New Zealand’s first commercial ski field and the home of the original dog derby and dog barking contest, Coronet Peak, is once again hosting country and town dogs for the annual on mountain racing spectacle at the end of this month, September 29th.

Coronet Peak ski area manager, Nigel Kerr, whose own dog Oscar is becoming an iconic character on the ski field, says the event is set to attract the same calibre of enthusiastic dogs and dog owners.

“We’re ready to send the 2018 season off in a way that goes right to core of our mountain – with good times and tradition.”

“It’s really important that we keep the tradition alive, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to keep that connection with our rural roots. That is where the event originated.”

The dog derby has been held at Coronet Peak almost every year since 1974, after it was imagined up by legendary ski local and Coronet Peak staffer, Des Gavin.

The event showcases dog control and handling skills of working dogs in the area and over the years has also opened up to include town dogs running their own race.

On Saturday the 29th, working dogs and their owners will travel up Greengates chairlift and race down ProAm, while town dogs and their owners travel up Meadows – a gentler intermediate slope – for a shorter dash down Shirtfront.

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