Media release from NZSki Ltd

May 10 2013

Queenstown’s Coronet Peak Celebrates Second Snowfall Within a Week In Build Up to Opening

The weather gods have been smiling on Queenstown’s Coronet Peak as a second snowfall within a week puts the mountain on track for its early June scheduled opening.

A strong cold southerly delivered 9cm of snow to the Coronet Peak base building last night (May 9/10) with 10 to 15cm of windblown snow up top. Keen skiers determined to get ‘first tracks’ for the day were spotted ‘skinning’ up to the summit to enjoy powder said to be knee-deep in places.

Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said the mountain had a “great covering” of snow.

“It doesn’t get much better than this with two really good snowfalls in less than a week at this time of year,” he said. “The mountain’s looking really stunning and the continued cold temperatures are the perfect reminder that winter’s well and truly on its way.”

Cold temperatures permitting, Coronet Peak’s 213 snow guns are all set to crank into action for the first time this year any time from May 18.

“There’s a real sense of excitement up the mountain as we’re reaching the point where we can start to look forward to welcoming our first guests,” said Mr Copland.

Coronet Peak is scheduled to open for the 2013 season on June 8, Canterbury’s Mt Hutt on June 15 and The Remarkables on June 22.

Coronet Peak base building received 9cm of snow on tables on the deck. Image by Anna Clark

ENDS

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