Lake Tekapo attraction's milestone recognition

Media release from Alpine Springs/Spa and Winter Park, Lake Tekapo
16 February 2009

Lake Tekapo attraction achieves milestone recognition

Hot Pools In Snow

A visitor attraction set in the heart of the South Island’s majestic Mackenzie Country has achieved recognition as one of New Zealand’s leading tourism businesses.

Lake Tekapo’s Alpine Springs/Spa & Winter Park, which officially opened on 25th June 2007, has been endorsed by Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s official mark of quality.

The complex has quickly become an essential stop on the country’s tourism map, offering visitors year-round relaxation and recreation with hot pools, day spa, café, and an international size outdoor ice rink which provides a stunning setting for skating, ice hockey and curling.

Owner Karl Burtscher is delighted to have achieved the prestigious Qualmark endorsement.

“Qualmark represents quality assurance for local and international visitors alike. It’s very important for people to know they’re spending their time and money on an activity that’s been rigorously tested and meets New Zealand-approved tourism standards.

“I’m looking forward to providing visitors with even more variety this June when we launch our new Snow Park. We’re going to have a state-of-the-art 80m long by 50m wide snow tubing slope for all to enjoy in natural and man-made snow.”

Qualmark Chief Executive Geoff Penrose congratulated Mr Burtscher on achieving endorsement from Qualmark, New Zealand’s official mark of quality for tourism.

“Achieving Qualmark accreditation is testament to Alpine Springs’ commitment to providing a quality visitor experiences in a number of activities. The operation performed strongly across the range of quality indicators that Qualmark assesses and we welcome them on board as part of New Zealand’s group of quality assured tourism products.”

Alpine Springs has three hot pools shaped in the configuration of the local glacier lakes, Pukaki, Ohau and Tekapo. The pools are fed by underground spring water and are nestled amongst New Zealand natives typical of the local alpine area and terraced to provide majestic views of the surrounding Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo. Pathways from changing rooms to bathing areas are heated for maximum guest comfort.

The boutique day spa oversees the pools and out to Lake Tekapo creating a peaceful haven within the complex. It encompasses four treatment rooms and offers a full range of treatments including massage, hot rock massage, reflexology, facials, body wraps, manicures, and pedicures. The main complex also features a large sauna, steam room and plunge pool.

Mr Burtscher says Alpine Springs/Spa & Winter Park has also been developed with a strong focus on sustainability.

“We’ve created a wonderful place where visitors can be part of our unique alpine and lake environment while ensuring the best possible use of available energy to provide a sustainable tourism operation that is energy efficient and environmentally aware.”

The complex is efficiently powered by the latest refrigeration and heat regeneration technology.

Energy efficiency and sustainability is attained through a high specification refrigeration plant which generates 600 kilowatts of heat energy from an electrical input of just 180 kilowatts as well as sophisticated sand filtering and a Wapotech pool system.

“The ice-making process produces heat which is used to heat the pools,” says Mr Burtscher. “We’ve been careful in all our processes to ensure we make the best use of on site rocks and timber in construction as well as using the best engineering and technology available.

“It’s great to be able to offer people of all ages, from independent travellers to school or corporate groups, such a diverse range of activities in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful settings.”

ENDS

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