What’s going on in the 2009 season around Queenstown…
Cardona Alpine Resort
Renowned for its relaxed and friendly vibe, Cardrona enjoys deep snow cover, wide-ranging terrain, serious half pipes, steep chutes and a massive terrain park.
There are great family facilities and you can stay right on the slopes in a purpose-built alpine apartment complex.
This season Cardrona is expanding its terrain facilities by creating a new trail down the Arcadia Basin aimed at more advanced skiers and boarders.
The new trail is being certified by FIS allowing slalom and GS races to be staged.
It will also have a $1m snowmaking upgrade and with this, the entire resort will be covered after extending it into Captains Basin last year.
In addition, improvements to the 22-foot superpipe and freestyle areas are being done in preparation for the inaugural Winter Games.
Coronet Peak
Over 60 years of passion for snowsports has created a world renowned ski area at Coronet Peak and a multi-million dollar investment in 2008 has transformed this much loved mountain into a world-class winter destination.
For the 2009 season, skiers and riders at Coronet Peak will enjoy improved on-trail conditions thanks to two new state-of-the-art snow groomers
and families will love an overall upgrade of the children’s facilities and programmes.
Just 20 minutes drive from central Queenstown, Coronet Peak is renowned for its roller coaster terrain across a series of interconnected bowls.
The day starts early here with First Tracks from 8am and on weekends finishes late with Night Skiing on Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm.
The Remarkables
For beginners, novices, youth and entire families, The Remarkables is the natural choice. Its high alpine location, sunny aspect, wide open bowls,
and progressive network of fantastic terrain parks make it a true alpine experience for all ages.
New for this year, free transport departing from the Snow Centre for all those who buy a Remarkables full day or multiday lift pass
or combo pack makes this alpine playground more accessible than ever.
Base renovations have improved children’s facilities and provide more efficient access to services.
Non-skiers/riders have a ball in the tubing park or soak up magnificent views from the deck.
Beginners love their dedicated area with three conveyors while freestylers play in the terrain parks and expert skiers
and riders explore the high alpine bowls and chutes.
Treble Cone
A favourite with advanced skiers and snowboarders, Treble Cone is the South Island’s biggest ski area, offering good facilities for novices too.
Varied terrain spans three large basins, off-piste powder skiing is considered unrivalled and to freeriders the mountain is one giant terrain park.
This year learner skiers and snowboarders will benefit from free access to the lower mountain learner lifts including the Nice ‘n’ Easy Platter
and Magic Carpet which are located beside the ski area base lodge.
Treble Cone’s investment in trail enhancement over the past five years means the ski area now has some of the best intermediate runs
in the country to complement the unparalleled free riding terrain for which it’s renowned.
Snow Park
New Zealand’s first freestyle terrain park, Snow Park embodies the culture of young freeriders and has earned an international reputation for innovative terrain.
The terrain park offers a diverse range of primed features for all levels of riders and skiers.
On-mountain accommodation at Snow Park Village includes four luxury apartments and backpacker-style facilities above the Woolshed Restaurant & Bar.
Waiorau Snow Farm
New Zealand’s only Nordic ski area, Waiorau Snow Farm offers a great range of groomed trails and excellent skiing or skating in rolling hill country,
complete with superb views of the Southern Alps.
Situated across the Cardrona Valley and high in the Pisa Range, the ski area offers on-site accommodation at The Snow Farm Alpine Lodge,
or The Bob Lee and Meadow Hut’s are accessible from the Snow Farm’s 55 km of Cross Country Ski Trails, manageable for a beginner skier.
More QUEENSTOWN Travel information here…
Tags: Queenstown, Skiing