Nearly 2,000 people turned out to enjoy beautiful weather and great snow at the season opening of Mt Hutt today (Sunday, June 15).  It was the first time in a decade that the high country ski area opening had included skiing and riding from the summit and Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson said the atmosphere reflected an excellent start to the season.
 
“Everyone was amped and having a great time.  We’re very happy to have such a great start to the season with good on trail skiing and riding.”
 
10 people took home the coveted ‘first on the chair’ t-shirts – the first six on the Summit Express and the first four on the Quad and all early birds were served Lindauer bubbles to toast the season.
 
New at Mt Hutt this year is a new five terraced mini terrain park to ease progression from novice through to intermediate level, a refurbished function room offering private groups of up to 100 people a relaxed and informal atmosphere overlooking the slopes, and an exciting array of new high country style features in the terrain parks.
 
Improvements have also included the addition of twenty three new snow guns to Mt Hutt’s snowmaking arsenal
 
“This expansion means we can make more snow more efficiently so skiers and riders can enjoy more consistent main trail coverage for longer,” said Mr Wilson.
ENDS
 

Picture captions:
1. .First on the Six
 
First on the Summit Six were (l-r)
Frazer McGlinn age 14 Papanui, Chch
James Riodan age 18 Fendalton Chch
Guy Seager age 18 Fendalton, Chch
Cameron Hurt age 18 Fendalton Chch
Theo Arndt age 19 Hillcrest, Hamilton
Michael Porland age 20 Ashburton
 

2.  Mt Hutt declared open
 
The crowd cheers as Mt Hutt opens for the season.
 
Further information: www.nzski..com <http://www.nzski..com/>