mountain’s been blessed with consistent top-ups.

The good snow news extends over to The Remarkables, where thanks to exceptional snow cover to lower levels this season and continued ‘top ups’, the boundary of Homeward Run has been extended out to the Outward Bound ridgeline, more than 1.5km down the access road.

Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence added “this encompasses another 13ha of terrain across wandering, rolling faces and gullies ending up on the access road right at our new Number 4 car park.

“Guests continue to be wowed by the extensive inclusion of terrain that naturally leads them back to the shuttle for another round trip experiencing picture perfect ‘back country’ conditions within the ski area boundary.”

Long-term Queenstown local John Knight, owner of Outside Sports, describes the town as “really buzzing” after a season of snowfalls.  

Knight concluded “conditions up Coronet Peak and The Remarkables have been fantastic, and from the start of spring we’ve had some of the best powder skiing I’ve ever experienced.

“It's looking like it will be the best September snow conditions in years!”

To celebrate the record conditions, NZSki has extended its Spring Multi Day Lift Passes, enabling access to some of the best snow conditions seen in Queenstown in years.

With such spectacular snow conditions, the offer starts from as little as $237 for a three-day lift pass.

There’s also a new Spring Learn to Ski or Snowboard package on offer, at 50% off, for those who’d like to get started on their snow adventures.

For more information go to www.nzski.com/learntoski

Images: School children at Coronet Peak enjoying today’s fresh spring snow (top) fresh tracks at Coronet Peak (below) Both images: Brandon Stanley

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