Coronet Peak delays opening day

Media release from Coronet Peak

1 June 2011

Coronet Peak delays opening day

Record warm May temperatures have resulted in Queenstown's Coronet Peak ski area delaying the start of its 2011 season.

The ski area was scheduled to open this Saturday (June 4) but warm temperatures means it has been unable to make snow for the majority of this week.

"Obviously it's hugely disappointing for the management and staff of Coronet Peak that we can't get the season underway this Saturday, but we will open on the very first day we possibly can," said Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie.

"Our mountain staff are all on board this week training and our snowmaking team is on 24-hour standby for temperatures to drop.

"Our fully automated snow making system has 211 snow guns positioned all over the mountain and they're switched on ready to blast out the white stuff.

"We know full well there are a lot of keen locals and loyal supporters who are itching to get up here for first tracks of the season, and believe me that's what we all want too.

"Mother Nature has decided to hang on to autumn for as long as she can, so we have to be philosophical about the fact that this happens every once in a while but as always it will get colder and it will snow."

Coronet Peak needs at least 72 hours of continuous cold air temperatures and low humidity levels to make enough snow to open.

ENDS

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