Countdown’s on for best value winter fun at top ski areas

Media Release from NZSki
March 3 2014

Countdown’s on for best value winter fun at New Zealand’s top ski areas

With a blast of cold weather and fresh snow on the mountains, Mother Nature’s friendly reminder that winter is just around the corner means the countdown’s on for skiers and snowboarders.

There are less than three weeks left to buy Early Bird passes for New Zealand’s top ski areas, with winter 2014 season passes at discounted rates for Queenstown’s Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and Canterbury’s Mt Hutt available until March 20, 2014.

For the third year in a row, Early Bird rates for Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt remain unchanged, and The Remarkables only season pass price increases slightly in line with exciting developments including the new Curvey Basin chairlift.

“After March 20, rates increase to the full season price, so we urge people to get online and buy their pass at the lowest available rate,” said NZSki GM Sales and Marketing Craig Douglas.

“Up until March 20 there’s also the option to spread payments over three months until May, making paying it off a little easier on the wallet.”

Season passes offer the best possible value to skiers and snowboarders at all three ski areas, enabling guests to have the freedom and flexibility of unlimited lift access at their chosen mountains throughout the season.

Season pass holders will also benefit from work carried out over summer at all three ski areas.

“Over summer we’ve gone full steam ahead with significant developments at The Remarkables for the 2014 season including the new Curvey Basin lift and trail, and at Mt Hutt we’ll have our new-look Triple Chair up and operating and a new terrain park further up the mountain,” Mr Douglas said.

“We’ve also got some exciting news in the pipeline for night skiing at Coronet Peak.

“For all these reasons and more, skiers and snowboarders will be ‘keen as’ to get up our mountains this winter and these changes will enable people to get even more turns in on more available terrain, making their season pass better value than ever.”

The Remarkables is getting a major makeover for the 2014 season with developments delivering improved car parking, learner trails, and snowmaking, as well as the new six-seater Curvey Basin chairlift and sealing of the first 4km of the access road.

Families are well looked after as those with kids aged 10 and under receive a free day lift pass for Mt Hutt and The Remarkables, and children aged six and under receive a free Coronet Peak day lift pass, whether they’re visitors or locals. Children in these age groups can also receive a free season pass for the relevant mountain on payment of a $20 admin fee.

Up at Mt Hutt and Methven, the hugely successful ‘Kids4Free’ programme is continuing for the 2014 season, offering free transport, accommodation, meals and skiing for kids 10 and under.

Access to night skiing at Coronet Peak is included in the Queenstown and NZSki season passes and Remarkables season pass holders can add night skiing to their pass for just $99.

Key 2014 Early Bird prices are:
• Queenstown Adult Season Pass $889 (full price $1299)
• Remarkables Adult Season Pass $599 (full price $899)
• Mt Hutt Adult Season Pass $699 (full price $1049)
• Mt Hutt Midweek Adult Season Pass $429 (full price $549)
• NZSki Adult Season Pass for Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt $999 (full price $1499)

Youth and senior passes are also available. For a full price list and to buy Early Bird passes, visit www.nzski.com before midnight on March 20, 2014.

© Scoop Media