Dumping snow and freezing conditions at Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables is bringing smiles to the faces of skiers and snowboarders, particularly those taking a winter break in the mountains during the school holidays.

Cardrona Alpine Resort has had 20 cm of natural snow overnight. It continued to snow all morning before the weather cleared to a fantastic powder day. Snow is expected to fall intermittently through to Sunday morning. All lifts and facilities are open with an average snow base of 45cm.

The organisers of Gay Ski Week NZ have today announced a brand new event for straight skiers – and they’re not talking about those who ski on ‘80’s style straight skis. The new event is planned for the second week in September and will immediately follow Gay Ski Week (29 August to 7 September).

The first competition of the season for young freestyle snowboarders and skiers is to be held in the Up & Go Terrain Park at The Remarkables on Tuesday 8 July.

There were a few early risers who enjoyed a glass of bubbles to start the 2008 Remarkables season in style with Mother Nature playing her part by dishing up a nice, sunny calm day.

A southerly storm has dropped 25 – 30 centimetres of fresh snow on the slopes of Mt Hutt in the lead up to the ski area’s Saturday June 14 opening.Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson says the wintry blast has transformed Mt Hutt, Methven and surrounding areas into a winter wonderland.

The winter season starts today at The Remarkables near Queenstown. The alpine park will offer limited facilities on opening day, and a glass of bubbles courtesy of Lindauer for early risers.

Coronet Peak’s brand new base building, dubbed JSD’s Lodge by NZSki board and staff, was officially opened at a special luncheon ceremony at the mountain resort yesterday.

Lake Wanaka’s 2008 ski season is officially underway with all four fields open for business.Good snowfalls and optimum snow making conditions throughout last week have provided the mountains a good top up of snow for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy their first turns for the season.

Cardrona has opened for the 2008 season with great on-trail snow conditions. The MacDougall’s and Captain’s Express chairlifts are running from today, with the Whitestar Express chairlift to open on Saturday or Sunday after some more trail preparation has been completed.

South-bound skiers have a golden opportunity this season to learn from New Zealand’s best instructor. Veteran Coronet Peak ski instructor Pete Ganderton edged out six nominees to win NZ Snowsports Instructor Alliance Instructor of the Year 2007 at the Snow Sports NZ Awards held at Basecamp Wanaka on Saturday night (21 June).

25 centimetres of fresh snow at Mt Hutt, 15 at the top of Coronet Peak and 10 at the peak of The Remarkables are among the early results of wintry storm fronts currently dumping snow across the New Zealand’s premier South Island ski areas.

With most people’s first day on the mountain this year looming, the New Zealand Snow Industries Federation is urging people to take advantage of free ski and snowboard equipment checks.

Next year’s Winter Games NZ initiative received backing from the international snow sports community at the recent FIS Congress in Cape Town, South Africa with FIS pledging its support for the event.

Snow Park NZ will be opening for the 2008 season on Saturday, June 28th at 9am.

Thanks to some natural snowfall and good snowmaking temperatures skiers and riders will be welcomed back to Coronet Peak tomorrow Wednesday 25th June.15 centimetres of fresh snow have fallen at the top of Coronet Peak, 8 centimetres at the base and that’s just Mother Nature’s contribution.

NZSkier reader Brett Hayter was the lucky winner of last years Rosignol Scratch Steeze ski's competition

A night dedicated specifically for girls riding in New Zealand, has attracted interested from around the country.  Girl’s Night In is being held at Base, in Wanaka and local mountains and team riders for leading ski and snowboard brands have all jumped on board to participate.

Skiers and riders enjoyed 18cm of fresh snow at Canterbury’s Mt Hutt today (Monday June 23) and more terrain to play on with the opening of The Towers.

Cold temperatures saw The Remarkables snowmaking system kick back into action today (Monday June 23) in preparation for opening as soon as conditions allow.

Things are looking good at Snow Park, with some fresh snow arriving as the opening draws closer.

Talented young skier Ella Spittle has been announced as an exciting new addition to the 2008 Parklife Rider Team, a development team of young riders and skiers based at The Remarkables.

Heavy pre-season snowfalls and reasonable snow making conditions has Mt Hutt in great shape for early season skiing and riding according to ski area manager Dave Wilson.

 

The summer has been a busy time at Roundhill, the benefits from which will be enjoyed by skiers and boarders this winter.
Extensive earthworks have involved moving 11,000 cubic metres of earth and shaping it into a series of small, medium and large platforms, rollers, table tops and three interestingly shaped ‘boxes’.

Fully automated snow making at Ohau is now a reality. At 8.10pm on Tuesday 5th June, the Techno Alpin system burst into operation as the first four of 23 new A30 lances began producing snow.

A New Zealand heli-ski operator has developed world-leading technology designed to minimise risk and maximise enjoyment for heli-skiers and riders. Queenstown-based Alpine Heli Ski has designed an innovative web-based tool that is believed to be a Southern Hemisphere ‘first’.

The Prime Minister will open the new Captain’s Express chairlift at Cardrona on June 27, 2008 - the opening day at Cardrona (weather permitting).

Coronet Peak is closed until at least next Monday, June 23, because of unseasonably warm weather.

Nearly 2,000 people turned out to enjoy beautiful weather and great snow at the season opening of Mt Hutt today (Sunday, June 15).  

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand - Snow Park NZ kicks off the 2008 season Wednesday 18 June welcoming skiers and boarders to get their first turns and jumps in and enjoy a pie and a stubby or can of V as they board the lift for their first ride up the mountain. 

No longer needed on the farm, grain hoppers, water tanks, silo lids and tractor tires are finding new homes in the terrain parks of Canterbury’s High Country Ski Resort, Mt Hutt. 

12th June 2008Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, operators of Turoa and Whakapapa, announced today that both Ski Areas will open on Saturday 14 June - the earliest opening since the winter of 1992.

Now it is possible to find and compare snowparks from all over the world. Mysnowparks.com is an international community for all snowpark people. The website is based on user input and all resort and park information can be updated by registered user to help keeping everything up-to-date. 

A southerly storm has dropped 25 – 30 centimetres of fresh snow on the slopes of Mt Hutt in the lead up to the ski area’s Saturday June 14 opening. Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson says the wintry blast has transformed Mt Hutt, Methven and surrounding areas into a winter wonderland. 

New Zealand’s only ski manufacturer, Kingswood Skis, is calling on skiers to help design a new graphic for the company’s hand-made skis. 

Unique in New Zealand, a hit in Europe, the Big AirBag is the coolest thing since sliced bread! “We are so excited about the Big AirBag!” says Heather Reid from Snowplanet.

Delivering fantastic winter holidays in the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable way is the crux of Coronet Peak’s sustainable practice agenda.

The New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) announced today the publication of the first New Zealand-specific avalanche awareness handbook.

Picture of Mt.Hutt getting their snowmaking ready to add to all that natural stuff

 

With impeccable timing, mother nature blanketed Queenstown ski areas Coronet Peak and The Remarkables with heaps of new snow over the past 24 hours.     

Everyone’s invited to an extravaganza at Coronet Peak to celebrate the official opening of the new building and a special firing of the snow guns. 

Spirits are high at The Remarkables after 15cm of snow covered the mountain overnight and forecasters talk of more snow on the way.

Treble Cone Ski Area was blanketed in snow this morning thanks to the cold front currently hitting the south of the south island.  Overnight 15cm fell at the base area and with snow still falling heavily another few centimeters are expected before the end of this weather cycle.

10 cm of new snow blanketed Coronet Peak on Thursday and with more predicted the mountain is looking good for its June 7th opening.

Cardrona has received 25cm of snow with more predicted to come.

Ski Racing NZ today announced its Volkswagen NationalSki Teams for the 2008, led by 20 year old, Ohakune resident Benjaman Griffin.

 

A new function room at Mt Hutt offering a relaxed and informal atmosphere as well as stunning views over the ski area is the perfect winter destination for private groups visiting the slopes.  

Snowsports enthusiasts are in for a great season – with winter expected to becolder, longer and earlier than usual. Author of thePredict Weather Almanacs and renowned weather predictor Ken Ring, who calculatesfuture weather by the orbits of the moon, expects “a good season with plenty ofsnow”.

 

Snow Park NZ will be the first and only resort inLake Wanaka to offer night skiing and riding this winter season providing visitors with more time on the mountain and a unique experience on snow under floodlights.  

www.snowchaser.co.nzIntroduces New- Telemark Free Heel week. Queenstown/Arrowtown  Southern Lakes ski areas NZ  

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (14 May 2008) The Lee family in the Cardrona Valley received approval today to build the first gondola in New Zealand to access a ski resort.

The $16.6million gondola project will service Snow Park NZ, Waiorau Snow Farm and a third planned ski area, Roaring Meg Resort.

Mt Hutt Helicopters and the Brown Pub in Mt Hutt Village, Methven are launching “Sunday Sessions”,a new initiative for the 2008 season which will bring a regular DJ night to the ski resort for holiday makers and locals as well as a chance to qualify for andbook discounted heli-skiing trips.

 
Mt Hutt received approximately 10cm of snow across all trails on Sundayevening (11 May), serving as a timely reminder that the start of the snowsports season is just one month away.

Howsafe is your snow gear?  Are youlike most Kiwis - just drag your skis or board and boots out from under thehouse at the start of the season and head straight to the mountain?  

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has appointed Cantabrian Tony Hall as chef de mission for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. Hall has strong associations with snow sports in New Zealand, including at the South Island Academy of Sport Centre of Excellence.

A Queenstown based heli-ski operator has been granted the first ever concession from the Department of Conservation to operate in public conservation land in Southland. Alpine Heli Ski Ltd can now access terrain in the Livingston Mountains, Mt Mavora and Tooth Peak areas, located between Lake Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu, from the start of the heli-ski season in July.

Snow falls overnight and off and on today has blanketed the Southern Alps leaving skiers, snowboarders and mountain crews buzzing with anticipation for the season ahead. The Remarkables Ski Manager Ross Lawrence said the mid-winter conditions had changed the landscape from green to white.