Snow and fun mark season opening at The Remarkables ski area

Great snow and a fun, relaxed atmosphere added up to a superb day out for around 2,000 skiers and snowboarders enjoying opening day at Queenstown’s The Remarkables ski area last Saturday (18th June).

The renowned alpine playground boasted smooth groomed trails and a choice of off-piste terrain for everyone, from toddlers taking their first tentative steps on snow to true-blue locals returning to their favourite ski area.

The ski area had more than one reason to celebrate – with its new base building designed by Michael Wyatt took out the prestigious Tourism and Leisure Property Award on 17th June at the Property Council of New Zealand awards in Auckland.

Queueing up for ‘First on the Chair’ T-shirts at the Curvey Basin lift were some familiar faces. Angelique Vinnedge from Canada wasn’t content with bagging a ‘First on the Chair’ T from Coronet Peak last weekend, so made it two in a row with her Remarkables First on Chair T.

Her boyfriend – Queenstown local Jesse James Johnston – was alongside her to claim his shirt, along with friends Morgan Harteveld and Josh Martin who queued from 3.15am. Queenstown brother and sister Jamie (aged 10) and Hannah (aged 12) Gaboda were there for the second year in a row, arriving at 5.30 and “hanging out near a heater” to keep warm.

The first 100 waiting for the lifts to start running were treated to free breakfast baps delivered to them in the queue by ski area staff, and as the gates opened at Curvey Basin, bursts of bright green confetti added a fun element to the day.

Footage of the gates opening and first skiers and boarders coming down from the top of Curvey Basin was screened live to The Remarkables’ Facebook page, as a drone flew the length of the chair to capture those first moments. The live screening has been viewed by thousands of people tuning in to be part of the excitement of opening day.

Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence said opening day had been a huge success, stating “what an awesome mix of locals, families, first timers and even a few of our favourite Aussies we’ve seen here for the kick off of the 2016 season.

“Our team’s done an amazing job in bringing the trails to life, enabling us to operate with all four chairlifts, 100% of our beginner area and 80% of intermediate terrain, with plenty of off-piste for the adventurous. What more could you ask?

“Everyone’s having a great time.”

The ski area’s first day marked the official ‘opening’ of the newly-sealed Remarkables access road, a smooth ride that took skiers and boarders up the mountain with ease and in comfort.

For information go to www.nzski.com

Images: The Cusiel family of Queenstown enjoying the snow (top) and Angelique Vinnedge from Canada with her Remarkables and Coronet Peak ‘First on the Chair’ T-shirts (below), courtesy of Emily Menzies/NZSki.

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2nd March 2016 - QUEENSTOWN SKI AREAS JOIN THE MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE

23rd December 2015 - NZSKI SEASON PASSES AIMED AT INCREASING SNOW SPORTS PARTICIPATION