Mt Hutt

New Zealand Hopes For Early Opening

As skiing season almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere is already closed or near closing New Zealand is heading for the early opening. After more heavy snowfalls that followed those happened throughout the previous week Mt Hutt located in Canterbury has hopes to launch new season two weeks earlier than scheduled for the first time, say, in the last decade.

Now ski area’s staff and management do their best to get ready the slopes and provide possibility of early skiing. Dave Wilson, Mt Hutt’s Ski Area Manager, reported: “We've got awesome snow conditions so have decided to open early for some May skiing. But it's been a big call to make. There are huge logistics involved in opening a ski area ahead of schedule.”

So Mt Hutt has chances to open as early as the end of May. Mr. Wilson added: “Our outlook for a 30 May opening is positive as long as conditions remain favourable and the weather permits on the day.” The Summit Six Chairlift, the Quad Chair and the Magic Carpet will be operating since very start and the Triple Chair will open in the following weeks.

Local tourist operators are also looking forward for the early start. Paul Creswick, a Mt Hutt Marketing Group representative and Brinkley Resort owner, said: “Many operators are already reporting a significant increase in domestic and international enquiries from last year.”

Photo: wikimedia.org

Date: 13/05/2009