Eight of the country's top ski fields have joined forces to create the largest commercial ski network in New Zealand in an attempt to secure more of the international tourist dollar.

OnePassNZ will provide visitors access to a massive 2230 hectares of lift-serviced terrain, and offers pass holders access to some of the South Island's biggest tourist attractions.

Independent ski field operators at Cardrona Alpine Resort, Treble Cone, Snowpark, Snowfarm, Ohau, Mt Dobson, Roundhill and the Porters Ski Area will now offer visitors OnePassNZ, an interchangeable pass that gives skiers and snowboarders access to the partner ski areas.

The new pass will be loaded with snow dollars, which can be used to gain unlimited access to lifts at the participating South Island ski fields. Pass holders will also be able to rent ski gear and pay for skiing and snowboarding lessons. Skiers will also be able to use it to buy dinner at restaurants in the surrounding areas and for a number of other local activities.

Treble Cone Marketing Manager Nigel Kerr says OnePassNZ is an example of how co-operative marketing between competing organisations can produce synergies leading to greater group profitability.

"Coming together in a joint marketing venture means that both the ski fields and the tourists win. Participating ski areas will share marketing costs while tourists will have access to some of the best ski areas that mid-Canterbury, Queenstown, Wanaka and the McKenzie District has to offer.

The new OnePassNZ initiative has already drawn praise from local tourism bodies.

Lake Wanaka Tourism General Manager James Helmore says the OnePassNZ co-operative will "be huge" for the area.

“It gives consumers ultimate flexibility and freedom of choice and allows them to travel with confidence,” he says.

“From a destination standpoint, having a ski and activity pass that offers both snow and off-mountain activities is brilliant and is just what consumers need to enjoy everything the central South Island has to offer, not just great skiing," says Helmore.

"Our vision was to create a pass that made all of these ski areas more accessible and I believe we've created that," says Kerr.

"Not only will it deliver more mobile skiers and boarders to all eight ski fields over the winter months, but it will tie them all closer together and make the South Island a far more fun winter destination," he says.

The pass will also offer tourists access to a host of other activities the South Island is famous for including; skydiving, jet boating and wine trails.

ENDS

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